Outback Spirit - Outback South Australia & Kangaroo Island

Embark on a 14-day small group tour from Adelaide to discover South Australia's outback and Kangaroo Island! Explore highlights such as Wilpena Pound, Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, and Clare Valley, and spend three nights on Kangaroo Island, complete with a thrilling marine adventure cruise. Enjoy all-inclusive meals, accommodations, and expert guides for an unforgettable and effortless experience.

Arrive in Adelaide, the vibrant capital of South Australia, where your adventure begins. At 2:00pm, gather at the reception for your transfer to the iconic Penfolds Magill Estate, where you'll meet your Tour Directors around 3:00pm. Experience an immersive guided tour of Penfolds Magill Estate, diving into the rich legacy of Australian winemaking that dates back to 1844. Expand your palate with world-class wines and explore the birthplace of some of the country's most renowned wines. After your immersive experience, return to your accommodation for the evening, the Stamford Grand Hotel, where you can unwind and enjoy breathtaking ocean views in Glenelg.

This morning, travel north to Port Augusta, known as the Gateway to the Flinders Ranges and home to the award-winning Wadlata Outback Centre. Step back in time and discover the stories of early explorers and their brave expeditions into the unknown. From Port Augusta, continue the journey through Quorn and Hawker before arriving at the Wilpena Pound Resort for a two-night stay. Nestled at the entrance to Wilpena Pound, the resort is surrounded by stately Red Gums and Native Pines, set along the tranquil banks of Wilpena Creek.

Wilpena Pound is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and is home to nearly half of South Australia’s plant species. Today, enjoy a guided walk into Wilpena Pound to Hills Homestead, one of South Australia's oldest and most well-preserved pastoral settlements. Stroll along Wilpena Creek, passing magnificent stands of river red gums with spectacular views of the Pound wall in the distance. For those wishing to explore further, longer walks are available. In the afternoon, visit Stokes Hill Lookout to take in panoramic 360-degree views of the Flinders Ranges. The day concludes with a return to the Wilpena Pound Resort for dinner.

Travel through the stunning Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges, arriving in Parachilna by late morning. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the renowned Prairie Hotel before continuing through the northern Flinders Ranges to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Spend the night in this remote haven, and later, experience an intergalactic tour from Arkaroola’s accredited astronomical observatories.

Today, explore some of the most breathtaking and rugged landscapes on Earth! Travel in open-back 4WD vehicles with expert guides on the unforgettable Ridge Top Tour – a true highlight of the Arkaroola experience that should not be missed. Later this afternoon, journey on to Marree, where the next two nights will be spent at the charming Marree Hotel.

This morning, take to the skies for a scenic flight over Lake Eyre. The flight path begins over Lake Eyre South before crossing into Lake Eyre North, the larger of the two lakes. Fly over Belt Bay, following the Warburton Groove up the middle of the lake and into the Warburton Creek system. From here, continue along the creek to Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary, landing late in the morning.
Kalamurina is a 1.7 million-acre property owned and managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. This vast desert wilderness stretches from the northern shores of Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre to the southern boundary of the Simpson Desert, providing a haven for several endangered species such as the Dusky Hopping Mouse, Mulgara, and Ampurta.
Upon landing at Kalamurina, head to the banks of the Warburton Creek for a guided tour. Learn about the transformation of this land from cattle country to a thriving wildlife haven and gain insight into AWC conservation programs. Then, travel by coach down the Birdsville Track, crossing Cooper's Creek before returning to Marree late this afternoon.

After breakfast this morning, depart Marree and follow the legendary Oodnadatta Track to the small outback settlement of William Creek. Steeped in history, natural wonders, and rich cultural heritage, the track is regarded as one of the best outback drives in Australia. It follows a traditional Aboriginal trading route and, due to the availability of water, was chosen for the Central Australian Railway, the original route of the Old Ghan. A stop is made at Coward Springs siding, a fully restored and heritage-listed railway site that showcases history and remnants of the ‘Old Ghan’. Arrive in William Creek for lunch at the iconic William Creek Hotel before enjoying a special one-hour scenic flight over the ‘Painted Hills’. This striking rocky outcrop, with large and small hills that rise suddenly from the flat desert landscape, can only be accessed by air due to its fragility and natural beauty. In the afternoon, continue the journey to Coober Pedy for a two-night stay at the award-winning Desert Cave Hotel.

Coober Pedy, famously known as the opal capital of the world, is a unique outback town where much of the population lives underground to escape the summer heat. As the source of 70% of the world’s precious opals, Coober Pedy offers a fascinating glimpse into the opal mining industry. Begin the day with a guided tour of the Umoona Opal Mine, where you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at fossicking for opals. In the afternoon, journey to the striking Breakaways Reserve, renowned for its vibrant, colourful hills and stunning views across the desert landscape, separated from the Stuart Range. Conclude the day with a visit to the Desert Cave Hotel, where you can explore the numerous art galleries showcasing the region’s cultural and natural beauty.

Travelling south today, head to Woomera, home to the Woomera Range Complex operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. The complex is a key Australian defence and civil aerospace facility, serving as both a working military airbase and a testing ground for ADF materials. Enjoy a visit to the Woomera Interactive Rocket Range Museum and explore historical displays related to the Woomera Range and the closed Joint Defence Facility at Nurrungar. In the afternoon, continue to Port Augusta for a visit to the Aridlands Botanic Gardens, before checking in to the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn.

After breakfast, head south to the Clare Valley, renowned for its Riesling, as well as exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties, which together account for nearly half of the region's wine production. After touring the area, visit a local winery for a relaxed lunch and wine tastings, the perfect way to unwind as the adventure comes to a close. In the afternoon, arrive back in Adelaide and check in to the Stamford Grand Hotel in Glenelg. Enjoy a final dinner together at the hotel restaurant.

Today, depart Adelaide, travelling through McLaren Vale and Willunga before heading down the Fleurieu Peninsula into Victor Harbour. Continue to Cape Jervis, the departure point for Kangaroo Island. Enjoy an exceptional eco-adventure cruise with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari. Step on board the custom vessel for an informative look at the natural biodiversity of Kangaroo Island and its spectacular coastline. See marine life up close and spot Sea Eagles, Little Fairy Penguins, Petrels, Terns, Oyster Catchers, and more! Enjoy the 45-minute ferry ride across Backstairs Passage before heading around to Kingscote for the next three nights at the Aurora Ozone Hotel, perfectly positioned along the foreshore with views over Nepean Bay. Enjoy some free time to explore before dinner.

This morning, visit Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to Australia’s largest colony of breeding Sea Lions. Take a guided beach walk with a local expert to observe these magnificent creatures up close and learn about how they hunt, surf, rest, interact with their pups, and defend their territory. A boardwalk leads down through the dunes to the beach, offering breathtaking views of the colony and majestic coastline. Sea lions are sometimes seen snoozing in the dune system or even lying in the middle of the beach path! Later, continue the journey to the west of the island to Flinders Chase National Park. Visit the huge and mystifying granite formations known as Remarkable Rocks, and head to Cape du Couedic to visit the lighthouse and Admiral’s Arch, where on sunny afternoons, the stalactites can be seen silhouetted against the deep-blue Southern Ocean. Return to Kingscote late afternoon.

Enjoy some leisure time and explore the highlights of Kangaroo Island with a variety of local sightseeing activities. Discover the fascinating process of eucalyptus oil production, past and present, with a visit to the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery. Indulge in the unique flavours of the region at Kangaroo Island Spirits and sample delicious local honey at the Island Beehive for a true taste of the island's charm. Return to Kingscote for the final night on the island.

Bid farewell to Kangaroo Island and take the ferry back to the mainland, with transfers to the airport included.