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History
As a town Andamooka evolved from the scattered miners camps that set up following the discovery of opal by two station boundary riders in the late 1920s. Today Andamooka town sits within a Precious Stones Field that occupies 220 sq km of the surrounding Andamooka pastoral lease.
It is 600 km north of Adelaide and lies between Roxby Downs, 32 km to the west, and the extensive Lake Torrens salt lake to the east. The town and station name is derived from the Kuyani words “Arndoo-moka” which refer to the powerful bone of Aboriginal lore and retribution.
Some 500 to 600 people live at Andamooka – the lack of precision in the total being a product of both extreme summer heat and the irregular lifestyles of people who come to Andamooka both for opal and an unregulated existence.
Andamooka is now the most populous settlement in the State’s out-of-councils areas and eleven elected members try to manage town services through the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association. APOMA is recognised for assistance purposes by the Outback Areas Community Development Trust.
Special attractions
The unique settlement of Andamooka sprawls either side of a creek bed along which can be found some original, well-maintained, State Heritage listed cottages and semi dug-outs that date back to 1931. These first homes established the pattern for underground living at Andamooka as an escape from the summer heat.
Elsewhere in the town apparently ramshackle facades lead to underground homes that are spacious, comfortable and sometimes even opulent.
Visitors to the town can watch skilled opal cutters at work and view opal derived from the unique Andamooka matrix. The town cemetery is worth a visit. It further reflects the informality of Andamooka where many of the miners were known only by their colourful nicknames – an accepted reference that has been used even on the markers in the cemetery.
Tourist services
There is motel-style accommodation at the hotel and at the ‘Dukes Bottlehouse’, a bed and breakfast, a caravan park and a camping ground. Tours of the town and the historical cottages can be arranged. There is seven-day fuel, a post office and a public Internet centre.
APOMA maintains an office just off the main street and maps, information and permits to four-wheel-drive on the Mulgaria Track to Farina are obtainable at the service station, caravan park or post office.
Community Economic Development Plan 
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