11 day Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola, Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy and Andamooka Tour
DAY 1: Depart Adelaide 7:00am for Wilpena Pound Resort via the crossroads of Australia – Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Augusta.
After lunch we head towards Wilpena Pound via Quorn and Hawker and from Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins.We will spend the night at Wilpena Pound Resort.
DAY 2: After breakfast we take a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead.We then travel the geological trail through the Brachina Gorge (depending on road conditions and access). This gorge traces the geological history of the area for hundreds of million years.
Our next stop is the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna where we taste some real Aussie tucker. After lunch we head towards Wilpena Pound via Parachilna Gorge and Blinman. We will spend another night at Wilpena Pound Resort.
DAY 3 and 4:Today we depart Wilpena Resort for Arkaroola via Wirrealpa, Wearing Gorge, and Balcanoona arriving at Arkaroola Wilderness Resort for lunch.
While in Arkaroola we can join the heart pumping world famous Ridge Top tour, the ultimate 4wd experience across the steep ridges of the ancient Flinders Ranges. (Optional tour) We stay overnight Arkaroola Wilderness Resort.
DAY 5: Today we make our way to William Creek Hotel on the Oodnadatta Track. William Creek Hotel is the world’s most isolated pub and when we stop here you can indulge in a well-deserved Australian beer. The most important claim to fame for William Creek is that it is the smallest town in Australia and is located on Anna Creek Station, the world’s largest cattle station at 32,500 square kilometres.
This is a land of contrasts. There’s red gibber plains stretching to the horizon, mound springs (we visit Bubbler Springs and Blanche Cup Springs) which create bush oases and wetlands, red gum lined creeks and vast areas of grey salt bush and spiky spinifex. Remnants of the old Ghan Railway are abundant along the Oodnadatta Track. We stay overnight William Creek Hotel.
DAY 6: After breakfast we can take an optional 1 hour flight over Lake Eyre North. Lake Eyre North which covers 8430 square kilometres, is 144 kilometres long and 77 kilometres wide is by far the larger of the two lakes. The creek like Goyder Channel joins Lake Eyre South to Lake Eyre North, which at its narrowest is only 150 metres wide. The lakes lowest point is 15.2 metres below sea level and drains more than one sixth of the continent.
From here we head Coober Pedy. In the heart of South Australia’s vast outback, it is an opal wonderland. We spend some time visiting mines and interpretive centres which a great insight into the town and its mining operations. There are more than 30 opal shops in Coober Pedy if you would like to purchase some opal.
Overnight we stay in underground accommodation at The Underground Motel or Experience Motel accommodation.
DAY 7:Today we visit the Breakaways Reserve and Moon Plain before we head back to Coober Pedy via the dingo fence (the world’s longest fence, 5300 km long). Overnight we stay in our underground accommodation.
DAY 8:After breakfast we head to Woomera and visit the opal mining town of Andamooka.
After lunch we spend time exploring Woomera.This outback town was established in 1947 as a site for the launching of experimental rockets. Attractions include Woomera Heritage Centre and Missile Park displaying examples of rockets, aircraft and weapons associated with the testing range. Tonight we stay at Roxby Downs Motor Inn.
DAY 9: After breakfast we visit Andamooka for a tour of this “incredible last frontier town”.The opal is mined 3 to 10 metres down on the ancient sea bed of 1.8 million to 70 million years ago. From 24 separate fields, opalised shells, stones and dinosaur bones are still being brought to the surface. In the many showrooms in Andamooka we can see how wide the range of opal can be. We also see the sights of Roxby Downs with an optional tour of Olympic Dam Mine. Tonight we stay again at Roxby Downs Motor Inn.
DAY 10: We depart Roxby Downs at approximately 9:00am and begin our journey back to Adelaide. We follow the Stuart (Explorer) Highway south revisiting Port Augusta. Overnight we stay at Standpipe Motel.
DAY 11: Before departing Port Augusta we take the opportunity to explore the Flinders Ranges and Outback in Wadlata Outback Centre’s Tunnel of Time.
We then head back to Adelaide via the Clare Valley wine region. After lunch we visit some wineries before our journey back to Adelaide. We arrive at your accommodation approximately 6:00pm.
TOUR DETAILS
COST PER PERSON: $6790:00(including GST) with twin share accommodation. Single supplement of $1100 is available
TOUR INCLUDES: Accommodation (twin share), all breakfasts and evening meals, pick up/drop off at your accommodation, wine tasting at Sevenhill Cellars Clare.
NOT INCLUDED: Optional tours Ridgetop tour at Arkaroola and Lake Eyre Flight at William Creek and lunches
TOUR CONDITIONS: “JUST CRUISIN” reserve the right to alter or modify itinerary if prevailing weather, road conditions or adverse conditions re quire such change. Tour costs do not include additional accommodation, meals and incidental expenses incurred from flooding, natural delays, unavailable connections or other unforeseen circumstances. It is suggested travel insurance is purchased to cover additional accommodation, meals and incidental expenses resulting from flooding, natural delays, unavailable connections or other unforeseen expenses prior to departure. Due to the nature and remoteness of outback travel it is suggested anyone with health problems should seek advice from their doctor if necessary.
BOOKING CONDITIONS: A deposit of 20% is required to confirm your reservation. Balance is payable 21 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATIONS: Must be made 14 days prior to departure or full deposit is forfeited.
DON’T FORGET: Your camera, good walking shoes and hat. Please limit luggage to a small bag, and most of all don’t forget your sense of adventure. It is suggested that appropriate sickness, accident and personal liability insurance be taken out.
