Duration:
Operated By:
OVERVIEW
Roam the wild landscapes of South
Australia and revel in the freedom to live life untamed. The Eyre Peninsula and
Flinders Ranges offer the perfect paradox of outback and ocean to awaken your
senses. Venture to the Eyre Peninsula and learn to surf, discover the pristine
coastline, see koalas in the wild and add a deeper meaning to your trip by
participating in voluntary conservation work. Fall asleep each night under a
sea of stars and connect with like-minded travellers. Unearth the
540-million-year-old Flinders Ranges with sweeping gorges, bushland brimming
with wildlife and rich Aboriginal history.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Soak up the
serenity as you travel by ferry across the Spencer Gulf
Learn about
Aboriginal culture during authentic experiences with local custodians - Participate in a
conservation volunteering project - Plunge into the
ocean environment during a surfing lesson - Embark on
countless rewarding hikes - Taste seafood
straight from the ocean during an oyster lease tour (OE) - Roam the ancient
landscapes of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Witness abundant
native wildlife - Unearth South Australia
with your expert guide
INCLUSIONS
- All National Park and entry
fees - All activities, unless stated
as an optional extra (OE) - Meals – 5 breakfasts, 3
lunches, 5 dinners - Accommodation – Swag Camping with
basic facilities - Transport – Air-conditioned
minibus (max 20 people) - Ferry from Wallaroo to Lucky
Bay - Expert local Guide
ITINERARY
Day 1: Adelaide to Port Lincoln
Your nature
roaming adventure begins as we head towards Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula, where
our ferry will set sail across the Spencer Gulf towards the Eyre Peninsula at 9
am. Grab a coffee at the onboard café, relax, and enjoy the two-and-a-half-hour
cruise across the gulf.
On
disembarking in Lucky Bay, jump back on the bus to Port Lincoln. Have some free
time in Cowell to buy lunch and see some unique silo art. Upon arrival into Port
Lincoln / Galinyala, be greeted by proud Barngarla woman Emmalene Richards for
a Welcome to Country ceremony.
After a quick
stop in town, arrive at Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary to set up camp. This
private property is home to the Eyre Peninsula’s only wild koala population and
has many kangaroos and emus to spot.
Relax with
your new friends over dinner before rolling out your swag under the stars of
the Milky Way.
Today, travel
around 370km.
Accommodation
Swag camping
at Mikkira Station, which has a toilet and shower.
(Please note
in high fire danger periods, camping is not permitted here, and an alternative
campsite will be utilised).
Meals
D
Day 2 – Coffin Bay (or aquatic experiences)
After breakfast, head up the coast to Coffin Bay National Park. Famed
for its white sandy beaches and wildlife, spend some time exploring, swimming
and relaxing.
A visit to Coffin Bay isn’t complete without tasting the region’s famous
oysters, so you can choose the optional extra of pulling on some waders and
joining the Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tour. Wade out to a semi-submerged tour deck
in a working commercial oyster farm and learn about these delicious molluscs
from the farmer himself. Get a hands-on shucking lesson and taste oysters plucked
straight from the ocean.
For those not wanting to don the waders, you can set out on the Oyster
Trail walk or relax over a coffee or lunch at Oyster HQ whilst soaking up the
views over Coffin Bay.
Later, back in Port Lincoln, enjoy some free time to explore the town
and enjoy a spot of wine tasting at Boston Bay Wines before we head back to
camp.
Alternative Itinerary
Those coming to Port Lincoln to get up close and
personal with the aquatic wildlife can opt to have a Great White Shark
experience or swim with the ever-playful Australian Sea Lions. These outsourced
activities are not included in the itinerary and must be booked directly with
Calypso Star Charters. Please see Optional Extras for more information.
Drive time today is about 1.5 hours unless you are doing the shark
experience, in which case it is only 1 hour.
Accommodation
Swag camping
at Mikkira Station, which has a toilet and shower.
(Please note
in high fire danger periods, camping is not permitted here, and an alternative
campsite will be utilised).
Meals
B | D
Day 3: Port Lincoln
Surfing is a way of life in
Australia, so today, pull on a wetsuit for a two-hour learn-to-surf lesson. The
turquoise and calm water of Fisheries Bay is the perfect place for beginners to
perfect their skills. Those not wanting to surf can relax on the beach or swim.
The National Trust of South
Australia cares for the world’s natural and built heritage and relies on the
support of volunteers to protect and preserve special places. So, this
afternoon after lunch, roll up your sleeves for three hours of conservation
volunteering at Brinkworth Reserve. Our activity depends on the time of year
but could involve collecting seeds, weeding or planting trees whilst learning
from their passionate volunteers.
Head back to camp via Lincoln
National Park and Wanna Lookout, then relax over dinner.
Today, travel approximately 60km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Mikkira Station, which has
a toilet and shower.
(Please note in high fire danger periods
camping is not permitted here and an alternative campsite will be utilised)
Meals Included
B | L | D
Day 4 – Port Lincoln to Flinders Ranges
Today we have some distance to
cover, so say farewell to the wild Eyre Peninsula, travelling to Port Augusta
for lunch and to see some impressive silo art along the way. Come late in the afternoon and arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The fossils in this
landscape are so unique that geologists had to revise the geologic timeline of
Earth’s history to encompass a new era called the Ediacaran period. It is also famed
for having some of the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere, perfect for
stargazing.
Stretch your legs on the Arkaroo
Rock Trail, a significant cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people with impressive
views over the Chace Range.
Come late afternoon, arrive at Wilpena
Pound Resort to set up camp and enjoy dinner before rolling out your swag and
spotting shooting stars.
Today, we drive approximately 530km,
with stops along the way.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Wilpena Pound Resort, which has toilet and shower
facilities.
Meals Included
B | D
Day 5 – Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Watch a mesmerising sunrise in Wilpena
Pound, and then after breakfast, meet local Park Ranger and proud Adnyamathanha
man John from Ngai Nhina Yuras. After a Welcome to Country, walk with him in a
place where the sun and moon create magic as you listen to the fascinating
stories of the Adnyamathanha People. Learn about Culture and Traditions, Bush
Mai (food), artefacts, and medicinal plants, followed by a cultural smoking
protocol.
Return to camp for lunch and a
dip in the resort swimming pool in warmer weather. With
a better understanding of Aboriginal culture, spend the rest of the afternoon
exploring more of the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
Today, travel around 80km. Back at the resort, relax
and soak up the serenity of this ancient landscape, and have dinner with your
newfound friends.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Wilpena Pound Resort, which has toilet and shower
facilities.
Meals Included
B | L | D
Day 6 – Flinders Ranges to Adelaide
After packing up
camp, head towards the Southern Flinders Ranges to visit the Jeff Morgan
Gallery in the tiny town of Hawker. See some impressive silo art and visit an
iconic bakery in Wirrabara before taking in 360-degree views from Bluff Lookout
right out over the Spencer Gulf.
Onwards, travel through
the picturesque Clare Valley wine region for our final lunch and wine tasting before
arriving in Adelaide at around 5 pm.
Today, travel
approximately 450km.
Meals Included
B | L
KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK
GENERAL
- To get the most from our
adventure tours, you need to enjoy the outdoors and hiking and be able to cope
with a range of weather conditions. Our guides work hard and sometimes need a
helping hand, so we kindly ask for involvement from our passengers, such as
helping with meals and packing up camp. - A moderate fitness level is
required, with walks between 2-9 kilometres on some days. This may involve
rough ground and perhaps getting wet. - Please advise of any special
dietary requirements when you book. We offer plenty of variety and do our best
to provide fresh products. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are not included. - Due to limited space in the
trailer, bags are restricted to 1 × 15 kg backpack/soft travel bag per person,
plus one small piece of hand luggage for on the bus. - All passengers must complete
online check-in, including a ‘Fit for Travel’ self-declaration to confirm they
are illness-free. This is mandatory and must be completed at the latest 24
hours before departure. - This tour requires a minimum of
four people to operate. In the unlikely event your departure is cancelled
because minimum numbers have not been met, we will transfer all monies paid
onto a future departure date. If this is not suitable, we will refund your tour
price in full. - Itinerary
changes may occur to ensure we provide the best possible experience. Weather
conditions in Australia can change quickly, and our experienced guides will
always put the safety of our passengers first. Any itinerary changes will be
communicated to the group in advance.
- Please read our full Booking Terms & Conditions before booking.
ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING
- Camping on this tour is at a
mixture of national parks and campgrounds. All campgrounds do have basic toilet
and shower facilities. - Please note that Mikkira
Station doesn’t permit camping during high fire danger periods. This is most
likely to be between November and March. If we cannot stay there, we will camp
at one of our other locations, such as Bay View Park, which also has one shower
and toilet. - When camping, we use single
swags. Swags are ‘Aussie Bed Rolls’ made from sturdy canvas with a mattress
built into the swag. - Sleeping bags – we prefer passengers
to provide their own sleeping bag and pillow to insert into the swag. However,
this tour has an option if you don’t have one to purchase a new 0-degree
sleeping bag for $50. Alternatively, you can hire a used one for $20. These
options need to be added to your cart at the time of booking. We donate old and
unused sleeping bags to a homeless charity, ensuring they go to good use after
their time with us. - Our wet weather option is tents
shared by the group. - In the unlikely event of extreme weather, alternative
accommodation may be sourced. In this case, the accommodation costs incurred
will be shared 50/50 between Untamed Escapes and each passenger.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
On this tour, there are two optional extras that passengers can
decide to add to their tour. You can find all the details for these below. As
these experiences can fill up, we recommend booking early to avoid
disappointment.
- The Coffin Bay Oyster Tour
can be added to your cart when booking. - If you would
like to choose the alternative itinerary for Day 2 and have a great white
shark or sea lion experience with Calypso Star Charters, you need to
contact them directly to check availability and book.
