Painted Desert

Painted Desert Coober Pedy is a vibrant desert landscape located 50 kilometres southwest of Oodnadatta.

The desert landscape, created over 80 million years ago, features picturesque rocky outcrops of hills in various shades, including ochre yellow, oxide red, deep brown, crisp whites, and jet blacks.

The Painted Desert is best viewed in bright sunlight to bring out the vivid colours. It is a popular destination for nature lovers, photographers, hikers, and those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Visitors can hike through the desert, enjoying the awe-inspiring views, or take a scenic flight for an aerial perspective.

To access the Painted Desert, air tours are available through Trevor Wright of Wrightsair from William Creek, Coober Pedy, and Arkaroola, with costs for scenic flights. Alternatively, visitors can drive from Coober Pedy, a 3-hour journey through a unique landscape of desert dunes, salt lakes, and scenic views. It is recommended to travel in a 4WD vehicle as the road is unsealed.