SA Eco Tours Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges 4WD Eco Safari - Standard Motel Unit, Single

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A 7 day small group 4WD eco safari from Adelaide to Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre and the Flinders Ranges, by way of Woomera, the Breakaways, William Creek, the Oodnadatta Track and Arkaroola. This booking is for a Standard motel unit, single room.

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Days

7 days, 6 nights

Group size

Small group, max 16

Start / finish

Adelaide / Adelaide

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

6 nights in motels, cabins and lodges
Standard motel unit, single room

Transport

Modern 4WD with guide

Meals

6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Included experiences

Coober Pedy — underground churches and opal mine tour
Kanku-Breakaways — desert sunset
William Creek — outback pub
Oodnadatta Track — Lake Eyre South and thermal springs
Marree — Afghan mosque
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Brachina Gorge — Ediacaran fossils and wildlife
Woomera — old rocket range

SA Eco Tours Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges 4WD Eco Safari - Standard Motel Unit, Single

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Day 1: Adelaide to Port Augusta

Follow Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, stopping at historic coastal towns, and maybe walk the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at Port Germein, once a bustling port for sailing ships and seafarers.

Your guide introduces the history of both Aboriginal and white settlement in South Australia. See the Southern Flinders Ranges, 600 million year old peaks with views over the landscape, and spend the afternoon at the award-winning Wadlata Outback Centre at Port Augusta. Overnight at Port Augusta Motel.

Day 2: Woomera to Coober Pedy

Travel up the Explorer Highway to Woomera to visit the old rocket range and military base. Further north, east of the APY Aboriginal lands, take a break at the Lake Gairdner lookout over a huge expanse of salt lakes.

On to Coober Pedy, the largest opal mining field in the world, passing the extensive mining operations on the way into town. Coober Pedy is a town where people live underground to escape the harsh desert conditions. Watch the sunset over the desert at Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park before following the Dingo Fence back to Coober Pedy for the night.

Day 3: Coober Pedy to William Creek

Spend a leisurely morning visiting underground churches, opal shops and displays, and learn about the area on a guided mine tour to see how these hardy folks live.

After lunch, leave Coober Pedy and cross the famous Dingo Fence, the longest man-made structure in the world, which keeps wild dogs away from the sheep stations further south.

Travel the red sandhill tracks through Anna Creek station to William Creek, a remote town halfway between Adelaide and Alice Springs. Enjoy a cold beer at the bar of its famous outback pub, with its history of stockmen, camels and life in the bush. Overnight in a William Creek cabin, with optional Lake Eyre and Painted Desert scenic flights.

Day 4: The Oodnadatta Track to Marree

Continue down the Oodnadatta Track, following the historic route of the Cameleers, through an area rich in Aboriginal culture and pioneering history. Have a picnic lunch at the edge of Lake Eyre South National Park, where Sir Donald Campbell broke the land speed record in 1964 in the Bluebird, and visit thermal springs that have been the life blood of this arid land for centuries.

Arrive at Marree in the late afternoon to see the old Afghan mosque and relics of the pioneering days. This is where outback legend Tom Kruse left on his mail runs to Birdsville and beyond. Overnight at Marree Cabins.

Day 5: Lake Frome to Arkaroola

Head further east into the remote outback, crossing ancient creek beds that meander out to Lake Frome, as the landscape changes from desert to the ancient mountains of the Gammon Ranges.

Arrive at Arkaroola Village around lunchtime, with time to relax, or take the optional 4WD ridge top tour to the top of Mt Sillers, a scenic flight over the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, or a visit to the night sky observatory. Overnight at Arkaroola Wilderness Lodge.

Day 6: Blinman and Brachina Gorge

Travel south along the top of Lake Frome, seen in the distance from vantage points where early explorers once stood, through the red sandhill country that holds thousands of years of sacred beliefs for the Adnyamathanha people.

Have lunch at the old copper mining town of Blinman, the highest town in South Australia. Your guide then drives you through the creek beds of Brachina Gorge, known as the Corridors Through Time, an area alive with wildlife and with a remarkable geological history including Ediacaran fossils. South Australian painter Sir Hans Heysen painted many of his landscapes in this country.

As the sun gets low, kangaroos, emus and wedge-tailed eagles are usually spotted. Overnight at Wilpena Pound Resort, Rawnsley Park Station or Quorn Motel, depending on availability.

Day 7: Flinders Ranges to Adelaide

Enjoy an early morning walk to the sounds of the Australian bush, then travel back to Adelaide along the eastern side of the Flinders Ranges with its red gum forests, with a break in the Clare Valley wine region.

Good to know

Departure time: Departs Adelaide on the second Tuesday of each month, or on demand.
Accommodation note: Port Augusta Motel, Coober Pedy, a William Creek cabin, Marree Cabins, Arkaroola Wilderness Lodge, and Wilpena Pound Resort, Rawnsley Park Station or Quorn Motel depending on availability.
Please note: Optional extras can only be booked while on tour, with payment made to the provider directly. Itineraries and vehicles may change due to circumstances beyond the operator's control.

What is included

Small group 4WD tour with guide from Adelaide
6 nights' accommodation — Standard motel unit, single
6 continental breakfasts
2 picnic lunches (days 1 and 4)
3 dinners (days 3, 4 and 5)
Guided mine tour in Coober Pedy

Not included

Other lunches and dinners — at roadhouses, cafes, pubs and restaurants on the way
Lake Eyre and Painted Desert scenic flights (optional)
Arkaroola 4WD ridge top tour, scenic flights and night sky observatory (optional)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.