2013 calendar
SA Outback with a Difference
Remote Mt Finke
Following the success and strong interest displayed in the September 2012 Tour, we are running another from September 9th to 17th inclusive, 2013. You will be treated to a smorgasbord of Outback locations and experiences. We will take tracks and roads less travelled - it's much more satisfying doing so.
We will travel across Eyre Peninsula and up to the remote Mt Finke (above; the highest feature for 1600 km to the west). Ernest Giles visited here, about twelve years after John McDouall Stuart discovered it in 1858. We'll also cross the tracks of explorers Eyre, Hack and Warburton. For much of the first two days we will be in mallee country; that glorious & interesting belt of farming and eucalyptus which rings the inland of southern Australia.
From here we travel north through station country to McDouall Peak Station and on to Coober Pedy, a mining and gemstone hotspot. It's this region which may be able to make Australia self sufficient in oil, so it's more than just a desert oasis/opal centre. As we traverse the aptly named Moon Plain, heading to the Painted Desert, you'll see we are in truly spectacular desert country. From Oodnadatta we follow the famous Oodnadatta Track south to William Creek and continue down to the remarkable mound springs.
We will inspect Ghan Railway and Overland Telegraph sites and camp amongst coolibah trees on Stuart Creek Station. We then visit Marree, an iconic Outback location and stay on Wilpoorinna Station, before journeying through the Flinders Ranges, the very-nearly-a-ghost town of Beltana and on to our final camp near Blinman. While driving back to Adelaide we witness the more of the Flinders Ranges beauty as well as the diverse and attractive northern farming districts.
This tour includes campsites, locations and perspectives not normally available to the public.
Fully catered guest cost is $ 3,275 per person.
Catered Tag-alongs cost (for two guests in one vehicle) is $ 2,200.
Please visit the bookings and information page to contact us.
Itinerary
We suggest that you print out the itinerary and bring it with you for daily reference
Day 1
Heading up the western side of the magnificent Flinders Ranges, we travel through the Iron Triangle and around the head of Spencer Gulf, striking out through the mallee of South Australia's premier wheat belt, Eyre Peninsula. We camp near the peculiar, isolated granite Pildappa Rock on the fringe of farming country.
Day 2
At Ceduna, west of last night's camp, we leave both the bitumen and the farming country behind, entering the Yumbarra Conservation Park by way of Goog's Track. Built by a father and son team in the 1970's, this pretty 4WD track links the coast to the Transcontinental Railway Line. Goog's Track has been likened to a cross between the Canning Stock Route and the Simpson Desert. It's a sandy, vegetated wilderness and we'll camp in the very old drainage basin, known as Goog's Lake. Yumbarra is an important habitat for wildlife such as Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos, Thorny Devils, Sandhill Dunnarts and Malleefowl. This region is the south eastern section of the Great Victoria Desert.
Day 3
Leaving the mallee vegetation, we enter magnificent black oak country and after a short drive arrive at Mt Finke. Described by intrepid explorer John McDouall Stuart in 1858 as 'a fearful country', he climbed the mount. We too have an opportunity to scale this, the highest land mass (369 metres) for 1600 km. Hopefully we'll see the beautiful Ooldea mallee, Eucalyptus youngiana, in flower. There will be plenty of relaxation time today. We are now in the Yellabinna Regional Reserve.
Day 4
Heading north, the countryside's appearance again alters and soon we strike infrastructure highly significant in the unification of Australia: the East-West Railway Line. This is now pastoral country, held for many years by the same families. It is protected by the Dog Fence, which we pass through on our way to Tarcoola, noting the beauty of the western myall tree (Acacia papryocarpa) . Tarcoola was named after the winner of the 1893 Melbourne Cup; the gold mining which commenced then still exists. Tarcoola is a significant rail junction, despite being deserted. Onwards through sheep stations, we head to McDouall Peak, named for the explorer Stuart.
Heading up the western side of the magnificent Flinders Ranges, we travel through the Iron Triangle and around the head of Spencer Gulf, striking out through the mallee of South Australia's premier wheat belt, Eyre Peninsula. We camp near the peculiar, isolated granite Pildappa Rock on the fringe of farming country.
Day 2
At Ceduna, west of last night's camp, we leave both the bitumen and the farming country behind, entering the Yumbarra Conservation Park by way of Goog's Track. Built by a father and son team in the 1970's, this pretty 4WD track links the coast to the Transcontinental Railway Line. Goog's Track has been likened to a cross between the Canning Stock Route and the Simpson Desert. It's a sandy, vegetated wilderness and we'll camp in the very old drainage basin, known as Goog's Lake. Yumbarra is an important habitat for wildlife such as Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos, Thorny Devils, Sandhill Dunnarts and Malleefowl. This region is the south eastern section of the Great Victoria Desert.
Day 3
Leaving the mallee vegetation, we enter magnificent black oak country and after a short drive arrive at Mt Finke. Described by intrepid explorer John McDouall Stuart in 1858 as 'a fearful country', he climbed the mount. We too have an opportunity to scale this, the highest land mass (369 metres) for 1600 km. Hopefully we'll see the beautiful Ooldea mallee, Eucalyptus youngiana, in flower. There will be plenty of relaxation time today. We are now in the Yellabinna Regional Reserve.
Day 4
Heading north, the countryside's appearance again alters and soon we strike infrastructure highly significant in the unification of Australia: the East-West Railway Line. This is now pastoral country, held for many years by the same families. It is protected by the Dog Fence, which we pass through on our way to Tarcoola, noting the beauty of the western myall tree (Acacia papryocarpa) . Tarcoola was named after the winner of the 1893 Melbourne Cup; the gold mining which commenced then still exists. Tarcoola is a significant rail junction, despite being deserted. Onwards through sheep stations, we head to McDouall Peak, named for the explorer Stuart.
Day 5
While in Coober Pedy we'll have an opportunity to shower and to cruise the streets of this bizarre township before traversing the aptly named Moon Plain. To some, these stony plains are bleak, but for others they hold a special beauty and attraction. Later in the day we'll observe the Painted Desert and nearby Arckaringa Station, both of which are famous for their distinctive mesas and multi-hued terrain. The effects of erosion on the residue from an ancient inland sea and the leaching of minerals in the soil, together blend into the myriad colours we will see. Oodnadatta, home of the famous Pink Roadhouse is our next stop and we will camp south of the town, in gidgee country.
Day 6
It's a fascinating journey along the Oodnadatta Track. We'll stop to look at the mound springs, pastoral settlement and Overland Telegraph Repeater Station ruins at Strangways Springs. It's a special part of the world with a unique blend of pastoralism, tourism and history. Then it's on to the unique Bubbler, Blanche Cup and Hamilton Hill before setting up camp on the banks of Stuart Creek, amongst coolibah trees - an interesting and private campsite. A top day, indeed.
Day 7
Our expedition now passes through sandhills and over stony plains before arriving in Marree. We will be here for about 2 hours, so there's plenty of time to have a shower and a good walking tour of this tiny outback settlement. We pass the new monument, 'Stuart Man' before arriving at Wilpoorinna Station. The Litchfield family own both Wilpoorinna and neighbouring Mundowdna stations. They have been here for over 50 years, and they are true bushies with big, warm hearts and a plethora of unbelievable experiences. We hope they will join us for a drink around the camp-fire.
Day 8
The scenery changes again this morning; we find ourselves on the very north western end of the spectacular and mighty Flinders Ranges. Following the Ranges southwards, we will look at the Leigh Creek coal field, enjoy a quandong pie and coffee at Copley and see the amazing Aroona Dam before drifting through the oh-so-nearly-deserted Beltana. We will of course, be adjacent to the former and infamous Ghan Railway Line - last used in about 1980. Turning east at Parachilna, we dive to the dizzy heights of South Australia's second highest town, Blinman, before camping at a very special spot south of the town.
Day 9
Our run to Adelaide is a delight. We are still within the Flinders Ranges as we creep into agricultural farming and cropping country and ease into the southern Ranges before tracking across the plains to the city and the end of our expedition, at about 5.00 pm.
While in Coober Pedy we'll have an opportunity to shower and to cruise the streets of this bizarre township before traversing the aptly named Moon Plain. To some, these stony plains are bleak, but for others they hold a special beauty and attraction. Later in the day we'll observe the Painted Desert and nearby Arckaringa Station, both of which are famous for their distinctive mesas and multi-hued terrain. The effects of erosion on the residue from an ancient inland sea and the leaching of minerals in the soil, together blend into the myriad colours we will see. Oodnadatta, home of the famous Pink Roadhouse is our next stop and we will camp south of the town, in gidgee country.
Day 6
It's a fascinating journey along the Oodnadatta Track. We'll stop to look at the mound springs, pastoral settlement and Overland Telegraph Repeater Station ruins at Strangways Springs. It's a special part of the world with a unique blend of pastoralism, tourism and history. Then it's on to the unique Bubbler, Blanche Cup and Hamilton Hill before setting up camp on the banks of Stuart Creek, amongst coolibah trees - an interesting and private campsite. A top day, indeed.
Day 7
Our expedition now passes through sandhills and over stony plains before arriving in Marree. We will be here for about 2 hours, so there's plenty of time to have a shower and a good walking tour of this tiny outback settlement. We pass the new monument, 'Stuart Man' before arriving at Wilpoorinna Station. The Litchfield family own both Wilpoorinna and neighbouring Mundowdna stations. They have been here for over 50 years, and they are true bushies with big, warm hearts and a plethora of unbelievable experiences. We hope they will join us for a drink around the camp-fire.
Day 8
The scenery changes again this morning; we find ourselves on the very north western end of the spectacular and mighty Flinders Ranges. Following the Ranges southwards, we will look at the Leigh Creek coal field, enjoy a quandong pie and coffee at Copley and see the amazing Aroona Dam before drifting through the oh-so-nearly-deserted Beltana. We will of course, be adjacent to the former and infamous Ghan Railway Line - last used in about 1980. Turning east at Parachilna, we dive to the dizzy heights of South Australia's second highest town, Blinman, before camping at a very special spot south of the town.
Day 9
Our run to Adelaide is a delight. We are still within the Flinders Ranges as we creep into agricultural farming and cropping country and ease into the southern Ranges before tracking across the plains to the city and the end of our expedition, at about 5.00 pm.
Other
Most roads we use in the outback are unsealed; rain and floods can sometimes cause delays. In the unlikely event that this happens we make every effort possible to re-route the tour, but this is not always possible.
On rare occasions we may need to alter our schedule / route due to the impact of weather; it's for this reason that we recommend travel insurance to cover any extra costs incurred by you as a result of unavoidable delay. Travel Insurance may also protect any mishaps or loss of personal gear.
In other instances a mechanical mishap may mean altering our schedule /route is also necessary.
It is therefore wise not to book travel ex our return for the day following the end of a trip.