At a Glance
Delve deep into the rugged beauty and pioneering spirit of the South Australian outback with this deluxe 7-day guided tour of the Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and Coober Pedy. This “ultimate” comprehensive expedition also includes a 4WD Arkaroola Ridgetop tour.
Go where the spaces are open and the “eyre” is fresh…
Starting from Adelaide, set out in a modern and comfortable 4WD with a group of maximum 5 travellers into the wilds of South Australia. Driving through the Flinders Ranges and Outback, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were navigating the unexplored face of Mars, where towering ancient cliffs and deep craters border dusty red roads. While in the Ranges, you’ll embark on an exhilarating 4WD tour of the Arkaroola Ridgetop and marvel at the crown jewel of the region: Wilpena Pound ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Arkaroola Ridgetop 4WD tour
- National Park fees
- Adelaide accommodation transfers
- 5hr scenic flight over Lake Eyre + guided walk of Anna Creek Painted Hills
- Entry to museums and places of interest
- 7-days/6-nights on tour with a private guide
- 6-nights’ deluxe accommodation in Rawnsley Park, Arkaroola, Maree, William Creek, Coober Pedy and Woomera on a twin share basis
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
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With 7:30am pick-up included from your Adelaide CBD accommodation, journey through the northern suburbs and the Adelaide Plains to the beautiful Clare Valley wine region. Your first stop is the historic township of Kapunda – Australia’s oldest copper mining town – and Sevenhill Cellars, South Australia’s oldest winery. While you’re here, be sure to sample a glass of the famous Clare Valley Riesling! Continue north through the Southern Flinders Ranges to the historic township of Hawker. Pop into the Jeff Morgan Gallery for your first glimpse of Wilpena Pound aka Earth’s Bellybutton immortalised in a spectacular circular painting that is over 30-metres in circumference. A second circular painting, even larger and just as impressive (46-metres) features Arkaroola landscape with foreground coming to your feet. Also included is a huge mineral gemstone and fossil collection including a dark room showcasing fluorescent minerals. You’ll stay the night in eco-villa luxury at Rawnsley Park, with magnificent views of Wilpena Pound from your private verandah. |
Rawnsley Park 
Lunch, Dinner |
Delve deeper into the Flinders Ranges, South Australia’s largest mountain range, via the Bunyeroo, Brachina and Moralana Gorges. On show today is some of the state’s most magnificent scenery including the jewel in the crown: Wilpena Pound. Covering eight times the area of Uluru, Wilpena Pound is a breathtaking natural amphitheatre reminiscent of a primeval Colosseum. Take time to explore the crater on foot and keep an eye out for unique Australian wildlife including the rare and elusive Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. You’ll stay the night in deluxe accommodation at Mawson Lodge, Arkaroola. |
Mawson Lodge, ArkaroolaBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Experience the most rugged part of the Flinders Ranges with the Arkaroola Ridgetop tour. This signature 4WD tour navigates the steep slopes and hair-raising ascents of the famous Ridgetop Track to reveal spectacular 360-degree views across Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond. When you’re ready, continue on to Beltana, a truly remarkable State Heritage-listed town dotted with original stone buildings. The local Quandong Café is the perfect place to enjoy a hearty lunch and recap the morning’s adventure. In the afternoon, call into Lyndhurst to admire the outdoor art gallery of Talc Alf, a local bush sculptor and free thinker. Alf’s unique designs (carved from talc) have earned him a place in outback art and modern history. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet the man himself! At the end of the day, arrive into Marree, where you’ll have time to explore fascinating sights including the iconic Tom Kruse Museum, which commemorates the local mailman-cum-legend who worked the Birdsville Track from 1936 to 1957. You’ll stay the night in deluxe accommodation at the historic Marree Hotel. Built in 1883, this magnificent Heritage-listed building is regarded as the most impressive of Australia’s outback hotels. |
Marree HotelBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Kick start your day with an epic 5-hour scenic flight over Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest salt lake. Only from above can you truly appreciate the enormity of this outback wonder, which is large enough to be visible from space. If you’re lucky enough to catch the rains, look down in wonder as the desert explodes into floodwater and thousands upon thousands of birds. During your flight, you’ll have the unique opportunity to land among the Anna Creek Painted Hills for a guided walk of this secret lunar landscape. Walking among the endless ochre-red and mustard yellow rock is an unforgettable life experience. Back on earth, pay a visit to the Lake Eyre Yacht Club before setting off along the Oodnadatta Track to Lake Eyre South. This famous track follows a traditional Aboriginal trading route that was later used by the explorer John McDouall Stuart on his third expedition in 1859. In Lake Eyre South, enjoy a stroll along the edge of the lake and take time to simply stand and appreciate the profound sense of isolation that comes with staring out into so much nothingness. You’ll stay the night in deluxe accommodation at the William Creek Hotel. |
William CreekBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
After breakfast, continue along the Oodnadatta Track for a short distance before heading west through the red dunes on Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle station in the world. Then, it’s time to head to Coober Pedy, Australia’s opal capital where more than half of the town’s residents live underground. You’ll see Australia’s longest fence and visit the Breakaways, a striking rocky landscape that was once covered by an inland sea. You might recognise the Breakaways from movies such as Pitch Black, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. You’ll stay the night in deluxe accommodation at Coober Pedy. |
Desert Cave Hotel, Coober PedyBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Delve deeper into Coober Pedy and visit the must-see sights including the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Take a tour of the mine and museum to see and understand how Australia’s most famous gemstone is formed and mined. You’ll see examples of early and modern dugouts as well as a huge range of rough and cut stones and opal curios such as opalised shells, opal pipes and black opal. Those looking for a souvenir should look no further than the onsite shop! |
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Next, journey to Woomera where you will pay a visit to the Rocket Park and Museum to uncover the truth about Australia’s weapons testing programs during the Cold War from the late 1940s to the 1970s. You’ll stay the night in deluxe accommodation at the Eldo Hotel in Woomera. With over 270 rooms, a licenced bar, gaming room and more, the Eldo is one of the largest hotels in outback South Australia. |
The Eldo HotelBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Reflect on your incredible adventure with a visit to Port Augusta’s Wadlata Outback Centre. Wadlata’s ‘Tunnel of Time’ will transport you back to when dinosaurs ruled the land and introduce you to the people who first owned and settled the land and those who still live there today. While you’re in the area, you’ll also see one of the longest wooden jetties in the Southern Hemisphere. After, commence the journey back to Adelaide. You’ll arrive at approximately 6:30pm. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchAccommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available. Surcharge applies to festival/holiday season.
More Info
The departure point and finish point is Adelaide, South Australia.
Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Adelaide via the Adelaide Airport.
South Australia has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Generally speaking, it is hotter to the north in the Flinders Ranges, and cooler further south, on Kangaroo Island. Please be advised temperatures can be extremely hot (plus 40 degrees Celsius) during summer in the Outback. Conversely, temperatures can drop to below 10 degrees Celsius at nighttime during winter.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
