Marla to Coober Pedy road trip: Distance, driving time & fuel stops

The drive from Marla to Coober Pedy through the South Australian outback is 235km long. The only realistic stop along the way is the Cadney Homestead Roadhouse.

The drive from Marla to Coober Pedy is not an especially exciting one. But if you’re driving down the Stuart Highway from Darwin to Adelaide, it is pretty much unavoidable.

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Both Marla and Coober Pedy are used as overnight stops on the drive through the outback. Opal mining town Coober Pedy has a lot more to offer. But for some travellers, the drives from Alice Springs or Uluru are too long and gruelling to make it through to Coober Pedy in one stint.

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Marla to Coober Pedy distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Marla to Coober Pedy is 235km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 24 minutes.

There aren’t many places to stop along the way, however. If you just need to stretch the legs, then the Jim Swamp rest area should do the job. But otherwise, you should probably continue to the Cadney Homestead Roadhouse.

Cadney Homestead is the only fuel stop between Marla and Coober Pedy.

Marla to Coober Pedy drive: Cadney Homestead

Cadney Homestead is 82km south of Marla. There’s nothing to get excited about here, but if you need fuel and snacks, it will do the job.

From Cadney Homestead to Coober Pedy, it’s all stark outback. You’ll pass the fundamentally unappealing Anita Bushcamp.

The only other attraction north of Coober Pedy worth seeing in this stretch of South Australia is the Breakaways. However, there is no access to this rugged range of rock formations from the Stuart Highway. You need to go into Coober Pedy, then out to the north-east.

Coober Pedy attractions

Things to do in Coober Pedy once you arrive include opal mine tours, visiting underground homes and seeing the remarkable Serbian orthodox church. It is also the most logical overnight stop before heading north to Alice Springs or Uluru in the Northern Territory.

Best Coober Pedy accommodation choices

The most interesting places to stay in Coober Pedy are:

For gloriously weird underground rooms in a former opal mine: Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience.
For (usually) the cheapest rates: The Underground Motel.
For pool, playground and apartments: Big4 Stuart Range Outback Resort.
For above ground rooms made from rammed earth, with merciful air-conditioning: Mud Hut Motel.