Just 33 kilometres north of Coober Pedy lies one of the most striking desert landscapes in South Australia — The Breakaways. These colourful hills rise suddenly from the flat outback plains, their layered slopes glowing in shades of white, gold and deep ochre as the sun moves across the sky. Formed over millions of years through erosion, the Breakaways in Coober Pedy, South Australia, are part of the traditional lands of the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara people and remain an important cultural landscape.
Travellers on South Australia tours for over 50s often say this is one of the most unforgettable outback views. A scenic drive leads to several lookout points where visitors can admire the sweeping desert scenery and learn about the park's history, including its role in films like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Watching sunset paint the hills in glowing colours is a highlight of their outback holidays.
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Stepping onto The Breakaways in South Australia is often likened to visiting another planet. This ancient, untouched landscape is defined by rolling hills and expansive desert plains. Guided tours are available, offering fascinating perspectives on the area's geology and rich Indigenous heritage.
The Breakaways offer travellers an accessible outback experience, with sealed roads providing easy access to the main viewpoints. Activities here focus on slowing down and appreciating the vastness and quietude of this unique desert landscape, whether you are simply stopping for a photo opportunity or immersing yourself in the surroundings.
The best time to visit The Breakaways, SA is during the cooler months from April to October, when outback temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing. Early morning and sunset are particularly spectacular, when the hills change colour under the shifting desert light.
Travellers often combine the visit with nearby attractions such as Coober Pedy’s underground homes, the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, and the famous Dog Fence. These experiences make the region one of the most memorable things to do in SA for travellers exploring the outback.
Yes. Visitors require a small access permit to enter The Breakaways, South Australia, available in Coober Pedy or through local tourism outlets.
The Breakaways Conservation Park is famous for its colourful desert hills and dramatic landscapes shaped by erosion over millions of years.
The Breakaways are located about 33 km north of Coober Pedy, making them an easy scenic drive for visitors exploring the outback.
The cooler months are generally the most comfortable time to visit The Breakaways, particularly for sightseeing and exploring the surrounding outback. Early morning and late afternoon can also beautifully showcase the changing colours of the landscape.
The Breakaways were shaped by millions of years of erosion, which gradually exposed layers of colourful rock and earth. The result is the distinctive mesas, hills and desert formations seen across the conservation park today.
Yes, visitors can explore The Breakaways by vehicle along designated roads and scenic routes. Conditions can vary in the outback, so it is important to check local road and weather conditions before setting out.
Visitors can see colourful hills, flat-topped mesas and expansive desert scenery, with several lookouts providing panoramic views across the landscape. The area's colours can appear particularly striking as the light changes throughout the day.
Allow around one to two hours to enjoy the scenic drive, stop at lookouts and take in the surrounding landscape. Visitors exploring more of the Coober Pedy region may choose to incorporate The Breakaways into a longer sightseeing trip.
Yes. The Breakaways offer some of the most striking outback scenery near Coober Pedy, with colourful geological formations and sweeping desert views that are very different from the town's famous underground attractions.
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