The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive

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The Outback is easily reached from Adelaide. Its Australia's most legendary countryside, with vast dramatic landscapes, huge horizons and skies, unique towns and people. Its a region of outstanding natural attractions and an Indigenous culture more than 45,000 years old.

The country is far from arid and barren: theres remarkable flora and wildlife, and clear waterholes and thermal springs that host abundant bird life. No two deserts are the same in this vast place.

Must See and Do

Oldrocket launching site and missile park at Woomera
Lake Eyre in flood (a rare occurrence)
Outback pubs and local characters
Explorers Way including the Old Ghan Railway self-drive trail
Outback 4WD tracks: Birdsville, Oodnadatta and Strzelecki
Dalhousie Springs, Witjira National Park
Simpson Desert
Coongie Lakes National Park near Innaminka
Camel treks
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Coober Pedy

The frontier town of Coober Pedy is the main access point en route to the Cattle Drive. The Opal Capital of the World Coober Pedy consists of 4000 residents from 50 countries who have made an art form of all things quirky. With half the population living in underground dugouts to escape high temperatures in summer, only in Coober Pedy will you find an underground church, underground hotels and a golf course without a blade of grass.

Taking its name from the Aboriginal word kupa (uninitiated man or white man) and piti (hole), Coober Pedy produces most of the worlds opals. Its opal fields, discovered in 1913 by 14-year-old Willie Hutchison, cover an area of 4,954 square kilometres and consist of 70 individual fields.

Accommodation

Desert cave Underground Hotel
The only international underground hotel that allows you to experience dugout style living. The Desert Cave provides a complete underground experience within natural sandstone surrounds.

Opal Inn Hotel/Motel
The Opal Inn has something for everyone with motel accommodation, budget rooms as well as all caravan and camping amenities.
It is conveniently located in the centre of town close to bars, restaurants and all facilities.

Must See and Do

Old Timers Mine
Umoona Opal Mine and Museum
Moon Plains
The Breakaways
Star gazing tour
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Tours

Desert cave tours $90
Highlights include a visit to an underground church, an underground home, a former working mine, travel through the opal fields to The Breakaways Range and Dog Fence. Operates daily at 0800 and 1400. Includes: Pick up from and return to Coober Pedy accommodation and all entry fees.

Down 'n Dirty opal Digging tour $105
A safe, fun and informative way to mine your own opal. You will have access to a working mine where you will be supplied with a hard hat, torch and handpick to get Down n Dirty and try to find your fortune. Operates daily at 0800 and 1400. Includes: Pick up from and return to Coober Pedy accommodation, entrance fee and all equipment.

Sunsets, Ghosts and stars tour $135
This four-hour tour starts at the Breakaways. While the sun slowly sets on the horizon, you enjoy ice-cold champagne and a cheese and anti-pasto platter. From there your guide will take you to the historic Coober Pedy cemetery. Here you will find tombstones of people that helped shape the town of today. Their stories will be retold before you adjourn to the Quest Opal Mine and examine the stars of the Southern Hemisphere. Operates on request.

One Day outback mail run $190
Experience the Outback and meet the locals by joining the one-day mail run. The run delivers mail to Oodnadatta, William Creek and five remote cattle stations including the worlds largest - Anna Creek. Follow the historic Oodnadatta Track, travel alongside the Old Ghan Railway and over diverse country including rocky plains and sand hill country. Operates Mondays and Thursdays from 0900 to 2100. Departs from the Underground Books Shop. Meals are not included.

All prices quoted are AUD per person and include GST.

For more information, or help with your individual travel itinerary, contact the South Australian Visitor and Travel Centre or your travel agent.