The enormous popularity of the Coober Pedy Opal Festival has lead to its expansion, with the 2001 celebrations spilling over into Easter Sunday.

Tourism Minister Joan Hall says next year's visitors will be able to make the most of a five day break in the most unique of Outback locations, where the focus will be on the town's multicultural diversity.

"Coober Pedy boasts people of some 45 different nationalities and celebrations will incorporate ethnic dance, special singing performances and a colourful array of dishes from around the world, all delivered with that quintessentially Outback flavour," Ms Hall says.

"Internationally Coober Pedy attracts about 50,000 international tourists or 16 percent of our State's share of international tourists.

"A festival where people can "noodle" for gemstones, play golf on one of the most barren golf courses in the world, cheer on backhoe competitions and watch fireworks explode over the scarred landscape really has to be something that international tourists have never experienced before."

A team of four skydivers will make several jumps during Saturday, while the world championship "sausage toss" sees townsfolk throwing dummy sticks of gelignite out into the minefields.

"I was lucky enough to go to last year's Opal Festival and it was fabulous fun and unlike anything I'd ever been to before. I would certainly encourage South Australians and tourists alike to come to Coober Pedy and experience one of the world's most amazing festivals."

The Opal Festival will begin on Easter Saturday April 14, with a colourful street parade through the town and multicultural and sporting events and will continue on Easter Sunday.