After landing at Adelaide Airport please collect your baggage and make your way to the café located at the bottom of the escalator in the baggage hall where one of our friendly and professional Tour Directors will meet you. We then depart Adelaide and travel north along the Princes Highway, making our way to Port Augusta. Stay: Standpipe Golf Motor Inn (L/D)
This morning we enjoy a visit to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. Established in 1993 to research, conserve and promote the wider appreciation of Australia's arid zone flora, the centre is home to thousands of highly evolved plant communities that are specially adapted to thrive in an environment where temperatures are extreme, and drought can last for decades. The garden showcases a diverse collection of arid zone habitats in a picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares.
Later this morning we continue our journey north to Parachilna. Enjoy a gourmet lunch under the verandah of the Prairie Hotel before heading on through Lyndhurst and Leigh Creek, arriving in Marree late afternoon. This historic little settlement lies at the junction of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks, and was once one of the busiest towns in Outback Australia! Tonight, we stay at the Marree Hotel in comfortable motel units. Stay: Marree Hotel (B/L/D)
Today group 2 enjoys the scenic flights to Birdsville, Kalamurina and Lake Eyre, while Group 1 travels down the Oodnadatta Track to Marree.
Later this morning we continue south along the Oodnadatta Track, following the Old Ghan line - one of the great historic railway lines in the world. Construction began in 1878 and it eventually reached Oodnadatta in 1891. The line only reached Alice Springs in 1929, so the journey from Oodnadatta at this time was still made by camel. The old line was eventually closed in 1980, and the new line takes a different route to Alice Springs. Some of the old sidings that refilled the steam engines with water, such as Coward Springs, are incredibly interesting and well preserved. Today we'll visit a few of them on our way down to Marree. Upon our arrival we'll rendezvous with Group 2 and check-in to the Marree Hotel for our overnight stay. Stay: Marree Hotel (B/L/D)
After breakfast we farewell Marree and begin our trek south to the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound. Enjoy the scenic drive through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, stopping at several vantage points along the way to admire the views of the Flinders Ranges. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before arriving at Wilpena Pound Resort early in the afternoon. Wilpena Pound sits in the southern region of the Flinders Ranges National Park. It is characterised by spectacular scenery and is home to nearly half of South Australia's species of plants.
After checking in to your deluxe resort room, we'll set off on a guided walk through the tranquil Pound Gap into Wilpena Pound (Easy grade, 2-3 hrs return). Follow Wilpena Creek past ancient River Red Gums and pines to arrive at the historic Hills Homestead. For the more energetic, there is an optional extension to the walk that leads to Wangarra Hill lookout, which offers panoramic views of Wilpena Pound (good level of fitness and mobility required).
This afternoon we return to the resort. Take some time to freshen up before dinner in the restaurant. Stay: Wilpena Pound Resort (B/L/D)
This morning we enjoy a visit to the Old Wilpena Station precinct, one of South Australia's oldest and best-preserved pastoral settlements. There's also an opportunity to take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound for a 30 minute flight (own expense).
Later this morning we begin our trek south back to Adelaide. Travel to Hawker before taking the R. M Williams Way down through Carrieton, Orroroo and Burra. Enjoy a quick look around this interesting little village before heading on to Adelaide, arriving late afternoon. We then check-in to the luxurious Stamford Grand Hotel in Glenelg for our final evening together.
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant and reflect upon your adventure into the heart of outback Australia. Stay: Stamford Grand Hotel (B/L/D)
Today your adventure concludes. After breakfast you'll be transferred to the airport for your return flights home. Bon Voyage! (B)
Moments of Magic
Tour Highlights
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