Nature-based  ·  No rush  ·  Relax!

7-Day Adelaide to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Small Group Eco Safari

7 days
Adelaide
Adelaide
2-8 people
2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month (or on demand).
  • Most meals included
  • Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
  • Historic coastal towns
  • The famous Oodnadatta Track
  • Pt Augusta Wadlata Outback Centre
  • Marree Mail Run relics & Afghan Mosque
  • Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park
  • Woomera Rocket Range
  • Coober Pedy Mine & town tour
  • Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
  • Sunset at the Breakaways
  • Wilpena Pound / Flinders National Park
  • Remote William Creek Pub
  • Brachina Gorge Ediacaran fossils
  • The Dingo Fence
  • Clare Valley

Tour Overview

This is an immersive, 7-day small group tour from Adelaide to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, including the famous South Australian Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Pt Augusta, Woomera, William Creek, the Oodnadatta Track, Arkaroola, Wilpena Pound, Clare Valley, and many places of historic and natural interest throughout the South Australian outback.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, located 700 km north of Adelaide, is the largest salt lake in the Southern Hemisphere — so large that it crosses the borders of three states. It is the lowest natural point in Australia (15m below sea level), and is also, on the rare occasions that it fills, the largest lake in Australia.

Come and see the magnificent and ever-changing deserts of South Australia in the comfort of our late-model, luxury 4WD or our purpose-built Toyota All-Terrain Vehicle! No overcrowding on our tours -- lots of space!

This outback tour also includes a visit to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary! Located 600 km north of Adelaide in the ruggedly spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, this 610 sq km sanctuary features unique geological features, rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes, and is home to a large range of bird, reptile and mammal species, including the endangered Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby.

There are also numerous scenic flights on offer from William Creek over Lake Eyre / Birdsville, the Painted Hills, Arkaroola, and the Flinders Ranges.

This is the best of the Lake Eyre tours from Adelaide and will give you a true taste of the SA outback spirit!

Tour Prices

Please note that these are the prices for current tour departures. Prices for tours departing in future months may differ from these. The pricing shown in tour booking forms, such as the one at the bottom of this page, will be correct and are based on the tour departure date you have selected.

All pricing is in Australian dollars and is inclusive of taxes. Tour prices include all transport, accommodation and location entry fees. It also includes meals as indicated in each days’ itinerary. Optional extras are not included in the tour price; these must be booked with SA Eco Tours and paid for separately after your tour is booked.

Standard Motel Unit, Single$ 5,995.00
Standard Motel Unit, Double/Twin Share$ 5,895.00
Standard Motel Unit, Child 5-16 sharing room with parent$ 4,595.00
Superior Motel Unit, Single$ 6,395.00
Superior Motel Unit, Double/Twin Share$ 6,295.00
Superior Motel Unit, Child 5-16 sharing room with parent$ 4,695.00

Tour Itinerary

Explore the locations you’ll visit on each day of the tour, as well as the accommodations at which you’ll stay and any optional extras available on each day. Please note that the accommodation venue may vary depending on what’s available. All prices are displayed in Australian dollars (AUD).

Day 1

Complementary pick up from your Adelaide CBD accommodation at approx. 8 am. Heading north along the Eastern side of Gulf St Vincent, you will be entertained with stories about our early explorers.

Follow the Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, stopping at historical coastal towns. Learn our rich maritime history and maybe take a walk down the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at Port Germain. This was once a bustling port for sail ships and seafarers.

During the safari tour your guide will introduce you to a remarkable and resilient history of both aboriginal and white settlement in SA. See the Southern Flinders Ranges, 600-million-year-old mountain peaks with spectacular views over this incredible landscape.

Spend the afternoon strolling around the award winning Wadlata Outback Centre at Pt Augusta. Later in the afternoon we go out to the outskirts of town to the Flinders Lookout; situated in the Australian Arid Lands Botanical Garden, it is a great spot to watch sunset over the spectacular Flinders Ranges.

Starting location: Adelaide
Finishing location: Port Augusta
Locations visited:
Meals:
A picnic lunch is included.
Dinner is at a local pub or restaurant at your own expense.
Overnight accommodation:
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

None available on this day.

Day 2

Travel up the Explorer Highway into the outback desert region of South Australia. Wander around Woomera at your own pace, visiting the old rocket range museum and military base.

As we head further north, east of the APY Aboriginal lands take a break at Lake Gairdner and Lake Hart lookouts. Photograph these huge expanses of salt lakes as far as the eye can see. No need to rush, we stop at many points of interest including bird and animal watching.

On to Coober Pedy, the largest opal mining field in the world, where characters from many nations have come to try to make their fortune. Heading into town we will pass the extensive mining operations that help make this place so unique. Coober Pedy is a town where people live underground to escape the harsh desert conditions.

Watch a magical sunset over the desert at Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park before following the Dingo Fence back to Coober Pedy for a meal with the locals.

Starting location: Port Augusta
Finishing location: Coober Pedy
Locations visited:
Meals:
A continental breakfast is included.
Lunch is at the Glendambo roadhouse at your own expense.
Dinner is at a local Italian or Greek restaurant, or the Big Winch hilltop resturant. at your own expense.
Overnight accommodation:
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

None available on this day.

Day 3

Spend a leisurely morning visiting underground churches, opal shops and displays. Try a bit of ‘noodling’ for opal yourself. Learn about the area on a guided tour to see how these hardy folks live and make their living.

After lunch we depart Coober Pedy crossing the famous dingo fence (the longest man-made structure in the world). It helps to keep the wild dogs up north away from the sheep stations further down.

Travel along the red sand hill tracks through Anna Creek station to William Creek. This remote town stands out like an oasis in the desert, halfway between Adelaide to Alice Springs.

Enjoy an ice-cold beer at the bar of this famous Outback Pub that has a rich history of stockmen, camels and life in the bush.

Starting location: Coober Pedy
Finishing location: William Creek
Locations visited:
Meals:
A continental breakfast is included.
Lunch at a Coober Pedy café or bakery is included.
Dinner at an outback pub is included.
Overnight accommodation:
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

None available on this day.

Day 4

Continue our epic journey down the famous Oodnadatta Track, following the historic route of the Cameleers. This area has a rich history of Aboriginal culture and pioneering settlements.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the edge of Lake Eyre South National Park. This is where Sir Donald Campbell broke the land speed record in 1964 in the Blue Bird.

Visit thermal springs and deserted outposts that have been the life blood of this arid land for centuries.

Arriving at Maree late afternoon, check out the old Afghan mosque and relics of our pioneering days. This historic town is where Outback legend Tom Kruse left on his epic mail run deliveries to Birdsville and beyond. Tom’s old 4WD Blitz is still there on display next an old locomotive from the Ghan Railway days.

Maybe meet one of the aboriginal elders at the Arabuuna aboriginal center and museum.

Starting location: William Creek
Finishing location: Marree
Locations visited:
Meals:
A fully cooked or continental breakfast is included.
A picnic lunch is included.
Dinner at the legendary Marree Outback Restaurant is included.
Overnight accommodation:
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

Day 5

Venturing further east into the remote outback of Australia, we will cross ancient creek beds that meander out to Lake Frome. Witness a stunning change in the landscape from spectacular deserts to the ancient mountains of the Gammon Range.

Arriving at the Arkaroola Village around lunch time you will have time to relax and take in this world-renowned area of stunning beauty. Alternatively, take the exhilarating 4WD ridge top tour to the top of Mt Siller or maybe a scenic flight over this breathtaking land.

Starting location: Marree
Finishing location: Arkaroola
Locations visited:
Meals:
A fully cooked or continental breakfast is included.
Lunch at the Arkaroola Café is included.
Dinner at the Arkaroola Resort Restaurant is included.
Overnight accommodation:
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

Day 6

Travel south along the top of Lake Frome, which can be seen in the distance from vantage points where early explorers once stood. See the Red Sandhill country that holds thousands of years of sacred beliefs to the Adnyamathanha aboriginal people.

Enjoy lunch at the old copper mining town of Blinman, the highest town is SA.

Our local guide will drive you on a wonderful journey through the secluded and ever-changing creek beds of Brachina Gorge, known as the Corridors Through Time. This is an area alive with wildlife and boasts a remarkable geological history including Ediacaran fossils. World-renowned South Australian painter, Sir Hans Heysen, was inspired by this country and painted many of his landscapes here.

Take that special photograph or just enjoy some of the most spectacular outback scenery there is.

As the sun becomes low in the sky we will follow the road through a landscape of absolute beauty. Wildlife including Kangaroos, Emus and Wedge-tailed Eagles are prolific in this rugged terrain and are usually spotted in the late afternoon.

Starting location: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Finishing location: Wilpena Pound
Locations visited:
Meals:
Breakfast at the Arkaroola Resort Restaurant is included.
Lunch at a Blinman café or bakery is included.
A two-course, open menu dinner at the Wilpena Pound Resort Restaurant is included.
Overnight accommodation:
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

Day 7

At approximately 8 am, take to the air in a light aircraft on an optional 30-minute flight over Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges. This is the only way to really appreciate this world-famous 800-million-year-old SA icon that the local Adnyamathanha people call Ikara. Window seats are guaranteed!

Spend a relaxing morning travelling back to Adelaide along the eastern side of the Flinders Ranges with its mighty Red Gum forests. Crossing Goyder’s Line, the boundary of reliable rainfall, you will see lands that change into a lush expanse rich rural landscape.

The mid-north towns offer a blend of beautiful scenery, historical charm and thriving agriculture. Let’s find a lovely country café for lunch where you can meet the locals and have a chat.

In the afternoon stop at the world-famous Clare Valley wine region, one of the premium wine regions of South Australia! Seven Hills Cellers was built by the Jesuits in 1851. It is the first winery ever built in the Clare Valley and one of the oldest in Australia. Seven Hills celebrates old stone winery and cellar door; stately St Aloysius Church and the surrounding vineyards provide us with a memorable experience. Wine tastings are formatted into a flight of five premium wines.

Starting location: Wilpena Pound
Finishing location: Adelaide
Locations visited:
Meals:
A continental breakfast at the Wilpena Pound Resort is included.
Lunch will be at a café or bakery and is included.
Overnight accommodation:
Not applicable.
Optional extras:

Click on optional extras for details and pricing.

Travel Details

Departure and Return

We meet on the morning of departure at the Adelaide Central Bus Station on Franklin Street, Adelaide. If you are meeting the tour group here, please arrive by 7:30 am. We can also pick up travellers from their accommodation, as long as it’s a hotel in the central city area. These pick-ups take place between 7:45 am and 8:30 am. If you will require a pick-up from your hotel, please mention this at, or soon after, the time of booking.

On the day of return, we arrive back at the Adelaide Central Bus Station or your inner-city hotel between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm depending on the day’s travel.

Printable Itinerary

Click the button below to view/download a printable PDF version of this tour’s itinerary. If you have any questions about the tour, please use our live chat or contact us via email or phone.

What to Bring

  • One small day pack (a smaller bag to be carried in the vehicle).
  • One duffel bag or small suitcase for clothing (no bigger than an in-flight cabin bag, to be stored in the trailer).
  • Any special medication you require.
  • Warm clothing, including long sleeve tops & pants.
  • Shorts & T-shirts.
  • Fly nets are advisable.
  • Insect repellent, hat, sunscreen.
  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Swimming gear.
  • A 1-litre water bottle per person (we carry bulk water on board that you can refill from).

Adjustments and Cancellation policy

Please note that changes to the itinerary are sometimes needed in response to local weather conditions, route accessibility, accommodation availability or safety concerns. This is more common around the Australian summer (December to February) when the temperature can often reach over 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit).

Prices quoted for optional extras provided by third parties are correct at time of publishing and we endeavour to update these if they change but there may be minor differences between quoted prices and actual prices.

Accommodations, access passes and other items are usually booked on behalf of passengers well in advance, so we are not able to offer refunds at short notice. If you find that you are unable to go through with your booking, please advise us as soon as possible. For full details on cancellations and refunds, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Have more questions?

There are many ways of getting more information about our tours:

  • Check the questions we answer on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
  • Use our live chat option found at the bottom of every page of our website and chat with one of our friendly customer support staff, available 24×7. If they can’t answer your question immediately, they’ll pass on your request to our main administration people, who will get back to you.
  • Use the “Request a callback” form found on every tour page: fill it in with your details and we’ll give you a call.
  • Email us at info@saecotours.com.au.
  • Phone us on 0417 830 533 (within Australia) or on +61 417 830 533 (international).

Bookings

You can book online using the booking form below, or if you would like to discuss your specific needs or interests first, please fill out the callback form and we’ll give you a phone call. You can also email us at info@saecotours.com.au or use our live chat at the bottom of the screen to get some immediate information.

Get the personal touch by booking via phone or email instead of booking online; you’ll also have a 30% deposit payment rather than paying the full tour price upfront.

More details about payments, fees and the accommodation options can be found on our FAQ page.

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