Coober Pedy Airport Car Rental FAQs

Redspot Car Rentals > Coober Pedy Airport Car Rental FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a car in Coober Pedy?

If you plan to visit all of Coober Pedy’s attractions and the epic Aussie outback beyond, hiring a car is your best bet. There aren’t any shuttle bus services running from the airport to town, and no taxi services in Coober Pedy either. 

Hop into a rental car straight from Coober Pedy Airport for maximum convenience. Discover the opal mines, the Kanku-Breakaways lunar landscape and more on your own schedule with a trusty set of wheels!

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Do you need a 4WD for Coober Pedy?

No 4WDs necessary if you’re heading to Coober Pedy; all the roads leading into town are sealed. That said, hiring a 4WD may be better if you want to explore nearby attractions surrounded by unsealed roads, like the epic Kanku-Breakaways. 

Weather conditions heavily impact the road to the Kanku-Breakaways, and at times, access will be recommended for 4WD vehicles only or completely closed for safety reasons. Always check the local road conditions before buckling in – this will help you decide whether to go 2WD or 4WD in Coober Pedy and beyond.

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What is the oldest age to hire a car?

None! At Redspot, we say that age is just a number. That’s why we welcome anyone over 21 years old to rent with us, and get your business in motion.

Can you rent a car on your P's in Australia?

You sure can! We’re one of the few Aussie companies that give the green light for local P-platers over 21 to rent a car. Commercial and mine spec rental vehicles are included. 

Keeping you safe is our top priority, so we have a few safety rules that are designed to make sure you get from Point A to Point B without a hitch. 

If you are a P-plater, you must:

  • Hold a Provisional P2 licence (green Ps).
  • Hold a driver’s licence that is valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.

When you rent a car, remember to factor in the daily young driver surcharge. This surcharge applies to all drivers holding an Australian provisional driver’s licence. Keep in mind that P-platers can also reduce damage cover to a maximum of $330. 

Note: Standard vehicle class restrictions for young drivers do not apply for commercial and mine-spec rentals.

Check out our Provisional Drivers guide for all the details to get you geared up for the road.

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Are roads to Coober Pedy sealed?

Yes, the roads leading to Coober Pedy are sealed and safe for 2WD and 4WD vehicles. If you’re continuing east to William Creek, please note that Coober Pedy is the last point of sealed roads, and it may be best to hop into a 4WD from this point onward.

Where do you stop between Coober Pedy and Uluru?

The drive between Coober Pedy and Uluru takes roughly 7.5 hours straight, which calls for a few well-needed rest stops along the way! Starting from Coober Pedy, we suggest stopping at: 

  1. Cadney Homestead Roadhouse 
  2. Marla Travellers’ Rest 
  3. Kulgera Roadhouse Pub 
  4. Erldunda Desert Oaks Resort 

Note that Erldunda Desert Oaks Resort is the last place to get reliable mobile reception before reaching Uluru (3 hours’ drive away).

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What is included in a car hire?

In Australia, car hire typically includes the base rental fee, damage cover options, roadside assistance and GST. When you book Redspot’s All-Inclusive OR Standard Package, you also get:

  • Free additional drivers
  • No cancellation or amendment fees
  • 24/7 support from local car hire experts
  • Contract fees
  • Premium location fees
  • Registration recovery fees 

Call (08) 7634 4545 (branch direct) or 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to chat with our friendly team and get driving.

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What makes a car mine spec?

Mine spec vehicles are heavy-duty and come equipped with specialised features and equipment to handle various mine site conditions easily. A mine spec car hire must meet safety regulations for safer driving in the rough terrain on a mine site. 

Examples include safety features such as: 

  • Reflective strips, LED lights, mine bar, sand flag for improved visibility
  • UHF radios and satellite phones for communication
  • Emergency Triangles
  • Call signs
  • Reversing alarm
  • Flashing strobe
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Wheel nut indicators
  • Wheel chocks
  • Redarc brake controller
  • Dual battery system and battery isolator
  • Heavy duty suspension
  • Emergency kits
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Do you cover all the mining specifications for light vehicles?

With Redspot, all mine-specific vehicles (mine-spec utes, trucks, 4WDs, 12-seater buses, etc.) cover mine compliance requirements. This includes mine-spec ‘light vehicles’ i.e. with a gross vehicle mass of 4.5 tonnes or less. Smaller, basic vehicles not listed as ‘mine spec’ are not mine site compliant.

Do mine spec rental cars have a km limit?

Yes, mine spec rental cars typically have a km limit per day. The exact km amount depends on location. For example, you can get up to 140 km free p/day ($0.30 per excess kilometre + GST) for Redspot mine spec rentals in Regional WA, SA and NT. For QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS, get up to 130 km free p/day ($0.30 per excess kilometre + GST).

Are your vehicles well maintained?

They sure are! Here at Redspot, we take loving care of our fleet, whether you’re on the road for a few days or a few months. Our fleet maintains an average age of 6 months old. Additionally, we thoroughly inspect and clean all our vehicles after they are returned to ensure tip-top condition. 

For long-term car hire, our swapping out process will keep your mine-spec rental spot on! Every month, our expert team will get in touch via phone to check in on any maintenance issues and the kilometre (km) reading. 

Once km reaches a certain amount, your Redspot vehicle will be serviced or swapped out for a fresher ride, depending on your needs. We keep on top of the maintenance so you can tackle the any mine or construction site conditions, stress-free. Alternatively, contact our Coober Pedy Airport team at (08) 7634 4545 (branch direct) or 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to arrange swap-outs or request more information.

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Who can hire a mine spec vehicle?

Redspot ‘mine-spec’ or ‘safety-spec’ vehicles are available for hire to businesses that require specialised transport for Aussie worksites with safety compliance rules (mining sites, large construction project sites, etc.). This includes mining companies, construction companies, government agencies and more.

What vehicles do you offer on a C-class driver's licence?

Good news – all Redspot vehicles are available to drivers with a C-class driver’s licence, including commercial and mine spec! Check out our full vehicle fleet to find your ride.

Can more than one person drive a hire car?

Yes, multiple people can hit the road with a hire car with Redspot (including commercial and mine-spec vehicles). Just make sure any drivers present their valid driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up, and you’ll be ready to hit the road on any work trip. Usual T&Cs apply.

How much does it cost to service a ute?

On average, it costs about $560 p/year* to service one of Australia’s 10 best-selling utes, including the Ford Range, Toyota HiLux and Toyota LandCruiser. With Redspot’s mine-spec car hire, vehicle servicing is already included in the booking fee with our handy swapping out process. 

*Average annual capped-price servicing cost

Can I still register an additional driver if I have already picked up my vehicle?

Yes, 100%. Additional drivers will just need to present their valid driver’s licence to your nearest Redspot branch. Our team will then validate and scan the ID to our secure vault. Unfortunately, we cannot accept emailed IDs, so please make sure to bring a physical ID to keep your workday rolling.

Can I reduce the Damage Liability amount?

Absolutely! Book with our Redspot All-Inclusive Package to get up to $1500 standard damage liability for commercial and mine spec vehicles. If you book with our Standard Package, you can reduce up to $6200 standard damage liability for commercial and mine spec.

Note: ‘Amount reduced by’ for damage liability excess is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. For any questions, contact our team at 1300 668 810 for all the details.

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Do you deliver vehicles?

Redspot offers Deliver and Collect for Coober Pedy Airport and other mine-spec locations. This means that our team can deliver any booked vehicle straight to your desired mine spec site as part of your booking. Contact us at (08) 7634 4545 or [email protected] to organise your lift!

Do rental cars have GPS navigation?

Unfortunately, our rental cars do not come with GPS or satellite navigation (sat nav) systems. Don’t worry; we’ve still got you covered for navigational help! 

Most Redspot cars have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, so you can enjoy hands-free navigation. This helps you stay safe while driving – we don’t recommend you use your mobile phone for navigation without some sort of hands-free system. 

Please bring along a USB or USB-C connector to use the location services we have available. We don’t provide mobile connectors, so it’s best to come prepared to make full use of these services.

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What happens if the car rental place is closed at the airport?

If the Redspot car rental branch is closed at Coober Pedy Airport, never fear. You have a couple of after-hours pick-up options to get you rolling, even if your flight gets delayed! Choose to:

  1. Provide your flight number to us during the booking process or by calling our Coober Pedy Airport team on (08) 7634 4545 (branch direct). We will track your flight until it arrives, well past operating hours. We will also wait for you up to 60 minutes after your flight has officially landed.

    Select this option to ensure your peace of mind, no matter how your flight goes! This is especially helpful if you are booking through a third party or arriving on a late-night flight.  
  2. Fly without providing a flight number with your booking. We will wait up to 60 minutes past your booked arrival time.  
  3. If you haven’t provided a flight number and your flight arrives past the booked arrival time, please make alternative travel arrangements. Your rental vehicle will be available for collection the next business day. 

For after-hours drop-off, simply park your rental vehicle at the Coober Pedy Airport car park in the designated Redspot bay. Drop your keys in the drop box located in the Redspot kiosk inside the terminal, and you’re all set to go. 

Questions? Contact our friendly Coober Pedy Airport team by phone or email to discuss your options.

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Can I leave my car in your depot throughout my hire period?

Due to limited space, customers unfortunately cannot leave personal cars in the Redspot depot. These car spots are reserved for your rental vehicles! If you require transportation to our depot, please contact our Coober Pedy Airport team at (08) 7634 4545 or [email protected]. Depending on availability, we may be able to arrange pick-up/drop-off plans with local branch staff.

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