SA Nature Tours Pty Ltd South Australia Australia

SA Nature Tours Pty Ltd will take you on three, four and eight day tours in a comfortable four wheel drive vehicle travelling through the Clare Valley and the Flinders Ranges with mangificent scenery and abundant wildlife and native birds.

Touring Options

Adventure in Comfort Eight Day Desert Tour – SANT03

SA Nature Tours Pty Ltd invite you on an eight day desert tour. This Outback/Desert tour has been specially designed for people who would like to see the magnificent sites and fascination of the ever changing Outback and deserts of northern South Australia and South Western Queensland. We travel in comfortable four wheel drive vehicles and with the professional drivers we will make this tour a highlight. Highlights include a variety of landscapes, deserts, abundant wildlife and the very many interesting people and characters we meet on the way.

. Day One – Adelaide – Leigh Creek – Today we travel the most direct route to Leigh Creek via the famous Clare Valley up to Orroroo past the famous Wilpena Pound (Central Flinders Ranges). Leigh Creek is a small village, which thanks its existance purely because of the large brown coal deposits nearby. This really large brown coal mine works as an open cut mine and the commodity is transported daily to Port Augusta by rail twice a day and is solely used for producing electricity. We arrive approximately late afternoon for our overnight accommodation. Includes lunch and dinner.

. Day Two – Leigh Creek – Innamincka – Early this morning we commence our journey and head to Lyndhurst, which is at the cross roads to the Oodnadatta, Birdsville and Strzeleki Track. We are going up the Strzeleki (named after the Surveyor and Engineer Strzeleki), passing through the Dog Fence, the longest continuing fence in the world entering our first desert, the Strzeleki Desert. Almost directly next to the Track we will have our first stop at Montecollina Bore, which is a real oasis in the middle of the desert. As with most bores in this vast area it is part of the large Artesian Basin, which literally covers the entire continent of Austalia from the north to the south-west. After a well earned rest we go north and reach the Moomba Gas and Oilfields. This station looks like something out of a movie set, simply because no one would expect this conglomerate of buildings and steel towers. Because of this station the track there from Lyndhurst is not really a track at all anymore, more like a freeway without the asphalt. The last part of today’s journey brings us to an outpost called Innamincka right on the Cooper Creek, which is probably one of the most isolated places in Australia. Overnight twin share accommodation. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Three – Innamincka – Coongie Lakes – Innamincka – After breakfast we head toward the Coongie Lakes system. These lakes cover an area of over 25 square kilometres and when full can reach depths of about two metres. One of these lakes Coongie Lake, is fed directly from the Cooper Creek and therefore always carries water. We travel through the desert and once we reached the lake, we are only able to see it once we climb up one of the fantastic sand dunes which surround the Coongie Lake. We leave this fantastic sight and head back to Innamincka for a well earned rest till sunset. The small town of Innamincka has a population of 13 to 16, depending on the season and has a pub, trading post, ranger station and a few homes. This place has always been a very important meeting point for the Aboriginal people, with its permanent water and wildlife. For the large number of outback stations this place was a very important stop over while droving huge herds of cattle down south to the railway stations of Marree and Lyndhurst. Innamincka became really famous through the disastrous events of the ill-fated Burke and Wills Expedition. Now we take part of the Cooper Creek Sunset Boat Tour, which is another highlight of our stay in the Innamincka region. Overnight accommodation. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Four – Innamincka – Birdsville – After breakfast we tackle the Cordillo Road to Birdsville. And it means we will have to tackle it. The road is only about 445 kilometres long and starts off easy enough, but will end up as one of the worst and most isolated roads of the whole trip. It will take us the whole day to finally reach our destination, Birdsville in Queensland. Nevertheless this whole day offers a fantastic insight in the way of life in the real outback. Half way through the day we will reach Cordillo Downs, which once was one of the largest sheep stations in Australia with up to 85,000 sheep. This is still evident with the sight of Australia’s largest shearing shed. Cordillo Downs now, is a very successful cattle station, which can hold upto 7,000 Hereford beef cattle. From Cordillo Downs we will pass the South Australian and Queensland border crossing and will arrive in Birdsville after a really exiting, exhilarating day. Overnight accommodation at the Birdsville Pub. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Five – Birdsville – Big Red – Birdsville – After breakfast we travel toward the Simpson Desert and visit Australia’s largest sand dune called the Big Red. We will enjoy lunch at Birdsville and in the afternoon we travel a short distance northward to visit the Waddi Trees (Acacia Peuce). Scientists think these trees go back all the way to the last ice age as an adult tree reaches ages up to 500 years and more. Once back in Birdsville we visit the Birdsville Working Museum, which is clattered with different types of tools and other inventions to make life in the isolated outback that much easier. Overnight accommodation. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Six – Birdsville – Marree – Today we head down south on the famous Birdsville Track. The track leads us by the Simpson Desert and through the Sturt Stony Desert. These days the trip is a pleasant one and a bit like the Strzelki Track it is not a track anymore, but rather a really well maintained highway. That makes the trip a pleasant one and gives an opportunity to observe nature and the wildlife. We reach Mungerannie in the afternoon and note this is an actual cattle station. One of the highlights at Mungerannie is its oasis with a little swimming pool. Overnight accommodation in Marree. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Seven – Marree – Quorn – Up to 1981 Marree was a very important railway head and the most central point for all cattle drovers. After the original Ghan Railway line was closed and shifted further westward, Marree is slowly dying and these days we only find a pub, two service stations and a few rusting locomotives there. The further south we go the more we can sense that we are slowly leaving the Outback. We come to Lyndhurst were we close our week long travelling loop. From here we go past Leigh Creek again and visit the historical town of Beltana. On we go past Parachilna, Hawker and finally reach Quorn. Quorn is the home of the famous Pichi Richi Railway and was named after the Pichi Richi Pass, westward of Quorn toward Port Augusta. The people of Quorn are responsible for naming the railway line from Port Augusta to Alice Springs as the Ghan, called in order to honour the Afghan people who helped with their camels to transport goods and therefore open up the outback. The original railway line closed down in 1981 because it passed to close to the Lake Eyre Basin and the cost of maintaining the track became so enormous that it has been decided to build a new line from Port Augusta to Alice Springs further westward straight through the desert. Overnight accommodation. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Eight – Quorn – Adelaide – After breakfast we head back to Adelaide where we will finish this most exciting adventure.

. Operates:
. April to November, one tour per month.

Adventure in Comfort Three Day Tour – SANT01

SA Nature Tours Pty Ltd – Adventure in Comfort Tour is especially tailored for people who would like to see the Australian Outback (Flinders Ranges) in a peaceful, leisurely manner in a comfortable four wheel drive vehicle. Highlights include Burra, Orroroo, Hawker, Wilpena Pound, Bunyeroo Valley and Gorge, Yourumbulla Caves, Melrose and the Clare Valley. There are various sceneries and especially the mountains of the Flinders Ranges as the colours change from dawn to dusk, with abundant wildlife, especially the large numbers of different species of kangaroos and native birds.

. Day One – Depart Adelaide at approximately 0800 and head north through picturesque countryside (grain farming areas in particular). Our first stop is going to be Burra, which is a very famous copper mining town. At Burra we will spend up to two hours approximately looking at the history of these early mining days in Australia, and will also take a trip to the nearby mining sites. We will also be looking at the whole town, which presents itself in a mixture of historic buildings among very new dwellings. Now we continue to Maggies Rendezvous in Orroroo for a well earned lunch break. After lunch we will look at South Australia’s largest and oldest eucalypt tree. From there we head to Hawker, which is really the gateway to the Central Flinders Ranges, and reach our overnight accommodation in the early evening. Overnight accommodation at the Rawnsley Park Station. Includes lunch and dinner.

. Day Two – After the early morning optional flight around Wilpena Pound (at own cost) we enjoy a hearty breakfast. Following breakfast we drive to the Sacred Canyon to walk deep inside to see some very interesting Aboriginal paintings and carvings. Then travelling to Bunyeroo Valley and Gorge (superb scenery) ending up at the intersection of the Brachina Geological Trail and Gorge and Aroona Valley. We travel through time with stone formations that are 580 to 250 million years old and at the end of the gorge we will encounter the sight of the true outback. On the way home we drive through yet another wonderful place called Morolana Scenic Drive. Overnight accommodation at Rawnsley Park Station. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Three – After breakfast we drive back to Adelaide, going down to Hawker and follow the main road to Port Augusta to visit the Yourumbulla Caves where there are very interesting cave paintings. The road takes us via Quorn, home of the famous Pichi Richi Railway, through vast grain farming holdings where we will enjoy lunch in the area of Melrose, Bluey Blundstone’s or Wirrabara Old Bakery. From there we travel to the Clare Valley, which is famous for its wines. After visiting one or two vineyards for some excellent wine tasting we will arrive back in Adelaide in the early evening. Includes breakfast and lunch.

. Operates:
. Each Sunday and Wednesday on demand.

Adventure in Comfort Four Day Tour – SANT02

SA Nature Tours Pty Ltd – Adventure in Comfort Tour is especially tailored for people who would like to see the Australian Outback (Flinders Ranges) in a peaceful, leisurely manner in a comfortable four wheel drive vehicle. Highlights include Burra, Orroroo, Hawker, Wilpena Pound, Bunyeroo Valley and Gorge, Yourumbulla Caves, Melrose and the Clare Valley. There are various sceneries and especially the mountains of the Flinders Ranges as the colours change from dawn to dusk, with abundant wildlife, especially the large numbers of different species of kangaroos and native birds.

. Day One – Depart Adelaide at approximately 0800 and head north through picturesque countryside (grain farming areas in particular). Our first stop is going to be Burra, which is a very famous copper mining town. At Burra we will spend up to two hours approximately looking at the history of these early mining days in Australia, and will also take a trip to the nearby mining sites. We will also be looking at the whole town, which presents itself in a mixture of historic buildings among very new dwellings. Now we continue to Maggies Rendezvous in Orroroo for a well earned lunch break. After lunch we will look at South Australia’s largest and oldest eucalypt tree. From there we head to Hawker, which is really the gateway to the Central Flinders Ranges, and reach our overnight accommodation in the early evening. Overnight accommodation at the Rawnsley Park Station. Includes lunch and dinner.

. Day Two – After the early morning optional flight around Wilpena Pound (at own cost) we enjoy a hearty breakfast. Following breakfast we drive north into the Flinders National Park to visit the Arkaroo Rock, the Sacred Canyon, to see Aboriginal paintings and carvings, The Wall of China, Stocke’s Lookout and Wilpena Pound. After lunch at the Wilpena Resort we walk in to the Wilpena Pound, which rewards us with some fantastic views of the Pound itself. After a nice relaxing break we then head back to our accommodation. Overnight accommodation at Rawnsley Park Station. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

. Day Three – Following breakfast we drive into the Bunyeroo Valley and Gorge with superb scenery and will end up at the intersection of the Brachina Geological Trail and Gorge and Aroona Valley. At Aroona Valley we visit the ruins of the Aroona Homestead, which was a really luxurious home built with the best timbers and stoneware. We travel through time with stone formations that are 580 to 250 million years old and at the end of the gorge we will encounter the sight of the true outback. On the way home we drive through yet another wonderful place called the Moralana Scenic Drive.

. Day Four – After breakfast we drive back to Adelaide, going down to Hawker and follow the main road to Port Augusta to visit the Yourumbulla Caves where there are very interesting cave paintings. The road takes us via Quorn, home of the famous Pichi Richi Railway, through vast grain farming holdings where we will enjoy lunch in the area of Melrose, Bluey Blundstone’s or Wirrabara Old Bakery. From there we travel to the Clare Valley, which is famous for its wines. After visiting one or two vineyards for some excellent wine tasting we will arrive back in Adelaide in the early evening. Includes breakfast and lunch.

. Operates:
. Each Sunday on demand.

Website: www.sanaturetours.com.au