Outback South Australia & Kangaroo Island

Arriving in Adelaide by 11am, the adventure begins as we depart for Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. Take a stroll through this charming and picturesque village before continuing to Penfolds Magill Estate for a heritage tour and tastings.

Leaving the city behind us, we head north to Port Augusta, known as the gateway to the Flinders Ranges and home to the award-winning Wadlata Outback Centre. Be transported back to where the dinosaurs roamed the land in the ‘Tunnel of Time' at this award-winning attraction. From here, we'll journey through to Quorn and Hawker before arriving at Wilpena Pound.

Wilpena Pound is characterised by spectacular scenery and supports nearly half of South Australia's species of plants. Today, we enjoy a guided walk into Wilpena Pound to Hills Homestead, one of South Australia's oldest and best-preserved pastoral settlements.

Wander along Wilpena Creek past magnificent stands of river red gums with stunning views of the Pound wall in the distance. Longer walks are available for those who wish to explore further. This afternoon, we head to Stokes Hill Lookout to enjoy 360-degree views of the Flinders Ranges before returning to Wilpena Pound Resort for dinner.

Please Note: This morning there is an opportunity to take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound at an additional cost.

Travel through the picturesque Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges to Parachilna where we'll lunch at the Prairie Hotel and enjoy a taste of true outback hospitality. Onwards, into the northern Flinders Ranges we arrive at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, a multi-award-winning haven.

Today, explore some of the most spectacular and rugged country on Earth. Travelling in open-back 4WD vehicles with expert guides, the Ridge Top Tour is a highlight of the Arkaroola experience.

Later, we depart for Marree.

It's time for a scenic flight over the spectacle of Lake Eyre where we'll fly over Belt Bay and follow the Warburton Groove up the middle of the lake and into the Warburton Creek system.

From here, we follow the creek to Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary, landing late morning for a guided tour on the banks of the Warburton Creek. Here, we learn about the transformation of this country. We then travel by coach down the Birdsville Track, crossing Cooper's Creek before arriving back into Marree late in the afternoon.

Please Note: Todays tour splits into two groups. The second group will experience the activities in reverse. A weight limit of 125kg applies to the scenic flight.

Departing Marree we follow the legendary Oodnadatta Track to William Creek. The track is steeped in history, natural wonders and rich cultural heritage, and is regarded as one of the best outback drives in Australia. It follows a traditional Aboriginal trading route and, because of the availability of water, was chosen for the Central Australian Railway.

Stopping off at Coward Springs siding, inspect a fully restored and heritage-listed railway site displaying history and remnants of the ‘Old Ghan'. Arrive into William Creek for lunch at the iconic William Creek Hotel before enjoying a special one-hour scenic flight over the ‘Painted Hills'. This rocky outcrop of large and small hills, which emerge suddenly out of a flat desert landscape, can only be accessed by air, due to its fragility and natural beauty. Later, we travel on to Coober Pedy.

Please Note: Underground rooms at the Desert Cave Hotel cannot be guaranteed. A weight limit of 125kg applies to the scenic flight.

Coober Pedy is known as the opal capital of the world, supplying 70% of the world's precious opals. This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of the Umoona Opal Mine including an opportunity for some opal shopping.

Afterwards, we'll head out to the Breakaways Reserve and admire the colourful low hills separated from the Stuart Range.

Travelling south, we head to Woomera – home to the Woomera Range Complex operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. Take your time as we visit the Woomera Interactive Rocket Range Museum and view historical displays relating to the Woomera Range and closed Joint Defence Facility at Nurrungar. In Port Augusta, the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens provides insight into the miracle of life in the outback and the survival of highly evolved adaptive plant communities.

Our destination today is the Clare Valley. Well known for its Riesling, the area also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties, which together account for nearly half of all wine from the area.

After a tour through the region, we'll visit a local winery for a relaxed lunch and wine tastings. Arriving back in Adelaide, we'll dine together and recount tales of our outback adventure.

Please Note: The 11-day tour finishes this morning. Passengers will be transferred to Adelaide Airport or their city hotel accommodation if staying on in Adelaide.

Departing Adelaide, we travel through McLaren Vale and Willunga before venturing down the Fleurieu Peninsula into Victor Harbor. We then continue to Cape Jervis which is the departure point for Kangaroo Island.

Enjoy a ferry ride across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, followed by an exceptional eco-adventure cruise along the island's stunning coastline. You'll see plenty of marine life and spot Sea Eagles, Little Penguins, Petrels, Terns, Oyster Catchers and more which is a great introduction to ‘KI”. We then travel to Kingscote where we spend the next three nights.

Enjoy a visit to Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to Australia's largest colony of breeding sea lions. Here, we'll get up close to these magnificent creatures on a guided beach walk led by a local expert. A boardwalk winds through the dunes, offering breathtaking views of the colony and the majestic coastline below.

Later this morning, we continue our journey to Flinders Chase National Park and visit the huge and mystifying granite formations known as Remarkable Rocks. Cape du Couedic is our next destination, and we explore the lighthouse and Admiral's Arch, where on sunny afternoons, the stalactites can be seen silhouetted against the deep-blue Southern Ocean.

After some time at leisure, we'll explore the highlights of Kangaroo Island with a variety of local sightseeing activities. Discover the fascinating process of eucalyptus oil production, past and present, with a visit to the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery. Indulge in the unique flavours of the region at Kangaroo Island Spirits and sample delicious local honey at the Island Beehive for a true taste of the island's charm.

We then return to Kingscote for our final night on the island.

We take the ferry back to the mainland and on to Adelaide where you will be dropped off at the airport or your CBD hotel.

Please Note: Every effort will be made by your crew to ensure that the above itinerary is followed. However, Outback Spirit reserves the right to alter the itinerary once on tour as required due to weather and track conditions or other operational considerations.