Wadlata Outback Centre at a glance
Wadlata Outback Centre is the best first stop in Port Augusta. It is a museum-style exhibition called the Tunnel of Time, and it houses the Visitor Information Centre. You can learn how the region was formed and settled, then pick up maps, advice and bookings in the same building.
This site is an independent guide. It is not run by the centre, the council or any tourism body. Opening hours and prices can change, so check the current details before you go.
What you see in the Tunnel of Time
An interpretive exhibition about the region, told in themed sections.
Indigenous history
The exhibition covers the history of the Aboriginal people of the region. It is a useful introduction before you head out to the Flinders Ranges.
Exploration and settlement
You follow how explorers and settlers came into the arid interior and how towns such as Port Augusta grew as supply points.
Fossils and the land itself
Fossils and the story of the land help explain what you will see once you leave town.
Supplying the Outback
One part looks at how the Outback is supplied. A section about Olympic Dam is an exhibition experience. It does not give you access to a real mine.
The exhibition has its own opening arrangements, so ask at the desk or check the current times before you go. Do not use the Visitor Information Centre hours as the last entry time.
Flinders Ranges and Outback tours
Day trips and longer tours into the ranges and the Outback, with live prices and availability.
The Visitor Information Centre
The centre arranges regional tours and accommodation and sells maps. It also sells parks passes, which you need for some national parks, so you can sort the paperwork for Wilpena Pound or Mount Remarkable before you leave town. Tickets for the Pichi Richi Railway are sold through an agent at Wadlata as well as in Quorn.
Keep expectations realistic. The desk can arrange and advise, but that does not mean every tour in the ranges runs every day. Ask what is operating on your dates.
Opening hours around Port Augusta
Hours as listed in 2026. They can differ on public holidays.
| Place | Monday to Friday | Weekends |
|---|---|---|
| Wadlata Visitor Information Centre | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Arid Lands Botanic Garden visitor center | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Arid Lands Botanic Garden gates | 7:30 a.m. to sunset | 7:30 a.m. to sunset |
| Wilpena Visitor Information Centre | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
The garden is a good partner stop, see the Arid Lands Botanic Garden page. Hours for the national park centre at Wilpena are listed for the park in general, so check them if you plan a late arrival.
Plan the rest of your stay
Where to go after Wadlata.
Flinders Ranges
Wilpena Pound, park fees, distances and current road notes.
Pichi Richi Railway
Heritage trains between Port Augusta and Quorn on selected dates.
Arid Lands Botanic Garden
Free entry, walks, a guided tour and a cafe on the Stuart Highway.
Adelaide to Port Augusta
Driving and coach travel, plus what to know about flights.
Wadlata Outback Centre: common questions
How much does it cost to enter?
The exhibition fee depends on the current rates, which are set by year. Ask at the desk or check the current price before you go. This page does not quote a price, so you do not plan around a figure that has changed.
What are the opening hours?
The Visitor Information Centre is listed as open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Hours can differ. Check the current times, especially on public holidays and for the exhibition itself.
Is there parking for a caravan or RV?
Yes. The centre lists car, bus and RV parking. It is not an overnight site. For camping and parks in town see caravan parks.
Can I book tours and accommodation there?
The centre arranges regional tours and accommodation. Availability depends on the season and operator, so ask what runs on your dates. Our tours page explains what to look for.
Can I buy a parks pass at Wadlata?
The centre sells parks passes and maps. A multi-park pass for 2 or 12 months covers entry to Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Mount Remarkable, but not camping.
Is this the official site of the centre?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the centre, the council or any operator.