Birdsville Track & Lake Eyre, Australia

A small group 8-day “Corner Country” 4 wheel drive tour. This tour takes travellers to one of the legendary desert tracks of Australia. The rains of the previous 12 months have stunningly transformed much of the scenery and have attracted wildlife, particularly birds, back to the Lake Eyre region. The journey ends in the “frontier” town of Birdsville. Accommodation is in hotels (upgrades are possible) or comfy camping is also an option.

Valid: April 26-May 3, May 12-19, May 20-27, September 15-22, October 7-14

Highlights: The dramatic landscapes, flora and fauna of North Eastern South Australia - Wilpena Pound, the Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and then the Birdsville Track.

Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Adelaide or Broken Hill (L,D)
From Adelaide pickup (or Broken Hill option) for departure via spectacular mountain scenery as you travel via Clare Valley wine country, then the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound. Visit historic Quorn & Hawker before arrival at Wilpena Pound resort for an overnight stop. Enjoy a walk with the kangaroos amongst the ancient Red River gums before dinner.

Day 2: Wilpena Pound to Arkoola (B,L,D)
We recommend the spectacular optional scenic flight over the Pound. There’s time also to enjoy the Wangarra Lookout and Hills Homestead walk into the Pound. You leave Wilpena, pass traditional sheep stations and the impressive Lake Frome, into the Gammon Ranges National Park to Arkaroola.

Day 3: Arkoola (B,L, D)
There’s plenty to do in this remote, rugged area, including scenic flights or relaxing walks along nearby creeks, but the highlight is the Ridge Top Tour. The 4.5-hour Ridge Top Tour showcases the Northern Flinders Ranges terrain and the unique natural beauty of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Red granite mountains and golden spinifex hillsides give way to a breath-taking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond.

Day 4: Innamincka (B,L,D)
Today you pass through desert sand dunes, gibber plains and hot springs heading north to Innamincka. You pass by Lake Callabonna, where Diprotodon and numerous Australian mega fauna roamed in swampy terrain when this was the eastern most shore of Australia. At Mt Hopeless you join the Strzelecki Track, pass Merty Merty homestead and on via the vast oil and gas fields of Moomba and the Delta gas fields to enter the Innamincka Regional Reserve area and famous Innamincka township on the banks of the notorious Cooper Creek. A Cooper Creek cruise is scheduled before dinner at the Innamincka pub.

Day 5: Birdsville (B,L,D)
Visit the Burke & Wills dig tree, were the ill fated explorers arrived too late for their support party, and did not respond to the message on the tree to dig where supplies were buried (that could have saved their lives). You head for the Coongie Lakes, a Ramsar listed wetlands in the middle of the desert. You can enjoy the prolific birdlife near here and unique flora before heading up the track, passing the largest shearing shed in Australia and the ruins of Cadelga Downs station, over the Queensland border to arrive Birdsville for overnight.

Day 6: The Birdsville Track (B)
Birdsville is an icon of the outback, attracting outback travellers to connect with the frontier history of this landmark town. It used to be the customs post for goods and cattle travelling to and from South Australia before Federation. Today you visit Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest sand hill, and see Burke & Wills marked tree on the Diamantina River. An optional flight over the Simpson Desert and Goyder Lagoon is available. You head south on the Birdsville Track following the spectacular Diamantina River past Pandie Pandie station and Goyder Lagoon. Time and track conditions willing, we visit Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary & Station, part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for overnight, or alternatively overnight at Mungeranie Roadhouse on the Birdsville Track

Day 7: Lake Eyre and Marree (B,L,D)
Arriving in Marree, you take a 1 hour 30 min scenic flight over Lake Eyre. The flight allows you to see the Warburton Groove, the main inflow channel to Lake Eyre, Elliot Price Conservation Park, Halligan Bay, Lake Eyre South and the Marree Man. On return to base, you see some of the sights of Marree, this once thriving Ghan Railway town. Marree is caretaker for some interesting railway relics, plus the old mail truck used by legendary outback mailman Tom Kruse on the run from Marree to Birdsville. You visit the shores of Lake Eyre and Lake Eyre National Park and connect with the wonder of the bird and plant life revitalised by recent flooding rains in a permanent waterhole. Overnight in Marree.

Day 8: Marree – Flinders ranges – Adelaide (B,L)
Visit the ruins of the old Ghan railway town of Farina, which once supported 300 people. You view the giant Leigh Creek coal mine, enjoy a break at the Quandong cafe at Copley and travel via old Ghan railway towns to Parachilna, and in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges to Hawker and picturesque mountain landscapes to arrive in Adelaide around 6pm. You will be transferred to your accommodation or airport connection.

Included:
• All meals
• 7 nights hotel or camping accommodation
• National Park entry fees
• Professional guide
• Optional tours
• Lake Eyre flight (if required),
• Luxury 4WD transport

Please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information.

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