Nearest town or city Coober Pedy Phone +61 1800 637 076 | Area 143.2 km² Established July 4, 2013 | |
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Managing authorities See also Protected areas of South Australia Address Stuart Hwy, Coober Pedy SA 5723, Australia Hours Open today · 8:30AM–5PMFriday8:30AM–5PMSaturday10AM–1PMSunday10AM–1PMMonday8:30AM–5PMTuesday8:30AM–5PMWednesday8:30AM–5PMThursday8:30AM–5PM Management Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation Similar Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, West Island Conservation Park, Busby Islet Conservation Park, Giles Conservation Park, Baudin Conservation Park | ||
The breakaways conservation park coober pedy australia
The Breakaways Conservation Park (prior to July 2013 called The Breakaways Reserve or just simply The Breakaways) is a protected area in northern South Australia, just off the Stuart Highway 33 km (21 mi) north of Coober Pedy. The Breakaways CP is managed under a co-management agreement by the Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources in conjunction with the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation and the District Council of Coober Pedy.
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The breakaways coober pedy on sunset
Name
The park got the name "The Breakaways" because the mesas and low hills appear from a distance as if "broken away" from the higher ground of the escarpment. The site is significant for the Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara People, whose name for the area is Umoona, meaning "long life", referring to a particular species of tree found in the area.
Climate
The semi-arid desert climatic conditions of the park are similar to those of Coober Pedy, with cool nights and very hot days, and summer temperatures can sometimes exceed 45 °C (113 °F).
Access and tours
Access to the main lookout over the site is provided by a 5 km (3.1 mi) dirt road from the sealed Stuart Highway, or alternatively, via the Dog Fence Scenic Tourist Drive Road. A 65.8 km (40.9 mi) circuit can be made by mountain bike from Coober Pedy along the Stuart Highway to the Breakaways, along the dog fence track and returning to Coober Pedy by the Oodnadatta Track.
Tours from Coober Pedy are conducted by several tour operators. Permits for self-guided visits to the area cost A$2.20 for adults and are available from the Tourist Information Centre in the District Council Office on Hutchinson Street, Coober Pedy.