Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and a bunch of decent motel units. Outside are dusty camp sites; inside are meaty mains
at the bistro ($16 to $30, serving noon to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm).
North of Glendambo the Stuart Hwy enters the government-owned Woomera Prohib-
ited Area − the highway itself is unrestricted, but don't go a-wanderin' now, y'hear?
8 DESERT PARKS PASS
To explore the outback environment consider purchasing a Desert Parks Pass (
1800 816 078; http://forms.bizgate.sa.gov.au/deh/parkspasses/desert.htm ; per car $150) , allowing
access to seven outback parks (including camping), with a map and handbook.
Pick one up from the DEWNR in Adelaide or Post Augusta, order one online and
have it mailed to you (Australia only), or see www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/
park_entry_fees/parks_pass_outlets for regional pass agents in the Flinders
Ranges and SA outback.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Coober Pedy
POP 3500
Coming into Coober Pedy the dry, barren desert suddenly becomes riddled with holes
and adjunct piles of dirt − reputedly more than a million around the township. The reason
for all this rabid digging is opals, which have made this small town a mining mecca. This
isn't to say it's also a tourist mecca − with swarms of flies, no trees, 50°C summer days,
subzero winter nights, cave-dwelling locals and rusty car wrecks in front yards, you
might think you've arrived in a wasteland. But it sure is interesting!
Coober Pedy is actually very cosmopolitan, with 44 nationalities represented. Few loc-
als make their living solely from mining, so there's a lot of 'career diversification' here
(...the dude who drives the airport bus also loads the baggage, mans the hotel reception
desk and works his opal claim on weekends).
The surrounding desert is jaw-droppingly desolate, a fact not overlooked by interna-
tional filmmakers who've come here to shoot end-of-the-world epics like Mad Max III,
Red Planet, Ground Zero, Pitch Black and the slightly more believable Priscilla, Queen
of the Desert.
1 Sights & Activities
 
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