TRAVEL INFORMATION

Here is various travel information for prospective passengers. If you have any question for which you can’t find an answer, please use the live chat service at the bottom of any page to chat with one of our friendly customer service staff, or you can contact us by other means.

Safety information

Please note:

  • Every vehicle is equipped with a satellite phone and a UHF outback radio.
  • Vehicles are maintained after every trip.
  • All our guides have a wealth of experience in remote outback travel.

Please be aware that we are travelling to the remote outback of Australia where medical assistance may be more than 12 hours away. We do not recommend anyone who may require immediate medical assistance to travel on our trips.

Due to the terrain we travel and the unpredictable elements of the Outback we recommend passengers carry relevant travel insurance to cover any situations that may arise.

COVID-19 information

There are no longer any special requirements or travel restrictions related to COVID-19.

Accessibility information

Taking part in our tours involves travel in rugged environments, and a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is unavoidably required. For this reason, we are unfortunately not able to tailor our tours for individuals with wheelchairs, and our 4WD and all-terrain vehicles are not wheelchair accessible.

In other cases, the more information you share about your abilities, the better we can cater for you and let you know what adjustments or alternatives might be possible. Please do contact us to discuss your situation prior to making a booking.

In cases where bushwalking or other physical activity is not suited to a traveller, we do offer shorter walks or alternative activies.

As we travel far from immediate medical help, we advise against travel beyond 28 weeks of pregnancy given the long travel days and off-road conditions.

What to bring on your tour

  • 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).

Dietary requirements

If you have special dietary requirements and have not advised of these during the booking process, please email us at info@saecotours.com.au (including your name, tour and tour departure date) and let us know of any dietary requirements that need to be taken into consideration.

Departure and return details

Tours depart initially from the Adelaide Central Bus Station, at the corner of Franklin Street and Bowen Street, Adelaide. If you will be meeting the tour group here, please arrive by 7:30 am. We are also able to pick you up from your hotel, provided that it is located within the Adelaide central business district (CBD). If you would prefer this, please make sure you let us know at the time of booking or soon after. We make hotel pickups between 7:45 am and 8:30 am.

We will arrive back at the Adelaide Central Bus Station between 4:30pm and 6:00pm on the last day of your tour. We are also able to drop you off at your hotel as long as it’s located within the Adelaide central business district (CBD).

Booking optional extras

All optional extras must be booked through SA Eco Tours after booking your tour and before your tour departs. You can do this by emailing us at info@saecotours.com.au. Please include details of which tour you are booked on, your tour departure date and the extra activity in which you are interested. If you are booking a scenic flight, please include the body weights of anyone who will be flying, as we are required to pass that on to the flight provider.

Environmental Responsibility and Sustainable Tourism Guidelines for Passengers

Leave No Trace principles for remote area travel

  • Pack out all rubbish and dispose of it properly in designated facilities in towns.
  • Use established camping areas and facilities where available to minimise environmental impact.
  • Respect wildlife by observing from appropriate distances and avoiding disturbance.
  • Stay on established tracks and roads to minimise environmental damage.
  • Use water resources responsibly, particularly in arid environments where water is scarce.

Wildlife interaction guidelines for ethical tourism

  • Observe wildlife from safe distances using binoculars or telephoto camera lenses.
  • Never feed native animals as this can alter their natural behaviour and health.
  • Report injured wildlife to local authorities or roadhouse operators for appropriate assistance.
  • Be particularly cautious around marine mammals during whale watching activities.
  • Respect bird nesting areas and avoid disturbance during critical breeding seasons.

Cultural sensitivity and community support

  • Respect Aboriginal cultural sites and follow any posted guidelines or restrictions.
  • Ask permission before photographing local people or private property.
  • Support local businesses and communities through purchases and services.
  • Learn about local history and cultural significance of visited areas.
  • Share positive experiences to encourage responsible tourism development in remote areas.

Sustainable Practices

  • We provide sustainable behaviour guidelines to tour passengers.
  • We carry our own water into remote areas to reduce the strain on local supplies. Passengers can refill their water bottles from our supply, reducing the usage of single-use plastics.
  • During 2025/2026 we updated our fleet of vehicles to include two smaller 4WD diesel vehicles with 4-cylinder engines instead of the less efficient 6-cylinder.
  • To support the use of these smaller vehicles, we have limited the number of passengers we carry on any given tour, reducing the amount of fuel required and our groups’ impact on the local environment.
  • We favour the use of environmentally sustainable accommodation where available (fewer windows, fully insulated, modern air-conditioning), such as the new Marree Motel cabins, the Eco Villas at Rawnsley Park Station and the Eco Safari Tents at Wilpena Pound.
  • Our guides report animal sightings to local National Park Rangers, including feral animals and native animals that have been listed as endangered.
  • We engage and partner with local and indigenous communities, cultural groups and businesses; we use local guides and provide opportunities for travellers to spend at local businesses.

Adjustments and cancellations

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.

Terms and conditions

Read our full travel terms and conditions here.

Further information

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).

Forms

Passenger Disclaimer Form