From CAD 3,685
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Spend 10 days exploring the best of South Australia’s Outback on a culturally rich and deliciously different small group adventure. From Adelaide, visit the opal capital of Australia, see silo art and watch stars sparkling above you in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Hear traditional stories of the Adnyamathanha people and immerse yourself in the beauty of Arkaroola – a 610 sq m wildlife sanctuary. Taste fine wines in the Clare Valley and take optional hikes through sweeping landscapes. With First Nations experiences, comfortable accommodation, a knowledgeable leader and free time to take on hikes, scenic flights or 4WD adventures – this trip to the Outback is the whole package.
Highlights
- Watch the night sky come alive during your night in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary – there is no light pollution here, so it's the perfect place to stargaze among the mountainous peaks.
- Enjoy a subterranean stay in Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia, in underground accommodation that’s cool, comfortable and unique to this part of the South Australian outback.
- Soak up the scenic beauty of the Clare Valley – one of Australia’s most famous wine regions – and sample Rieslings and other fine wines.
- Drive into the remote South Australian Outback and bounce along the famous Oodnadatta Track to William Creek where you can enjoy a cold beer and check out the unique ‘museum’ of memorabilia across the street.
- Take a bushwalk in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, then head out on a private tour of Sacred Canyon, where you’ll learn about Aboriginal culture as you listen to the stories and insights from your Adnyamathanha guide. Later, take an optional hike in Wilpena Pound.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2388
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Vehicle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: PZSA
Starts: Adelaide / Port Pirie / Port Augusta, Australia
Finishes: Clare Valley / Adelaide, Australia
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (1),Accommodation: Hotel (1 night),Cabin (4 nights),Underground hotel (2 nights),Resort (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3685 (CAD 368 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Adelaide (or Tarntanya, in the language of the Kaurna people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located)! Your adventure begins straight away at 8 am this morning with a welcome meeting at the hotel. Then, you’ll head out of town towards Port Augusta, stopping at the pink Lake Bumbunga on the way. Have a look around Fourth St and Railway Terrace in Snowtown, then stop at Port Pirie for a tour of the town and some lunch. When you arrive in Port Augusta, maybe visit the Wadlata Outback Centre or the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. This evening, you’re free to relax and recharge.
Optional Activities:
- Port Augusta - Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens guided tour - Free
- Port Augusta - Wadlata Outback Centre 'Tunnel of Time' (24 AUD)
Accommodation:
- Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
Have breakfast at a café in town before driving to Woomera – a town that was purpose-built for testing rockets in the 1940s. Learn about nuclear and non-nuclear rocket testing at the Woomera Heritage Museum & Visitor Information Centre. There will be time for lunch before the short drive to Lake Hart Rest Area for views of one of the region’s salt lakes. When you arrive in Coober Pedy, perhaps stroll around town, search out some street art or find a local bar. You are in the opal capital of Australia, so maybe go jewellery hunting for the perfect souvenir. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local bar that offers up incredible views of the Breakaways and Coober Pedy.
Included Activities:
- Woomera - Lake Hart Rest Area
- Woomera - Heritage Museum & Visitor Centre
Accommodation:
- Underground Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Spend your day exploring Coober Pedy – head out on a tour of an underground home, an underground church and a historic opal mine. In the late afternoon, visit Josephine’s Gallery, which specialises in Aboriginal art and doubles as a kangaroo orphanage! Here, you can meet kangaroos and other native wildlife such as wombats and birds that are looked after by wildlife carers.
Included Activities:
- Coober Pedy - Josephine's Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage
- Coober Pedy - Underground Home, Church & Historic Mine Visit
Accommodation:
- Underground Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, head out to Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park – a registered Aboriginal heritage site – and see the dog fence (also known as the dingo fence), before travelling back to Coober Pedy for an optional lunch at a local café. Then, drive into the remote South Australian Outback along a rough dirt road to William Creek, where you can enjoy a cold beer and check out the ‘museum’ of memorabilia across the street. Tonight, you may choose to join your group for dinner at the local pub.
Included Activities:
- Coober Pedy - Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park & Dingo Fence
Accommodation:
- Cabin (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, consider rising early for an optional flight over Lake Eyre. Then, continue your drive deeper into the remote desert landscape to Lake Eyre via the legendary Oodnadatta Track. Stop at Wabma Kadarbu Mound Spring Conservation Park along the way, then have a picnic at Lake Eyre for lunch before getting back on the road. You may also stop at Coward Springs – home to a museum and a natural spa, a welcome reprieve among the desert landscape. Continue to Marree, where you’ll stroll around town to see historic sites like the old Afghan Mosque and remnants of the Historical Ghan Railway.
Included Activities:
- Marree - Leader-led Local History Walk
- Stuarts Creek - Wabma Kadarbu Mound Spring Conservation Park
- Lake Eyre - Picnic Lunch
Optional Activities:
- Coward Springs - Museum & Natural Spa (2 AUD)
Accommodation:
- Cabin (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, drive to Farina Town – a once booming oasis on the edge of the desert, this town now has a year-round population of just two people! Despite its ghost town status, Farina is home to a popular underground bakery, which is opened once a year by the Farina Restoration Project Group to raise funds to rebuild the town. If your visit lines up with its opening, stop by this unique bakery and take a wander around the town where stone ruins remain. Then, head to Copley, where you can have some lunch before continuing to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary – a wildlife sanctuary in the Flinders Rangers. When you arrive, you’ll have free time to head out on a walk or hike through some of the geological monuments, mountains, granite peaks, gorges and waterholes here. Look out for the local birds, reptiles and mammals that live here, including the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby.
Included Activities:
- Farina - Restoration Project
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, your day is free to take up some of the optional activities on offer here. Maybe take a 4WD tour of the ridge top, driving through some spectacularly rugged country. You can also take an optional scenic flight or head to the observatory. This afternoon, you can head out on a leader-led hike to soak up the landscape – your leader will choose a route based on the group’s desires and abilities. Maybe take the Acacia Ridge hike, the Giselda Hill Walk or the Mawson-Spriggina Connecting Trail.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue driving to the famous Ikara-Wilpena Pound – the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges and home to the Adnyamathanha people for thousands of years. Your first stop today is Blinman – the highest town in South Australia. When you arrive, visit Wadna – an authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts gallery in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Wander around, maybe grab some lunch and if you like, take a tour of the local mine. Then, continue to Stokes Hill Lookout for sweeping views of the rolling landscape. This afternoon, you’ll stay at a resort in Ikara (Wilpena Pound) and soak up a free afternoon and evening.
Included Activities:
- Wilpena Pound - Welcome to Country by Adnyamathanha Local
- Wilpena Pound - Bushwalk
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, join your leader for a bushwalk in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. In the afternoon, take a private tour of Sacred Canyon, where you’ll immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture as you listen to the stories and insights from your Adnyamathanha guide. Learn about the cultural significance of the site, the ancient rock engravings found in the smooth sandstone walls and discover bush medicines and bush tucker from the perspective of the local people. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. You may decide to hike to the Wangara Lookout, take a shorter walk to Hills Homestead or spend the day swimming in the pool or enjoying other activities around the resort.
Included Activities:
- Wilpena Pound - Bushwalk
- Wilpena Pound - Sacred Canyon Yura Mulka Cultural Walk
Optional Activities:
- Wilpena Pound - Sunset Spectacular Tour (70 AUD)
- Wilpena Pound - Mountain Bike Hire (half day) (35 AUD)
- Wilpena Pound - Time Travel & Gorgeous Gorges 4WD Tour (175 AUD)
- Wilpena Pound - Yura Udnyu 'Our Culture, Your Culture' Tour (55 AUD)
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, depart for the Clare Valley wine region. Stop for lunch along the way and check out the silo art at Farrell Flat before arriving at a vineyard for an included wine tasting at a prominent local wine maker. In the afternoon, continue to Adelaide where your journey will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay and need help organising additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Included Activities:
- Clare Valley - Wine Tasting
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Garry - Traveled, August 2023
I was very impressed by Laurence, our tour guide. His attitude towards engaging with the people on the trip, his obvious love for his work and passion for the locations we visited was obvious throughout the journey
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/26/2023
Helen - Traveled, June 2023
Our trip to Flinders Ranges & Coober Pedy was fantastic. Our wonderful guide Isiaih taught us a lot about aboriginal culture. Our group had the best time seeing the sights including a flight over Lake Eyre in flood. Wilpena Pound is an amazing place. We loved this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2023
Kerryn - Traveled, April 2024
Incredible trip getting a taste of the South Australian outback. Sarah was amazing and had so.much knowledge to share. Great way to see places a bot harder to get to when solo travelling. Be prepared for remote, bumpy roads and flies...lots of flies! Fantastic trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2024
Jill - Traveled, March 2023
What an inspirational tour, with a fabulously knowledgeable guide in Leonie. She told us about the places, flora & fauna - and if she didn't have the answer, she found it out. And her love of the country shone like a beacon. We had a small, friendly, laid-back group that was a pleasure to share the journey with. Everyone mixed, but nothing was forced. As a solo traveller I was a little scared, but I needn't have worried! Weather happens in Australia. And when it rains in the outback, roads can be washed away & off-road tracks can become impassable. It rained in the desert once overnight during our tour, so we couldn't visit Farina. But our tour guide had our safety in mind, which meant we saw so many other places. If you want a sanitised, tourist highlights tour, this might not be for you. But if you want the authentic Australia and are happy to be at one with the natural world, this tour should make you very happy. Recommended takes: walking trainers & sandals. Sun hat. A sweatshirt or fleece (it can get chilly overnight in the mountains). Possibly a lightweight folding umbrella in case of rain. Suncream & insect repellant. (Tour date - late March)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/08/2023
Martijn and Desire - Traveled, March 2023
South Australia Outback Adventure from Intrepid is a must do if you want to explore it in a safe way and learn a lot from your guide about the history, culture and wildlife in this part of Australia. We loved it and can recommend it to everyone!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/21/2023
Peter - Traveled, March 2023
Great trip seeing Outback Australia and getting to learn and chat to our First Nation people. From exploring the underground life of Cobber Peady, traveling to remote communities and learning about our First Nations this is fantastic trip to. Our guide always put our safety when planning our route.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/03/2023
Angela - Traveled, March 2023
The outback of South Australia is a location and a state of mind. You have not seen or felt Australia until you've been to the outback with Intrepid and Sarah!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/29/2023
Vasili - Traveled, May 2023
The tour was very well led by Isaiah who did a very passionate job. His driving was excellent and his knowledge of the Flinders Ranges was fantastic and emotionally charged that rubbed off on us. We visited many places on our bucket list - Coober pedy, Lake Eyre, Iga Warta, Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2023
Deborah - Traveled, October 2022
Great way to see a part of the outback, the itinerary changed due to washed out roads but Lawrie and Intrepid did an excellent job with changes
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/12/2022
Tamar - Traveled, October 2022
Trip should have been cancelled due to road closures. Intrepid lift your game - not acceptable. I would expect to get to go to most of the planned itinerary. You won't print this review.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/14/2022
Iain - Traveled, September 2022
This trip really immersed you in the scale and beauty of the area, it is well paced and the itinerary well structured. This is one of the best tours I have taken.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2022
Lynne - Traveled, August 2022
The Flinders Ranges has long been on my bucket list - so this trip was fantastic. We travelled through a range of landscapes- all breathtaking in their own way, from salt lakes to the incredible Wilpena Pound. We also explored indigenous culture at Iga Warta and did some beautiful walks. This trip had it all for me - with a fantastic guide Leonie.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2022
Ivan - Traveled, August 2022
This trip was the first time that I have been in the true outback. The trip was very well planned with many traditional and ancient features were visited by Entrepid. The visit to IGA WARTA was a life changing experience in that it was my first contact with our first Australians. It become clear to me that the Finders Rangers is their country and indigenous peoples have every right to ensure that it is protected for ever. The Welcome to Their Country ceremony was moving and heartfelt - we were made to feel welcome to Their Country. Finally, a great trip, perfectly organized and executed. The venture brought home to me what a great vast country we live in.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/22/2022
Mary - Traveled, August 2022
Our Coober Pedy outback small group tour was a great experience and I highly recommend it. We saw the best of the outback with a highly experienced and knowledgeable guide who made our trip even better. The group became very close with our shared experiences. A trip to remember.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/15/2022
Frances - Traveled, August 2022
What a fantastic time we had travelling around SA. A great insight into the history of the area. Iga Warta was a highlight which gave insight into the challenges faced by aboriginal people. A wonderful trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/19/2022
Tess - Traveled, August 2022
The Intrepid South Australian Outback Adventure was very well-designed, with a variety of places and activities. I am satisfied that I have seen places I would never have driven to and learned so much from the extremely knowledgeable tour guide and the people we met along the way (especially Terry and Josephine, traditional owners of much of the land on which we travelled.) Every day was a new experience, and Leonie, the guide, made it fun as well as informative. I loved the fact that the group was small. We got to know each other very quickly and the experience was enhanced by sharing it with others also eager to discover.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2022
Jennifer - Traveled, July 2022
From someone who has never travelled to South Australia previously - I was blown away by how much we got to see and experience. We had an amazing time and highly recommend this trip and the Intrepid approach to touring.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2022
Kerryn - Traveled, January 2024
Outback South Australia is not to be missed. Trip visits small towns, involves long, bumpy travel days with interesting stops along the way....oh and lots of flies! Sarah was an amazing leader who shared her love of the outback with us and made the trip so much fun. This itinerary was one of my favourite Intrepid trips so far (and I've done a lot).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2024
Elizabeth - Traveled, November 2023
Very enjoyable trip to the Outback. Hot during the day but very pleasant at night. As someone who comes from New Zealand, the Outback is a different world. Our guide Sarah was amazing. Enjoyed hearing about the indigenous culture and early European settlement. Great group of fellow travellers (9) from around the world.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/21/2023
Lindsay - Traveled, November 2023
I had a fantastic experience on my Outback Adventure trip. I got to tick lots of things off my bucket list and we had the most brilliant trip manager (Sarah). Sarah ensured the smooth running of the trip but also was super easily approachable, fun and kind. Having her as a TM definitely enhanced the trip :)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2023
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