Arkaroola Wilpena Flinders Ranges Lake Eyre Coober Pedy Port Augusta Tour 8 days

Arkaroola Wilpena Flinders Ranges Lake Eyre Coober Pedy  Port Augusta Tour - 8 days / 7 nights tour - Arkaroola Wilpena Flinders Ranges Lake Eyre Tours includes 4WD to Lake shore walk, wetlands walk birds area, spectacular Arkaroola walks or Ridge Top Tour (optional), spot endangered rock wallabies as we drive through Brachina & Bunyeroo Gorges. We also experience the Old Ghan Railway, Tom Kruse “Outback Mailman” from “Back of Beyond” mail truck & history, Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track, Marree, Leigh Creek coal mine, Copley, Lake Eyre National Park, Flinders Ranges, Gammon Ranges, Wilpena Pound (2 nights), with walks & optional Lake Eyre and Wilpena Pound flights. Coober Pedy highlights and return to Adelaide.

Arkaroola Wilpena Flinders Ranges Lake Eyre Coober Pedy Tour  - Itinerary  8 days

Day 1 – From Adelaide pickup (or Broken Hill option)  approximately 8 am from the airport or your accommodation for departure via spectacular mountain scenery as we travel via Clare Valley wine country, then the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound. Our journey takes us through rural SA to enjoy picturesque roadside stops for lunch and morning and afternoon teas. Visit historic Quorn & Hawker before arrival at Wilpena Pound resort for our comfy overnight stop. Enjoy a sunset walk with the kangaroos amongst the ancient Red River Gums and relax at the bar before dinner. L, D

Day 2– This morning we recommend the spectacular optional scenic flight over the Wilpena Pound. There’s time also to enjoy the Wangarra Lookout & Hills Homestead walk into the Pound. We leave Wilpena cross through the Flinders, ABC, and Heyson Ranges via the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail & Bunyeroo Gorge through the ancient rock layers that uplifted to form this spectacular geology, including Wilpena Pound. Stunning lookouts are a highlight of this journey as we wind our way. After a break at the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna on the Old Ghan Railway Line, for refreshments and viewing fossils of the oldest complex life forms -the Ediacaran Fossils, some of the oldest known examples of complex, multicellular animal life on Earth. Heading east via Parachilna Gorge we then travel through Blinman and pass by traditional sheep stations and high plains of the Gammon Ranges stretching to Lake Frome, and through into the Gammon Ranges National Park to Arkaroola. Overnight Arkaroola Resort. B,L,D

Day 3 – There’s plenty to do here in this remote,rugged area, including scenic flights or relaxing walks in the paths by nearby creeks, but the highlight is the Ridge Top Tour. The 4.5 hour Ridge Top Tour showcases the magic of the Northern Flinders Ranges timeless terrain and unique natural beauty of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Witness some of the most spectacularly rugged country on earth as you travel through Arkaroola’s 1600-million year geological history, as the inspiring images of red granite mountains and golden spinifex hillsides give way to a breath-taking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond. After a spectacular day, relax by the fireside (or pool) and share your experiences. Overnight Arkaroola BLD

Day 4 - Leaving Arkaroola, we travel via the Aboriginal community of Nepabunna and back onto the northern highway at Copley. We stop for a look at the large and colourful ochre pits famous for trading ochre widely throughout Australia. Today we also visit the Old Ghan ghost town of Farina, once a settlement of 300 people and at the railhead for the Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks. Travelling on to Marree check out the Aboriginal Museum, ancient mosque and Old Ghan Railway history. Also the Lake Eyre Yacht Club and Birdsville Track monuments. Overnight Marree

Day 5 - We follow the Oodnadatta Track, Overland Telegraph Line & Old Ghan Railway Track and visit historic Coward Springs & Curdimurka Railway Sidings and the lookout at Lake Eyre South then the Mound Springs, natural springs bubbling up from the Artesian Basin. Visit the shore of Lake Eyre South and connect with the wonder of the bird and plant life revitalised by flooding rains. We visit creeks and water holes along the route which are favourite spots for birds (including brolgas, egrets, swans, ducks, waders,  Herons and many more) and birdwatchers. Arrive historic William Creek on Anna Creek Station (this was Sidney Kidman's largest cattle station)  Overnight William Creek

Day 6 - Early morning optional scenic flight over Lake Eyre.  Two hours to the top of the lake, or 2 hours for Painted Hills and Lake Eyre flight - or other options After our flight, we head through the moon plains for Coober Pedy for overnight. Lots to see here in Coober Pedy -We take a town tour, including the underground cultural masterpiece Serbian Church, visit Umoona the spectacular underground museum, with opalized ancient fishes and sea creatures, optional opal mine tour, and opal buying at keen rates, Coober Pedy is a special sleep underground opportunity. Dinner own purchase in local restaurant B,L Overnight Coober Pedy

Day 7 – Today we are heading south on the Stuart Highway via desert travel & salt lakes that let you appreciate the remote and vast outback. Witness modern “oasis” outback stations and transport roadhouses of this great Stuart Highway connecting Australia’s north and south. Visit Woomera and the “rocket park” collection of missiles launched from this unique location, the extensive Rocket Range Museum and view the infamous Detention Centre. Travel to Port Augusta, the powerhouse of Spencers Gulf for overnight. BLD

Day 8 - Port Augusta is at the northern tip of Spencer's Gulf. Enjoy a local breakfast before we visit the nearby extensive Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, and nearby site visited by Mathew Flinders, who first circumnavigated Australia. We also see at Port Augusta the Wadlata Outback Centre, and high tech giant SunDrop tomato greenhouse and solar desalinator.  Further south is Port Pirie.that used to process and export silver lead and zinc from Broken Hills mines and is still a major hi tech processor and grain export port, with beautiful old period buildings and fascinating museum. Onwards we travel after a look by the old port water front, then on via rich rural lands of the Gulf of St Vincent to arrive Adelaide late afternoon.. Tour ends approx 6 pm. B,L

Tour includes time for a optional 1 or 2 hours Flight Over Lake Eyre.6Inclusions –

• 7 nights Hotel Motel Accommodation - twin share or single supplement available - see booking link
• Genuine small group tour vehicle - usually max. 4 per 4WD Landcruisers
• Professional Driver Guide
• All meals except 1 in Coober Pedy
  
• Wild wildlife!!
• National Parks entry fees.
• Tour price supports Outback Kids & Nature Care projects.

Exclusions

• Flights to and from departure points
• Alcohol, personal items
• Arkaroola Ridge top tour - available as option when booking
• Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound scenic Flights - available as options when booking

BOOK HERE Or Call 0417 244 600 or 1300 763 188