7-Day Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges Small Group 4WD Eco Safari

Overview

Overview

This is an exciting 7-day small group Lake Eyre Tour from Adelaide to the famous South Australian Flinders Ranges.

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.

Come and see this beautiful outback marvel in the comfort of a modern 4WD vehicle!

This outback tour also includes a visit to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary! Located 600km north of Adelaide in the ruggedly spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, this 610sq 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.

Highlights

  • Historic Coastal towns
  • Pt Augusta Wadlata Outback Centre
  • Woomera Rocket Range
  • Coober Pedy mine and town tour
  • Sunset at The Breakaways
  • Remote William Creek pub
  • The Dingo Fence
  • The Oodnadatta Track
  • Maree Old Mail Run, relics
  • Flinders Ranges National Park
  • Wilpena Pound
  • Brachina Gorge Ediacaran fossils
  • Clare Valley

Exclusions

What to Bring

  • Carry on bag
  • Bag for clothing (stored in trailer)
  • Any special medication needs you have
  • Toiletries including towels
  • Warm clothing including long sleeve tops & pants
  • Shorts & T-shirts
  • Fly Nets (Snowys stock these)
  • Carry on bag
  • Insect Repellant, hat, sunscreen
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Water Bottle

Operated By

SA Eco Tours

What to Expect

What to Expect

DAY 1

Follow the Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, stopping at historical coastal towns. Learn our rich maritime history 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 & seafarers.

During the safari your Tour Guide will introduce you to a remarkable and resilient history of both Aboriginal and white settlement in S.A. 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.

Overnight: Port Augusta Motel

Meals:

(L) Included: Picnic Lunch

(D) Own Expense: Local Pub Mea

 

DAY 2

Travel up the Explorer Highway to Woomera visiting the old rocket range and Military Base. As we head further North, East of the A.P.Y. Aboriginal lands take a break at the Lake Gairdner lookout to see this huge expanse of salt lakes.

Onto Coober Pedy the largest opal mining field in the world. 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 KankuBreakaways Conservation Park before following the Dingo Fence back to Coober Pedy.

Overnight: Coober Pedy

Meals:

(B) Included: Continental

(L) Own expense: Roadhouse

(D) Own expense: Local Restaurant

 

DAY 3

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.

Overnight: William Creek Cabin

Optional extra: Lake Eyre & Painted Desert Scenic Flights.

Meals:

(B) Included: Continental

(L) Own expense: Café/Bakery

(D) Included: Hotel Meal

 

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 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 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) Included: Continental

(L) Own expense: Arkaroola Café

(D) Included: Arkaroola Restaurant

 

DAY 6

This morning we travel south along the top of Lake Frome which can been seen in the distance from vantage points that 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 7

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.

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.

 

Additional Information

Additional Information

Touring the Flinders Ranges and the outback since 1989, we are proudly South Australian owned and operated. It is our pleasure to take international and local travellers into rarely-visited desert regions, so that passengers can truly say they have been introduced to Aboriginal culture and experienced the real Australian outback.

SA Eco Tours is an accredited tourism business and is proud to be a member of EcoTourism Australia and Responsible Travel. The company is recognised as setting some of the highest standards in outback safety.