4-Day Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges & Outback Small Group Eco Tour

This is an exciting 4-day small group tour from Adelaide to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre and the famous South Australian Flinders Ranges. It includes a six-hour scenic flight (with a landing and stop for lunch) over Lake Eyre and the Ranges.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, located 700km north of Adelaide, is the largest salt lake in the Southern Hemisphere — so large that it crosses the borders of three states. It is the lowest natural point in Australia (15m below sea level), and is also, on the rare occasions that it fills, the largest lake in Australia.

See the lake as most people never do on our Lake Eyre tour — come with us on a small group safari and get a close-up look at this marvel of nature. This is the best Lake Eyre experience from Adelaide!

The views of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre are equally spectacular when in flood with surrounding wildflowers and birds or in drought with it’s brilliant white crust and desert wildlife.

It can give you a real sense of isolation standing on the dry lake edge with nothing as far as the eye can see, but when the rains come, the lake comes to life with thousands of birds. Away from the lake, the National Park features red sand dunes and mesas, stone-strewn tablelands and salty claypans.

Get a real sense of the outback spirit — make this awe-inspiring journey in the comfort of a modern 4WD or all-terrain vehicle. Follow in the footsteps of famous explorer John McDouall Stuart and the old Ghan Railway. See the sights of the Oodnadatta Track from the air. There’s nothing like heading bush and experiencing some of the harshest country in Australia.

Complete with this Lake Eyre scenic flight, you will have a once in a lifetime experience.

PLEASE NOTE: As we need to confirm flight availability with our supplier, we will need to manually confirm your booking for this tour.

DAY 1

Commence your wilderness journey heading north via the old coastal towns of Port Wakefield and Port Germein, which boasts the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. During the safari your Tour Guide will introduce you to a remarkable and resilient history of both Aboriginal and white settlement in SA.

Be amazed by the beauty of the Southern Flinders Ranges, 600 million year old mountain peaks and spectacular views over Spencer Gulf. Travel through picturesque Pichi Richi Pass to the historic township of Quorn. With its typical outback buildings and the original Ghan Railway station, Quorn has been the setting for many iconic Australian films.

Follow in the path of our early explorers driving to Warrens Gorge Conservation Park to search for rare Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies. Dramatic rock outcrops harbour these endangered wallabies with only an estimated 8,000 living in the wild. Sit back in our comfortable, fully equipped 4WD vehicle as we head along remote tracks through the deserted Willochra Plains where eagles soar and emus run free.

Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort

Meals:

(L) A picnic lunch is included.

(D) Dinner is at a restaurant at your own expense.

DAY 2

In the morning take off from the local airstrip for your special Lake Eyre scenic flight with excellent views of the Flinders Ranges. You begin your scenic flight over Wilpena Pound, Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorge before tracking north to Lake Eyre. You will fly over Parachilna, the Leigh Creek open-cut coal fields and the Marree Man, following the outback tracks crossing the awe-inspiring Lake Eyre.

After marvelling at the wonders of this mammoth inland salt lake we will land at the outback town of William Creek. Enjoy lunch at a remote pub where the local stockmen gather. Make the return trip back to Wilpena Pound over the Painted Hills, Andamooka opal fields and Lake Torrens.

(Flight path may change to take advantage of better scenic options).

Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort

Meals:

(B) A continental breakfast is included.

(L) Lunch at the William Creek Pub is included.

(D) Dinner is at a restaurant at your own expense.

DAY 3

This morning our expert guide will drive you on a wonderful journey through the Northern Flinders Ranges to Blinman. At 615 metres it is the highest town in South Australia. Go deep underground on the award-winning Copper mine tour.

Our expert guide will drive you on a wonderful journey to the spectacular Bunyeroo Gorge, visiting secluded areas of great natural beauty. Explore the ever changing creek beds of Brachina Gorge. This is an area alive with wildlife and boasts a remarkable geological history including Ediacaran fossils dating back millions of years. World-renowned South Australian painter, Sir Hans Heysen was inspired by this country and painted many of his landscapes here.

After a scrumptious picnic lunch, immerse yourself in the ancient landscape; take that special photograph from Razor Back Lookout or just enjoy some of the most spectacular outback scenery Australia has to offer.

As the sun becomes low in the sky we will follow the road through a landscape of absolute beauty. Wildlife including Kangaroos, Emus and Wedge-tailed Eagles are prolific in this rugged terrain and are usually spotted in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort

Meals:

(B) A continental breakfast is included.

(L) A picnic lunch is included.

(D) Dinner is at a restaurant at your own expense.

DAY 4

Spend a relaxing morning travelling back to Adelaide along the eastern side of the Flinders Ranges with its mighty Red Gum forests. Crossing Goyder’s Line, the boundary of reliable rainfall, you will see lands that change into a lush expanse rich rural landscape.

The mid-north towns offer a blend of beautiful scenery, historical charm and thriving agriculture. Let’s find a lovely country café for lunch where you can meet the locals and have a chat.

In the afternoon stop at the world-famous Clare Valley wine region, one of the premium wine regions of South Australia! Seven Hills Cellers was built by the Jesuits in 1851. It is the first winery ever built in the Clare Valley and one of the oldest in Australia. Seven Hills celebrates old stone winery and cellar door; stately St Aloysius Church and the surrounding vineyards provide us with a memorable experience. Wine tastings are formatted into a flight of five premium wines.

Meals:

(B) A continental breakfast is included.

(L) Lunch at a café or bakery is included.

Please note:

CODE (B) (L) (D) indicates which meals are included and which meals are at the passengers own expense.

Optional extras are on request and can only be booked while on tour!

Advertised itineraries & vehicles may change due to circumstances beyond our control.

Printable itinerary: click here to view

Optional extras can be booked with us during your tour and payment made to the provider directly.

Advertised itineraries and vehicles may change due to circumstances beyond our control.

If you are interested in this tour but cannot travel on any of the dates listed, please contact us directly and we can arrange additional tour dates.