Day 1: Adelaide/Port Augusta
Welcome to South Australia! Your adventure begins in Adelaide where a meeting will take place at 8am for you to meet up with your local leader and the other travellers joining you for your adventure. Then it's time to hit the road and begin the journey to Port Augusta. Be sure to keep your eyes on the window - community sculptures made from recycled agricultural machinery can be spotted along the way. Make a stop in Crystal Brook to snap a selfie with the Big Goanna, then drive past the Barunga Ranges on your way to Port Pirie. Check out examples of colonial architecture and views of the Spencer Gulf before completing the final leg of today's journey to Port Augusta, where the outback meets the ocean. Head to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens to grab some lunch at the cafe inspired by native ingredients, then take a guided walk around the botanic gardens to discover the diverse and resilient range of plants that exist in the outback. The afternoon is yours to check out the Wadlata Outback Centre, Port Augusta Cultural Centre or relax by the local swimming pool.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Port Augusta - Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens Lunch
- Port Augusta - Wadlata Outback Centre
- Port Augusta - Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens Guided Tour
- Port Augusta - Wadlata Outback Centre 'Tunnel of Time' - AUD$22 (Optional)
Meals Included
Lunch
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 4.5 hours. It's very important that you attend the welcome meeting this morning as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Please see the joining point instructions for more information on where this meeting will take place. We recommend spending a night before your tour begins in Adelaide. If so, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Day 2: Wudinna
Say goodbye to Port Augusta and venture on to the town of Wudinna. Along the way, make a stop at the Big Galah in Kimba, said to mark the halfway point across Australia. While here you'll also check out the impressive artwork painted on silos. Carry on to Wudinna, where on arrival you'll have a free afternoon to climb Mt Wudinna, visit the Big Farmer statue or hang out in one of the town's relaxed bakeries or cafes.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 3 hours.
Day 3: Gawler Ranges National Park/Wudinna
After breakfast this morning, head out for a full day exploring the Gawler Ranges National Park, discovering the region's fascinating flora, fauna and natural history. Pay a visit to Sturt's Lake where a walk over coloured rocks will reveal how the land has changed over time, then head to Mt Sturt where a diverse array of plant life can be admired. Continue to the Old Paney Homestead, a restored sheep station which provides a glimpse into the history of the Gawler Ranges. Next up is a visit to the Yandinga Gorge where you'll stop and take in the scenery over lunch (you may even be joined by some yellow-footed rock-wallabies!). Take a short walk through a stunning valley to the Organ Pipes, awe-inspiring rock formations created by volcanic activity more than 1500 million years ago. After an exciting day, return to Wudinna for the evening, but not before stopping off at Pildappa Rock, where the rippling wave formations make for a spectacular sight.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Gawler Ranges - Full Day Trip by 4WD
Meals Included
Breakfast & Lunch
Special Information
The Gawler Ranges People are recognised as the traditional owners of this Country, and ask that you respect their culture and do not move any rocks or walk on the surface of the salt lakes.
Day 4: Ceduna/Penong/Bookabie
Your first stop of the day is the lovely little town of Ceduna where you'll grab some lunch, take a walk along the peaceful jetty and pay a visit to the local art centre showcasing Aboriginal art by artists from the Far West Coast of South Australia. Travel onwards to Penong, home to the windmill museum where you'll find Bruce, the largest windmill in Australia. Your journey continues as you travel to the Scotdesco Aboriginal Community in the locality of Bookabie, named for the descendants of the founding Scott family, who still reside in and manage the community today. The community operates as a social and cultural hub while providing employment for local families. Spend the evening in Scotdesco, and be sure to keep an eye out for southern hairy-nosed wombats roaming the property!
Accommodation
Cabins (1 night)
Included Activities
- Penong - Windmill Museum
- Ceduna - Murat Bay Jetty
- Ceduna - Arts Centre
- Bookabie - Aboriginal Community Stay
Meals Included
Breakfast & Dinner
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 4.5 hours.
Day 5: Head of Bight/Bookabie
After breakfast this morning, make the journey out to Head of Bight, one of Australia's top whale watching spots, located at the edge of the Nullarbor Plain. From soaring limestone cliffs to a wash of white sand dunes, this slice of South Australia is certainly fantastic to look at, but the real stars of the show are the southern right whales who use the bight as a breeding ground and to calve during their winter migration. Various viewing platforms allow you to observe whales when they're visiting, and also take in fantastic views of the Bunda Cliffs and surrounding landscape. Return to Scotdesco for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation
Cabins (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bookabie - Day Trip to Head of Bight
- Bookabie - Aboriginal Community Stay
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 4.5 hours. Please note that whales visit the south coast of Australia during their winter migration, and are commonly seen between June and August. Sightings cannot be guaranteed however. If you would like to increase your chance of seeing the whales we recommend you choose the time of visit carefully.
Day 6: Streaky Bay
Take part in a cultural activity this morning at Scotdesco to gain a deeper understanding of the community, then it's time to say your goodbyes and head to the famous Lake Macdonnell, one of the most iconic images of South Australia. With a road cutting through the middle, one side of this salt lake is a vivid pink, while the other side is a deep blue - this striking natural phenomenon is a sight you won't soon forget! From here, it's just a short drive to Cactus Beach, one of Australia's premier surf spots. Watch the locals catch some waves before continuing on to Streaky Bay, a delightful seaside town on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula. With a laidback atmosphere and gorgeous coastline, Streaky Bay is the perfect place to stretch out on the beach or take a dip in the clear waters of the jetty pool. The historic town centre is pleasant to wander around, and be sure to ask your leader for tips on the best places to dine tonight.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Penong - Cactus Beach
- Penong - Lake Macdonnell (Pink Lake)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 3 hours.
Day 7: Port Lincoln
Hit the road and head to Murphy's Haystacks, a series of wind worn boulders and pillars dating back some 100,000 years. Then it's on to Point Labatt, home to the only permanent colony of Australian sea lions on the mainland. Watch these endearing creatures bask in the sun, and if you're lucky you may even catch some seal pups learning how to swim. Your journey then takes you to the seaside town of Port Lincoln where you'll enjoy a free afternoon. With a rich history of industry and seafaring, the Maritime Museum, Mill Cottage Museum and Railway Museum are all well worth a visit, and the city is celebrated for its phenomenal seafood, so be sure to tuck into some tonight.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Streaky Bay - Murphy's Haystacks
- Streaky Bay - Point Labatt Sea Lion Colony
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 5 hours.
Day 8: Coffin Bay National Park/Port Lincoln
Start the day with a visit to Coffin Bay National Park, brimming with wildlife both on shore and off. You're in for a real treat on arrival as you hop aboard a boat with a local oyster farmer and cruise over the turquoise waters of Coffin Bay, visiting several oyster farms along the way. The farmer will fill you in on the history of oyster farming in the area, and you'll even have the chance to sample some freshly shucked oysters on board. Explore the waterways of the Coffin Bay township to see this attractive settlement from a different perspective. The rest of the day is spent on further discoveries of the area. Explore the national park - dotted with walking trails, lookout points and an abundance of wildlife, there are few better places to spend an afternoon! Return to Port Lincoln for the evening.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Coffin Bay - Coffin Bay National Park
- Coffin Bay - Boat Trip & Oyster Farm Tour
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Day 9: Tumby Bay/Adelaide
Leave Port Lincoln this morning and check out the Tumby Bay silo art before heading to Lucky Bay, where you'll board a ferry to Wallaroo. Make the drive back to Adelaide, arriving in the early evening, at which point your Eyre Peninsula adventure will come to an end.
Accommodation
Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Total drive time today is approximately 4.5 hours, plus 2.5 hours on the ferry from Lucky Bay to Wallaroo. The trip comes to an and in the late afternoon or early evening upon arrival in Adelaide. Please take this into consideration when booking onward travel. We recommend you spend an additional night in Adelaide. We'll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).