Coober Pedy

Arrive at Coober Pedy Airport or end of highway drive(30 minutes)

CPD airport is 2km from town. If driving, fuel up in Port Augusta — the last major town before Coober Pedy

Check-in at Desert Cave Hotel(1 hour)

Sleep underground — rooms carved from sandstone, naturally 22°C year-round. From AUD 150/night. The most unique hotel you'll ever stay in. Or Lookout Cave Underground Motel from AUD 120

Faye's Underground Home tour(1 hour)

AUD 12. Self-guided tour of a sprawling dugout home expanded over decades. The living room, bedrooms, and even a swimming pool — all carved from sandstone. The constant 22-24°C is blissful compared to the 40°C+ surface

Sunset at the Breakaways lookout (drive)(1.5 hours)

30km north via unsealed road (2WD OK in dry). Flat-topped mesas and colorful eroded hills — filming location for Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. The sunset turns the desert orange and purple. Bring water

Old Timers Mine tour(1.5 hours)

AUD 18. A preserved 1916 mine with original hand-dug tunnels. Learn the history of opal mining and see the tools they used. The underground home museum section is fascinating

Opal noodling at designated fields(2 hours)

Free. Fossick through old mine tailings for overlooked opals. Ask the visitor center for current noodling locations. The chance of finding a real opal is slim but not zero — people still find them

Lunch at John's Pizza Bar & Restaurant(1 hour)

Coober Pedy's best restaurant — Greek-Australian cuisine including excellent pizzas, lamb souvlaki, and kangaroo steaks. AUD 20-35 per main. Underground section available

Serbian Orthodox Underground Church(30 minutes)

Free (donations welcome). Stunning church carved entirely from sandstone with hand-carved icons and a rock-hewn altar. The acoustics are hauntingly beautiful. Catacomb Road

Catacomb Underground Church(30 minutes)

Another remarkable underground church with carved sandstone reliefs and soft lighting. The effect of worship in a cave is unlike any other church experience

Evening at the Opal Inn pub(1.5 hours)

The town's social hub. Cold beers (AUD 8), chat with miners, and possibly buy rough opals direct from the source. Prices start from AUD 20 for small stones. Ask for a black-light test

Drive to the Breakaways(30 minutes)

30km north on unsealed road. The flat-topped mesas appear suddenly from the flat desert. Bring at least 3 liters of water per person

Moon Plain walk(1 hour)

The perfectly flat white plain where Pitch Black and other sci-fi films were shot. Walking here feels like being on another planet. Free access

Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park loop(3 hours)

AUD 12 vehicle fee. 70km self-drive loop through the painted desert — layers of red, yellow, and white rock. The 'Castle' formation is the icon. Aboriginal Dreaming significance. No facilities — carry food and water

Lunch — packed picnic from town(45 minutes)

Buy supplies from the IGA supermarket before you go. Eat at one of the park lookouts with desert views stretching to the horizon

Return to town and Umoona Opal Mine Museum(1.5 hours)

AUD 17. Combines a dugout tour with opal mining history and an underground gallery showing the opal formation process. Good air-conditioned afternoon activity

Sleep in — enjoy your underground room(2 hours)

The constant 22°C and total darkness of an underground room means the best sleep you'll have in Australia

Coober Pedy golf course(2 hours)

AUD 10 honor system. The world's most unusual course — no grass, oiled 'greens' (browns), completely barren desert. Reciprocal with St Andrews. Night play available with glow-in-the-dark balls. BYO or borrow clubs

Underground art gallery and bookshop walk(1.5 hours)

Several artists have studios in dugouts. Ask at the visitor center for the current open studios. The Umoona underground gallery has Aboriginal art and local craft

Lunch at Outback Bar & Grill(1 hour)

Camel burgers (yes, really) and cold beers. AUD 18-28. Outdoor seating when the temperature allows

Tom's Working Opal Mine(1 hour)

AUD 10. A smaller, more personal mine tour run by a working miner. Tom shows you exactly how opals are found and cut. You might see him find one in real time

Drive to the Dog Fence (80km north)(2 hours)

The longest fence in the world (5,614km) built to keep dingoes out of sheep country. A simple wire fence stretching to both horizons across empty desert. Free to visit. The isolation is powerful

Roadhouse stop on the highway(45 minutes)

The roadhouses along the Stuart Highway are outback institutions. Strong coffee, meat pies (AUD 6), and characters. Fuel up — distances are vast

Return to Coober Pedy for lunch at Tom & Mary's(1.5 hours)

Greek taverna — excellent lamb and seafood despite being 800km from the sea. AUD 20-35

Spaceship and art installations walk(1 hour)

The old spaceship prop from Pitch Black sits on the edge of town. The Blower's sculpture park uses old mining equipment as art. Quirky open-air gallery. Free

Evening stargazing from the Breakaways road(1.5 hours)

Drive 15km out of town where there is zero light pollution. The Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon. The Southern Cross and Magellanic Clouds are vivid. Bring a blanket and a warm layer — desert nights drop to 5°C in winter

Morning opal buying workshop(2 hours)

Several dealers offer education sessions. Learn about body tone, brilliance, play of color, and the difference between black opal, white opal, and boulder opal. Prices range from AUD 20 for small pieces to AUD 10,000+ for gems

Visit the Opal Cutter's shop(1 hour)

Watch raw opal being cut and polished on site. The transformation from rough stone to brilliant gem is mesmerizing. Buy cut stones with certificates of authenticity

Lunch at John's Pizza Bar(1 hour)

Return to the best restaurant for one more meal. Try the underground section this time

Josephine's Kangaroo Orphanage(1 hour)

A local woman who rescues orphaned kangaroos and wombats. Call ahead (phone number at visitor center). A donation of AUD 10-20 is appreciated. The baby joeys are irresistible

Farewell dinner at the Desert Cave Hotel restaurant(1.5 hours)

Underground dining with surprisingly good modern Australian cuisine. AUD 30-50 per main. The wine list focuses on South Australian labels — try a Barossa shiraz

Last opal noodling session(1 hour)

One more try at finding that elusive opal in the mullock heaps. The morning light is pleasant

Breakfast at the Greek Club(45 minutes)

Strong coffee and eggs. The Greek community built this town — their influence is everywhere

Airport transfer or highway departure(30 minutes)

REX flight to Adelaide (2 hours) or begin the 8.5-hour drive south. If driving, stop at Woomera for the rocket and missile museum (3 hours south)

Arrive Adelaide Airport(30 minutes)

Rent a car for the outback trip — you'll need it for 10+ days. From AUD 60/day. Get a vehicle with good AC

Check-in at Adelaide CBD hotel(1 hour)

Majestic Roof Garden Hotel or Ibis Adelaide from AUD 120-200/night. Walk to Central Market from both

Adelaide Central Market(1.5 hours)

One of Australia's best food markets since 1869. Cheese, charcuterie, Asian street food stalls. The Zuma Caffe espresso is exceptional

Dinner on Gouger Street(1.5 hours)

Adelaide's restaurant row. Try Jasmin Indian (AUD 20-35 mains) or Press Food & Wine for modern Australian (AUD 35-50 mains)

Drive to Barossa Valley(1 hour)

70km northeast. The landscape shifts to rolling vineyards and stone cottages

Penfolds Barossa Valley cellar door(1.5 hours)

AUD 20 tasting. Home of Grange — Australia's most famous wine. The 'Make Your Own Blend' experience (AUD 85) is unique

Lunch at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop(1.5 hours)

Australia's food icon. Farmhouse platters (AUD 30-40) with her famous verjuice, pate, and ice cream. The fig and burnt toffee ice cream is legendary

Henschke and Rockford tastings(2 hours)

Henschke makes Hill of Grace (world-class shiraz). Rockford is a small producer with a beautiful stone cellar. AUD 10-15 per tasting

Depart Adelaide northbound(2 hours)

Through the Clare Valley wine region and wheat fields. Stop at Clare for a quick cellar door visit if time permits

Port Augusta — Wadlata Outback Centre(1.5 hours)

AUD 15. Excellent interactive museum covering outback ecology, Aboriginal culture, and pioneer history. Good preparation for what's ahead

Lunch at the Standpipe Motor Inn(1 hour)

Solid pub meals — steak sandwich and chips (AUD 18). Port Augusta is the last proper town before Coober Pedy

Stock up supplies(1 hour)

Buy water (10+ liters), snacks, and fuel up. The next fuel stop is Woomera, 170km north. Port Augusta Coles or Woolworths

Overnight in Port Augusta(overnight)

Majestic Oasis Apartments from AUD 100/night. Rest before the long drive

Depart Port Augusta (early)(3 hours)

Drive north into increasingly barren landscape. The Spencer Gulf disappears behind you. Flat, straight highway — watch for kangaroos at dawn and dusk

Woomera Heritage Centre(1.5 hours)

AUD 10. The secret rocket testing and nuclear weapons site. Outdoor missile park with actual rockets. The Cold War history is fascinating

Lunch at Woomera Travellers Village(45 minutes)

Roadhouse meals — meat pies and coffee. AUD 8-12. Fuel up

Continue to Coober Pedy(3 hours)

370km of flat desert. The landscape becomes moon-like as you approach. The first sign of town is the mine shafts dotting the hillsides

Check-in at Desert Cave Hotel(1 hour)

Underground rooms carved from sandstone. 22°C year-round. From AUD 150/night

Faye's Underground Home(1 hour)

AUD 12. Sprawling dugout expanded over decades. Swimming pool, bedrooms, all underground

Serbian Orthodox Underground Church(30 minutes)

Free. Hand-carved icons and rock-hewn altar. Haunting acoustics. Catacomb Road

Old Timers Mine(1.5 hours)

AUD 18. Original 1916 mine with hand-dug tunnels plus underground home museum

Lunch at John's Pizza Bar(1 hour)

Greek-Australian cuisine. Pizzas, lamb souvlaki, kangaroo steak. AUD 20-35

Opal noodling(2 hours)

Free fossicking at designated tailings. Ask visitor center for locations. Real opal finds still happen

Evening at Opal Inn pub(1.5 hours)

Buy rough opals from miners over cold beers (AUD 8). Prices from AUD 20

Drive to the Breakaways(30 minutes)

30km north. Unsealed road, 2WD OK dry weather. Bring 3 liters of water

Moon Plain walk(1 hour)

Where Pitch Black was filmed. Flat white plain — another planet. Free

Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park loop(3 hours)

AUD 12 vehicle. 70km loop through painted desert. The 'Castle' formation. No facilities

Packed lunch at lookout(45 minutes)

Buy supplies from IGA before leaving. Eat with desert views to the horizon

Umoona Opal Mine Museum(1.5 hours)

AUD 17. Dugout tour plus opal formation gallery. Air-conditioned afternoon option

Sleep in underground(2 hours)

Total darkness and 22°C — best sleep in Australia

Desert golf course(2 hours)

AUD 10 honor system. No grass, oiled 'browns.' Reciprocal with St Andrews. Glow-in-the-dark night play available

Tom's Working Opal Mine(1 hour)

AUD 10. Personal tour from a working miner. See real opal finding and cutting

Lunch at Outback Bar & Grill(1 hour)

Camel burgers and cold beers. AUD 18-28

Josephine's Kangaroo Orphanage(1 hour)

Rescued joeys and wombats. Call ahead. AUD 10-20 donation

Stargazing from the Breakaways road(1.5 hours)

15km out — zero light pollution. Milky Way horizon to horizon. Southern Cross vivid. Bring blanket, warm layer

Early departure southbound to Stuart Highway junction(3 hours)

Retrace to Port Augusta direction, then take the Stuart Highway north or the shorter Oodnadatta Track (4WD only). Standard route via the sealed highway

Fuel and supplies at Cadney Homestead(30 minutes)

Roadhouse stop. Fuel, pies, coffee. This is proper outback

Continue via Marla and the Stuart Highway(4 hours)

The landscape turns from white desert to red. You're entering the Red Centre

Arrive Yulara (Uluru resort village)(1 hour)

Check in at Outback Pioneer Hotel (from AUD 150/night) or Desert Gardens (from AUD 300). The only accommodation near Uluru

Sunset viewing at Uluru(1.5 hours)

AUD 38 park entry (valid 5 days). Drive to the sunset viewing area. Watch the rock change from orange to deep crimson to purple. Free sparkling wine often offered at the viewing platforms

Uluru sunrise (5AM departure)(1.5 hours)

Drive to the sunrise viewing area. The rock goes from black silhouette to orange to glowing red. Arrive 30 minutes early for a good spot

Uluru base walk(3.5 hours)

10.6km flat walk around the entire base. Free with park entry. See waterholes, cave paintings, and the sheer scale of the monolith. Some sections are sacred and photography is restricted — respect the signs

Lunch at Walpa Lobby Bar (Sails in the Desert)(1 hour)

The nicest dining at Yulara. Modern Australian with bush tucker influences. AUD 25-40 mains

Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre(1 hour)

Free. Anangu Aboriginal art, stories, and cultural displays. Buy authentic dot paintings direct from community artists

Field of Light installation (seasonal)(1 hour)

Bruce Munro's 50,000 solar-powered stems illuminating the desert floor. AUD 45. An otherworldly experience at dusk. Check availability — it may have ended

Drive to Kata Tjuta (early)(30 minutes)

40km from Yulara. 36 massive red domes rising from the desert. Sacred to Anangu men

Valley of the Winds walk(3 hours)

7.4km loop through the domes. Moderate difficulty with some scrambling. The view from Karingana Lookout between the rock walls is breathtaking. Closes above 36°C. Start before 8AM

Walpa Gorge walk(1 hour)

A gentler 2.6km return walk into a narrow gorge between two domes. Cycads and rare plants in the sheltered canyon. Good for those who find Valley of the Winds too strenuous

Lunch at Gecko's Cafe (Yulara)(1 hour)

Casual dining — wood-fired pizzas and burgers. AUD 20-30

Sounds of Silence dinner (splurge)(3 hours)

AUD 250. Outdoor dinner in the desert with didgeridoo, canapes at sunset overlooking Uluru, four-course meal, and star talk by an astronomer. Extraordinary and worth every cent

Long drive back to Coober Pedy(7 hours)

740km. Break the drive at roadhouses — Erldunda, Cadney Homestead, Marla. Fuel up at each stop

Arrive Coober Pedy evening(30 minutes)

One more night underground at Desert Cave Hotel

Farewell dinner at John's Pizza Bar(1.5 hours)

The Greek Australian institution. A fitting goodbye

Opal buying morning(1.5 hours)

Final chance to buy opals. Get certificates of authenticity for purchases over AUD 100

Depart south on the Stuart Highway(4 hours)

Drive to Woomera or Port Augusta. The landscape greens as you head south

Lunch at a roadhouse(45 minutes)

Meat pies and flat whites at a highway stop. Classic outback dining

Overnight in Port Augusta(overnight)

Break the drive halfway. Standpipe Motor Inn or similar. AUD 80-100/night

Drive to Wilpena Pound (Flinders Ranges)(2 hours)

120km northeast of Port Augusta. A massive natural amphitheatre — 80 sq km basin surrounded by jagged quartzite ridges. Entry included in AUD 12 vehicle park fee

Wilpena Pound short walk(2 hours)

The Hills Homestead Walk (5km return, 2 hours) goes into the pound with mountain views. Moderate difficulty. Or the St Mary Peak trail for experienced hikers (20km, 8 hours)

Lunch at Wilpena Pound Resort(1 hour)

The only dining option. Pub meals AUD 20-35 with pound views

Drive to Adelaide via Clare Valley(4 hours)

Scenic route through wine country. Stop for a quick tasting at Sevenhill Cellars — Australia's oldest working Jesuit winery

Arrive Adelaide, farewell dinner(1.5 hours)

Return to Gouger Street for a final Adelaide meal

Morning walk along the River Torrens(1 hour)

The linear park along the river is perfect for a morning stroll. Black swans and pelicans on the water

Breakfast at Adelaide Central Market(1 hour)

Fresh pastries, coffee, and the best avocado toast in SA. AUD 15-20

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

Adelaide Airport is 7km from the CBD. Allow 2 hours before your flight. Pick up South Australian wine and chocolates at the terminal shops

Arrive and rent car(1 hour)

From AUD 60/day. Get a vehicle with good AC for outback driving

Check-in Adelaide CBD(1 hour)

Majestic Roof Garden or Ibis Adelaide. AUD 120-200/night

Adelaide Central Market(1.5 hours)

Food market since 1869. Cheese, charcuterie, Asian stalls, excellent espresso

Dinner on Gouger Street(1.5 hours)

Restaurant row — Jasmin Indian or Press Food & Wine. AUD 20-50 mains

Penfolds cellar door(1.5 hours)

AUD 20 tasting. Home of Grange. 'Make Your Own Blend' AUD 85

Lunch at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop(1.5 hours)

Farmhouse platters AUD 30-40. Fig and burnt toffee ice cream is legendary

Henschke and Rockford tastings(2 hours)

Hill of Grace shiraz. Stone cellar at Rockford. AUD 10-15 tastings

Drive to McLaren Vale(45 minutes)

40km south through rolling vineyards to the sea

d'Arenberg Cube(1.5 hours)

AUD 15 tasting. A surreal Rubik's cube-shaped building in the vineyards with avant-garde installations and premium wines

Beach walk at Port Willunga(1 hour)

Dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise water. The old jetty ruins are photogenic. Free access

Lunch at Star of Greece(1.5 hours)

Clifftop restaurant overlooking the sea. Fresh seafood and SA wines. AUD 35-55 mains

Depart Adelaide(3 hours)

Through Clare Valley and wheat country

Wadlata Outback Centre, Port Augusta(1.5 hours)

AUD 15. Interactive outback ecology and Aboriginal culture museum

Lunch at Standpipe Motor Inn(1 hour)

Pub meals — steak sandwich AUD 18

Stock up supplies(1 hour)

10+ liters water, snacks, fuel. Last proper town before Coober Pedy

Overnight Port Augusta(overnight)

Majestic Oasis Apartments from AUD 100/night

Drive to Woomera(2.5 hours)

170km. Flat desert begins

Woomera Heritage Centre(1.5 hours)

AUD 10. Secret rocket testing site. Outdoor missile park

Lunch at Woomera Travellers Village(45 minutes)

Meat pies and coffee. Fuel up

Continue to Coober Pedy(3 hours)

370km of moon-like landscape

Check-in Desert Cave Hotel(1 hour)

Underground rooms. 22°C year-round. From AUD 150/night

Faye's Underground Home(1 hour)

AUD 12. Sprawling dugout with pool, all underground

Serbian Orthodox Church(30 minutes)

Free. Carved sandstone, hand-carved icons, haunting acoustics

Old Timers Mine(1.5 hours)

AUD 18. Original 1916 tunnels plus underground home

Lunch at John's Pizza Bar(1 hour)

Greek-Australian. Pizzas, souvlaki, kangaroo. AUD 20-35

Opal noodling(2 hours)

Free fossicking at designated tailings

Opal Inn pub evening(1.5 hours)

Buy opals from miners. Beers AUD 8. Stones from AUD 20

Breakaways lookout(1 hour)

30km north. Mad Max filming location

Moon Plain walk(1 hour)

Pitch Black location. Another planet feel. Free

Kanku-Breakaways loop drive(3 hours)

AUD 12 vehicle. 70km painted desert loop

Umoona Opal Mine Museum(1.5 hours)

AUD 17. Opal history plus air-conditioned gallery

Desert golf course(2 hours)

AUD 10. No grass. Oiled 'browns.' Reciprocal with St Andrews

Tom's Working Opal Mine(1 hour)

AUD 10. Personal tour from a working miner

Lunch at Outback Bar & Grill(1 hour)

Camel burgers. AUD 18-28

Josephine's Kangaroo Orphanage(1 hour)

Rescued joeys. Call ahead. AUD 10-20 donation

Stargazing 15km out of town(1.5 hours)

Zero light pollution. Milky Way horizon to horizon

Depart Coober Pedy westbound(3 hours)

4WD recommended. The track follows the old Ghan railway route. Check road conditions at the visitor center

William Creek(1.5 hours)

Population: 3. The William Creek Hotel is covered in business cards and memorabilia from decades of outback travelers. Cold beers and the best hamburger in nowhere

Lunch at William Creek Hotel(1 hour)

AUD 15-25 for pub meals. The isolation is complete — nearest other town is 200km away

Continue to Oodnadatta(2.5 hours)

The Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta is an outback icon — pink building, eclectic collection, fuel, and food

Overnight Oodnadatta or bush camp(overnight)

The Pink Roadhouse has basic rooms from AUD 60. Or camp at a designated bush campsite. Permit needed from the roadhouse

Morning at Algebuckina Bridge(1 hour)

Australia's longest railway bridge over the Neales River. Abandoned when the Ghan railway relocated. Eerie and photogenic

The Painted Desert (north of Arckaringa)(2 hours)

Layered hills in white, yellow, red, and purple. More vivid than the Breakaways. Very few tourists reach here. 4WD essential

Packed lunch in the desert(45 minutes)

Eat surrounded by 100km of nothing. The silence is profound

Return to Coober Pedy(3 hours)

Via the sealed Stuart Highway from the track junction

Dinner at Desert Cave Hotel(1.5 hours)

Underground dining. SA wines. AUD 30-50 mains

Early departure south then north(4 hours)

Stuart Highway to Erldunda junction, then west on Lasseter Highway

Roadhouse stops for fuel and pies(1 hour)

Cadney Homestead, Marla. The roadhouses are outback institutions

Arrive Yulara (Uluru)(2 hours)

Outback Pioneer Hotel from AUD 150/night or Desert Gardens from AUD 300

Uluru sunset viewing(1.5 hours)

AUD 38 park entry (5 days). Watch the rock change from orange to crimson to purple. Free sparkling wine at viewing platforms

Uluru sunrise (5AM)(1.5 hours)

Black silhouette to orange to glowing red. Arrive early for a good spot

Base walk(3.5 hours)

10.6km flat loop. Waterholes, cave paintings, sacred sites. Some photography restrictions — respect signs

Lunch at Walpa Lobby Bar(1 hour)

Modern Australian with bush tucker. AUD 25-40

Cultural Centre(1 hour)

Free. Anangu art, stories. Buy authentic dot paintings from community artists

Valley of the Winds walk(3 hours)

7.4km loop. Karingana Lookout between the domes is breathtaking. Closes above 36°C

Walpa Gorge walk(1 hour)

2.6km gentler walk into a narrow gorge. Cycads and rare plants

Lunch at Gecko's Cafe(1 hour)

Wood-fired pizzas. AUD 20-30

Sounds of Silence dinner(3 hours)

AUD 250. Desert dinner with didgeridoo, four courses, star talk. Extraordinary

Optional scenic helicopter flight(30 minutes)

AUD 150-300. Aerial view of Uluru and Kata Tjuta reveals the full scale. Ayers Rock Helicopters

Uluru camel ride(1 hour)

AUD 75-130. Sunrise or sunset camel tours viewing Uluru from the desert. Uluru Camel Tours

Aboriginal dot painting workshop(2 hours)

AUD 60-90. Learn dot painting techniques from Anangu artists at the Cultural Centre. Create your own piece

Final Uluru sunset(1 hour)

One last viewing — every sunset is different

Drive to Kings Canyon(3.5 hours)

Via Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road. Remote, sealed road through desert scrub

Arrive Kings Canyon Resort(30 minutes)

The only accommodation. From AUD 180/night. Has a pool, restaurant, and campground

Kathleen Springs Walk (afternoon)(1.5 hours)

2.6km return easy walk to a permanent waterhole in a gorge. Good warm-up for tomorrow's rim walk

Sunset dinner at Carmichael's (resort)(1.5 hours)

Modern Australian. AUD 30-50 mains. The only restaurant for 200km

Kings Canyon Rim Walk (start by 7AM)(3.5 hours)

6km loop. Steep initial climb (Heartbreak Hill), then flat walking along the 100m canyon rim. The Garden of Eden is a lush palm-filled pool in the gorge. Closes above 36°C

Drive south toward Coober Pedy(6 hours)

Via Stuart Highway. Long drive through the Red Centre. Roadhouse stops at Erldunda and Cadney Homestead

Arrive Coober Pedy evening(30 minutes)

One more night underground

Farewell dinner at John's Pizza Bar(1.5 hours)

Greek-Australian comfort food. A fitting return

Opal buying morning(2 hours)

Learn body tone, brilliance, play of color. Get certificates for purchases over AUD 100

Spaceship and sculpture park walk(1 hour)

Pitch Black spaceship prop. Mining equipment art. Free outdoor gallery

Lunch at Tom & Mary's(1 hour)

Greek taverna. Lamb and seafood. AUD 20-35

Last underground church visit(30 minutes)

Catacomb Church if you missed it

Depart Coober Pedy early(4 hours)

Stuart Highway south to Port Augusta area

Drive to Wilpena Pound (Flinders Ranges)(2 hours)

120km northeast. The landscape transforms from flat desert to jagged quartzite peaks

Check-in Wilpena Pound Resort(30 minutes)

From AUD 180/night. Only accommodation in the park. Has restaurant, pool, and campground

Sunset walk to the pound entrance(1 hour)

The massive natural amphitheatre glows golden at dusk

Hills Homestead Walk(3 hours)

5km return into the pound. Views of the 80 sq km basin from inside. Moderate difficulty

Brachina Gorge geological trail(2 hours)

Drive through a gorge that exposes 600 million years of geological history. Self-guided with excellent signage. Look for yellow-footed rock wallabies on the cliffs

Lunch at Wilpena Resort(1 hour)

Pub meals AUD 20-35 with mountain views

Bunyeroo Valley scenic drive(1.5 hours)

Winding road through red gorges and river gum valleys. Stop at Razorback Lookout for a jagged ridge panorama

Evening campfire at resort(1 hour)

The resort often has campfire gatherings. Marshmallows and stargazing in the mountain air

Morning scenic drive out of the ranges(2 hours)

Via the Horrocks Highway through pastoral country

Clare Valley wine tasting(2 hours)

Stop at Sevenhill Cellars (oldest working Jesuit winery in Australia) and Jim Barry wines (famous for The Armagh shiraz). AUD 10-15 tastings

Lunch at Skillogalee Winery(1.5 hours)

One of Australia's best winery restaurants. AUD 35-50 mains with vineyard views

Farewell dinner at Press Food & Wine(1.5 hours)

Modern Australian on Gouger Street. AUD 35-50 mains. A proper Adelaide goodbye

Morning River Torrens walk(1 hour)

Black swans and pelicans along the linear park

Breakfast at Central Market(1 hour)

Fresh pastries, coffee, avocado toast. AUD 15-20

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

7km to Adelaide Airport. SA wine and chocolates at terminal shops