Coober Pedy - The Ghan Off Train Experience

EXPLORE COOBER PEDY

INCLUDED IN FARE

Embark on a full-day adventure through Coober Pedy’s underground world, where history, architecture, and cultural heritage converge in the outback. Begin with a visit to the Serbian Orthodox Church, a stunning underground sanctuary, where stained-glass windows cast vibrant hues across the stone walls, creating a serene atmosphere.

Next, explore the town’s opal mining legacy at the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, where you’ll discover life in a traditional ‘dugout’ home and learn about the town’s Indigenous connections and the role opal mining played in its transformation.

Continue with a hands-on experience at Quest Mine, donning a hard hat to explore the mining process. After lunch underground, engage in mining activities that offer a glimpse into local life.

Finish the day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Breakaways, a vast landscape of flat-topped mesas that showcase the raw beauty and geological history of the outback.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – guests will need to navigate stairs, steep inclines, short walks and underground tunnels. Warm clothes are advised as underground tunnels may be cold. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs on this experience

DISCOVER THE MAJESTIC BREAKAWAYS

INCLUDED IN FARE

Discover the stunning Breakaways Reserve, a natural wonder of colourful low hills that seem to have ‘broken away’ from the higher ground. Once part of an ancient inland sea, this striking landscape evolves over time, offering a constantly changing panorama of ochre, rust, and green.

Your adventure begins at Quest Mine, where you’ll don a hard hat and try your hand at mining while enjoying an underground lunch. This immersive experience provides insight into the life of a miner and the region’s mining heritage.

Next, explore the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, learning about opal’s significance to the region and the Indigenous culture. The guided tour takes you through the original underground dugout homes and tunnels, highlighting Coober Pedy’s opal mining legacy.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Approx. 500m of walking and standing for periods at the Breakaways. Guests will need to navigate stairs, steep inclines, short walks and underground tunnels. Warm clothes are advised as underground tunnels may be cold. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs or walkers on this experience.

OPAL EXPERIENCE

INCLUDED IN FARE

Experience Coober Pedy’s unique charm on this engaging shorter tour showcasing its opal mining history and underground lifestyle. Begin at the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, where you’ll explore the fascinating world of opal mining and see stunning opal specimens. The museum’s historical artefacts and underground caverns offer a glimpse into Coober Pedy’s distinctive charm, including one of the original underground homes.

Next, head to Quest Mine, where you’ll don a hard hat and try opal mining yourself, experiencing the excitement and challenges miners face. Afterward, enjoy an underground lunch surrounded by the region’s fascinating geology.

Finish with a visit to the Big Winch, offering panoramic views of Coober Pedy and the surrounding outback, a symbol of the town’s thriving tourism industry.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – guests will need to navigate stairs, steep inclines, short walks and underground tunnels. Warm clothes are advised as underground tunnels may be cold. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs on this experience.

Painted Hills & Lake Eyre Scenic Flight

OPTIONAL UPGRADE EXPERIENCE - $1,299 per person (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

Soar above the stunning Anna Creek Painted Hills, where rocky outcrops and vibrant colours create a dramatic contrast to the surrounding desert. From the air, the ever-changing light reveals the beauty of this unique terrain, perfect for photographers. A guided tour on the ground delves into the geology, ecology, and cultural significance of this remarkable site.

Next, visit Lake Eyre, Australia’s lowest point, with vast salt flats that shimmer with a white crystallised surface. When the sun shifts, the lake reflects a stunning pink hue, creating an ethereal landscape.

Enjoy lunch at the William Creek Hotel, an oasis in the desert offering a taste of outback life. Then, take a flight over Coober Pedy, a town known for its underground living. From above, see how residents have adapted to the harsh conditions, creating a unique outback community.

To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend guests pre-book this tour. For more information on how to pre-book, please contact our travel centre on 1800 703 357 or contact your travel agent. If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – guests required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted, walking and standing required. Weight restrictions apply – a maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 130kg. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs or walkers on this experience.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is subject to availability and conditions; all upgrade optional experiences are non-refundable.