Day 1. Arrive Adelaide, Flinders Ranges
From Adelaide, stop off at the picturesque towns of Clare, Wilmington and Quorn. Then head off to visit the Kanyaka Station ruins, a cattle station founded in 1852 by a young man named Hugh Proby, who tragically drowned soon afterwards. Explore the well-preserved homestead and woolshed for an insight into the life of early settlers. Then depart for the magnificent natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges National Park.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Dinner
Day 2. Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound
This morning, take a walk into Wilpena Pound, or take a scenic flight over the beautiful area (own expense). Visit spectacular Brachina Gorge, an important refuge for the Yellow-footed rock wallaby, birds and reptiles, before taking a scenic drive to the Gammon Ranges National Park. The Gammon Ranges have their own unique topography which differs from the famous cuesas elsewhere in Flinders. Here, striking plateaus host truly spectacular scenery. Later, you’ll arrive at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, which will be your base for two nights while exploring the spectacular wilderness around you.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Dinner
Day 3. Ridgetop Tour, Arkaroola
This morning you’ll board a specially-designed, open-top 4WD vehicle for an unforgettable Ridgetop Tour at Arkaroola. Traverse the ruggedly beautiful terrain with an expert guide, who will share knowledge of Arkaroola’s 1600 million year geological history and navigate the steep slopes and sharp ascents of this famous track. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the area independently, relax by the pool or enjoy other guided tours (own expense).
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 4. Farina Ruins, Marree
Cross the northern Flinders Ranges and visit the Farina ruins, a deserted former railway settlement and now a fascinating ghost town. Located on the crossroads of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks, the historic town of Marree is your next port of call. Here you have the opportunity to take a scenic flight over famous Lake Eyre (own expense).
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Dinner
Day 5. Birdsville Track
Travel the famous Birdsville Track today. This isolated dirt road traverses some of the most arid land in the country, and was opened in the 1860s as a route for herding cattle from Queensland. Stop at the Mungerannie Roadhouse, a hotel opened in 1886 to supply shepherds, drovers, and an increasing number of local residents with supplies and beds. Cross the border into Queensland and arrive at the Birdsville Hotel, the legendary Outback hotel and Australian icon on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 6. Birdsville, Big Red
Have a stroll around Birdsville this morning, taking in buildings as old as the town itself. Then see the mammoth Big Red (subject to road conditions), the first and biggest of 1,140 red sand hills that run for hundreds of kilometres. Visit more local sights, including the famous racetrack, and the billabong. Just out of town in a branch of the Diamantina River, abundant with bird life, fish, yabbies and many small marsupials.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 7. Cordillo Downs Station, Innamincka
Continue along the historic track to Innamincka. Stop off at Cordillo Downs Station, once Australia’s largest sheep station. Visit the old shearing shed, significant in its design, and try to imagine it when thousands upon thousands of sheep were sheared within its walls (subject to road conditions). Cattle, horses and even camels were also kept here. Proceed to the Innamincka Hotel, an historically welcoming watering hole for travellers on a once treacherous route.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 8. Burke and Wills Dig Tree, Tibooburra
Travel the Strezlecki Track today, stopping at Cameron Corner, the junction of the South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales borders in Sturt National Park. Visit the Burke and Wills Dig Tree where their campsite once stood at Cooper Creek, and imagine the harsh conditions they faced during their ill-fated expedition. Later, arrive in Tibooburra. The most isolated town in New South Wales is famed for its arid landscapes, and for the extraordinary granite rock outcrops that sprout among the town’s streets.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 9. Milparinka, Broken Hill
Travel south along the Silver City Highway to Broken Hill. Visit the isolated and historic town of Milparinka. With a beautiful desert setting, this colonial settlement offers an opportunity to explore the lovingly restored original buildings.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Dinner
Day 10. Broken Hill Sightseeing, Silverton
This morning, head to the historic Outback town of Silverton and wander around the well-preserved old buildings. You might feel a sense of déjà vu here - picturesque Silverton has provided the backdrop for countless commercials and many films over the years. This afternoon brings a drive through more spectacular Outback scenery to the Daydream Mine, where a tour will take you above and below ground. You’ll get a real sense of what it was like to work here when the mine first opened in 1881. Visit the Silver City Mint and Arts Centre before enjoying a magnificent Outback sunset at the Living Desert, where a symposium of stunning sculptures peppers the skyline of this beautiful nature reserve, each with a fascinating story behind it.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
Day 11. Mungo National Park with Desert Guide
Travel to Mungo National Park today. Part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, the park features a chain of dried-out lakes that were once strung between Willandra Creek and Lachlan River. Lake Mungo dried up around 14,000 years ago, and today a great crescent-shaped dune, known as the Walls of China, stretches along the eastern shore of the lakebed. Enjoy a tour of the region with an expert local Desert Guide, who’ll share fascinating historical and geological knowledge with you.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 12. Mildura, Renmark, Adelaide
After a short tour of the attractive regional city of Mildura, on the banks of the Murray River, continue to Renmark, another pretty riverside town. It’s then time to return to Adelaide, where your tour concludes on arrival.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast