Outback South Australia starts at Port Augusta, at the head of Spencer Gulf. From there, Hawker and Wilpena Pound are about three hours away. Highways and tracks fan out north and west across some of the driest country in Australia.
The key places
- Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park: Wilpena Pound (Ikara), Brachina Gorge and Adnyamathanha culture, with Hawker as the gateway.
- Coober Pedy: underground homes, churches and hotels, opal mine tours, the Breakaways and the Dog Fence.
- Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre: a vast salt lake that occasionally floods. It's best seen on a scenic flight from William Creek or Marree.
- The great tracks: the Oodnadatta Track (about 620 km, Marree to Marla), the Birdsville Track (about 520 km, Marree to Birdsville) and the Strzelecki Track to Innamincka.
- Gawler Ranges National Park: the Organ Pipes, about six hours north-west of Adelaide.
- The Nullarbor: the Eyre Highway from Ceduna to Norseman is about 1,206 km. See crossing the Nullarbor.
- Opal and mining towns: Andamooka, Roxby Downs and Leigh Creek.
7-day Flinders and Coober Pedy loop
- Day 1: Adelaide to Hawker and Wilpena Pound.
- Day 2: Wilpena: a walk, then a drive through Brachina Gorge.
- Day 3: Parachilna and the northern Flinders, or a scenic flight over the Pound.
- Day 4: across to Port Augusta, then north on the Stuart Highway.
- Day 5: Coober Pedy: the mines, an underground church and the Breakaways.
- Day 6: Coober Pedy to Port Augusta.
- Day 7: back to Adelaide.
See the Flinders Ranges itinerary.
10–14-day outback loop
Adelaide → Flinders Ranges → Marree → Oodnadatta Track via William Creek and Oodnadatta → Marla → Coober Pedy → Stuart Highway south → Adelaide.
This loop takes in mound springs, Lake Eyre views and the old Ghan line. Allow at least three days for the Oodnadatta Track itself. Add a Lake Eyre flight from William Creek. If you have a 4WD and time, swap the Oodnadatta Track for the Birdsville Track into Queensland, or the Strzelecki Track to Innamincka and the Dig Tree.
Best outback SA experiences
- Walking or flying over Wilpena Pound
- Sleeping underground in Coober Pedy
- A scenic flight over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre
- The mound springs and the old Ghan ruins on the Oodnadatta Track
- The Coober Pedy mail run (see scenic flights and air tours)
- Dark skies in the Flinders (see stargazing and dark skies)
- Noodling for opal (see fossicking and gem fields)
Roads and rules
SA's default limit outside built-up areas is 100 km/h. Outback roads are managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), which publishes outback road warnings and closures. Check them before every leg. Driving on a closed road brings heavy fines. Many outback roads close after only light rain. See outback road rules.
Parks and passes
Many outback SA parks need a vehicle entry fee and camping fees, paid online before you arrive. Remote desert parks, such as the Simpson Desert parks and Innamincka Regional Reserve, need a Desert Parks Pass or the relevant park permit. Check National Parks and Wildlife Service SA for current options. See national parks.
When to go
April to October is the season. Days are pleasant, and nights in the Flinders can drop near freezing in winter. From November to March, heat is extreme on the tracks, and some parks close on high fire-danger days. See weather by month.
Vehicle
A 2WD covers the Flinders' main roads, Coober Pedy and the Stuart Highway. The tracks suit a high-clearance 4WD carrying spares, extra fuel and water. See best vehicle for the outback and water and food planning.
Highlights in more depth
The Flinders Ranges. Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is jointly managed with the Adnyamathanha people. Beyond Wilpena Pound, drive Brachina Gorge's geological trail and Bunyeroo Gorge. Then head north through Blinman to Parachilna, and with more time, on to Arkaroola. Three days covers the core, and five to seven days adds the northern Flinders.
Coober Pedy. One to two full days lets you visit an opal mine and museum, an underground church, the Breakaways and the Dog Fence. Stay at least one night underground.
The tracks. On the Oodnadatta Track, it's roughly 200 km from Marree to William Creek, about 200 km on to Oodnadatta, then roughly 210 km to Marla. Distances between stops are up to about 200 km, so fill up at every chance and carry water.
Where to stay
Port Augusta, Hawker, Wilpena, Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs have a range of accommodation. On the tracks, roadhouses and pubs at Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta and Innamincka offer rooms and camping. Book ahead in winter. See outback accommodation.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the best road trip in outback South Australia?
The classic is a loop from Adelaide through the Flinders Ranges to Marree, along the Oodnadatta Track to Coober Pedy, then back down the Stuart Highway. It combines mountains, mound springs, Lake Eyre views and opal country. Allow 10 to 14 days.
How many days do you need for the Flinders Ranges?
Three days covers Wilpena Pound and the main gorges. Five to seven days lets you add the northern Flinders, Arkaroola and Parachilna. See our Flinders Ranges itinerary.
Do you need a 4WD for outback South Australia?
Not for the Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta or the main Flinders Ranges roads to Wilpena. The Oodnadatta Track is often passable in a high-clearance 2WD when dry, but conditions change. A 4WD is strongly recommended for the Birdsville and Strzelecki tracks and the more remote parks. Check the DIT outback road report.
What are the best towns to visit in outback South Australia?
Coober Pedy, Hawker, Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta, Innamincka, Andamooka, Leigh Creek, Roxby Downs and Port Augusta, the gateway to the outback.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Outback road warnings and closures — Department for Infrastructure and Transport SA
- Speed limits (Driver's Handbook) — Government of South Australia
- Gawler Ranges National Park — National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
