Corner Country Arkaroola Innamincka Coongie Lakes Dig Tree Lake Eyre Birdsville Strzelecki Oodnadatta Tracks Tour 8 Days

AUD AU$6,995.00
  • Duration: 8 Days

8 DAY Corner Country, with Birdsville Track, Strzelecki Track, Oodnadatta Track & Lake Eyre Tour - From Broken Hill to Birdsville, Cooper Creek, Lake Eyre via Coober Pedy, Arkaroola (2 nights, optional Ridge Top Tour recommended), Wilpena Pound (walk & flight options), Moomba, Innamincka (incl Burke & Wills Dig Tree & Burkes Grave & Coongie Lakes day trip), Lake Eyre (Optional Lake Eyre flight available), Brachina Gorge, Flinders Completes 6pm

Itinerary – Corner Country Tours via Birdsville Strzelecki Oodnadatta Tracks Tour

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 Peterborough 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 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 Overnight Wilpena Pound

Day 2 – This morning we recommend the spectacular optional scenic flight over the 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 through the gorges. After a break at the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna on the Old Ghan Railway Line, for refreshments and viewing the oldest complex life forms -the Ediacaran Fossils, some of the oldest known examples of complex, multicellular animal life on Earth. Heading north via Leigh Creek, Copley and Nepabunna then by traditional sheep stations and plains 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 and share your experiences. Overnight Arkaroola BLD

Day 4 – Today we pass by desert sand dunes, gibber plains and hot springs as we heading north to Innamincka. We pass by Lake Callabonna, where Diprotodon and numerous Australian megafauna roamed in swampy terrain when this was the eastern most shore of Australia. There are many remains of ancient beasties here, and the country makes it easy to imagine this other world of many millions of years ago. At Mt Hopeless (aptly named) we join the Strzelecki Track, we pass Merty Merty homestead and on via the vast oil and gas fields of Moomba and the Delta gas fields to enter the Innamincka Regional Reserve area, and famous Innamincka township on the banks of the notorious Cooper Creek. An optional Cooper Creek cruise (if running) is in order before dinner at the Innamincka pub. BLD

Day 5 - Today we explore more of the Cooper Creek region and Coongie Lakes, a unique wetlands area in the desert sandhills approximately 100 km from Innaminka, attracting birdlife from afar. A rare chance to visit this remote and surrounding area

Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park is one of the most spectacular of South Australia’s natural attractions. The park is a pristine water world made up of channels, waterholes, lakes, internal deltas, shallow floodplains and interdune corridors and swamps. Motorboats, camp fires, fishing and generators are not permitted in the park, ensuring a genuine wilderness experience.

Coongie Lakes is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The waterbird diversity is high for an arid wetland and is a significant feeding, resting and breeding site for an enormous number of birds that migrate to the area. The wetland plays host to a diversity of wildlife including fish, reptiles and frogs. It transforms into a breeding ground for an enormous number of migratory birds from around the world. The contrast from sand dunes to vast wetlands is remarkable. The park is a true wilderness for visitors seeking a place of solitude to enjoy nature. Take advantage of the wilderness – enjoy photography, bushwalk, discover the Aboriginal history and generally relax in the calm surrounds of the wetlands. Overnight Innamincka. BLD

Day 6 –  Today we visitthe Burke & Wills dig tree, were the ill fated explorersarrived too late for their support party  - a big story here and we learn theyears of mistaken identity of the dig Tree, and learn which is the Real DigTree. We enjoy the prolific birdlife near here and unique flora beforeheading up the track, passing the remnants of the largest shearing shed inAustralia at Cordillo Downs, and the ruins of Cadelga Downs station,(alternative route depending on road conditions) over the Queensland border toarrive Birdsville for overnight. BLD

Day 7 – Birdsville is an icon of the outback, attracting outback travellers to connect with the frontier history of this landmark town. Birdsville used to be the customs post for goods and cattle travelling to and from South Australia before Federation. It was the route used by the great cattle drovers, including S. Kidman & Co, and there’s plenty of this history to experience in Birdsville, especially at the local museum, adjacent the tasty treats of the Hard Road Cafe. Today we visit Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest sand hill, and see Burke & Wills marked tree on the  Diamantina River. An optional flight over the Simpson Desert and Goyder Lagoon is available here. We head off south on the Birdsville Track following the spectacular Diamantina River past Pandie Pandie station and Goyder Lagoon. We stop at Mungeranie Roadhouse on the Birdsville Track before crossing the Cooper Creek and arriving Marree for overnight . BLD

Day 8 – In Marree, explore this once thriving railway town that helped save Darwin during WWII with 56 trains per week! Marree is at the junction of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks, and the path of the Great Northern  Railway / Old Ghan for over 100 years, so lots of history here including Aboriginal museum and history, Tom Kruse (Outback Mailman from “Back of Beyond”) and Donald Campbells Bluebird are big stories here. Marree, was once a thriving Ghan Railway town. Marree is caretaker for some interesting railway relics, plus the old mail truck used by legendary outback mailman Tom Kruse on the run from Marree to Birdsville.

Travelling south we visit the Old Ghan ghost town of Farina, view the closed but giant Leigh Creek coal mine, the fascinating and colourful Ochre Pits and travel via old Ghan railway towns via the Flinders Ranges to Hawker and stunning mountain landscapes.  We return to Broken Hill with fond memories of this vast country, and new friendships to arrive around 6pm, delivered to your accommodation in Broken Hill around 6pm.  BL

Inclusions

  •     All accommodation motel style ensuite 7 nights
  •     Delicious meals, including vegetarian options.
  •     Genuine small group tour vehicle - usually 4WD GXL Landcruisers
  •     Professional driver guide
  •     All National Park entry fees
  •     Contributions of tour price supports AWC nature care programs.
  •     Cooper Creek cruise when operating
  •     Pick up from, and return to Broken Hill (Adelaide options available - please ask)
  •     Covid safe compliance measures in place
  •     Optional Lake Eyre flights and Arkaroola Ridge Top Tour

Exclusions

  • Alcohol  - available to purchase at all overnight stops
  • Flights to and from departure points. 

BOOK HERE Or Call 0417 244 600 or 1300 763 188