7-Day Adelaide to Lake Eyre Small Group Eco Tour incl. Flinders Ranges and Outback

This is an immersive, 7-day small group tour from Adelaide to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, including the famous South Australian Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Pt Augusta, Woomera, William Creek, the Oodnadatta Track, Arkaroola, Wilpena Pound, Clare Valley, and many places of historic and natural interest throughout the South Australian outback.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, located 700 km 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.

Come and see the magnificent and ever-changing deserts of South Australia in the comfort of our late-model, luxury 4WD or our purpose-built Toyota All-Terrain Vehicle! No overcrowding on our tours -- lots of space!

This outback tour also includes a visit to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary! Located 600 km north of Adelaide in the ruggedly spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, this 610 sq km sanctuary features unique geological features, rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes, and is home to a large range of bird, reptile and mammal species, including the endangered Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby.

There are also numerous scenic flights on offer from William Creek over Lake Eyre / Birdsville, the Painted Hills, Arkaroola, and the Flinders Ranges.

This is the best of the Lake Eyre tours from Adelaide and will give you a true taste of the SA outback spirit!

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

Complementary pick up from your Adelaide CBD accommodation at approx. 8 am. Heading north along the Eastern side of Gulf St Vincent, you will be entertained with stories about our early explorers.

Follow the Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, stopping at historical coastal towns. Learn our rich maritime history and maybe take a walk down the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at Port Germain. This was once a bustling port for sail ships and seafarers.

During the safari tour your guide will introduce you to a remarkable and resilient history of both aboriginal and white settlement in SA. See the Southern Flinders Ranges, 600-million-year-old mountain peaks with spectacular views over this incredible landscape.

Spend the afternoon strolling around the award winning Wadlata Outback Centre at Pt Augusta. Later in the afternoon we go out to the outskirts of town to the Flinders Lookout; situated in the Australian Arid Lands Botanical Garden, it is a great spot to watch sunset over the spectacular Flinders Ranges.

Overnight: Port Augusta Motel

Meals:

(L) A picnic lunch is included.

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

DAY 2

Travel up the Explorer Highway into the outback desert region of South Australia. Wander around Woomera at your own pace, visiting the old rocket range museum and military base.

As we head further north, east of the APY Aboriginal lands take a break at Lake Gairdner and Lake Hart lookouts. Photograph these huge expanses of salt lakes as far as the eye can see. No need to rush, we stop at many points of interest including bird and animal watching.

On to Coober Pedy, the largest opal mining field in the world, where characters from many nations have come to try to make their fortune. Heading into town we will pass the extensive mining operations that help make this place so unique. Coober Pedy is a town where people live underground to escape the harsh desert conditions.

Watch a magical sunset over the desert at Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park before following the Dingo Fence back to Coober Pedy for a meal with the locals.

Overnight: Coober Pedy

Meals:

(B) A continental breakfast is included.

(L) Lunch is at the Glendambo roadhouse at your own expense.

(D) Dinner is at a local Italian or Greek restaurant, or the Big Winch hilltop resturant. at your own expense.

DAY 3

Spend a leisurely morning visiting underground churches, opal shops and displays. Try a bit of ‘noodling’ for opal yourself. Learn about the area on a guided tour to see how these hardy folks live and make their living.

After lunch we depart Coober Pedy crossing the famous dingo fence (the longest man-made structure in the world). It helps to keep the wild dogs up north away from the sheep stations further down.

Travel along the red sand hill tracks through Anna Creek station to William Creek. This remote town stands out like an oasis in the desert, halfway between Adelaide to Alice Springs.

Enjoy an ice-cold beer at the bar of this famous Outback Pub that has a rich history of stockmen, camels and life in the bush.

Overnight: William Creek Cabin

Optional extra: Lake Eyre & Painted Desert Scenic Flights.

Meals:

(B) A continental breakfast is included.

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

(D) Dinner at an outback pub is included.

DAY 4

Continue our epic journey down the famous Oodnadatta Track, following the historic route of the Cameleers. This area has a rich history of Aboriginal culture and pioneering settlements.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the edge of Lake Eyre South National Park. This is where Sir Donald Campbell broke the land speed record in 1964 in the Blue Bird.

Visit thermal springs and deserted outposts that have been the life blood of this arid land for centuries.

Arriving at Maree late afternoon, check out the old Afghan mosque and relics of our pioneering days. This historic town is where Outback legend Tom Kruse left on his epic mail run deliveries to Birdsville and beyond. Tom’s old 4WD Blitz is still there on display next an old locomotive from the Ghan Railway days.

Maybe meet one of the aboriginal elders at the Arabuuna aboriginal center and museum.

Overnight: Maree Cabins

Meals:

(B) A fully cooked or continental breakfast is included.

(L) A picnic lunch is included.

(D) Dinner at the legendary Marree Outback Restaurant is included.

DAY 5

Venturing further east into the remote outback of Australia, we will cross ancient creek beds that meander out to Lake Frome. Witness a stunning change in the landscape from spectacular deserts to the ancient mountains of the Gammon Range.

Arriving at the Arkaroola Village around lunch time you will have time to relax and take in this world-renowned area of stunning beauty. Alternatively, take the exhilarating 4WD ridge top tour to the top of Mt Siller or maybe a scenic flight over this breathtaking land.

Optional extra: The Famous Arkaroola 4wd Ridge Top Tour

Optional extra: Flights over the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Optional extra: Night sky observatory

Overnight: Arkaroola Wilderness Lodge

Meals:

(B) A fully cooked or continental breakfast is included.

(L) Lunch at the Arkaroola Café is included.

(D) Dinner at the Arkaroola Resort Restaurant is included.

DAY 6

Travel south along the top of Lake Frome, which can be seen in the distance from vantage points where early explorers once stood. See the Red Sandhill country that holds thousands of years of sacred beliefs to the Adnyamathanha aboriginal people.

Enjoy lunch at the old copper mining town of Blinman, the highest town is SA.

Our local guide will drive you on a wonderful journey through the secluded and ever-changing creek beds of Brachina Gorge, known as the Corridors Through Time. This is an area alive with wildlife and boasts a remarkable geological history including Ediacaran fossils. World-renowned South Australian painter, Sir Hans Heysen, was inspired by this country and painted many of his landscapes here.

Take that special photograph or just enjoy some of the most spectacular outback scenery there is.

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, Rawnsley Park Station or Quorn Motel (depending on availability)

Meals:

(B) Breakfast at the Arkaroola Resort Restaurant is included.

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

(D) A two-course, open menu dinner at the Wilpena Pound Resort Restaurant is included.

DAY 7

At approximately 8 am, take to the air in a light aircraft on an optional 30-minute flight over Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges. This is the only way to really appreciate this world-famous 800-million-year-old SA icon that the local Adnyamathanha people call Ikara. Window seats are guaranteed!

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 at the Wilpena Pound Resort is included.

(L) Lunch will be at a café or bakery and 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.

Departs 2nd Tuesday of each month or on demand (Adelaide return).

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.