Tour Features & Highlights
DAY 1: PORT AUGUSTA TO WILPENA POUND NATIONAL PARK
We make our way to the Pt Augusta Railway Station, here we board Afghan Express. This is a steam-hauled train. We will travel from Pt Augusta to Quorn, along the Pichi Richi Railway, the last remaining operating portion of the famous Ghan railway. From Quorn we tour into the Southern Flinders Ranges. Arriving in Hawker we stop at Jeff Morgans Gallery, where we not only see, but experience the "Wilpena Panorama". From Hawker it's only a short drive to the Wilpena Pound National Park.
DAY 2: THE FLINDERS RANGES
After breakfast we meet our local guide, for a tour of this stunning National Park. We will visit Gumcreek Station for a picnic lunch but first we will explore some of the Park. We will visit two gorges, Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge. This afternoon we return to National Park HQ to visit the Interpretive Centre and have some free time for walking or an optional flight over the Pound.
DAY 3: WILPENA TO ARKAROOLA
The Northern Flinders are not as well known and are a little more difficult to get to than Wilpena Pound - but the effort is worth it! We travel north, through Blinman and via Chambers Gorge to Balcanoona. This afternoon we arrive at Arkaroola in the Gammon Ranges National Park. Arkaroola is one of Australia's true tourism gems. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is blessed with a unique landscape created over 2 billion years ago. Tonight there is a chance to visit Australia's largest privately owned Astronomical Observatory.
DAY 4: ARKAROOLA
This morning we take the incredible 4WD 'Ridge Top Tour' driving along mine tracks winding through some of Australia's most rugged mountains. We visit Crystal Candy Mountain, Mt Painter, Yundnamutana Gorge and Sillers Lookout with awe inspiring views extending more than 80 kms over Lake Frome. The scenery from this pinnacle is so breathtaking that many have compared it to the grandeur of the Grand Canyon! The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure.
DAY 5: ARKAROOLA TO PORT AUGUSTA
We have an early breakfast then travel out of the Ranges west then south to Leigh Creek. Leigh Creek was once a modern company town on the edge of the desert built to house the workers and their families who provided the labour force for the huge Leigh Creek open cut coal mine 22 kms north of the town. We head south to Parachilna for a light lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel before driving south to Hawker and on to Port Augusta.
DAY 6: PORT AUGUSTA
We have an appointment at the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. Located 2 km north of Port Augusta on the edge of the desert, this 200 hectare site offers excellent views across the Flinders Ranges and provides an insight into the rich diversity of flora in the Australian desert. Lunch is at the award winning Wadlata Centre. This multi-million dollar centre offers "hands on" displays and audiovisual presentations, to showcase the outback culture and its history.Group ready trade partners included in this tour:
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Arkaroola, SASteamtown Heritage Rail Centre
Peterborough, SAWadlata Outback Centre
Port Augusta, SAAustralian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
Port Augusta, SAPichi Richi Railway
Quorn, SAWilpena Pound Resort
Flinders Ranges, SA
