Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start before dawn for the Canberra–Mildura road journey, allowing roughly 8–9 hours of driving plus several breaks. The practical route runs west through Young, Griffith and Wentworth before crossing into Mildura; keep fuel topped up whenever you have the chance, particularly across the longer rural stretches. Plan a proper breakfast and lunch stop rather than relying on a single roadhouse, and allow extra time for roadworks, wildlife near dusk and hotel check-in. This is a full travel day, so don’t try to add sightseeing before arrival. Expect fuel to cost approximately A$120–180, depending on the vehicle and prices on the day.
After checking in and parking, head to the Mildura Riverfront for an easy 45–60-minute sunset walk along the Murray River. The precinct is best enjoyed without a fixed agenda: follow the riverbank paths, pause at the lookouts and let the long drive unwind. Parking is generally straightforward around the riverfront, though it can be busier around sunset and on event evenings. Bring water and a light layer, as the river can feel noticeably cooler after dark.
Finish with dinner at F.O.O.D. by Sunraysia in Mildura city centre, allowing about 1½ hours for a relaxed meal built around regional produce. Budget approximately A$35–60 per person, and check its current trading days and kitchen closing time before setting out—arrival times after a dawn departure can slip. If you are running late, call ahead or book a table; otherwise, keep the evening simple and turn in early for the next long driving leg.
Leave Mildura around 7:00am for the long drive to Port Augusta via the Barrier Highway, allowing 6.5–7.5 hours behind the wheel plus fuel, lunch and rest stops. This is a remote stretch, so fill the tank before leaving, carry water and snacks, and avoid assuming every roadhouse will be open. A mid-sized rental car should cost roughly A$100–160 in fuel for the day’s drive; confirm that your one-way rental includes sufficient kilometres and roadside assistance. On arrival, park at your accommodation, check in if possible, and take a short break before sightseeing.
Head first to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, about a 10-minute drive from central Port Augusta. Allow around 1.5 hours for the walking trails and native desert plantings, with particularly good views towards the Flinders Ranges in late afternoon light. Entry is generally free, though the visitor facilities and café keep seasonal hours, so check the closing time before setting out; wear a hat and bring water, as shade is limited. Continue west to Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout, roughly 15 minutes away, for a 30–45-minute stop overlooking the Spencer Gulf and rust-coloured cliffs. The lookout is best treated as a brief scenic stop rather than a long walk, especially after the drive.
Return to central Port Augusta for the Wadlata Outback Centre, allowing 1–1.5 hours for its displays on Aboriginal culture, exploration and the outback environment. Check same-day opening hours carefully: it can close relatively early, and late arrival may mean reducing your time there. Finish with an early dinner at a local Port Augusta hotel dining room or waterfront restaurant, budgeting about A$25–45 per person. Keep the evening quiet after the highway day, and refuel the car tonight if you are continuing north early tomorrow.
Allow roughly 5.5–6.5 hours to drive from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy via the Stuart Highway, plus fuel and rest stops. Leaving around 7:00am gives you the best chance of reaching Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park after arrival while there is still good light. The final approach is remote and road conditions can change, so check with the Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre before setting out; carry plenty of water, keep fuel above half a tank, and confirm whether your rental agreement permits the access roads. Allow about two hours for the mesas, red-earth tracks and wide desert views, and stay on marked routes.
Return into town and spend 1–1.5 hours at Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, where the underground displays explain both opal mining and life in Coober Pedy’s dugouts. Confirm the next guided-tour time before arriving, as tours and admission hours can vary seasonally; budget approximately A$20–35 per adult. From there, drive a few minutes to the Serbian Orthodox Church, an atmospheric underground church usually needing around 30–45 minutes. Access may be limited outside staffed or worship times, so treat this as a conditional stop and check locally rather than assuming it will be open.
Have dinner at John’s Pizza Bar & Restaurant in the town centre, roughly A$25–45 per person. It is a relaxed, classic outback choice after a long day, but verify evening trading and kitchen hours before committing—Coober Pedy businesses can close early or alter hours. If you are continuing by road toward Canberra, do not attempt the return in one day: the drive is around 17–18 hours before breaks. Arrange at least one overnight stop, departing early the next morning and splitting the journey around Port Augusta or Mildura; alternatively, check flight options and allow extra time for the transfer and any connection.
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