OUTBACK SOUTH AUSTRALIA featuring LAKE EYRE

Day 1 – Thursday 24^th August 2023        BERRI          (D)

All aboard for a truly unique experience as we discover Lake Eyre and Outback South Australia.  Today we travel along the Murray Valley Highway to Echuca for our first morning tea break.  Continue on past the chain of lakes and onto Swan Hill for lunch.  Then we make our way through the Mallee Region past the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, continue through Red Cliffs and along the Sturt Highway.  We enjoy afternoon tea before crossing the South Australian border as we make our way to Berri for our Overnight stay at the Berri Hotel.

  

Day 2 – Friday 25^th August     BERRI – ROXBY DOWNS    (B, D) 

After breakfast we make our way past Lake Bonney and follow the Murray River to Morgan.  Then travel to Port Pirie where we have lunch. This afternoon we travel to Port Augusta then onto the town of Woomera previously known as the Woomera Test Facility, the Woomera Rocket Range, and the Long-Range Weapons Establishment. We visit the Information Centre and also view the many displays of past rockets in the town surrounds. Then we make our way to Roxby Downs for our Overnight accommodation Discovery Parks Roxby Downs. Dinner and Breakfast in the morning will be served at the Roxby Downs Tavern.

 

Day 3 – Saturday 26^th Aug  ROXBY DOWNS-WILLIAMS CREEK   (B,L,D)

After a hearty breakfast we visit the Information Centre and learn all things about the famous BHP Olympic Dam which is apart of our Minerals Australia Operation. Then onto Arid Recovery Centre where we also learn about there very important operation for the outback. As well going out onto the viewing deck and looking out onto the vast Australian outback landscape. We then begin making our way to William Creek. For lunch we enjoy a boxed lunch at The Lake Eyre South Viewing point. Which gives you a great opportunity to get a sneak peek of this majestic land mark. Before arriving into William Creek have a look at the Strangeway Springs. A Pastoral station ruin with the opportunity to meander around this historic site as well as look at active and extinct springs. Our overnight stay is at the William Creek Hotel.   

 

Day 4 – Sunday 27^th August   LAKE EYRE SCENIC FLIGHT   (B,D)

An exciting day awaits as we enjoy the spectacular scenic flight over Lake Eyre. This Lake Eyre flight departs William Creek for the southern end of Lake Eyre North, Belt Bay. This bay is the lowest point below sea level in Australia. We track across the bay for Silcrete Island and up the western shoreline of the Babbage Peninsula and up to Dulhunty Island. From there we pick up the Warburton Groove and follow the Groove up to the very northern end of the Lake to the Warburton Inlet.

We then follow the Warburton River up the Channel Country to the Kalaweerina Inlet and then return to William Creek. This flight allows you to go to the very north end of Lake Eyre to experience the river systems and the desert. This flight offers you a great way to overview the lake, especially when the rivers are running and the birds are nesting.  On the flight enjoy the visual extremes of Lake Eyre, Australia's largest inland lake situated in South Australia. Its incredible colours and patterns become accentuated from the air whether full of water or totally dry. A totally captivating flight that will return you both visually impacted and educationally enriched. The flight includes full commentary via headsets worn by all passengers and superb window views. From William Creek we then travel to Coober Pedy. Where we explore Coober Pedy with a tour with a local, discover the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, The Modern Underground Home, The Serbian Underground Church, Exclusive look at a private claim in the opal fields. Dingo Fence, Moon plains and the Spectacular Breakaways. Overnight stay is at the Desert Cave Hotel.

 

Day 5 – Monday 28^th August COOBER PEDY – PORT AUGUSTA    (B,D)

Today we make our way to the seaside town of Port Augusta. Along the way we will visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden before arriving into our accommodation. Overnight stay Discovery Parks- Port Augusta. Dinner and breakfast the following morning will be served at The Western Hotel.  

 

Day 6– Tuesday 29^th August       PORT AUGUSTA- MILDURA            (B,D)

This morning after breakfast we make our way through Crystal Brook to Burra for a tour of this historic township. The contrasting architecture reflecting Irish, English, Cornish and European influences is unique. From Burra we travel to Morgan, situated on the Murray River. Then we make our way to Mildura.  We settle in for our Overnight Stay at the Mildura Inlander Resort.

 

Day 7 – Wednesday 30th  August          MILDURA – HOME         (B,L)

Today we travel to Swan Hill for lunch, enjoy a two-course meal at the Swan Hill RSL.  Travel the Murray Valley Highway to Echuca where we enjoy afternoon tea with time to reflect on our tour having seen some wonderful sights of South Australia’s Outback and Lake Eyre.