 Attractions
Andamooka: Opals were discovered in the area in 1930. An opal of 34,215 carats (6.85kg) found here in 1969 was the world's largest specimen until broken up and sold in parts in 1978. Australia produces 85 per cent of the world's opals.
Duke's Bottle Home Andamooka: This local landmark is made entirely from discarded beer bottles.
Ettamoggah Pub Andamooka: Along a bumpy bush track is the late Bill MacDougall's Ettamoggah Pub, a landmark known throughout the nation derved from cartoonist Ken Maynards' creation in the Australasian Post. Bill's tin and timber shanty is a welcome stop for opal miners, outback workers and tourists alike. It's surrounded by the typical moonscape of opal mines.
Andamooka Station: This 2,599 square kilometres property borders Lake Torrens and provides interested visitors an opportunity to learn and observe daily station life, such as raising sheep and cattle. Inspect the original outbuildings and blacksmiths workshop, now the station museum.
Algebuckina Siding Ruin: Just west of the Oodnadatta Track and fifty kilometres southeast of Oodnadatta is the Algebuckina Siding Ruin and a permanent water hole. One of the old Ghan Railway's most impressive bridges, nearly 600 metres long, still spans the river nearby.
Oodnadatta Railway Station Museum: The 98 year-old station contains a collection of historical photographs, memorabilia and Aboriginal artefacts and a preserved portion of the historic Ghan Railway.
Australian National Workshops: Port Augusta,
one hour guided tours are held twice a week at these large and important workshops, taking the visitor over the locomotive and wagon workshops where overhauling and repairs occur.
Royal Flying Doctor: The Port Augusta base is one of fourteen in Australia and provides medical services to people in remote areas of the state. Visitors have the opportunity to see firsthand the work of this uniquely Australian Aero Medical Service.
School of the Air: Visitors can see this radio education for students in the remote outback. There is also an audio visual display and viewing bay to observe teachers working with geographically isolated students.
Wadlata Outback Centre: Port Augusta, this interpretive centre features a series of hi-tech displays with the themes of The Greentime (ancient geological development), Aboriginal Heritage and Culture, Early European Explorers, Transport Development, Communications Development, Modern Technology and Development and a variety of other themes. Each is depicted with audio visual means, storyboards and imaginative display methods.
William Creek: Along the Oodnadatta Track William Creek is South Australia's smallest town. The irony is, its surrounded by one of Australia's largest cattle properties, Anna Creek Station which is almost half the size of Tasmania. The character of the outback is easy to meet here, especially in the old William Creek Hotel. The annual William Creek races draws visitors from all over the country for this outback race meeting.
Missile Park and Heritage Centre: the Missile Park displays a fine collection of rockets, missiles and aircraft used in the testing range. The Woomera Heritage Centre includes a museum which displays historic groupings of fossil and stone, Aboriginal artefacts and homestead items.
Umoona Opal mine Coober Pedy: This underground complex has a museum covering the development of European settlement in Coober Pedy, including all aspects of opal mining and Aboriginal culture. A special feature is the extensive display of opals. A guided tour takes you through real opal workings where all aspects of opal mining are explained.
Underground Churches: Coober Pedy's fascinating attractions also include underground churches- the Church of Saint Peter and Paul (classified by the National Trust) and the Catacomb church.
Arkaroola Astronomical Observatory: Clear night skies are frequent here, and the observatory's 360mm telescope is open to visitors, subject to light conditions and weather. Bookings are essential. There is also a display of astronomical charts.
Jarvis Hill Lookout: A walking trail and scenic lookout have been established at Jarvis Hill, five kilometres south-west of Hawker. The lookout offers a spectacular vista over the nearby countryside.
Kanyaka Ruins: Pronounced Kan-i-ka, this once gracious homestead dates back to the 1850's, when it supported as many as 70 families. Drought and a series of poor seasons forced the owners off the land, restoration and interpretive sign posting give an interesting insight into the past.
Mt. Painter Sanctuary & Historic Reserve: The Arkaroola-Mt. Painter Sanctuary and Historic Reserve is unique, with its rugged outback beauty and wildlife. It is steeped in history and dotted with geological monuments. The reserve offers a variety of experiences including hot springs & water holes.
Paralana Hot Springs: The radioactive Paralana Hot Springs, twenty seven kilometres north of Arkaroola originate deep within the earth's crust along a great earth fracture. They are the last vestige of active volcanism in Australia, with near boiling water flowing from the ground.
Pichi Richi Railway: This historic railway is a working railway museum which features restored steam trains, diesel rail-cars and carriages from the original Ghan railway, The train operates a three hour journey through the Pichi Pass to Wool shed Flat between March and November.
Rawnsley Park: Twenty kilometres south of Wilpena on the Hawker to Wilpena road, Rawnsley Park sits in a beautiful setting at the foot of Rawnsley Bluff. Points of interest include sheep shearing, horse riding and walking trails.
Ridge Top Tour: This four wheel drive tour along narrow tracks passes over fantastic climbs, along razor back ridges and into deep gorges and valleys. Not for sufferers of vertigo, the tour passes the site of Australia's 1910 radium-uranium discovery and other old mine sites.
Saint Cecilia: This twenty-roomed residence was built in 1912 from hewn sandstone, It was originally the home of Bishop Norton of the Catholic Diocese of Port Augusta. After his death in 1923, the residence became a boarding school and convent. In 1981 it was renamed and opened to the public.
Sliding Rock Copper Mine: Taking its name from a rock sloping into the creek, this site, 22kms from Beltana saw over 1,000 tonnes of copper ore mined until the workings were flooded in 1877. Now only ruins remain of the town that was once home to 400 people. The main ruin is the Rock Hotel, built in 1874.
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