Major city · Australia
Lyndhurst, South AustraliaLyndhurst
Stop for fuel, a pub meal and the old Ghan rail history, then move on: Lyndhurst is a 1-night outback junction, not a destination in itself.
Lyndhurst is a junction town of about 70 people where the Strzelecki Track, the Outback Highway (B83) and the Oodnadatta Track meet. It was a siding on the original Ghan line until the last train passed in 1980; the railway moved 200 km west and the town emptied. What is left is one hotel, a roadhouse, ochre country and a lot of distance. You come here because you are crossing the outback, not because Lyndhurst is the trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (cool, dry days)
- avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C (104 °F)+ days, road closures)avoid Dec–Feb (104 °F (40 °C)+ days, road closures)
- Airports
- ADL · OOL
- 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 ▾
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lyndhurst, South Australia000 ▾
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 Lyndhurst, South Australia, 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
- SafetyThe town is quiet and safe; the risk is the country around it.
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 a mobile
- 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.
- AirportADL Adelaide Airport (About 7 h drive non-stop via the A32, B82, B80 and B83; the usual arrival point for a self-drive outback trip.).
- Getting aroundYou need a vehicle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or cold drink at the roadhouseA$4–7 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer at the pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a weekA$20–50 (≈ US$14–35)
- Budget bedPowered caravan or camp site nearby, a night, per roomA$35 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedLyndhurst Hotel room, a night, per roomA$160 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedLyndhurst Hotel room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
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
- ADL Adelaide Airport (About 7 h drive non-stop via the A32, B82, B80 and B83; the usual arrival point for a self-drive outback trip.) · OOL Leigh Creek Airport (Small airstrip at Leigh Creek, about 1 h south; no scheduled public service — check before planning around it.)
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
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°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 (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest May (4 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lyndhurst, South Australia: 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)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Dec
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
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
You need a vehicle. The town centre is walkable in a few minutes, but every sight worth seeing — the ochre pits, Farina, Witchelina, the Ediacara fossil country — is 2 km to 50 km out on unsealed or remote roads. Take water whenever you leave the bitumen. Fuel up here or at Leigh Creek/Marree; do not assume the next pump is open.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Marree
goDoor to door: About 1 h
B83 north, about 80 km (50 mi) on sealed roadB83 north, about 50 mi (80 km) on sealed road
Junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks; hotel and fuel. Good overnight if Lyndhurst is full.
Door to door: 4–6 h
Strzelecki Track (D96) north-east
Unsealed and weather-dependent; not a day return.
Farina and the Farina Bakery
goDoor to door: About 30 min
B83 north, then Farina Road
Watch for the turnoff. Bakery hours are limited — check before you drive out.
Ochre Cliffs
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
About 50 km (31 mi) north of townAbout 31 mi (50 km) north of town
Remote and unsealed; go with a full tank and water.
Ediacara Conservation Park (Nilpena)
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
South-east of Lyndhurst, unsealed access
Fossil site with restricted access; check access and tour arrangements first.
Woomera
overnightDoor to door: About 3.5–4 h
B83 south via Leigh Creek and the Stuart Highway
Too far for a return day; pairs with a Leigh Creek stop.
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.
Lyndhurst town centre
The Lyndhurst Hotel is effectively the only bed in town; book ahead in the cooler months and assume it can be full.
Leigh Creek, Copley or Marree
If the hotel is full, the nearest beds are about an hour away on sealed roads; Leigh Creek has a resort, Copley a caravan park, Marree a hotel.
Farina and bush camps
Camping near Farina suits self-drive travellers with their own water, fuel and supplies.
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$80–140 (≈ US$55–95) excl. bed (fuel, food, park fees)
- Mid
- A$140–250 (≈ US$95–170) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed (tours, charters, 4WD hire)
Trip budget
| Lyndhurst Hotel room1 × 1 night × A$160 | A$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$170 | A$340 |
| Fuel, per 100 km at outback prices1 × A$25 · Outback fuel runs well above city prices | A$25 |
| Pub meal at the Lyndhurst Hotel2 × A$30 | A$60 |
| eSIM or data plan for the trip2 × A$30 · Telstra coverage only in town centres | A$60 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$97 |
| Trip total≈ A$371 per person per day, bed included | A$742≈ US$500 |
The town's only hotel; book ahead
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel is the biggest variable and depends on your vehicle and route. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or cold drink at the roadhouse | A$4–7 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Pub meal (counter meal) | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer at the pub | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Fuel, per litre in the outbackVaries widely by delivery | A$2.20–2.80 (≈ US$2) |
| Camp site, unpowered | A$15–30 (≈ US$10–20) per night |
| eSIM or data plan, about a week | A$20–50 (≈ US$14–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check the SA outback road conditions before you set out; tracks close after rain and washouts.
- Distances are long and phone coverage is thin: Telstra has 4G in town centres, Optus and Vodafone generally do not.
- Town speed limit is 60 km/h (37 mph), and 25 km/h (16 mph) in school zones statewide — penalties are severe.Town speed limit is 37 mph (60 km/h), and 16 mph (25 km/h) in school zones statewide — penalties are severe.
- Carry more water and fuel than you think you need; the next services can be hours away.
- Summer heat is the real hazard: plan driving for the morning, not the afternoon.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Lyndhurst, South AustraliaLyndhurst
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No consulates in Lyndhurst. Nearest consular help is in Adelaide; embassies and consulates-general are in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Lyndhurst area: A$2.20–2.80 (≈ US$2) per litre
- Lyndhurst → Marree, 80 km: about 1 h on sealed road
- Lyndhurst → Adelaide, about 600 km: about 7 h non-stop
Say or show
- How far to the next fuel? — How far to the next fuel?
- Is the track open? — Is the track open?
- Where can I get water? — Where can I get water?
- Is there phone reception? — Is there phone reception?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Thanks very much — Thanks very much
Telstra 4G works in town centres; Optus and Vodafone generally do not. Download offline maps and carry a personal locator beacon if you are heading onto remote tracks.
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 Lyndhurst, South Australia. 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 (cool, dry days) · avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C+ days, road closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fuel and water contract for the B83/Strzelecki junction: last confirmed pump, opening hours and a fallback to Leigh Creek or Marree.
- Road-condition fixture: DPTI outback roads status checked the morning of travel, with a green/red gate for the Strzelecki and Oodnadatta tracks.
- Place pages for the ochre pits, Farina, the old Ghan alignment and the Ediacara fossil country, each with access notes and water requirements.
- Heat and isolation fixtures: summer 40 °C+ days, no Optus/Vodafone coverage, and a 'turn back' rule for unsealed tracks after rain.