Probably the least known state, yet containing a diversity of physical environments all with considerable visitor appeal, is South Australia.
When it comes to "the outback" South Australia has a very large slice of it and just a convenient day's drive or an hour and a half flight from Adelaide. The most significant and spectacular part of the South Australian Outback is the Flinders Ranges, part of a long mountain range stretching from south of Adelaide for almost 1,000 kilometers north.
The Flinders Ranges are very old and is thus the home of the oldest animal life on earth, found in many sites in the Flinders Ranges.
In addition to the incredible geological story and the spectacular scenery of the ranges there is also great diversity in the native animals, plants and birds.
Springtime in a normal year provides brilliant colours in broad expanses on the plains as well as in the ranges and along the many tree-lined water courses. Even when the season is dry (common in this semi-arid zone) the stark beauty of the ranges persists to inspire poets, photographers, artists and the sightseer.

Day 1.
An early flight departure from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges starts the day. You will be met by your guide upon arrival and transported by 4WD through the beautiful Parachilna Gorge to the historic mining town of Blinman. We travel via Gum Creek Station to the Brachina Geological Trail to begin our spectacular journey through 150 million years of geological time.

We shall see fossil evidence of the earth's oldest multicelled life first discovered here in 1946. We walk to the beautiful Youncoona Waterhole to start our geological tour.
We shall then detour to Aroona Ruins for a picnic lunch before continuing our journey through the steeply tilted and richly coloured layers of rock. We shall inspect the display at the end of the gorge before returning to the historic architectural and environmental showpiece, the "Prairie Hotel".

The Prairie Hotel offers an inspired menu of native and feral cuisine and fine South Australian wines. Lunch is included in today's itinerary.

Day 2.
It's a timeless land and a land of great change, reshaped constantly over hundreds of millions of years. Today we shall travel south past the spectacular western end of Wilpena Pound and the dunes of Edeowie. We shall travel across the undulating purple shales of the glorious Moralana Scenic Drive with the sawtooth ridge of Wilpena Pound on our left and the majestic Elder Range on our right. We shall visit the interpretive centre at the entrance to the pound and take a stroll to one of the lookouts. Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre of awesome proportions. Aboriginal Dreaming stories tell of its formation by the giant Akurra (snakes) whose bodies formed the walls of the pound. We take a scenic flight to capture the scale of the Pound and the vastness of the Lake Torrens Plains to the west. We then continue our journey through the magnificent Runyeroo Valley and along the ABC Range on our way to the 'Prairie Hotel' via Blinman and Parachilna Gorge.
Back at the hotel enjoy the sunset which gives you the opportunity to view the changing colours of an exceptional landscape. Breakfast and lunch is included in today's itinerary.

Day 3.
We depart the hotel at 9.00am and travel through the beautiful Parachilna Gorge to the historic mining town of Blinman. Between Parachilna and Blinman, it's a scenic drive on a rough dirt road through the Parachilna Gorge.
There is time to inspect the town and mine site trail before travellng via Eregunda Valley and Wirrealpa Station to Mount Chambers Gorge.
It's a long drive from anywhere to Chambers Gorge, well to the north-east towards Lake Frome. The deep gorge has rock carvings and from Mt. Chambers you can see Lake Frome and the Flinders Ranges all the way from Mt. Painter to Wilpena. Enjoy a short walk to the magnificent Aboriginal engraving site for a story and photos. After a picnic lunch in the gorge we return via Wirrealpa, Bunkers Range, Blinman and Glass Gorge to the Prairie Hotel.
Breakfast and lunch is included in today's itinerary.

Day 4.
We depart the Prairie Hotel at 8.30am and travel 4WD via the historic town of Beltana, an almost ghost town with the opportunity to stop and tour the town restorations.
Then we continue onto Leigh Creek coalfield for a conducted tour of a huge open cut mine.
Following our tour we may enjoy bush cooking lunch at the famous Quandong Cafe.
After lunch we visit the planned town of Leigh Creek South and then visit the beautiful Aroona Dam for photo opportunties and a possible sighting of a rare yellow footed rock wallaby.
Mid-afternoon your flight departs for your return to Adelaide, arriving approximately at 6.00pm.
In today's itinerary breakfast and lunch is included.

DEPARTURE: On request - Fridays throughout the year.

MINIMUM: 4 Adults.

INCLUDED: Return flights - Adelaide to Leigh Creek; 3 nights accommodation on twin share basis; 4WD transportation and transfers from and to Leigh Creek Airport; All meals except dinners and beverages; Scenic flight; Experienced guide.

PRICE: A four person party with exclusive use of the tour - Adult- A$1575.00 p.p.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please request our 1-3 person optional tour rates which is dependant on availability and shall exclude exclusive use of the tour. An extra day touring is available, price upon request.

Price includes GST and is valid to 31/3/2002.