Major city · Australia
Coober Pedy
Give Coober Pedy one full day and one night: underground mine tour, underground church and a sunset lookout. Two nights only if you fossick or take a night-sky tour.
Coober Pedy is a small opal town on the Stuart Highway, 846 km north of Adelaide and 685 km south of Alice Springs, where most residents live in dugouts bored into the rock because summer surface temperatures are brutal. It is a stop on the long drive, not a destination in itself: one night covers the mines, the underground churches and the lookout, and the town is small enough to walk once the heat drops.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 40°C (104°F)+ days)avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 104°F (40°C)+ days)
- Airport
- CPD
- Nights
- 1–2
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 ▾
In this guide
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 Coober Pedy000 ▾
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 Coober Pedy, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyStreet crime is rare but the town has a high break-in rate aimed at cash and alcohol, mostly businesses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCPD Coober Pedy Airport (Regional Express (Rex) flights from Adelaide, a few per week, about 2 h…
- Getting aroundThe town is compact and most visitors walk Hutchison Street and the nearby sights; a car is only needed for the Painted Desert road…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMine tour entryA$15–30 (≈ US$10–20)
- Budget bedUnderground hostel bed, a night, per personA$35 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$160 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$260 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · 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.
- Airports
- CPD Coober Pedy Airport (Regional Express (Rex) flights from Adelaide, a few per week, about 2 h; fares from about A$300 one way (check current schedule))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Feb
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest May (3 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coober Pedy: 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
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Dec
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 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 compact and most visitors walk Hutchison Street and the nearby sights; a car is only needed for the Painted Desert road, the golf course and out-of-town lookouts. Fuel costs roughly 30c/litre more than on the coast, so fill up before the long Stuart Highway legs. There is no public transport in town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Painted Desert (Kempe Road to Oodnadatta)
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Formed sand road west from town, 194 km (121 mi), about 3 h each wayFormed sand road west from town, 121 mi (194 km), about 3 h each way
Very light traffic and remote; carry water, check road conditions and do not continue if the road is closed.
Woomera
skipDoor to door: About 4 h
Stuart Highway south, about 360 km (224 mi)Stuart Highway south, about 224 mi (360 km)
Too far for a day return; treat it as a stop on the drive south.
Marla
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Stuart Highway north, about 200 km (124 mi)Stuart Highway north, about 124 mi (200 km)
Roadhouse stop with fuel, not a sight; useful on the way to Alice Springs.
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.
Hutchison Street (main street)
Shops, IGA, bottle shop, cafés and most motels; walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.
Underground dugout motels
Rooms cut into the rock, steady temperature, no windows; book ahead in the Apr–Sep season.
North end near the Big Winch
Lookout, underground homes and a short walk back to the main street.
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
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$140–220 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$160 | A$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| Mine tour entry2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Faye's Underground Home entry2 × A$5 | A$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$57 |
| Trip total≈ A$314 per person per day, bed included | A$627≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; long-distance fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| 12-inch pizza with a glass of wine | about A$30 (≈ US$20) |
| Pub meal | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Mine tour entry | A$15–30 (≈ US$10–20) |
| Fuel | about 30c/litre above coastal prices |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Never walk backwards near the diggings and stay out of unfenced mine areas: open shafts are a real hazard.
- Summer heat is dangerous; plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon and carry water.
- Alcohol is restricted: sales start after midday, one purchase per person per day, ID scanned, take-away wine limited (check current rules).
- Break-ins target cash and alcohol, mostly businesses; keep valuables with you and lock the car.
- Mobile coverage is Telstra and Optus in town; Vodafone does not work here.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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Coober PedyCoober Pedy
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies in town; the nearest consulates are in Adelaide. US, UK, Canada and New Zealand travellers should register with their embassy in Canberra or consulate in Adelaide before remote travel (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rex Adelaide → Coober Pedy: from about A$300 (≈ US$200) one way, about 2 h; three flights a week (check schedule)
- Greyhound Adelaide → Coober Pedy: departs 7:45PM, arrives 6:15AM; daily, 365 days a yeardeparts 7:45 AMPM, arrives 6:15 AMAM; daily, 365 days a year
- The Ghan to Manguri Siding: 47 km (29 mi) from town; transfer must be arranged before departure (check)29 mi (47 km) from town; transfer must be arranged before departure (check)
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
- I need water, please — I need water
- Is the road open today? — Is the road open?
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 Coober Pedy. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 40°C+ days) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CPD: Rex days of operation, taxi or courtesy pickup, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Hutchison Street, Big Winch lookout, underground church and dugout home cluster.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry for the mine tours, Faye's Underground Home and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
- Heat and remote-road fixtures so summer and Painted Desert days can go green.