5 Day Lake Eyre Tour

** flood event special **

Day 1 (D)

You will be collected from our central Adelaide pick up at 1pm this afternoon for your 5 day 4WD tour to Lake Eyre.

This first leg of our South Australian Outback adventure, takes us to Port Augusta, situated at the head of the Spencer Gulf and known as the "Crossroads of Australia" and Gateway to the Flinders Ranges, the Outback and Spencer Gulf.

After spending the afternoon getting to know each other, we'll enjoy our first dinner together as a group, in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Port Augusta

Day 2 (B,LD)

Our destination today is the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy. En-route we’ll stop for lunch and have a look at the salt lakes in the region including Lake Hart.

We also take a look around the Heritage Museum and Missile Park at Woomera, which holds a special place in Australian National Heritage as it was the 4th country in the world to launch it's own satellite- after the US, Russia and France. The Woomera Rocket Range was established in 1947 as a joint British/ Australian project for developing and testing experimental rockets, weapons and missiles. Nowadays the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) is the largest land testing range in the world.

Coober Pedy is as famous forit’s underground homes as it is for it’s opals and 50% of the population live underground (in homes called “dugouts”), as well as using underground shops and churches.

Late this afternoon, we make our way out of town to the nearby Breakaways Reserve, offering a striking & unique example of arid scenery. From the flat - topped mesas to the stony gibber desert, remnants of millions of years provide a wealth of geological interests and breathtaking views. As the day goes by, the passing of the sun changes the desert colours, creating photogenic scenes that appear surreal.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Coober Pedy (2 night stay)

Day 3 (B,L,D)

There's a little free time this morning for you to have a wander through the town, visit the Old Timers Mine and Museum or visit one of the underground churches in the town.

At 10am we take a guided tour through a working Opal Mine, where we get an insight of what it means to be an Opal Miner.

Departing Coober Pedy, we now join the unsealed William Creek road to the tiny settlement of William Creek, which sits in the largest cattle station in the world (Anna Creek-approximately the size of England).

This afternoon you have the option to take a scenic flight over Lake Eyre, which we highly recommend. 1 hour and 2 hour options are available and although we are happy to book these for you, the flights are at your own expense and payable directly to the operator.

Overnight accommodation - motel room with en-suite, William Creek Pub Hotel

Day 4 (B,L,D)

After breakfast we join the second half of the unsealed Oodnadatta Track, which follows the Old Ghan Railway line and the Overland Telegraph, after it was originally mapped by the explorer, John McDouall Stuart. The track follows an old Aboriginal trading route through semi-desert country with artesian springs and waterholes along the way and is littered with ruins.

Our destination today is Marree. We stop several times en-route, including the natural artesian springs within Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park. The Blanche Cup and The Bubbler mound springs are created from water deep within the Great Artesian Basin which filters to the surface forming mounds and bubbling ponds.

We also stop at the Lake Eyre South lookout. Lake Eyre is Australia’s lowest point, the largest inland lake in Australia and the largest salt lake in the world ! The Lake contains 400 million tonnes of salt and is 15 metres below sea level. Donald Campbell set a landspeed world record of 649 kmh in his turbine car "Bluebird" on its dry bed back in 1964.

After checking into our accommodation, you have some free time to look around the town or visit the Tom Kruse Museum.

Overnight accommodation – motel room with en-suite, Marree Pub Hotel

Day 5 (B,L)

Departing Marree, we now travel south again to Adelaide, enjoying the scenery of the magnificent Flinders Ranges along the way. Taking the RM Williams highway for a scenic drive through Orroro, Jamestown and Clare. In Clare, we visit a local cellar door/ bakery for tastings and lunch before continuing to Adelaide.

We arrive in Adelaide at approximately 6pm and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

5 Day Lake Eyre Tour o**flood event special tours**

In 2019 this tour departs Adelaide on the following dates subject to availability :

September 17th

September 23rd

AUD $2195 PER ADULT, TWIN SHARE

$2095 PER CHILD, TWIN SHARE

$2515 PER PERSON, SINGLE ROOM

**don't forget the 10% Seniors card discount- conditions apply**

Child age 10- 15 years

**solo travellers must have single room unless twin share of the same sex can be found. Solo travellers can also request single room and pay the single supplement**

Maximum 18 passengers

Prices include GST

**please note that we only pick up from Adelaide City for this tour- NOT Glenelg or the outer suburbs. Pick up is from either the Hilton Adelaide or Ibis Adelaide Hotels only, due to coach parking restrictions**

Inclusions:

• Seat in 6WD tour coach, with professional driver guide
• All meals, as stated
• 4 nights en-suite accommodation
• Entry fees and Permits

• Opal mine tour in Coober Pedy

Exclusions:

• Arrival / departure flights to Adelaide
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol
• Pre and post tour accommodation in Adelaide

• Optional Lake Eyre scenic flight (Please request flight when booking, to avoid disappointment). 1 hour is approx. $295pp.

Itinerary is exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris and is subject to availability, road, weather and cultural conditions.

Please enquire for private charter prices and details.