Getting There -- Regional Express (tel. 13 17 13 in Australia) flies to Coober Pedy from Adelaide. The round-trip fare is about A$360 (US$288/UK£144). Check the website for discounted fares and specials. Greyhound Australia (tel. 13 14 99 in Australia, or 07/4690 9950) runs buses from Adelaide to Coober Pedy for A$76 (US$61/UK£31) for adults and A$61 (US$49/UK£25) for children one-way. The trip takes about 12 hours. The bus from Alice Springs to Coober Pedy costs A$75 (US$60/UK£30) for adults and A$60 (US$48/UK£24) for children. Passengers bound for Uluru (Ayers Rock) transfer at Erldunda.

If you drive from Adelaide, it will take you about 9 hours to reach Coober Pedy along the Stuart Highway. It takes 7 hours to drive the 700km (434 miles) to Alice Springs.

Visitor Information -- The Coober Pedy Tourist Information Centre, Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy (tel. 1800/637 076 in Australia, or 08/8672 5298), is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm (closed holidays). A good website, Opal Capital of the World, gives a rundown of adventure operators in the area.