Out of the Saddle

Prairie Hotel
The population of Parachilna is listed as seven, making its one and only hotel a true sanctuary. Enjoy panoramic views of the vast red desert plains sweeping toward the Flinders Ranges, some of the most ancient and fascinating formations on earth. The Prairie restaurant is famed for its regional cuisine, serving Australian and Flinders Range "feral foods," including emu, kangaroo, camel, and wallaby. PrairieHotel.com.au

Desert Cave Hotel
Coober Pedy, "the opal capital of the world," is also known as "the underground town," since many of its residents live in underground homes to avoid the heat. The Desert Cave Hotel (pictured below) offers the experience of dugout-style living in sandstone caverns. Without a hint of natural light, your internal alarm clock might be off, so be sure to ask for a wake-up call. DesertCave.com.au

Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club
Considered one of the 10 strangest courses in the world, Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club hasn't one blade of grass. Ten dollars gets you an ancient set of rental clubs, a scorecard, a couple of balls, and a stitch of Astroturf to carry in your back pocket. CooberPedy.sa.gov.au

William Creek Hotel
The William Creek Hotel sits about halfway from Oodnadatta to Marree and halfway from Adelaide to Alice Springs. It serves as a literal watering hole for travelers seeking lodging, food, fuel, or just a cold beer and some human contact. Stumble out the back door of the saloon onto the airstrip, where you can take a scenic flight over Lake Eyre, one of the world's largest ephemeral lakes and Australia's lowest point. WilliamCreekHotel.net.au