South Australia Outback Adventure

10 Days Starting and ending in Adelaide

Visiting: Adelaide / Port Pirie / Port Augusta, Woomera / Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy , Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park / William Creek, Oodnadatta Track / Marree, Farina / Arkaroola, Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park / Arkaroola, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound, Clare Valley / Adelaide

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PZSA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $3090

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour 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 as you enjoy a campfire dinner and learn about the stories and traditions of the First Nations Adnyamathanha people who are the traditional custodians of the Flinders Ranges.

  • Enjoy a subterranean stay in Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia, in underground accommodation which is 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.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Country Needs People. Donations help them support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

  • 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.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Adelaide / Port Pirie / Port Augusta

Location: Adelaide / Port Pirie / Port Augusta

Accommodation: Motel

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'

Day 2: Woomera / Coober Pedy

Location: Woomera / Coober Pedy

Accommodation: Underground Hotel

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

Day 3: Coober Pedy

Location: Coober Pedy

Accommodation: Underground Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

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

Day 4: Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park / William Creek

Location: Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park / William Creek

Accommodation: Cabin

Meals Included: breaksfast

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

Day 5: Oodnadatta Track / Marree

Location: Oodnadatta Track / Marree

Accommodation: Cabin

Meals Included: lunch

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

Day 6: Farina / Arkaroola

Location: Farina / Arkaroola

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

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

Day 7: Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park / Arkaroola

Location: Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park / Arkaroola

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

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.

Day 8: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound

Location: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound

Accommodation: Resort

Meals Included: breaksfast

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

Day 9: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound

Location: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park / Wilpena Pound

Accommodation: Resort

Meals Included: breaksfast

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
-Wilpena Pound - Mountain Bike Hire (half day)
-Wilpena Pound - Time Travel & Gorgeous Gorges 4WD Tour
-Wilpena Pound - Yura Udnyu 'Our Culture, Your Culture' Tour

Day 10: Clare Valley / Adelaide

Location: Clare Valley / Adelaide

Meals Included: breaksfast

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

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (1 night), Cabin (4 nights), Underground hotel (2 nights), Resort (2 nights)

  • Woomera - Lake Hart Rest Area

  • Woomera - Heritage Museum & Visitor Centre

  • Coober Pedy - Josephine's Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage

  • Coober Pedy - Underground Home, Church & Historic Mine Visit

  • Coober Pedy - Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park & Dingo Fence

  • Marree - Leader-led Local History Walk

  • Stuarts Creek - Wabma Kadarbu Mound Spring Conservation Park

  • Lake Eyre - Picnic Lunch

  • Iga Warta - Cultural Cookout Dinner & Campfire

  • Farina - Restoration Project

show more

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Private Vehicle

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
  • The trip starts in Adelaide with a Welcome Meeting at 8 am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel, and finishes back in Adelaide on Day 10 at our finish point hotel around 5pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
  • A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.
  • ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY & ROAD CLOSURES
  • In the event that the road from Coober Pedy towards William Creek or the Oodnadatta Track are closed due to weather, an amended itinerary will be put in place. It may involve returning along some of the route already travelled.

Mode of Transport

  • Private Vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This trip travels to the remote Outback of South Australia. There will be extended periods of time with no phone reception. Choices of where to eat will be limited and not all dietary needs may be able to be met. Road conditions may be affected by weather such as rain, extreme heat or wind particularly from Coober Pedy and on the Oodnadatta track. Your leaders will check forward conditions in Coober Pedy and make alternative arrangements if the road conditions are not safe for our vehicle to continue. We may need to backtrack from Coober Pedy to Port Augusta. Please also make sure you have access to your emergency funds in case this is needed.

    This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It's all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

    Departures during summer months can expect extreme heat. You will need to be well prepared with sun protection, including wearing light, long sleeves and carry at least 2 litres of water at all times when out exploring. Our vehicles are air conditioned, but even this may struggle at higher temperatures. In hotter months we may have earlier or adjusted departure times to beat the heat, rest at our accommodation during the hottest hours of the day and then explore again in the late afternoon/early evening. On the other hand, winter nights in the Australian Outback can be very cold. You may want to bring a warm jacket, a beanie and perhaps even gloves and a scarf. The days will be cool but perfect for exploring the region. Please choose your departure date carefully and make sure you are aware of the conditions. Some sites, restaurants, cafes, tours and attractions may be closed during the off season summer months.

    If you are keen to keep exploring South Australia's highlights, you might like to consider the Kangaroo Island Short Break Adventure or the Kangaroo Island Adventure.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

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12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

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Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

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Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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