Destinations > Andamooka

From the Dog Fence, the group turned north-east, towards Lake Arthur and a cooked lunch. Lake Arthur is a relatively small body, compared to its neighbour Lake Torrens. It's a great spot to stop for photos, or for a feed, as the natural landforms provide a dramatic backdrop that will spice up even the lowliest of meals.

Driving the Torrens Track isn't for everyone - you'll need to be well set up, preferably as part of a group. The red sand in the area is extremely fine, and it's not hard to bog a vehicle up to its axles within a matter of seconds.

Reaching the end of the track, drivers will find themselves in Farina, with the option of heading north to Marree on the Oodnadatta Track, or south towards Lyndhurst and Leigh Creek. Either way, it's a great track to take if you plan to head to Andamooka, and don't feel like the long, lonely drive back towards Woomera once your visit is over.

Andamooka has suffered from bad press in years gone by - the look of the town lends itself to wild stories about the frontier mentality of some of the locals. I had been warned by quite a few respected tour operators and journalists that Andamooka could 'get a bit rough.' However, visitors will find that nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, Andamooka is one of the most open and friendly places I've ever visited. From Margot and the rest of the helpful staff at the Dukes Bottlehouse Motel - which is also the town's post office and an opal showroom and museum - to the miners themselves, they are amongst the most hospitable folk you could hope to run into.

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Getting There
Andamooka is about 285km north of Port Augusta, in South Australia. There's only one highway in, but 4WDers who have more of an intrepid taste for travel can approach Andamooka via Mulgaria Station, along the Torrens Track from Farina. It's an easy day's drive on the bitumen from Adelaide, a total distance of about 580km.

Staying There
There's not too many places to stay in Andamooka. By far the best place to sleep is at the Andamooka Dukes Bottlehouse Motel. It's not hard to spot - the Bottlehouse dominates the main street, just past the supermarket. There's also a caravan park, which is reasonably well set up, on the way into town from Roxby Downs. For accommodation that's a little more refined, Roxby Downs is only 30km away by road, and offers a great range of caravan parks or motels.

Things To Do
There's heaps to do in Andamooka. The locals are always ready to show you around the town, and there's several little museums and opal showrooms to have a browse through. The entirety of Andamooka can be seen in a day, but it would take at least three days to truly appreciate the town for what it is. There are tours of working mines available, as well as the famous long bus opal showroom, which contains fossils and opals on display and for sale.

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