Wilpena Pound – Arkaroola

Adelaide / Rawsley Park- (included: breakfast / lunch / dinner)

We leave Adelaide at 7 am and head north. We will visit historical coastal towns, including port Germein, once an important transport hub for the surrounding districts following the opening of its jetty in 1881 (at the time known as the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, 1680m).

We arrive at Port Augusta situated on the quiet waterways at the head of the Spencer Gulf. On arrival we will enjoy a 1 hour tour of theArid Lands Botanic Gardens. The gardens showcase a diverse collection of Arid zone habitats in a picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares.. We enjoy lunch in Port Augusta then continue our journey with a stop in Quorn, which became the junction of the Sydney-Perth and Adelaide to Alice railway system in 1917.

We arrive at Rawsley Park late afternoon, in time to see the sunset over Wilpena Pound as kangaroos come out to feed. Tonight enjoy a campfire (fire restrictions permitting) and barbecue. O/n en-suite accommodation Rawsley Park.

Day 2- Rawsley Park /Blinman- (included: breakfast / lunch / dinner)

After breakfast we take a walk along the beautiful Wilpena Creek, framed by huge river red gums, up to the Wangara lookout, where we can see the mystical heart of the Flinders Ranges with stunning views over Wilpena Pound.

Continuing our journey, we explore Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges, where we discover priceless geological treasures, crystal clear water holes and an abundance of flora and fauna including (most times!) the rare yellow footed rock wallaby.

We will have lunch at the Prairie Hotel restaurant renowned for its innovative dishes, with Australian native and ‘Flinders Feral Food’ twists, and a focus on local and South Australian produce.

We then travel via Parachilna  Gorge to Blinman, an old copper mining town nested deep in the Flinders Ranges, where we will do a guided tour of the town, including the old copper mine. O/n ensuite  accommodation at  the Blinman Hotel.

Day 3 –Blinman / Arkaroola- (included: breakfast / lunch / dinner)

After breakfast, we head east via Angorichina and Wirrealpa stations, and then north passing Mount Chambers Gorge, one of the most spectacular and beautiful  gorges of the Flinders Ranges and South Australia.

 Both the Gorge and Mount Chambers, at 409 metres, were discovered by Captain Edward C. Frome and his party in 1843. They were first named by John McDougall Stuart in 1855 when surveying pastoral leases for the Chambers Brothers.

After a picnic lunch, we head out of the gorges and into the plains arriving at the Balcanoona National Park head quarters.   Balcanoona was established as a sheep property in 1857 and was worked until 1982 when it was incorporated in the national park. After visiting the woolsheds we leave for our final destination today Arkaroola sanctuary. O/n Arkaroola ensuite accommodation.

Day 4 –Arkaroola- (included: breakfast / lunch / dinner)

Early breakfast before joining the exclusive half day Arkaroola ridge top tour, travelling in specially constructed open top 4WD vehicles, we will be taken on a guided tour of some of the most spectacular rugged country on earth. Trained tour guides will share their knowledge of Arkaroola’s 1600 million years geology, whilst taking us to the top of the Sillers Hill lookout with magnificent views of the desert country to the north.

After a relaxed lunch, we have plenty more time to visit some of the hidden treasures that Arkaroola has to offer. Shady river red gums and towering gorges guarantee a picturesque and relaxed bushland experience. Arkaroola waterhole gives us the best chance of seeing native birds and animals, including the elusive and endangered yellow-footed rock-wallaby.

Tonight you may wish to tour the starry universe from one of Australia’s largest privately owned astronomical observatory (own cost). O/n Arkaroola ensuite accommodation.

Day 5 –Arkaroola to Hawker- (included: breakfast / lunch / dinner)

This morning we head west, taking a different track taking in the inspiring scenery of the Gammon Ranges then the aboriginal communities of Nepabana and Iga Warta, where we will stop for morning tea and be welcomed by the Adnyamathana people.

We will be taken for a bush tucker walk with one of the aboriginal elders of the area. Continuing onto Copley then south towards Leigh Creek.  We take the beautiful Moralana track, watching the sun setting over the southern Flinders Ranges and arriving in Hawker late afternoon. O/n ensuite accommodation Chapmanton Hotel Hawker.

Day 6 –Hawker to Adelaide- (included: breakfast / lunch )

This morning we will visit Jeff Morgan’s gallery featuring the amazing Wilpena panorama and outback on canvas then heading out towards the Willochra Plain, which runs south to north for some 80km and in places 25km wide.

We drive through the ghost towns of Cradock and Carrieton, arriving in Orroroo in time for morning tea, before heading on to Clare, one of Australia’s oldest wine regions.

We visit the Seven Hill Winery which was the birthplace of the Jesuits in Australia after they arrived in Adelaide as chaplains to a group of Austrians who fled Europe to escape political and religious oppression. The Jesuits purchased 100 acres of land in 1851, naming it Seven Hill, after the Seven Hill district of Rome. The historic church is a striking building, built from local stone.

We make our way back to Adelaide late afternoon as our final destination.