2023/24 - 11 Days: The Flinders in Bloom

Australian Road Journeys presents South Australia’s Far North - Clare, Leigh Creek, The Flinders and The Gammon Ranges.

This Outback South Australian Tour has some remarkable highlights. In Port Augusta, at the head of the Spencer Gulf, we will be introduced to the Far North region at the Wadlata Outback Centre. Then, at Leigh Creek in the Far North we will spend 2 nights with a sightseeing flight to see the “Marree Man”, the world’s largest work of art and one of Australia’s greatest “who-done-it” mysteries in recent times. Standing over 4km in height and 28km around the circumference, this extraordinary work is a viewing must. From here we head into the Flinders/Gammon Ranges for 2 nights at Arkaroola. Largely unknown, Arkaroola is one of Australia’s true tourism gems.

Highlights

  • 1 night Murray Bridge

  • 2 nights Clare Valley

  • 2 night Port Augusta

  • 2 nights Leigh Creek Resort Motel

  • 2 nights in the Flinders/Gammon Ranges

  • 1 night Barmera, SA Riverland

  • Barossa & Clare Valleys

  • Bungaree Station & Martindale Hall

  • Port Augusta & the Wadlata Outback Centre

  • Australian Arid Lands Botanical Garden

  • The Marree Man /Lake Eyre South

  • Arkaroola & the 4WD Ridgetop Tour

Day 1 (LD): Melbourne to Murray Bridge

Welcome to our extended South Australian Tour featuring the Clare Valley, Leigh Creek (with Outback sightseeing flights) and the Flinders/Gammon Ranges in the Far North. Once everyone is on board we are ready to go. Sit back and enjoy the ride as we make our way onto the Western Highway, via Horsham to Murray Bridge. What a way to begin our tour! The Bridgeport Hotel here has recently undergone an amazing $45 million transformation. Retaining its local identity, whilst completing an extensive and stylish new development, the hotel is now amongst the very best hotels in South Australia. (Meal inclusions: Welcome dinner)

Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge – 1 night

Day 2 (BLD): SA’s Famous Valleys

To the north of here is the Barossa Valley and that’s where we are heading this morning We have planned a visit to the Barossa Chateau – a stunning building that sits in one of Australia’s most important rose gardens of international significance. Combined with Lyndoch Hill, the overall estate covers an impressive 25 acres, 30,000 roses and 5kms of walkways. The Chateau is also home to one of the largest collections of porcelain in Australia. We enjoy a tour and a light lunch before continuing north through Riverton in the fertile Gilbert Valley. It is said that once, back in the 19th Century, 1200 men drove their 8000 bullocks through this north/south corridor to the port at Adelaide. On arrival into Clare we book into the Clare Country Club Resort. (Meal inclusions: Light lunch/Dinner in the motel)

 Clare Country Club Resort, Clare 08 88421060 – 2 nights

Day 3 (BLD): Bungaree Station  

Established in 1841, Bungaree Station became the headquarters of an extensive sheep station with 100 thousand merino sheep by the 1880s. Today, over 175 years later, it is an efficient mixed farm run by the descendants of the original founder, G.C. Hawker.  Consequently Bungaree Station is not a museum, but rather a living record of rural Australia since 1841. One of the owners will take us on a most interesting tour of the buildings with family insights into the farms history. 

Country hospitality is at the forefront of our visit as we are treated to morning tea and also lunch of lamb and rosemary pie followed by a sweet treat with tea and coffee. This afternoon we visit Martindale Hall. Step back in time to the days of gracious living on a large pastoral estate late in the 1800’s to early 1900’s where a rumoured 14 servants (4 of which lived in the hall) were on call 24 hrs a day to look after the needs of two people! Such was the extravagant upper class lifestyle of the wealthy pastoralist!! (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Lunch at Bungaree station)

Day 4 (BLD): To Port Augusta

This morning we travel into the Southern Flinders Ranges and over to the coast via Horrocks Pass. Our lunch stop is at Port Augusta at the top of the Spencer Gulf. There is a wonderful outback interpretative centre here called the Wadlata which provides a great introduction to visitors to the remote north and north west of South Australia. We have a look through the Centre and a light lunch before a visit to the Australian Arid Lands Botanical Gardens. It’s a stunning story of survival – how the thousands of highly evolved plant communities, have specially adapted to thrive in extreme temperatures and decade lasting droughts. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Lunch at Wadlata)

Standpipe Golf Motor Inn Port Augusta 08 86424033 – 1 night

Day 5 (BLD): Port Augusta/Leigh Creek

After continuing through the Pichi Richi Pass, we will cross the famed Goyders Line that was marked on the map in 1865 by Surveyor General George Woodroffe Goyder to delineate drought affected country.

The line became an important factor in settlement planning in this State, being regarded as an indication of the limits of the lands considered safe for agricultural development. As we will see from the many ruins on the Wilochra Plain, many early settlers didn’t take Goyders advice! An excellent example is Kanyaka Homestead just south of Hawker. Next is Hawker and then onto Farina Station, just north of Lyndhurst, for our packed lunch and for a look at the ruins. Then its onto Leigh Creek to the west of Arkaroola. This will be our base for two nights. Our sightseeing flight from here tomorrow over Lake Eyre South and the Marree Man will be a highlight of our tour. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/packed lunch at Farina Station)

Leigh Creek Outback Resort Motel - 08 86752025– 2 nights

Day 6 (BLD): Flying Over the Outback

Just to the north of here is Lake Eyre. The sheer magnitude of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Region is breathtaking. Our flight crosses over the Dog Fence, the Marree Man and onto Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre South and up through to the Southern tip of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre North and Belt Bay, the lowest point on mainland Australia. From here we pass Silcrete Island and Dalhunty Island. After following the Warburton Groove north, we now track east to the Cooper Creek Inlet then down through Madigan Bay. The myriad of colours emblazoned in patterns of ochre and pink algae create an amazing kaleidoscope of colour. With water, the reflections are breathtaking. Wrights Air who have experienced, professional pilots with extensive knowledge of the South Australian Outback region will provide us with a stunning sightseeing flight.

Using their quality, high wing aircraft everyone gets a window seat. It will be a wonderful experience (Meal inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner in the Outback Resort)

Day 7 (BLD): To Arkaroola

We farewell our hosts at Leigh Creek and make our way into the Gammon Ranges to the east. The Gammon Ranges National Park, is one of Australia’s true tourism gems. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is blessed with a unique landscape created over 2 billion years ago and is home to the most rugged chain of mountains in the Australian Outback.

We have lunch on arrival and then a free afternoon. At night there is a chance to visit Australia’s largest privately owned Astronomical Observatory. Tours of the Universe from this facility and the “star chairs” provide a unique experience for the traveller that is normally only available to scientists and astronomers (entry own cost/depends on local weather conditions). (Meal inclusions: Breakfast and dinner at the motel / Light lunch at Arkaroola)

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary 08 86484848– 2 nights

Day 8 (BLD): Arkaroola Ridge Top Tour

This morning we take the incredible 4WD ‘Ridge Top Tour’ driving along mine tracks winding through some of Australia’s most rugged mountains.

Visit ‘Crystal Candy Mountain’, Mt Painter, Yundnamutana Gorge and Sillers Lookout with awe inspiring views extending more than 80 kms over Lake Frome. We return to Arkaroola for lunch and then the afternoon is free to enjoy the area. Take a self-guided walk or perhaps just kick back and relax. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast lunch & dinner at accommodation)

 Day 9 (BLD): Arkaroola via Wilpena Pound

We have an early breakfast this morning before our travel day ahead. We travel into the Southern Flinders Ranges, spending some time around Wilpena Pound including a stop at Brachina Groge and the Flinders Ranges Visitors Centre. There will also be time for an optional 30 minute flight over Wilpena Pound with Wrights Air. After a great day of sightseeing we head back to Port Augusta. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner at the motel / packed lunch). 

Standpipe Golf Motor Inn Port Augusta 08 86424033 – 1night

Day 10 (BLD): Burra & The Mid North

We travel south this morning, along the eastern side of the Spencer Gulf, through Crystal Brook and then onto Burra, where we have arranged a pub lunch. It was here in Burra, in 1845, that copper was discovered. Very quickly a town developed with a community of 5000 in 1851 (Adelaide’s population was 18 000 at that time). Today the whole town is on the State Heritage Register preserving its great historical value and mining heritage. A local guide will join the coach this afternoon to provide us with an introduction to the town’s mining history. Copper from Burra's “Monster Mine” saved South Australia from bankruptcy in the 1840's. It was the largest metal mine in the country employing 1000 people. Cornish and Welsh miners flocked to Burra to work for the South Australian Mining Association and some set up homes in dugouts hewn out of the banks of the Burra Creek. Small villages which now form Burra North were established - Aberdeen (Scottish), Redruth (Cornish), Llwchyr (Welsh) and Hampton (English).

Later in the afternoon we continue into the Riverland Region for our final night on tour (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Pub lunch in Burra)

Comfort Inn & Suites Riverland – 1 night

Day 11 (B): Heading Home

All good things come to an end they say and our South Australian Tour is no exception! We have planned a slightly earlier breakfast this morning prior to our departure. We head back into Victoria and follow the Calder Highway back to Bendigo and then home to complete a sensational 11 day tour. (Meal inclusions: breakfast in the motel)

Tour Price

Price on application

Tour Inclusions

Tour Price includes accommodation as per the itinerary, meals as indicated (B= Cooked breakfast, L= Light or packed lunch, D = Buffet or limited choice dinner), deluxe touring coach with seatbelts, attractions/entries as noted & return airport transfers.

Next Steps

To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.

Read some testimonials from past groups here.

Tour Conditions

A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.

Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.