I would like some info on the Painted Desert & the Breakaways. How far & direction is it from Coober Pedy? Can I do a self-drive, as a tour is a bit expensive I think?
The Breakaways are approx 30 km from Coober Pedy, last 10 or 12 km dirt road, can be corrugated, yep, you can certainly drive out there, well worth a visit.
From Coober Pedy to Ackaringa Homestead is about 240km and it's a bit further than that to the Painted Desert. They are worth the visit though. From Coober Pedy you would go north to almost Cadney Park, a good place to stay, and then west to The Painted Desert. It is well signposted, one of those big brown ones. Unless things have changed you can free camp at Cadney Homestead or pay for a camp site with electricity. The tavern has good meals.
The Breakaways on the other hand are very close to Coober Pedy and are beautiful. Again they are well signposted. Head north from Coober Pedy.
