Itineraries
Two Opal Towns: Coober Pedy & Andamooka
Pair the opal capital with its scrappier sister town, Andamooka - a 3-day road trip through two very different sides of South Australia's opal country.
South Australia has two great opal communities, and they make a brilliant pair. This is a relaxed 3-day road trip linking Coober Pedy with Andamooka - they’re about 480km apart (~5½ hours), so this is an overnight journey, not a day trip.
Day 1 - Coober Pedy
See the opal capital: a mine tour, the underground churches, the Big Winch lookout and a noodle. Stay underground.
Day 2 - Drive to Andamooka
Head south down the Stuart Highway, then east via Pimba and Roxby Downs to Andamooka (fuel up - see driving the Stuart Highway). Arrive in time to wander the gloriously ramshackle main drag and the historic pioneer dugouts. Stay overnight.
Day 3 - Andamooka opal
Explore Andamooka’s claim to fame - its distinctive matrix opal - visit the dugouts and showrooms, then continue your trip (Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges or back north).
Good to know
- It’s remote driving with long gaps between services - carry water, fuel and spares.
- Andamooka’s airfield is being upgraded, but there’s no regular tourist flight between the towns yet - confirm before relying on one.
- More context in the Andamooka listing and our outback safety notes.