Free camp site on the NT/SA Border

After a long day on the road, we decided to free camp right on the NT/SA border. During the 'happy hour' we were entertained by a fellow caravanner. Like most free camp sites, amenities, including electricity, were minimal - just a toilet.

Oodnadatta, SA

Oodnadatta is an unusual desert town located 1092km from Adelaide via Marree on the Oodnadatta Track. During the trip to Oodnadatta, we crossed at least 30-40 dry creek beds. Thank heavens it wasn’t raining. According to a sign, that is located at the entrance to the town, Oodnadatta the hottest and driest town in Australia.

The Painted Desert, SA

The Painted Desert is an area of spectacular colourful hills. According to scientists, the Painted Desert was created by erosion over 80 million years. It's an amazing sight of colours such as ochre yellow, oxide red, and deep, rich brown, contrasting with crisp whites. From the Mount Batterbee Lookout, you can see rocky outcrops of large and small hills, which emerge suddenly out of a flat, desert landscape. We took the rather rough 4WD Painted Desert Road from Cadney Homestead Roadhouse (on the Stuart Highway) to Oodnadatta to see this magnificent site. A great place to visit.

The Dog (Dingo) Fence, SA

The famous dog fence was built in Australia during the 1880s and finished in 1885. It is a two-metre high dog fence and stretches across three states for more than 5,300km. The purpose of the fence is to keep northern dingoes away from southern sheep. It is the longest fence in the world.

The Breakaways, SA

The Breakaways is located approximately 33 kilometres north of Coober Pedy. Truly magnificent views can be taken in from the viewing area. A well worthwhile visit to the outback area of SA.

Underground home, Coober Pedy, SA

An example of a ‘dugout’ home.

Coober Pedy, SA

Coober Pedy is the Opal capital of Australia. It is set in a dry, desolate and hostile environment approximately 850ks north of Adelaide. Many of the people live in ‘dugout’ homes due to the extreme climate conditions within the area. The local golf course is completely free of grass. With many thousands of mullock heaps (and exploration shafts) scattered around Coober Pedy, one has to be careful when exploring the area. Coober Pedy is a hot and dusty environment to live in. It has an average daytime temperature of 34 degrees for five months of the year.