Riba’s Underground Camping – Coober Pedy (CG)

Located just five minutes from the opal capital of the world you will find a unique way of making your camping tour a true adventure! Riba’s is a camping ground and caravan park with underground single and double rooms to suit any budget. Experience what makes Riba’s the most unique accommodation in the world – the ONLY place in Australia where you can pitch your tent or swag underground.

Under the stars, the park also offers both powered & unpowered sites with clean facilities. All of this is set in a very quiet part of town. William Creek Road is only 4 km south of Coober Pedy off the Stuart Highway.

HOW TO GET THERE
Coober Pedy is 538km North of Port Augusta and William Creek Road is 532km from the beginning of the Stuart Highway.  Riba’s is 1.3km along William Creek Road

SITE ACCESS
The driveway is just past Allen Drive on the right. 

FEES & BOOKINGS
Camping fee starts from $12 per adult per night for unpowered sites; $35 per night for powered sites; and for underground camping, $16 per night.
For more details, you may call or email via the details below.

THINGS TO DO
The on-site opal mine tour is the highlight of your stay at Riba’s. Conducted most evenings (minimum of 5 people required) for guests and visitors. We will show and explain how opal mining works and you will learn how it has changed from our pioneering days. Learn how the first miners made their fortunes and what kinds of dangers and challenges they overcame. See the modern ways of mining and get to know how to find your own precious stones. Whether “noodling” is new to you or if you have tried your luck already, this tour is a must for you!

John McDouall Stuart (7 September 1815 – 5 June 1866) was the most accomplished and most famous of all Australia’s inland explorers. The explorations of Stuart eventually resulted in the Adelaide-Darwin telegraph being built and the main route from Port Augusta to Darwin being established, which is now known as the Stuart Highway in his honour. The monument commemorates his achievements.

Noodling area open to the public. Check with the Department of Mines & Energy on areas to noodle. If you are not on a pegged claim and do not use a pick, shovel, or any digging device then a permit is not required. Trespassers on claims can be fined. If you wish to mine in any way using tools, machinery, or explosives, a precious stone prospecting permit must be obtained from the Mines & Energy office.

Called the Opal Fossils of South Australia, the gallery shows the mighty marine reptiles that roamed in the cold inland seas of Australia during the age of dinosaurs 120 million years ago.

The Breakaways Reserve lies 32km north of Coober Pedy. It consists of colourful low hills which have broken away from the Stuart Range, hence their name “The Breakaways”.

Situated next to the Power Supply Plant which is the largest diesel fired station in Australia. Installed in 1991, the Nordex Wind Turbine Generator is mounted on a 30m high steel tower, having an output of about 200KW, which services about 4% of the town’s power supply.

WHAT’S NEARBY
William Creek Road Rest Area
BIG4 Stuart Range Outback Resort
Hutchison Memorial Rest Area

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