itinerary
DAY 1. Arrive Adelaide (D)
Flights arrive in Adelaide where we board the coach and make our way to the Mount Lofty Ranges for spectacular views of the city from Mount Lofty Summit. Re-boarding we make our way into the CBD. 1 Night Stay: Peppers Waymouth, Adelaide CBD
DAY 2. Port Broughton – Port Pirie – Port Augusta (B,L,D)
Our adventure today begins by heading north breaking for lunch in Port Broughton before continuing on through Port Pirie arriving at Port Augusta where we visit the Wadlata Outback Centre’s ‘Tunnel of Time’. Learn about the origins of the outback; hear Aboriginal stories, tales of pioneer explorers and settlers. We then make our way to our accommodation for overnight stay. 1 Night Stay: Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, Port Augusta
DAY 3. Port Augusta – Woomera – Coober Pedy (B,L,D)
Departing Port Augusta, we continue on to the Australian Defence Force town of Woomera breaking here for a morning cuppa. Our afternoon trek takes us north via Glendambo to Coober Pedy. Take time to relax before heading out to the Breakaways Reserve and admire the colourful low hills at sunset. We then return to the Desert Cave Hotel to explore its many galleries. 1 Night Stay: Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy **Please note: Limited underground rooms are available, please confirm at time of booking. Above ground rooms are available for those who do not wish to stay underground.
DAY 4. Coober Pedy – William Creek (B,L,D)
This morning we embark on tour of this quirky underground town with a local guide. Known as the opal capital of the world, supplying 70% of the world’s precious opals, we visit Umoona Opal Mine, do some fossicking and hear the ‘The Story of Opal’. Departing Coober Pedy, we take to the skies on a spectacular scenic flight tracking southeast over some of South Australia’s largest copper and gold mines, Cairn Hill and Peculiar Knob, before turning over the famous Dingo Barrier Fence. We then head through the Anna Creek Painted Hills swathed in a variety of earthy outback colours. The flight will be conducted at a height low enough to experience the intricate details of the beautifully eroded shelf that once belonged to the great inland sea. We then make our first descent; with exclusive permission to land in an area usually only accessible by air, you’ll be offered a chance to admire the spectacular Painted Hills from ground level where you can truly appreciate their majesty. We then take off again and pass over Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle station in the world, before landing at William Creek. 1 Night Stay: Pelican Cabins at William Creek Hotel. Please note: Rooms are basic but are en-suited and have reverse cycle airconditioning. *Flood waters into Lake Eyre are predicted to arrive in May 2019.
DAY 5. William Creek – Parachilna (BL,D)
Today brings an experience like no other as we take to the skies to witness the majesty of Lake Eyre. Departing from William Creek our 1-hour flight takes us over vast country to the gibber shelf on the western shoreline of Belt Bay, the lowest point in Australia, Silcrete Island and some of the eroded peninsulas that jut out into the salt bed. We then take in Jackboot Bay and the southern end of the Warburton Groove before flying over Halligan Bay and returning to William Creek. Back on solid ground we depart William Creek for the legendary Oodnadatta Track, passing through Coward Springs and then skirting Lake Eyre South to stop at Marree. We continue on via Lyndhurst and Leigh Creek before arriving at Parachilna, stopping here overnight. Our hotel is situated on an oasis on the cusp of the rugged Flinders Ranges. Enjoy pre-dinner sundowners and watch a beautiful outback sunset from the verandah of the hotel. 1 Night Stay: Prairie Hotel, Parachilna
DAY 6. Parachilna – Wilpena Pound (B,L,D)
We farewell the Prairie Hotel and travel via historic Blinman arriving at Wilpena Pound Resort, in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. It is a natural amphitheatre of mountains and is a true representation of real Australian Outback. The best way to see Ikara and the grandeur of the Flinders Ranges is from the air. We take to the skies on a 30 minute scenic flight where you will truly appreciate the vastness of this formation and take in the fantastic view of the River Red Gums, Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Lake Torrens, the Heysen Range, Brachina Gorge and St Mary Peak. 1 Night Stay: Wilpena Pound Resort. **Accommodation at Wilpena Pound is en-suited, comfortable and basic.
DAY 7. Wilpena Pound – Jamestown – Barossa Valley (B,L,D)
Taking to the road we break in Hawker at the internationally acclaimed gallery of local artist Jeff Morgan. His ‘Wilpena Panorama’, a mammoth ‘endless painting’ can be viewed from the ground floor or from an upper landing. Depicting a 360-degree view from the highest point of Wilpena Pound, Jeff has captured the beauty of the Flinders Ranges superbly. Then we continue on to Jamestown, breaking here for lunch before our afternoon travels take us into the Barossa Valley. 2 Night Stay: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort OR Lyndoch Hill Barossa Valley
DAY 8. Barossa Valley (B,L,D)
The best of the Barossa is on the agenda today. Our first stop is an intriguing attraction known as the Whispering Wall, whose specific acoustics allow you to stand at one end of the wall and hear what someone else is saying on the other end. Next we move on to visit Barossa Chateau nestled in a beautiful garden boasting over 30,000 roses. Here we explore the estate, gardens and collection of art and antiques on a guided tour, before sampling the wines at the cellar door and indulging in lunch in these stunning surrounds. We then make our way to the Farm Shop home of Maggie Beer for an exclusive ‘Cooking with Verjuice Demonstration’. Next up, it’s time for a survey of the valley, from the Valley’s most recognised viewpoint, Mengler’s Hill, where you can take in the views of the sweeping valley all the way to the wheat-belt. We then return to our Resort.
DAY 9. Barossa Valley – Adelaide (B,L)
Departing the Barossa, we make our way traversing the beautiful Adelaide Hills, then get up close and personal with historic Hahndorf, with its unique Bavarian charm. We enjoy lunch and free time here before making our way to the airport for our respective flights home.
B= Breakfast MT= Morning Tea L= Lunch AT= Afternoon Tea D= Dinner
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