ROXBY DOWNS Roxby Downs is a diversion visit for the north/south Stuart Highway traveler. Woomera is the nearest town for the intersection point for this turn off. Please be sure you make the effort and visit Roxby Downs and Andamooka. Icon discoveries they are, but for diametrically different reasons. Roxby Downs surprisingly is a modern prosperous community. An oasis so to speak when compared with Woomera and Coober Pedy. Roxby Downs  is a BHP mining town and has a highly transient population of around 4,000 people, almost one third are under the age of fifteen.  Roxby Downs is often referred to as the most 'modern town of the outback ' and has all modern facilities, including a Woolworths Supermarket and a Subway. Expect other recognizable brands. The town of Roxby Downs was built in 1987  (land survey commenced in November 1986) to service the  Olympic Dam mine and processing plant, located 16 kilometres north of the site of the town.  Roxby Downs is unique in South Australian history. Never before has a township and its administration been set up from scratch as a joint venture between the state government and a mining company. All of the main church denominations are represented and in modern buildings. The Roxby Downs War Memorial is within the central median strip and is a worthy and modern acknowledgement to the fallen. The Museum is represented by the Art Gallery. Roxby Downs has just the one pub and there is also a tavern and a club. A visitor will absolutely be delighted with Roxby Downs. The contrast with everything else in the desert is breathtaking. Be sure to stay a night. The morning visit to Andamooka awaits. Heritage diary