Customer Friendly Itineraries

Today you will be greeted by your friendly and professional Tour Directors. We then depart Adelaide and travel north
along the Princes Highway, making our way to Port Augusta. We spend the night at the Majestic Oasis Apartments.

This morning, we enjoy a visit to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. Established in 1993 to research, conserve and promote the wider appreciation of Australia’s arid zone flora, the centre is home to thousands of highly evolved plant communities that are specially adapted to thrive in an environment where temperatures are extreme, and drought can last for decades. The garden showcases a diverse collection of arid zone habitats in a picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares. Later this morning, we continue our journey north to Parachilna. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at the Prairie Hotel before heading on through Lyndhurst and Leigh Creek.

Please Note: Today your tour will split into 2 groups. Group 1 will take the scenic flights/tour as per the itinerary below, while Group 2 travels up to William Creek by road following the Old Ghan rail line. On Day 4, Group 2 enjoys the scenic flight and tour, while Group 1 travels back down to Marree by road.

This morning, we head to the Marree Aerodrome to prepare for our scenic flights. Meet your experienced pilot and board our Cessna Grand Caravan (subject to availability). Once airborne, our morning flight will take us over Lake Eyre South before crossing over to Lake Eyre North, the larger of the two lakes. We continue north over Clifton Hills Station and Goyder Lagoon on the Diamantina River floodplains. Located at the junction of the Diamantina River and Eyre Creek, this large ephemeral swamp consists mainly of shallow braided micro-channels which look stunning from the air. From Goyder Lagoon we fly further north to Birdsville where we land and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the iconic Birdsville Hotel. This is followed by a town tour taken by a local guide to close points of interest and the Waddi-Waddi trees. This afternoon, we'll re-board the plane for our second flight. Heading southwest over the mighty Simpson Desert, admire the endless red sand dunes that stretch to the horizon, before once again flying over Lake Eyre North. After another close inspection of this breathtaking natural spectacle where we’ll fly over Belt Bay, the lowest point on the Australian continent at 15 metres below sea level, and head for William Creek, where we rendezvous with the rest of the tour group. We spend the night here in modern ensuite accommodation and enjoy dinner in one of the most atmospheric outback pubs in Australia - the William Creek Hotel.

Today Group 2 enjoys the scenic flights to Birdsville and Lake Eyre, while Group 1 travels down the Oodnadatta Track to Marree. Later this morning, we travel south along the Oodnadatta Track, following the Old Ghan line - one of the great historic railway lines in the world. Construction began in 1878 and it eventually reached Oodnadatta in 1891. The line only reached Alice Springs in 1929, so the journey from Oodnadatta at this time was still made by camel. The old line was eventually closed in 1980, and the new line takes a different route to Alice Springs. Some of the old sidings that refilled the steam engines with water, such as Coward Springs, are incredibly interesting and well preserved. Today we’ll visit a few of them on our way down to Marree. Upon our arrival we’ll meet up with Group 2 and check in to the Lyndhurst hotel or the Marree Hotel for our overnight stay. 

We begin our trek south to the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound. Enjoy the scenic drive through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, stopping at several vantage points to admire the views of the Flinders Ranges. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before arriving at Wilpena Pound Resort early in the afternoon. Wilpena Pound sits in the southern region of the Flinders Ranges National Park. It is characterised by spectacular scenery and is home to nearly half of South Australia’s species of plants. We’ll set off on a guided walk through the tranquil Pound Gap into Wilpena Pound (Easy grade, 2-3 hrs return). Follow Wilpena Creek past ancient River Red Gums and pines to arrive at the historic Hills Homestead. For the more energetic, there is an optional extension to the walk that leads to Wangarra Hill lookout, which offers panoramic views of Wilpena Pound (a good level of fitness and mobility required). Take some time to freshen up before dinner in the restaurant.

This morning, we enjoy a visit to the Old Wilpena Station precinct, one of South Australia’s oldest and best-preserved pastoral settlements. We then begin our trek south back to Monarto. We then check-in late afternoon to the luxurious Monarto Safari Resort for our final evening together. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the resort and reflect upon your adventure into the heart of outback Australia.

This morning, we embark on an exciting Dawn Wildlife Safari which is exclusive to Resort guests. Our guided safari tour sees us immerse in the vast parklands with free roaming herds of African animals. As we explore the parklands from the comfort of the accessible Safari Truck, there will be an opportunity to see and photograph animals including Southern White Rhinos, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Eland, Ostriches, and Zebras. You’ll be served light refreshments along the way, so you won’t miss a minute of the action! Every visit to Monarto Safari Park contributes to the Conservation Fund, directly promoting the conservation efforts of Zoos SA. On return there is time to enjoy the beautifully appointed pool and surrounds with a late check out. After lunch, we head to Adelaide where our tour concludes mid-afternoon.