Travel with the mailman delivering mail to the historic outback towns of Oodnadatta and William Creek as well as remote cattle stations including the world’s largest, “Anna Creek”, which on its 6 million acres is bigger than Belgium!
The tour travels over diverse country, including gibber plains, red sand hills, and the 120 million year old ancient in-land seabed.
We stop at Oodnadatta. This out-post became a thriving railway town when the transcontinental railway reached there in 1891. Famous for its teams of Afghan Cameleers who loaded mail, freight and travellers for transportation further north to places like Alice Springs.
At William Creek you can have a drink at the unique outback-bush pub or at the Dingo Café with its memorabilia and old photos of the area. This once important railway town is known for having Australia’s first solar powered telephone and were the towns population is smaller that it’s nearest neighbour Anna Creek Cattle Station.
We also go through the world’s longest man-made structure, the Dingo fence. Stop and see the old Ghan Railway Line while travelling up the famous Oodnadatta track. This track follows the old Aboriginal trade route and the footsteps of explore’s like John McDouall Stuart, as well as the historic Overland Telegraph Line.
Learn about Lake Eyre and the Great Artesian Basin, the arid land pastoral industry, the famous Afghan Camel Drivers, outback fauna and flora, Aboriginal heritage and early pioneers of the area.
The mailmen, are experience outback operators, that have lived and worked in the area for most of their lives and are well known to the locals and conduct this run twice weekly.
Please Note:- This is an Australia Post contract and while we have to keep to a time table, this is flexible, making sure that there is time to stop for photos and short walks at points of interest as time allows.
Place of Pick Up
The Mail run leaves from Underground Bookshop in Coober Pedy at 9.00am on Mondays and Thursdays and we ask that you be there by 8.45am. We also return you to your place of accommodation on returning to Coober Pedy.
On Mondays the Run travels in an anti-clockwise direction going to William Creek first and Thursdays we travel in a clockwise direction to Oodnadatta first. (See Map)
This adventure trip is done on unsealed road.
Note: - If the either the Monday or Thursday is a public holiday, then the mail run goes on the next working day
What to Bring
Shady hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a smile and happy disposition and don’t forget the camera with plenty of film to photograph this arid, diverse and fascinating outback area
While meals are not provided on this trip, they are available at both Oodnadatta and William Creek. You are also welcome to bring your own food. We also carry plenty of good drinking water on board the vehicle.
Vehicles
We travel in comfortable air conditioned 4WD Vehicles
For your safety all of our vehicles carry Satellite Phones, UHF Radios and First Aid Kits.
Please Note: - Due to unsealed roads and in the event of unfavourable weather conditions, we reserve the right to cancel or change the itinerary in the interest of passenger safety at anytime. We also accept no responsibility for any personal expenses incurred by delays caused by breakdowns, adverse weather conditions or these actions, or for the loss or damage to personal effects during the tour.
Bookings through Australian Travel Services
Painting by John Murray