Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in Flood Tour #2

South Australia’s Far North, Clare, Leigh Creek, The Flinders

and The Gammon Ranges including  ***A sightseeing flight over Lake Eyre***. A 10 Day Tour (Tour #2)

This Outback South Australian Tour has some remarkable highlights. On arrival at Adelaide Airport, we head north to Port Pirie and then into the Flinders/Gammon Ranges for 2 nights at Arkaroola. Largely unknown, Arkaroola is one of Australia’s true tourism gems. Next is Leigh Creek in the Far North where we will spend 2 nights with a sightseeing flight to see the “Marree Man” (the world’s largest work of art and one of Australia’s greatest “who-done-it” mysteries in recent times) and Lake Eyre South. In Port Augusta, at the head of the Spencer Gulf, we will be introduced to the Far North region at the Wadlata Outback Centre

Highlights: 9 nights of motel accommodation including Leigh Creek, Port Augusta & The Gammon (Northern Flinders) Ranges

Plus tour highlights including Arkaroola & the 4WD Ridgetop Tour The Marree Man /Lake Eyre South Port Augusta & the Wadlata Outback Centre

Day 1 (D): Arrive in Adelaide                                                   Friday 18 October

Welcome to our extended South Australian Tour featuring the Flinders/Gammon Ranges in the Far North and Leigh Creek (with Outback sightseeing flights over Lake Eyre. Our flight this morning will have us in Adelaide by early afternoon. (QANT  AS Flight 2161/733 Departs Port Macquarie at 6.30am/Arrives Adelaide at 10.20am). Our Port Bus touring coach will meet us. From Adelaide Airport we head north to Port Pirie for our first night on tour.

Meal inclusions: Dinner in the motel

Breakfree Port Pirie Warnertown Road Port Pirie Tel 08 83624200 – 1 night

Day 2 (BLD): To the Flinders Ranges              Saturday 19 October

We then head further north this morning. We travel through the Pichi Richi Pass and cross the famed Goyder’s Line that was marked on the map in 1865 by Surveyor General George Woodroffe Goyder to delineate a drought-affected country. The line became an important factor in settlement planning in this State, being regarded as an indication of the limits of the lands considered safe for agricultural development. As we will see from the many ruins on the Wilochra Plain, many early settlers didn’t take Goyder’s advice! An excellent example is Kanyaka Homestead just south of Hawker. We stop at the Wilpena Pound Information Centre before continuing into the Gammon Ranges National Park, in the Northern Flinders - one of Australia’s true tourism gems. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is blessed with a unique landscape created over 2 billion years ago and is home to the most rugged chain of mountains in the Australian Outback. At night there is a chance to visit Australia’s largest privately owned Astronomical Observatory. Tours of the Universe from this facility and the “star chairs” provide a unique experience for the traveller that is normally only available to scientists and astronomers (entry own cost/depends on local weather conditions).

Meal inclusions: Breakfast and dinner at the motel /Packed lunch at Wilpena Visitors Centre

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary 08 86484848– 2 nights

Day 3 (BLD): Ridge Top Tour                                                  Sunday 20 October

This morning, we take the incredible 4WD ‘Ridge Top Tour’ driving along mine tracks winding through some of Australia’s most rugged mountains. Visit ‘Crystal Candy Mountain’, Mt Painter, Yudanamutana Gorge and Sillers Lookout with awe-inspiring views extending more than 80 km over Lake Frome. We return to Arkaroola for lunch and then the afternoon is free to enjoy the area. Take a self-guided walk or perhaps just kick back and relax. Meal inclusions: Breakfast lunch & dinner at the accommodation

Day 4 (BLD): Leigh Creek                                                  Monday 21 October

This morning, we travel west to Leigh Creek. This will be our base for two nights. Our sightseeing flight from here tomorrow over Lake Eyre South and the Marree Man will be a highlight of our tour.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Pub lunch

Leigh Creek Outback Resort Motel - 08 8  6752025– 2 nights

Day 5 (BLD): Flying over the Outback             Tuesday 22 October

**Wrights Air – Marree Man, Lake Eyre South & The William Creek Pub** Just to the north of here is Lake Eyre. The sheer magnitude of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Region is breathtaking. Our flight crosses over the Dog Fence, the Marree Man and onto Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre South and up through to the Southern tip of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre North and Belt Bay, the lowest point on mainland Australia. From here we pass Silcrete Island and Dalhunty Island. After following the Warburton Groove north, we now track east to the Cooper Creek Inlet and then down through Madigan Bay. The myriad of colours emblazoned in patterns of ochre and pink algae create an amazing kaleidoscope of colour. With water, the reflections are breathtaking. Wrights Air who has experienced, professional pilots with extensive knowledge of the South Australian Outback region will provide us with a stunning sightseeing flight. Using their quality, high-wing aircraft everyone gets a window seat. It will be a wonderful experience

Meal inclusion: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner in the Outback Resort

Day 6 (BLD): Heading South                                  Wednesday 23 October

This morning, we head south back to Hawker and then through to Port Augusta at the top of the Spencer Gulf. There is a wonderful outback interpretative centre here called the Wadlata which provides a great introduction to visitors to the remote north and northwest of South Australia. We have a look through the Centre. Our overnight accommodation tonight is in Port Pirie.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Light lunch at Wadlta

Breakfree Port Pirie, 166-172 Warnertown Road Port Pirie Tel 08 86324200  – 1 night

Day 7 (BLD): Burra & Mid North                                        Thursday 24 October

We travel through Crystal Brook this morning and then onto Burra. It was here in Burra, in 1845, that copper was discovered. Very quickly a town developed with a community of 5000 in 1851 (Adelaide’s population was 18,000 at that time). Today the whole town is on the State Heritage Register preserving its great historical value and mining heritage. A local guide will join the coach for a brief introduction to the town’s mining history. Copper from Burra's “Monster Mine” saved South Australia from bankruptcy in the 1840s. It was the largest metal mine in the country employing 1000 people. Cornish and Welsh miners flocked to Burra to work for the South Australian Mining Association, and some set up homes in dugouts hewn out of the banks of the Burra Creek. Small villages which now form Burra North were established - Aberdeen (Scottish), Redruth (Cornish), Llwchyr (Welsh) and Hampton (English). From here we make our way into the South Australian Riverland. We have a fascinating lunch stop today at the Overland Corner Hotel – on the Murray River, just to the north of Lake Bonney. With the arrival of European settlement Overland Corner, located halfway between Adelaide and Mildura, became a major stopover point for drovers taking stock from New South Wales to the Port of Adelaide.

From here we head to Mildura for our overnight stop.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Pub lunch

Best Western Chaffey International 244 Deakin St Mildura Tel 03 50235833- 1 night

Day 8 (BLD): Mildura to Narrandera                            Friday 25 October

Our tour today takes us east to Euston, where we stop for a close-up view of the Murray and then over the vast Hay Plain to Hay. The township is on the picturesque Murrumbidgee River. Hay's history is rich with characters and tales of boom and bust - of isolation and innovation. We make a brief stop at Shear Outback, an innovative and exciting interpretative centre devoted to Shearers - those colourful characters of the bush.

We then travel through to Narrandera for our overnight stop. Dinner tonight will be at the Narrandera RSL Club opposite the motel.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/Light lunch in Hay/Club Dinner

Narrandera Club Motor Inn 38 Bolton Street Narrandera Tel 02 69593123 – 1 night

Day 9 (BD): Naranderra/Penrith                                       Saturday 26 October

This morning, we have arranged breakfast at a local café next to the motel called Tangles. From here we travel through to Wagga Wagga and then join the Hume Expressway north towards Sydney. Our final night on tour is in Penrith.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/ Club dinner

Mercure Penrith Mulgoa Road Penrith Tel 02 47217700 – 1 night

Day 10 (B): Home to Port Macquarie                          Sun 27 October

All good things come to an end they say, and our South Australian Tour is no exception! We have planned a slightly later breakfast this morning prior to our departure. We head north along the Pacific Highway back to Port Macquarie arriving late afternoon.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel

Tour Inclusions

•              9 nights accommodation9 cooked breakfasts, 9 dinners and 7 lunches

•              Brief sightseeing tour of Adelaide (Day 1)

•              Packed lunch (Day 2)

•              Visit Kanyaka Ruins (Day 2)

•              Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary  - Explore the Cosmos Tour (Day 2)

•              Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary  - 4wd Ridgetop Tour (Day 3)

•              Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary – lunch (Day 3)

•              Free morning in Arkaroola (Day 4)

•              Leigh Creek Outback Resort – pub lunch (Day 4)

•              Wrightsair – flight over Marree Man & Lake Eyre (Day 5)

•              Lunch at the William Creek Hotel (Day 5)

•              Wadlata Outback Centre  - entry & Café lunch (Day 6)

•              Tour Inclusions

•              Burra Visitors Centre  - local guide (Day 7)

•              Overland Corner Hotel – lunch (Day 7)

•              Morning stop at Euston to view the Murray River (Day 8)

•              Shear Outback  - entry & demo (Day 8)

•              Shear Outback – light lunch (Day 8)

•              Narrandera Ex Servicemen's Club - Club Dinner (Day 8)

Please Note

•              Travel Insurance is not included

•              Price is net and based on a minimum of 20 paying passengers

•              The itinerary will need to be re-costed if minimum numbers are not achieved.

•              Morning and afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided. Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.

$5,719 pp twin share | $6,634 pp single | $1,000 pp deposit

Qantas Flight details

QF2161               Port Macquarie (PQQ)    18Oct24             06:30                  Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)     18Oct24             07:35   

 QF0733               Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)     18Oct24             08:40    3            Adelaide (ADL)               18Oct24             10:20   

If you haven’t already done so, please provide us with your QANTAS Frequent Flyer number

Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:

42 days or more—loss of deposit

29-41 days:  50% of fare plus deposit

30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare.