Getting There and Away

A vintage truck displayed atop a sign welcomes visitors to Coober Pedy, an iconic Australian opal mining town.
Petra Nesti, Pexels

Coober Pedy is primarily served by Coober Pedy Airport (CPD) for air travel. Road access is via the Stuart Highway, connecting it to major cities like Adelaide and Alice Springs.

By Air:

Regional Express (Rex) offers direct flights from Adelaide (ADL) to Coober Pedy Airport (CPD), typically operating three to four times a week. The flight takes approximately 2 hours, with one-way fares starting from around A$293 and return flights from A$587.

By Bus:

Greyhound Australia provides bus services to Coober Pedy. A trip from Adelaide takes about 11-12 hours, with tickets generally costing between A$120 and A$280. From Alice Springs, the journey is around 8-9.5 hours, with fares ranging from A$100 to A$230. These services usually run six times a week.

By Car:

Driving to Coober Pedy is a common option. From Adelaide, the drive covers about 840-850 km and takes 8-10 hours along the Stuart Highway. From Alice Springs, it is roughly 680-687 km and takes 6-8 hours. Car rental is available at Coober Pedy Airport from companies such as Budget, Enterprise, and Redspot. There are no taxi services; therefore, it is advisable to pre-arrange airport transfers or rent a vehicle for local travel.

By Train:

The Ghan train stops at Manguri, approximately 40 km west of Coober Pedy. Passengers need to arrange their own transport from Manguri to the town. The Ghan also offers day tours to Coober Pedy as part of specific travel packages.