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South Australia Outback Adventure

South Australia Outback Adventure

From $ 4,065 AUD

Description

Spend 10 days exploring the best of South Australia’s Outback on a culturally rich and deliciously different small group adventure. From Adelaide, visit the opal capital of Australia, see silo art and watch stars sparkling above you in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Hear traditional stories of the Adnyamathanha people and immerse yourself in the beauty of Arkaroola – a 610 sq m wildlife sanctuary. Taste fine wines in the Clare Valley and take optional hikes through sweeping landscapes. With First Nations experiences, comfortable accommodation, a knowledgeable leader and free time to take on hikes, scenic flights or 4WD adventures – this trip to the Outback is the whole package.

Trip Name
South Australia Outback Adventure
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Watch the night sky come alive during your night in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary – there is no light pollution here, so it's the perfect place to stargaze among the mountainous peaks.
  • Enjoy a subterranean stay in Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia, in underground accommodation that’s cool, comfortable and unique to this part of the South Australian outback.
  • Soak up the scenic beauty of the Clare Valley – one of Australia’s most famous wine regions – and sample Rieslings and other fine wines.
  • Drive into the remote South Australian Outback and bounce along the famous Oodnadatta Track to William Creek where you can enjoy a cold beer and check out the unique ‘museum’ of memorabilia across the street.
  • Take a bushwalk in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, then head out on a private tour of Sacred Canyon, where you’ll learn about Aboriginal culture as you listen to the stories and insights from your Adnyamathanha guide. Later, take an optional hike in Wilpena Pound.

Itinerary

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL EXPERIENCES & COMMUNITIES First Nations people have complex community obligations, and at times activities or experiences may be cancelled at late notice due to cultural commitments. In the case that we are unable to include planned activities with First Nations communities, we will endeavour to find a suitable alternative in the same or another destination on your trip.

Day 1 - Adelaide / Port Pirie / Port Augusta
Welcome to Adelaide (or Tarntanya, in the language of the Kaurna people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located)! Your adventure begins straight away at 8 am this morning with a welcome meeting at the hotel. Then, you’ll head out of town towards Port Augusta, stopping at the pink Lake Bumbunga on the way. Have a look around Fourth St and Railway Terrace in Snowtown, then stop at Port Pirie for a tour of the town and some lunch. When you arrive in Port Augusta, maybe visit the Wadlata Outback Centre or the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. This evening, you’re free to relax and recharge.
Day 2 - Woomera / Coober Pedy
Have breakfast at a café in town before driving to Woomera – a town that was purpose-built for testing rockets in the 1940s. Learn about nuclear and non-nuclear rocket testing at the Woomera Heritage Museum & Visitor Information Centre. There will be time for lunch before the short drive to Lake Hart Rest Area for views of one of the region’s salt lakes. When you arrive in Coober Pedy, perhaps stroll around town, search out some street art or find a local bar. You are in the opal capital of Australia, so maybe go jewellery hunting for the perfect souvenir. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local bar that offers up incredible views of the Breakaways and Coober Pedy.
Day 3 - Coober Pedy
Spend your day exploring Coober Pedy – head out on a tour of an underground home, an underground church and a historic opal mine. In the late afternoon, visit Josephine’s Gallery, which specialises in Aboriginal art and doubles as a kangaroo orphanage! Here, you can meet kangaroos and other native wildlife such as wombats and birds that are looked after by wildlife carers.
Day 4 - Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park / William Creek
This morning, head out to Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park – a registered Aboriginal heritage site – and see the dog fence (also known as the dingo fence), before travelling back to Coober Pedy for an optional lunch at a local café. Then, drive into the remote South Australian Outback along a rough dirt road to William Creek, where you can enjoy a cold beer and check out the ‘museum’ of memorabilia across the street. Tonight, you may choose to join your group for dinner at the local pub.
Day 5 - Oodnadatta Track / Marree
This morning, consider rising early for an optional flight over Lake Eyre. Then, continue your drive deeper into the remote desert landscape to Lake Eyre via the legendary Oodnadatta Track. Stop at Wabma Kadarbu Mound Spring Conservation Park along the way, then have a picnic at Lake Eyre for lunch before getting back on the road. You may also stop at Coward Springs – home to a museum and a natural spa, a welcome reprieve among the desert landscape. Continue to Marree, where you’ll stroll around town to see historic sites like the old Afghan Mosque and remnants of the Historical Ghan Railway.
Day 6 - Farina / Arkaroola
After breakfast, drive to Farina Town – a once booming oasis on the edge of the desert, this town now has a year-round population of just two people! Despite its ghost town status, Farina is home to a popular underground bakery, which is opened once a year by the Farina Restoration Project Group to raise funds to rebuild the town. If your visit lines up with its opening, stop by this unique bakery and take a wander around the town where stone ruins remain. Then, head to Copley, where you can have some lunch before continuing to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary – a wildlife sanctuary in the Flinders Rangers. When you arrive, you’ll have free time to head out on a walk or hike through some of the geological monuments, mountains, granite peaks, gorges and waterholes here. Look out for the local birds, reptiles and mammals that live here, including the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby.
Day 7 - Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park / Arkaroola
After breakfast, your day is free to take up some of the optional activities on offer here. Maybe take a 4WD tour of the ridge top, driving through some spectacularly rugged country. You can also take an optional scenic flight or head to the observatory. This afternoon, you can head out on a leader-led hike to soak up the landscape – your leader will choose a route based on the group’s desires and abilities. Maybe take the Acacia Ridge hike, the Giselda Hill Walk or the Mawson-Spriggina Connecting Trail.
Day 8 - Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound
Continue driving to the famous Ikara-Wilpena Pound – the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges and home to the Adnyamathanha people for thousands of years. Your first stop today is Blinman – the highest town in South Australia. When you arrive, visit Wadna – an authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts gallery in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Wander around, maybe grab some lunch and if you like, take a tour of the local mine. Then, continue to Stokes Hill Lookout for sweeping views of the rolling landscape. This afternoon, you’ll stay at a resort in Ikara (Wilpena Pound) and soak up a free afternoon and evening.
Day 9 - Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound
After breakfast, join your leader for a bushwalk in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. In the afternoon, take a private tour of Sacred Canyon, where you’ll immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture as you listen to the stories and insights from your Adnyamathanha guide. Learn about the cultural significance of the site, the ancient rock engravings found in the smooth sandstone walls and discover bush medicines and bush tucker from the perspective of the local people. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. You may decide to hike to the Wangara Lookout, take a shorter walk to Hills Homestead or spend the day swimming in the pool or enjoying other activities around the resort.
Day 10 - Clare Valley / Adelaide
After breakfast, depart for the Clare Valley wine region. Stop for lunch along the way and check out the silo art at Farrell Flat before arriving at a vineyard for an included wine tasting at a prominent local wine maker. In the afternoon, continue to Adelaide where your journey will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay and need help organising additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-03-202522-03-2025AUD $ 4,065-
27-03-202505-04-2025AUD $ 4,065-
29-05-202507-06-2025AUD $ 4,510-
12-06-202521-06-2025AUD $ 4,300-
26-06-202505-07-2025AUD $ 4,300-
10-07-202519-07-2025AUD $ 4,300-
24-07-202502-08-2025AUD $ 4,300-
07-08-202516-08-2025AUD $ 4,300-
21-08-202530-08-2025AUD $ 4,510-
04-09-202513-09-2025AUD $ 4,510-
18-09-202527-09-2025AUD $ 4,510-
02-10-202511-10-2025AUD $ 4,720-
16-10-202525-10-2025AUD $ 4,720-
28-10-202506-11-2025AUD $ 4,720-
26-03-202604-04-2026AUD $ 4,615-
02-04-202611-04-2026AUD $ 4,625-
07-04-202616-04-2026AUD $ 4,845-
30-04-202609-05-2026AUD $ 4,845-
14-05-202623-05-2026AUD $ 4,845-
28-05-202606-06-2026AUD $ 4,625-
11-06-202620-06-2026AUD $ 4,625-
25-06-202604-07-2026AUD $ 4,405-
09-07-202618-07-2026AUD $ 4,405-
23-07-202601-08-2026AUD $ 4,405-
06-08-202615-08-2026AUD $ 4,405-
20-08-202629-08-2026AUD $ 4,625-
03-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 4,625-
17-09-202626-09-2026AUD $ 4,845-
01-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 4,845-
15-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 4,845-
05-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 4,625-
03-12-202612-12-2026AUD $ 4,405-
25-03-202703-04-2027AUD $ 4,405-

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night),Cabin (4 nights),Underground hotel (2 nights),Resort (2 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle

Map