Things to Do Between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy |

Are you looking for things to do between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy?

The drive between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy in South Australia is 504 kilometers and is mostly barren, with just a few stops with petrol and meals available.

It is important to know where the stops are so that you have enough fuel (both petrol and food-wise) to get from one town to the next on the 5.5-hour-long drive.

While you can drive straight through from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy, there are a few places that are worth stopping to explore for 20 or 30 minutes along the way.

Keep reading to find out where to stop and the best things to do between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy.

We used Cover-More Insurance for our holiday in South Australia.

Map of Port Augusta to Coober Pedy

Points of Interest between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy

Soon after leaving Port Augusta on the way to Coober Pedy, you will pass a sign welcoming you to the South Australian Outback.

From there, the drive on Stuart Highway A87 the entire way to Coober Pedy making as many or as few stops as you want.

Woomera

Probably the most interesting stop between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy requires a bit more driving, as Woomera is about a 15-minute round-trip off the main road.

If you have time to spare, turn at Pimba and drive the 8 or so minutes to Woomera.

You can see rockets and planes at Woomera Rocket Park and learn about the area at Woomera Heritage Centre and the Woomera History Museum.

Woomera also has an observatory that is only open on Friday nights for stargazing.

If you have time, there is a swimming pool, bowling alley, and lawn bowls club in Woomera.

As for food options, the Woomera Heritage Cafe is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Lake Hart

family standing on the salt part of a salt lake in South Australia on the way from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy

There are several salt lakes on the way from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy, and if you are looking to stop at one, try Lake Hart, which is about a 2-hour drive from Port Augusta.

Lake Hart has a parking lot and a trail leading down to the salt lake. Make sure to bring your hat; there is not much shade.

At the end of the hike, right before you get to the lake, there is a tunnel that you will most likely need to bend down to walk through.

The walk is worth it to see the stunning salt on the lake.

We were able to walk out on the lake a bit, but if you are more prepared, you can walk out even further.

Food Options between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy

The first place to stop for food between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy is about a 2-hour drive from Port Augusta, and the last stop for food and fuel is about 2.5 hours from Coober Pedy.

Pimba and Woomera

Pimba is located right off the main road, and Spud’s Roadhouse includes a restaurant with indoor seating, a convenience store, and fuel.

Accommodations, including hotel rooms and unpowered campsites, are available.

Though there is no need to drive to Woomera, it is worth visiting, and they have a cafe that is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the same building, there is a convenience store.

Glendambo

After Pimba, the next place to stop for food is Glendambo, which is about 3 hours from Port Augusta.

Formerly the Glendambo Ambol Roadhouse, currently AMPM, is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Indoor seating is provided.

There is also a petrol station and a convenience store in Glendambo.

For those who want to stay the night, there is the Glendambo Hotel Motel.

Overnight Options between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy

While most roadtrippers stay in Port Augusta and Coober Pedy, if you are looking for a place to spend the night between the two, you have a few options.

Pimba

At Spud’s Roadhouse in Pimba is a caravan park and motel.

Budget, standard, and family rooms are available at Spud’s Hotel, as are unpowered sites.

A small grocery store/convenience store is located in Spud’s Roadhouse, and they sell auto accessories. There is a restaurant with gaming. Coin laundry is available.

Pimba is almost 2 hours from Port Augusta and slightly less than 4 hours from Coober Pedy.

Wirramena Station Bed and Breakfast

The closest you can get and stay halfway between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy is to spend a night at Wirramena Station Bed and Breakfast which is just off Stuart Highway about 15 minutes past Lake Hart.

Wirramena Station Bed and Breakfast is 2.5 hours from Port Augusta and slightly more than 3 hours from Coober Pedy.

Wirramina Station is a working cattle station that offers a Queen unit and a Family unit. Both options have a kitchen, ensuite, air-con, and TV.

Wirramina Station is pet-friendly.

If you want a unique place to stop between Adelaide and Coober Pedy, you can book a night at Wirramina Station Bed and Breakfast through their Facebook page.

Glendambo Hotel Motel

Two and a half hours from Coober Pedy and 3 hours from Port Augusta, the Glendambo Hotel Motel offers basic hotel rooms as well as powered campsites.

The pub is located at the Glendambo Hotel Motel. They have a swimming pool and a pool table.

Things to Do Between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy Wrap-Up

The drive from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy doesn’t have much to offer, but there are a few places to stop along the way.

If you aren’t in a hurry to get to Coober Pedy, be sure to drive the 15-minute round trip to Woomera to see the rockets.

Another great place to stop is Lake Hart, a salt lake just off the highway.

While there aren’t many fuel stops or restaurants along the way, you won’t need to go more than a few hours without stopping.

In addition to the toilets at petrol stations and roadhouses, there are toilets and rest stops on the Stuart Highway.

Find an underground hotel in Coober Pedy or a caravan park.  If you want some ideas, here are the best things to do in Coober Pedy.

Things to Do Between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy

Map of Port Augusta to Coober Pedy