Roxby Downs is located in central South Australia, 570km north of Adelaide. It is not on the main road that runs through South Australia and is therefore not on the average travel itinerary. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to offer here for those who have the courage to head to this desert town. There are unique experiences, community hotspots and desert landscapes to discover and explore.
Roxby-Downs Sights
Olympic Dam Mine Tour
Roxby Downs was built in 1986 as a small town at the nearby Olympic Dam Mine, which required thousands of workers to produce copper, uranium, gold and silver. The Olympic Dam Mine is one of the largest underground mines in the world, stretching nearly 1 km below surface.
While visitors are not allowed to enter the underground work area, they can virtually tour the underground tunnels before taking a bus tour of the surface processing plant. Concentrators, smelters, and refineries are where red rocks are converted into precious metals and minerals. With the increase in electric vehicles around the world, so has the demand for copper, the main metal produced at the Olympic Dam mine.
Tours are available every Wednesday from March to October. Reservations can be made at the Roxby Downs Visitor Center for $25 for adults, $20 for concessions, and free for children ages 4 to 12. Children under 4 years old are not allowed to join this tour. Long trousers and closed shoes are mandatory, and you will be issued additional protective clothing upon arrival.
Emu Trail
The Emu Trail is a 1-hour hike around the Roxby Downs and local dunes. As you explore the back streets of the town, there are signs guiding you along the trails. You might even meet some friendly locals! Keep an eye out for small wildlife as you walk through the dune area. For those who pay attention to detail, there are sleepy lizards, busy ants, and curious birds. Be sure to bring a bottle of water as hot weather can be tiring even in the cooler months.
Drought Recovery Tour
This desert park is a fenced, arid landscape that protects against alien predators such as feral cats, foxes, and rabbits. Native species have been reintroduced and research is ongoing to determine how they survive in today’s environment. A limited number of wild species have been released into the park to observe how they interact with wildlife and learn how to improve their chances of survival when native species come face to face with introduced species.
Arid Recovery hosts sunset tours from April to October where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dunes before spotting nocturnal wildlife from a park viewpoint. You can book tours through the Roxby Downs Visitor Center for $4 for adults and $10 for discounts, and children under 40 are free (accompanied by a paying adult).
Andamuka
This historic mining town is located 32 kilometers east of Roxby Downs. The town has a long history of opal mining and people have lived in harsh conditions for over a century in search of the mother mine. There is a car park on the driveway into town with old opal mining equipment. You can sit in the seat where pioneer miners used to work in the fields for a day.
People live in bomb shelters to avoid bad weather in Australia. Visit the old excavation site on the main road of Andamuka. You can park your car at City Hall and walk across the street to the bomb shelter. There are signage in front of each house to learn about the living conditions there and the people who live there.
The best places to eat during the trip are Andamooka Yacht Club (a modern café serving quality coffee) and Tuckerbox Restaurant (a typical outback bar serving home-cooked food).
Roxbillink Leisure Centre
Roxby Link is a top-notch leisure facility that is a rare discovery for remote towns. The grounds include a gym, swimming pool, squash courts, basketball courts, art galleries, cinemas and libraries.
Pool and Splash Pads
There is a 25m outdoor pool with waterslide and shallow children’s area, a 16m indoor pool and a paddling pool for interactive water play. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot summer day. Barbecue facilities and picnic tables are available on site, perfect for enjoying the facilities. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children.
Movie
Roxby Downs has a 60-seat cinema that screens 3-4 movies per week. Tickets, drinks and popcorn can be purchased at the pool kiosk behind the leisure center. Tickets cost $14 for adults and $10 for children. It’s cheaper on Tuesdays, $8 for all tickets.
Visitor Center
The visitor center is a great starting point for tourists. Waiters can book local tours for you and can provide information on upcoming events. There are also regional souvenirs and locally made gifts available for purchase, as well as free maps to all regions of South Australia.
Roxby Down Jacket Match Day
Every August, the Roxby Downs track hosts its annual race day. This is one of the best times to head to Roxby Downs, as everyone in the area comes to attend the day, most of them dressed up. There was a best-dressed contest where the stage was packed with high-performing contestants. Generally, there are 4-5 horse races on the day, and there are bookmakers on site to place bets for you. The entrance fee is $30 or $25 if purchased in advance.
Mali Camel Race
Maree is a small town about 200 km from Roxby Downs via the Borefield and Oodnadatta trails. These races are part of the Australian Camel Racing Tour and take place every July. There are 4-6 matches, and if you’re keen on betting, there are also bookmakers on site. Food is limited, but you can still buy pies or steak sandwiches to make ends meet. Bar meals and basic groceries can be purchased in town.
The accommodation was busy but it was possible to camp or book a room at the local bar if you booked in advance. Since Mali is expensive, make sure you have enough fuel for your return trip. It is recommended to wear sunscreen and a hat during the day to prevent sunburn; A warm wool jacket is recommended at night, as temperatures can drop to freezing.
Place to Eat
Roxby Downs Chinese Restaurant
This casual restaurant offers a variety of Asian dishes, including all your favorite dishes such as Mongolian lamb and honey chicken. The portions are large and perfect for sharing. They also offer a takeaway service if you want to eat at home.
Dunes Café
The Dunes Cafe is located in the Roxby Leisure Center next to the visitor center. Open for breakfast and lunch, the restaurant offers a selection of contemporary Australian cuisine, cakes, coffees and desserts. On the left side of the café there is a family play area for children under 5 years old.
Roxby takeaway/bakery
This humble takeaway offers some of the best food in town. The cakes and pies in the bakery were very delicious. Since the launch of the takeaway zone in 2018, you can also buy popular takeaway foods like fish and chips, burgers, and more. There are two tables inside, but most people take food home.
Black Stump Takeaway
Located directly opposite Woolworths, its location is unbeatable. They offer fried chicken, burgers, sandwiches, milkshakes, and coffee.
Subway
The only chain of fast food restaurants in town. Subway is known for its custom sandwiches.
Chives
The small restaurant serves Australian and international cuisine, including steaks, pasta and curries. They had Parmesan chicken for $12 on Wednesday. Dine-in, takeaway and delivery services are available.
Pie R Squared
A takeaway pizzeria run by a local couple. Located next to The Club, pizza comes in 12-inch and 18-inch sizes, stacked with toppings and plenty of cheese. Pick-up and delivery services are available.
The Club
The Club, one of two pubs in town, has a menu that changes regularly, offering Australian pub classics and international flavours such as seafood pork buns and New Orleans chowder. There is an on-site restaurant where you can get table service, or you can sit in any of the more casual areas of the bar and order from the counter. The menu is the same, only the atmosphere is different.
The Tavern
The Tavern is the second of two bars in Roxby Downs. The menu includes large portions of typical Australian pub meals. It is one of the few places in town that offers breakfast, but only on weekdays. Order from the counter and your food will be delivered directly to your table. On the other side of the hotel there is a bar and a new outdoor entertainment area.