To unlock the desert in Stardew Valley, you need to first repair the bus in the game. Once the bus is up and running, you can purchase a ticket to the desert from the bus driver at the Calico Desert Oasis.
Unlocking the Bus Repair
To unlock the desert area in Stardew Valley, you will need to repair the bus located just east of the Wizard's Tower. The bus is out of service when you first arrive in Stardew Valley, and to repair it, you must complete the Vault bundle in the Community Center. The Vault bundle requires 42,500 gold to be donated for repairs. Once you have donated enough money, the bus will be repaired, and you can now access the desert area.
Accessing the Desert
After the bus has been repaired, you can now take a ride to the desert area by interacting with the bus stop. The bus will then take you to the newly unlocked Calico Desert. Once you arrive in the desert, you will notice the different environment and new resources that are available for you to explore and utilize. The desert area offers unique forage items, mining opportunities, and special quests for you to complete.
Desert Unlockables
Exploring the desert in Stardew Valley provides you with access to various new features, including the Oasis, where you can purchase exclusive items and learn new recipes. There is also a casino located in the desert where you can spend your hard-earned game tokens on various mini-games and exclusive rewards.
Furthermore, the desert contains the Skull Cavern, a high-level dungeon with valuable resources and rare artifacts. You can test your combat skills by delving deep into the Skull Cavern to find unique treasures and face challenging enemies. Additionally, the desert allows you to encounter the mysterious Qi, who will task you with completing special challenges and quests for rewards.
Utilizing the Desert Resources
The desert area in Stardew Valley is rich in resources that can benefit you in various ways. Cactus fruit, coconuts, and other forage items can be found exclusively in the desert and are useful for energy restoration or as ingredients in cooking recipes. The desert mines contain rare ores such as iridium, which are essential for upgrading your tools and crafting advanced items.
Moreover, the desert provides a different fishing experience, with unique fish species that can be caught in the desert oasis. These fish can be collected for bundles, sold for profit, or used in cooking recipes to create dishes that boost your farming skills. By utilizing the resources available in the desert, you can enhance your gameplay in Stardew Valley and progress further in the game.