Duration:
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PLEASE NOTE that this tour does not depart from Adelaide. Take a plane, train or bus to Coober Pedy and there join our 5-day 4WD safari to Adelaide. Tour departs Coober Pedy on day 1 at approximately 2pm.
Coober Pedy is in northern South Australia, 850 km north of Adelaide, about half-way to Alice Springs. The town is sometimes referred to as the “opal capital of the world” because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there.
Coober Pedy is renowned for its below-ground residences, called “dugouts”, built in this fashion due to the scorching daytime heat. Although the summer daytime surface temperature often exceeds 40 °C (104 °F), dugouts remain at a constant temperature.
Coober Pedy is situated on the edge of the erosional scarp of the Stuart Ranges and is topped with a stony, treeless desert. Very little plant life exists in town due to the region’s low rainfall, high cost of water, the sandstone bedrock and lack of topsoil.
DAY 1
Meet our group at approx. 8am for breakfast at the Desert Cave Café. Spend a leisurely morning visiting underground churches, opal shops and displays. Learn about the area on a guided mine tour to see how these hardy folks live.
After lunch we depart Coober Pedy crossing the famous dingo fence (the longest man made structure in the world) this 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 stockman, camels and life in the bush.
Optional extra: Lake Eyre & Painted Desert Scenic Flights.
Overnight: William Creek Cabin
Meals:
(B) Included: Continental
(L) Own expense: Café/Bakery
(D) Included: Hotel Meal
DAY 2
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 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.
Overnight: Maree Cabins
Meals:
(B) Included: Continental
(L) Included: Picnic lunch
(D) Included: Pub Meal
DAY 3
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) Included: Continental
(L) Own expense: Arkaroola Café
(D) Included: Arkaroola Restaurant
DAY 4
This morning we travel south along the top of Lake Frome which can been seen in the distance from vantage points at which our early explorers once stood. See the Red Sandhill country that holds thousands of years of sacred beliefs to the Adnyamathanha aboriginal people.
Have 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) Included: Continental
(L) Own expense: Blinman Café
(D) Own expense: Restaurant
DAY 5
Enjoy an early morning walk, breathe in the fresh air while listening to the unique sounds of the Australian Bush. Spend a relaxing morning travelling back to Adelaide along the eastern side of the magnificent Flinders Ranges with its mighty red gum forests. The land will change into lush expanses of natural rural beauty as we head south. Enjoy a break in the world-famous Clare Valley wine region.
No doubt you will leave with life-long memories to share with family and friends about your journey to the Flinders Ranges & Outback Australia!
Meals:
(B) Included: Continental
(L) Own expense: Café/Bakery
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.
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Our driver/guide was Steve who is a very happy person, tells you lots of detail, answers numerous questions and entertained us with stories. He is also an excellent driver and we all felt very safe with him up front. He knows where all the great cake shops are, the nicer toilets and good coffee and sandwich/pie shops along the way. We were in very safe hands.
We were given a list of additional activities and did a flight over wilpena and then a second one over arkaroola. Its a once in a lifetime tour for me and I am so very happy that I spent the money for these flights. They were (costly but) fabulous.
Accommodation at Arkaroola was not as good as Wilpena but both had good food and coffee, a good wine list (by glass or bottle) and lovely staff. There was an included ridge top ride in Arkaroola - four hours in the back bumping around on a gravel track. It was good but I much preferred the flights!
Along the way up and back, Steve took us on extra little adventures and it was a great way for us to learn about the outback and the people who pioneered the area and those that live there still.
The trip was well organised and Mick Murdoch went out if his way to make everyone enjoyed themselves. The 4WD vehicle was very comfortable even over unsealed sections of the outback and well equipped with lots of little extras including a beautiful basket of fruit that was a hit with everyone.
Highlights for me were Mick’s extraordinary knowledge of the area, the outstanding accommodation, which exceeded everyone’s expectations and then there was the unforgettable landscape! Wilpena Pound, Brachina Gorge, and the Ridgetop Tour at Arkaroola were just a few of my favourites. And the return drive back through Wilmington, Melrose and the Clare Valley was the icing on the cake. So much better than trying to do it ourselves - learnt so much, saw so much and especially enjoyed the company of the other travellers. P Birkett
and flexibility made for a great trip. The scenery was breath-taking and Steve's knowledge of the areas he took us to extensive. Certainly a lot to see in a short space of time but well worth it. Maybe an extra day to take in Oodnadatta might be worth considering (Lynette says an extra few hours for shopping in Coober Pedy!!).
I was looking forward to a much needed break-
We are well travelled nationally and internationally-
What we experienced was quite unique.
Our driver and Guide Steve was exceptional.
He cared,he was funny, he was highly skilled driver and he knew so much about our Journey and the special world we were travelling in.
It was a grass roots experience and I highly recommend.
“This is normally a small group tour, but I was the sole participant on the trip- the fact Mick took me, is a testament to his commitment to the role.
So I got the personal attention and flexibility needed to work around the winter weather.
The tour was full of wonderful experiences. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. Mick made sure I saw unique spots, rare animals, learnt about the culture, and enjoyed the Australiana that was around every corner. There were plenty of “ah” moments. My favourite place in the Flinders Ranges was Brachna Gorge with its unique landforms, fossils and yellow footed wallabies (yes, Mick made sure I saw this rare animal, in two places).
The tour included a scenic flight over Lake Torrens and Lake Eyre. This was stunning!
The whole tour was well paced and enjoyable. Mick catered for my every need. He was informative, courteous, friendly and had such great stories to tell me. He made the tour so much fun!
I have travelled to 70 countries world-wide and this tour was up there with “the best” I’ve enjoyed.
Wilpena Pound is a good central location for this tour and offers lots of options for hikers, walkers, or a senior like me, who enjoys touring. Good value for money too. Thanks for enriching my awareness of our ‘wide brown land’.”
Cheryl, Sydney, NSW.
We were in for a long drive but time passed agreeably and our first stop was at an interesting township for lunch at a characterful pub. From then on we were in the wonderful countryside of the Flinders for our trip.
The trip was full of interesting stops, with chances to photograph and learn.
We stayed at Wilpena Pound. One could use all the facilities and the included meals (choices available) were really good. Prebooked sleeping arrangements included motel room, cabin or tent.
Two interesting morning walks, which if you are not fully mobile, could be a problem (6Ks woodland and 2K mostly rocky and up/downhill).
Every effort is made to enable one to see animals and this is great trip for those wanting an experience in the outback.



























