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Major city · Australia

Oodnadatta

Stop one night if you are driving the Oodnadatta Track; skip it as a destination on its own — it is 200 km (124 mi) of dirt from the Stuart Highway.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Oodnadatta is a 204-person town on the unsealed Oodnadatta Track, roughly 200 km from the Stuart Highway via either Coober Pedy or Marla. The old Ghan railway station is now a small museum, the Pink Roadhouse handles fuel, food and beds, and everything else is desert. You come here because you are already driving the track, not to base a holiday here.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Apr–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 40°C (104°F)+); avoid the track after heavy rain
Airports
ADL · CPD
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Oodnadatta000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Oodnadatta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • BeerBeer at the pubA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
  • Budget bedCaravan park or bush camp site, a night, per personA$15 (≈ US$10)
  • Mid-range bedRoadhouse motel room, a night, per roomA$160 (≈ US$110)
  • High-end bedRoadhouse motel room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Oodnadatta TrackOld Ghan railway heritagePink RoadhouseRemote outback driving
Airports
ADL Adelaide Airport (About 1,000 km (621 mi) south; fly here, then drive or take a regional service) · CPD Coober Pedy Airport (Light aircraft and some regional services; access from Oodnadatta and onward connections: check)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    37°C (99°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    33°C (91°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  5. May

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    37°C (99°F)

Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (38°C (100°F)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F) low), wettest May (3 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Oodnadatta: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

38°C (100°F)

22°C (72°F)

2 rd

Feb

37°C (99°F)

21°C (70°F)

2 rd

Mar

33°C (91°F)

18°C (64°F)

2 rd

Apr

28°C (82°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

May

23°C (73°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

Jun

19°C (66°F)

6°C (43°F)

3 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

5°C (41°F)

3 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

6°C (43°F)

2 rd

Sep

27°C (81°F)

10°C (50°F)

2 rd

Oct

31°C (88°F)

14°C (57°F)

2 rd

Nov

34°C (93°F)

18°C (64°F)

2 rd

Dec

37°C (99°F)

21°C (70°F)

2 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town is small enough to walk; parking is never a problem. To reach it you drive the Oodnadatta Track, which is unsealed. The western approach from Coober Pedy is usually fine in a 2WD in dry weather; the northern approach from Marla and the eastern approach from Marree are rougher and often need a 4WD. Vehicle suitability for each approach: check road conditions before setting out.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
William Creekgo

Door to door: About 2–3 h (check)

Drive east on the Oodnadatta Track

Small pub settlement and a base for Lake Eyre flights; check fuel before you go.

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre (southern lake)caution

Door to door: Half a day or more

Drive from William Creek or via the track

Usually a dry saltbed; approach roads can bog. Do not drive onto the lake.

Coober Pedyovernight

Door to door: About 3 h (check)

Drive west on the Oodnadatta Track to the Stuart Highway, then south

Opal town with underground stays; too far for a comfortable return day.

Marree

overnight

Door to door: About 4–5 h (check)

Drive east on the Oodnadatta Track

Rougher eastern section; 4WD recommended.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Ikartuka Terrace)

Pink Roadhouse motel rooms and the caravan park; everything is within walking distance.

Camping in and around town

Camping availability, sites and permission: check with the roadhouse or the local council before you rely on it.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$80–140 (≈ US$55–95) excl. bed
Mid
A$140–220 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
High
A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Roadhouse motel room1 × 1 night × A$160A$160
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160A$320
Fuel, top-up (per litre, remote price)2 × A$3A$5
Roadhouse meal2 × A$25A$50
eSIM or data top-up2 × A$20A$40
Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$86
Trip total≈ A$331 per person per day, bed includedA$661≈ US$450

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and vehicle costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Roadhouse meal (burger, pie, counter meal)A$15–30 (≈ US$10–20)
Beer at the pubA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
Fuel, per litreRemote pricingA$2.20–2.80 (≈ US$2)
Motel room, per nightA$120–220 (≈ US$80–150)
Camp site, per nightA$15–40 (≈ US$10–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Remote and hot. The main risks are heat, distance and breakdowns: carry water, fuel and a spare, check road conditions, and do not rely on phone signal.
  • The Oodnadatta Track is unsealed: check road conditions before you leave, and do not attempt it after heavy rain.
  • Fuel and water are limited — fill up at every roadhouse and carry more water than you think you need.
  • Mobile coverage is patchy to absent outside town; tell someone your route and expected arrival.
  • Summer heat is dangerous: 40°C (104°F)+ days, and help is hours away.
  • Do not walk far along the old rail line; it is overgrown and easy to lose.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From a mobile
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

OodnadattaOodnadatta

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112

Embassy

No consulates here; the nearest are in Adelaide. US, UK, Canadian and other embassies are in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Oodnadatta → Coober Pedy: about 200 km (124 mi) of dirt, 3 h
  • Oodnadatta → Marla: about 200 km (124 mi) of dirt, 3 h

Say or show

  • Where is the fuel? — Where is the fuel?
  • How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?

Remote area: carry water, tell someone your plans, and check road conditions before driving.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Oodnadatta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 40°C+); avoid the track after heavy rain · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources