Tour & Travel Australia / Flinders Ranges / Face the Outback - 8 days Adelaide <> Alice Springs

Face the Outback - 8 days Adelaide <> Alice Springs

Wayward Bus

An epic journey by small group, travelling 2800km overland in 8 days with the chance to do 4 big hikes. Vineyards and mountains give way to desert country, outback tracks, remote outback towns, Aboriginal communities, national parks, giant salt lakes and the awesome Red Centre!

Face the Outback is our 'flag trip' and we love it. It suits travellers with the time and interest who want to see/feel/live/understand the Outback the crowds miss.

Top spots

• Clare Valley vineyards
• Wilpena Pound hikes
• Flinders Ranges two nights (Wilpena & Angorichina)
• Parachilna Gorge
• Travel the Oodnadatta Track (trip covers 600kms of dirt roads)
• Lake Eyre South
• Mound Springs
• William Creek outpost
• Stay underground at Coober Pedy
• 2 nights for 1+ days around Uluru and Kata Tjuta
• 4 BIG WALKS – Wilpena Pound, Uluru base, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon Rim

These adventures operate in our 'Overlander' truck-buses (17 seats) or Toyota-tough Coaster mini-coaches (21 seats) - on both vehicle types, passengers face forward on comfortable seats. There is little advantage in 4wd for Outback roads and anyway if there is rain, the dirt roads are closed to ALL vehicles to prevent road surface damage (big fines apply). About 1 in 20 trips divert via the sealed highway with some alternate sights then included if the road is closed (or serious rain imminent). Since 1992, we've only been 'trapped' in William Creek twice.

Tour also departs Alice – reverse itinerary. 

Whats Included

All touring, camping 5 nights, bunkhouse accomm 2 nights, all meals from lunch day 1 to lunch day 8 & GST.

What to bring

Wide brim hat, sunscreen 30+, sleeping bag, sturdy walking shoes, insect repellent, waterproof jacket, warm clothes in winter, sunglasses, water bottle, swimwear, towel, camera, torch, small back pack (to carry on walks) & the rest of it!
(Sleeping bag hire )

Itinerary

Travel the legendary trail. Often far from the highway, our path takes in spectacular outback scenery, desert life, Aboriginal sites, their art & culture and more…

Day 1 – Adelaide to Flinders Ranges (LD)
From Adelaide, our way north weaves through the hillside vineyards of the Clare Valley plus a string of little country towns with the chance to sample wines at one or two top wineries. Then enjoy expansive views of the Flinders Ranges as we approach Wilpena Pound, one of Australia’s most magnificent natural features & our campsite for tonight.

Day 2 – Wilpena Pound (BLD)
From Wilpena Pound you have your first chance for spectacular walks & challenging climbs. The views are breathtaking. After lunch, dirt roads take us through the heart of the Ranges to the historic copper mines of Blinman & our
night stop at Angorichina. Cool off in the nearby waterhole & stay in bunkhouse style accommodation.

Day 3 – Oodnadatta Track to William Creek (BLD)
Breakout from the Ranges through Parachilna Gorge with the option to cycle through the Gorge. Copley Bakery is the last cappuccino opportunity for 300kms. Then Leigh Creek coalmines, a visit to eccentric Talc Alf (he’s usually in), the
bitumen ends at Lyndhurst, see the Aboriginal ochre pits, Marree’s Old Ghan rail station & the Arabunna Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The Oodnadatta Track follows the dusty trail of the camel caravans & the old Ghan railway to Lake Eyre & the fascinating thermal mound springs. We camp in swags within stumbling distance of William Creek Pub.

Day 4 – Oodnadatta Track to Coober Pedy (BLD)
Desert landscapes include red dunes, salt pans & gibber plains on the morning drive to Coober Pedy. Lake Cadibarrawirracanna can be a refreshing short detour. Just beyond the Dog Fence, the mining moonscape takes over. We’ll show you about Coober Pedy – underground house, mine tour, opal cutting, an underground church – & still give you time to explore & ‘noodle’ (fossick) for opals. Underground bunkhouse accommodation is our ‘digs’ for tonight.

Day 5 – The Breakaways to Uluru (BLD)
Roam the colourful Breakaways site of Mad Max III before devouring 700kms of hot black bitumen on the Stuart & Lasseter Highways, via Marla & Erldunda to Uluru. By special invitation, we may go off-highway onto the ‘AP Lands’ to call in
at Iwantja Aboringinal Arts Centre. Going north the vegetation increases – even the Northern Territory looks like the botanic gardens compared to Outback South Australia! Arrive at our campground in time for sunset views of the Rock.

Days 6 & 7 – Uluru & Kata Tjuta (BLD)
Time is on our side… Two nights makes a big difference: double chances fur sunsets & sunrises; more time for walks & more flexibility in hot weather. We don’t short-change you – as well as plenty of time for Uluru walks & the Aboriginal
Cultural Centre, there is time to do the Valley of the Winds walk (we guide) at Kata Tjuta. Free time can be used for local indigenous tours, air flights, a swim in the pool – or other refreshments. The drive towards Kings Canyon takes 3.5 hours and we camp near Kings Canyon. Option to swag tonight.

Day 8 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs (BL)
Another big morning hike tackles Kings Canyon. On the Rim Walk you’ll see the sandstone domes of the Lost City, cool off in the Garden of Eden pool and take in the views along the walls of the Canyon. Carefully! The afternoon travels on to Alice Springs, set amidst the MacDonnell Ranges, arriving about 7.00pm.

Southbound

Itinerary reversed

Tours Run: Departs Aelaide Wednesday Cost: $1095