Sacred Earth Safaris




Family owned and operated with 30 years of Outback touring experience, Sacred Earth Safaris are specialists in small group, soft adventure 4WD touring throughout Kakadu, the Kimberley, the Pilbara, Red Centre, Tasmania, Flinders Ranges and through Outback South Australia. With personalized service and attention to detail, we love what we do and we’d love to show you !
We are proud to be a COVID Clean practising business and we have a COVID Safe plan to keep our tour guests and staff safe and well. These include enhanced cleaning, especially of high touch areas, our lunches are all individual portions with disposable, eco-friendly containers, the use of PPE and alcohol based hand sanitiser and social distancing practises. Please contact us if you would like further information on our COVID plan. We look forward to safely welcoming you on our tours.
Offering a range of small group scheduled tours as well as private tours to Kakadu, The Kimberley, Pilbara, Red Centre, Tasmania, Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia.
Scheduled tours depart on set dates, with set itineraries and you get to share your experience with new friends.
Private tour itineraries are individually designed to suit each groups interests, which is ideal for families, incentives, groups of friends, social clubs and special interests. Focus on one or multiple regions- the choice is yours ! Tours depart on a date to suit you and can include a range of activities and experiences, based on your interests.
Our 6WD coach seats 23 guests and scheduled tours carry a maximum of 15 guests, so there’s plenty of room for everyone !.
Scheduled tours :
10 Day Kimberley Tour, Broome to Darwin- departs Broome on 4th July 2022 only and 10 Day Darwin to Broome departs on 6th August 2022 only. (2023 dates TBC).Accommodated with en-suites nightly. Includes Horizontal Falls seaplane flight and jet boat, Lake Argyle, Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and Geike Gorge cruises, air tour to Mitchell Falls and hands on Aboriginal cultural tour. Highlights also include the Bungle Bungles, El Questro, Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge.
Scheduled 11 Day Legendary Outback Tracks 4WD Tour — Oodnadatta, Strzelecki and Birdsville Tracks. Departs Adelaide on 10th and 25th October 2022 and in 2023 departs on April 8th and 20th and October 7th and 21st.10 nights en-suite accommodation. Highlights include Coober Pedy and The Breakaways, Lake Eyre, Marree, Birdsville and ” Big Red”, Innamincka and Burke & Wills “Dig Tree”, Arkaroola and the Ridgetop tour and the Flinders Ranges.
5 Day Pilbara Tour, including Karijini NP and Millstream Chichester NP — 17th August 2022 only (2023 dates TBC). Includes 6 nights en-suite accommodation, all meals and Port Hedland harbour cruise. Highlights include Karijini NP, Millstream Chichester NP.
9 Day Perth to Port Lincoln Tour departs Perth on 13th Sept 2022 and 14th March 2023 only. Accommodated with en-suites every night. Includes Nullarbor caves, ruins, blowholes and coastal views, Pemberton Gloucester Tree, Valley of the Giants tree top walk, Margaret River, Esperance, Albany, Cape le Grande NP, Whalers Way, Head of Bight.
11 Day Adelaide to Perth photography tour departing 28th Feb 2023 only. Accommodated with en-suites every night. Includes Nullarbor caves, ruins, blowholes and coastal views, sea-lion swim, Esperance, Albany, Cape le Grand NP, Whalers Way, Pemberton, Valley of the Giants tree top walk. Tour is accompanied by a professional photographer.
Flinders Ranges and Outback SA Photography tour- 25th Sept. 2022 only. Includes 11 nights en-suite accommodation, private mine tour, Arkaroola Ridgetop tour and tour is accompanied by a professional photographer. Highlights include 3 nights in the Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola, Kati Thanda- Lake Eyre, Coober Ped
Please make your way into Adelaide city for your pick up at either the Ibis Adelaide on Grenfell Street or Hilton Hotel in Victoria Square (your choice of pick up location) at 1pm.
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- Standpipe Motor Inn- motel room with en-suite, Port Augusta
Day 1- Monday 26th Sept (B,L,D)
We’ll depart the hotel after breakfast, for the nearby Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, where you have some free time to take a wander around or one of the walks.. To the uninitiated, Australia’s arid heart might seem barren and lifeless. In fact the opposite is true. The arid lands are home to thousands of highly evolved plant communities that are specially adapted to thrive in an environment where temperatures are extreme and drought can last for decades. Australia’s arid zone ecosystems are fragile and complex and they are found nowhere else on earth. The gardens are home to many species of birds, with 150 different species recorded. Birds can be spotted all over the garden but there are also 2 bird hides available.
We’ll now make our way into the Ikara- Flinders Ranges, known for their unique beauty, indigenous history, ancient geological formations, rich colours and textures and abundant wildlife. The Flinders Ranges are home to a huge array of plant species, birds, reptiles and mammals and the vibrant colours of the 800 million-year-old quartzite and limestone outcrop that is the Flinders, are truly spectacular.
En- route we take a look around the Kanyaka Ruins, just south of Hawker. The ruined farmhouse is all that remains of a farmers dream to provide for his family in this unforgiving landscape. It’s a harsh reminder of the hardships the first European settlers endured.
Our accommodation for the next 3 nights is at the Ikara Safari Camp. We’re surrounded by nature, with views of the ranges and clear skies, which are perfect for night photography. You might even be able to shoot the stars from right outside your tent- Andrew is always there for those special tips !
Overnight accommodation — Luxury Safari tent with en-suite, reverse cycle air conditioning, power points, tea/coffee, view of the ranges and it’s own private deck and fire pit, (no TV though), at the Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort (3 night stay)
Day 2 — Tuesday 27th Sept (B,L,D)
This morning you have the option of taking a walk to the Wilpena Pound lookout or take a scenic flight. Walk along the beautiful Wilpena Creek, framed by huge river red gums, into Wilpena Pound. Walking on to the Old Hills Homestead, you can learn about the hardships the Hills family had to face at the turn of the century with the option of walking up to the Wangara lookout to see the mystical heart of the Flinders Ranges with stunning views over Wilpena Pound. There is a shuttle available to shorten the walk, that can take you up and back again (extra cost- approx. $5 each way).
Flights are extra cost ($196pp for 20 mins, $231pp for 30 mins and $347pp for 1 hour) but we can book them for you, so everyone flies together
After lunch we depart for an afternoon of exploring. We take the Moralana Scenic Drive, which connects the Wilpena and Leigh Creek Roads and is known as one of the best drives through the Flinders Ranges. We’ll see stunning scenery featuring the southern wall of Wilpena Pound, Black Gap Lookout, red Range, Elder Range and more.
To take us back to Wilpena Pound, we travel through the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail, a trail that passes through 130 million years of earth history, including meteorite debris, stromatolites and fossilized plant and animal life. It offers an insight into past climates, the formation of the ranges and the evolution of early forms of life. It’s also an important refuge for the rare and endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby.
This leads us through the Heysen Ranges into Bunyeroo Valley and Gorge, where we stop for late afternoon and sunset photos at the spectacular Razorback Lookout.
Overnight accommodation- Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort.
Day 3 — Wednesday 28th Sept (B,L,D)
This morning we’ll take a walk to the Old Wilpena Station, one of the most scenically spectacular pastoral settlements in South Australia. A working station for 135 years, Old Wilpena Station slipped into retirement in 1985 and is now a tranquil archive of pastoral history. Once we reach Old Wilpena Station, there are plenty of photography opportunities, including a variety of old station buildings, the cemetery and relics of station life. The walk is an easy to moderate 2km walk with some uneven ground.
Alternatively, you may like to join the 2 hour Yura Udnyu tour with an experienced Yura guide, for an extra $47 per person. Yura” is the name for Adnyamathanha people and “Udnyu” means white, so this tour includes the intertwining histories of both cultures. Along the way, guests learn about the diversity of the land, native animals, native bush-tucker which changes with the season, and Yura culture and history. **please note this tour is a public tour, so there will be other people on the tour who are not from our group**
There is some free time this afternoon for you to pursue your own photography interests, by taking a walk, staying on longer at Old Wilpena Station or simply relaxing and enjoying the views and environment at the safari camp. Late this afternoon, we’ll travel to the nearby Cazneaux Tree, an old majestic river red gum that was made famous by the artist Harold Cazneaux. His internationally recognized photo, taken in 1937, was named the “The spirit of endurance”. Cazneaux regarded it as his most Australian picture.
Overnight accommodation- Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort.
Day 4 — Thursday 29th Sept (B,L,D)
This morning we depart Wilpena and drive to the historic mining town of Blinman. After a short break, we drive the back road into the Gammon Ranges, heading towards Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The privately owned sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Reg Sprigg, Biologist, Oceanographer, Conservationist, scientist and pioneer of eco-tourism.
Many minerals are found on Arkaroola, including gold, sapphires, rubies, amethyst, several forms of quartz, uraninite and malachite (among others) and evidence of early mining is scattered about Arkaroola and the Gammon Ranges.
Arkaroola is also famous for it’s clear night skies and offers some of the best viewing conditions in Australia.
This afternoon you’ll take Arkaroola’s famous Ridgetop tour- an unforgettable encounter with the timeless terrain and unique natural beauty of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Learn from your Arkaroola guides about Arkaroolas 1600 million year old geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair raising ascents of the Ridgetop Track. Inspiring images of red granite mountains and golden spinifex covered hillsides give way to a breath-taking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake From and the desert beyond. Take in the 360 degree panorama as you enjoy afternoon tea at Sillers Lookout- a lofty pinnacle at the end of the track.
After dinner, you have the option of taking the Explore the Cosmos observatory experience (extra $60 pp). You’ll be seated indoors, in a relaxing space to view the wonders of our solar system and beyond into deep space. See the stars and planets from a whole new perspective, up-close and personal and on the big screen !
Overnight accommodation- basic rooms with en-suites, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The rooms each have a double and single bed, small en-suite and heating / air-con. They do not have a TV, fridge or tea / coffee, though a fridge and tea/coffee are available in the communial kitchen. There is a large communial lounge / seating area for guests to socialise.
Day 5 — Friday 30th Sept (B,L,D)
Today we travel west to Leigh Creek and then north Towards Marree. En-route we visit the Lynhurst Ochre Pits and Farina, one of the towns settled early in the period of the ‘opening of the outback’ by European settlers. Explore the ruins, many of which have been stabilised and researched and imagine in your mind’s eye the life they may have lived and the hardships they endured.
Our accommodation tonight is in Marree, which is situated at the crossroads of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks. The town also has a rich Aboriginal, Afghan and European heritage.
After checking into our accommodation, you have some free time to visit the Tom Kruse Museum (in our hotel) and take a look around the town, including Tom’s old truck and the Afghan mosque.
Overnight accommodation – motel room with en-suite, Marree Pub Hotel
Day 6 — Saturday 1st October (B,L,D)
This morning we join we join the 615km unsealed Oodnadatta Track as head towards William Creek. The Oodnadatta Track 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. The Oodnadatta Track is littered with ruins of old town sites, station ruins, homes, cairns and remnants of the old railway line, the short-lived gold rush and the Overland Telegraph Line
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 and pass the famous dingo fence.
Our accommodation for the next 2 nights is at William Creek, the smallest settlement in South Australia with a population of 3 humans and a dog ! It’s located 165km’s from the nearest town and sits in the largest cattle station in the world (Anna Creek-approximately the size of England).
Overnight accommodation – basic motel style donga room with en-suite, TV, tea/coffee and fridge at William Creek Pub Hotel, middle of nowhere, Outback South Australia (2 night stay)
Day 7 — Sunday 2nd October (B,L,D) daylight savings starts this morning, where you need to put clocks forward by 1 hour, at 2am to 3am
This morning you have the opportunity for scenic flights over Kati Thanda- Lake Eyre, 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 land speed world record of 649 kmh in his turbine car “Bluebird” on its dry bed back in 1964.
Flights are extra cost (approx. $300 pp for 1 hour) but we can book them for you, so everyone flies together
On the flight enjoy the visual extremities of Lake Eyre that will return you both visually impacted and educationally enriched. The only way to get the full impact of the lake is from the air. See prehistoric river systems graphic patterns where they enter the lake and form a magnificent art form. Flights include flying to Belt Bay, the lowest point in Australia.
Then you’ll get to see Lake Eyre from the ground, as we depart for Halligan Bay at Lake Eyre North. We have plenty of time here for a good look at the magnificent lake with it’s incredible colours and patterns.
Back to William Creek and after dinner, conditions permitting, you may like to try your hand at star photography.
Overnight accommodation — William Creek Pub Hotel Day 8 — Monday 3rd October (B,L,D)
We continue to Oodnadatta today, along the Oodnadatta Track, calling in to explore the Algebuckina Bridge historic site en-route.
Oodnadatta is famous for it’s iconic pink roadhouse, where we’ll have lunch. The town was originally created when the Overland Telegraph Line was laid and then became the northern terminus for the Central Australia Railway.
Our next stop is the Painted Desert (Arckaringa Hills), an ancient Inland Sea bed where the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion. The slopes and shapes include many different colours and shades of orange, yellow and white- hence the name “Painted Desert”.
Our destination today is the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights. Coober Pedy is as famous for it’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.
To reach Coober Pedy, we travel through the Moon Plain, rich in fossil deposits, evidence of the inland sea that covered this region 120 million years ago and offering a vast expanse of rocky plains unlike anywhere else. The strange lunar landscape has been used for many Hollywood movies including Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome, Pitch Black, Red Planet and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Overnight accommodation- Desert Cave Hotel ‑motel room with en-suite, Coober Pedy (2 night stay)
Please note that the hotel cannot guarantee everyone will have an underground room, but they will try their best. Guests can also request an above- ground room if preferred.
Day 9 — Tuesday 4th October (B,D)
This morning you’ll take a 2 hour tour of Coober Pedy with a guide from the Umoona Opal Mine. The tour will include the underground churches and other points of interest. After the tour, it’s back to Umoona, where you’ll watch the award winning documentary “The Story of Opal” and present a hands-on demonstration, explaining the different types of opal. Then we’ll get taken into the undergound homes and deep into the original opal mine.
Then you have some free time to take a look around the town yourself or pursue your own interests.
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. There are two lookout points which highlight the open spaces and colourful environment, leaving an impression of the long gone inland sea that our early explorers dreamt of. As the day goes by, the passing of the sun changes the desert colours, creating photogenic scenes that appear surreal. This is a fantastic place for sunset photography.
Overnight accommodation- Desert Cave Hotel- motel room with en-suite, Coober Pedy
Day 10 — Wednesday 5th October (B,L,D)
Today we make our way back to Port Augusta and it will take us all day to get there. 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.
Overnight accommodation- Standpipe Motor Inn- motel room with en-suite, Port Augusta
Departure day- Thursday 6th October (B)
This morning we travel back to Adelaide. We’ll arrive at approximately 12 noon and we can drop you off in the city (at the Hilton or Ibis only due to limited coach parking in Adelaide !).
END OF TOUR
Your tour starts with a flight from Adelaide into Port Lincoln at 4pm. So you have the choice to arrive into Adelaide this morning or arrive the day before and stay an extra night or two in Adelaide.
If you arrive this morning, there are a range of eateries in the airport terminal itself and the Atura Airport Hotel also has a couple of eateries and bars. Luggage lockers are available for hire on the ground floor of the multi storey car park.
If you arrive a day or two earlier, please make your way to Adelaide Airport by 3pm to meet Andrew for our group check in. Your flight to Port Lincoln lasts approximately 45 minutes and upon arrival into Port Lincoln, you’ll be collected by Sacred Earth Safaris.
On the way to our hotel, we’ll take a detour to Winters Hill Lookout, for panoramic views over Port Lincoln.
Tonight we’ll have our first group dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Lincoln Motel, which is situated right next to the beach ! (2 night stay)
Day 2 — Wednesday 1st March (B,L,D)
Today we head south through the city towards the entrance of the “Whalers Way”, a 14km unsealed track along one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in SA, which takes us to the very tip of Eyre Peninsula. The coast is inundated with a series of natural crevasses, giant fissures in the rocky coastline which have created deep bays, chasms and caves into which the sea surges back and forth. Cape Wiles is a 100 metre high cliff face above the swirling sea, with pillars of rock and an island offering continuing resistance to the Southern Ocean. Fur seals can often be seen here (a zoom lens is handy !).
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Lincoln Motel
Day 3 — Thursday 2nd March (B,L,D)
Departing Port Lincoln, we now head along the Flinders Hwy on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Our first stop along this stunning ocean drive is at the Leo Cummings monument lookout, for views of Point Drummond and the cliffs of Sheringa. The craggy pinnacle opposite the lookout is home to a family of osprey.
We drive past Lake Newland Conservation park to Talia Beach and Talia Caves. The Woolshed is a large cavern carved into the granite cliffs and is accessed by a walkway and wooden steps. The cave has a honeycombed ceiling and dark crevices with blowholes nearby. We also explore The Tub and enjoy the dramatic views to the south of the beach.
Turning off the main highway, we stop at Murphys Haystacks. Made up of pink Hiltaba granite, the haystacks have stood on top of the earth in their present form for nearly 34,000 years. They’re very photogenic !
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Streaky Bay (2 night stay)
Day 4 — Friday 3rd March (B,L,D)
This morning we have a very special experience- a swim with sea lions and possibly dolphins. Unfed, untrained, totally wild, a place where the Lions of the sea and their close friends, bottlenose dolphins, will choose to interact with you on their own terms.
The “call of the wild” echoes around you as you are literally welcomed into a water world of pure magic by the very things that live in the sea.
The experience takes place at Baird Bay, about an hour south of Streaky Bay and you have the option of swimming OR being an observer of the boat- having the opportunity to take photos from the boat but not actually swimming. If you choose to be an observer, rather than swim, please remove $30 from the quoted price.
As an alternative for those that don’t want to swim or observe, we can visit the nearby Point Labatt, where a high cliff top lookout allows us to view a sea-lion colony 50m below. If you choose to do this, remove $200 from the tour price. On the way back to Streaky Bay, we take the Westall Way loop drive , where we can enjoy a variety of landforms and seascapes, including rugged limestone cliffs, striking granite boulders covered in golden lichens and secluded granite pools.
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Streaky Bay
Day 5 — Saturday 4th March (B,L,D)
This morning we continue north to Ceduna, the major regional business centre of the Far West Coast of Eyre Peninsula. Ceduna is also the start of the longest golf course in the world, spanning 1,365 kms to Kalgoorlie, with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the way.
After a short break, we continue west along the Eyre Highway, through Penong, with dozens of windmills scattered around the town. We’re now travelling along the Nullarbor Plain, the world’s largest semi-arid karst (cave) landscape. Most of the park’s landscape is flat except where the surface has collapsed into sinkholes revealing large underground caverns.
We reach our accommodation but take a slight detour, hitting the dirt, to the nearby Murrawinjinnie caves – a group of three caves we can explore and photograph.
Overnight accommodation- Motel room with en-suite on the Nullarbor.
Day 6 — Sunday 5th March (B,L)
This morning we visit Head of Bight, where we view the sheer Bunda Cliffs, where Australia dramatically drops into the ocean. The Bunda Cliffs are a magnificent sight in themselves and stretch in an unbroken line for 200 kilometres to the Western Australian border. Continuing west, we stop several times at fantastic coastal lookouts.
We then turn off again, onto the unsealed old Eyre Highway, and drive to the ruins of Koonalda Homestead, one of a number of important way stations along the old road, years ago, providing a rare piece of civilisation, fuel and emergency services. After a look around the ruins, we drive north to Heritage listed Koonalda Cave, a huge sinkhole with a cave and underground stream system at the bottom. The site was important to the local Aboriginal people and much evidence of their visitation has been found. After viewing the cave from the top, we drive south again and re-join the main highway. We now cross the border into Western Australia, put our watches back and continue to our accommodation.
We check in and then finish the day at the ruins of the Eucla telegraph station, which is being swallowed up by the Delisser sand dunes.
We can also take a walk to the beach and old jetty (very photogenic).
Overnight accommodation- room with en-suite at Eucla
Day 7- Monday 6th March (L)
Back on the road again this morning, we pass through Mundrabilla and Madura, stopping en-route at the Madura Pass Lookout, for sweeping views of Madura Pass and the Roe Plains.
We pass through Caiguna and enter the longest straight stretch of road in Australia, which is 146.6km.
Just outside Caiguna, we stop at the Blowhole, formed by chemical and physical weathering processes that erode the limestone bedrock common in this part of Australia. The name blow hole refers to the fact that these natural features breathe air in and out as high and low pressure weather systems pass across the Nullarbor.
Our destination this afternoon is Balladonia, a thriving and prosperous wool producing area which made worldwide headlines in 1979 when fiery pieces of a wayward NASA space station called Skylab, landed around the grounds of the hotel ! The hotel museum houses documents from NASA, a recreation of actual events, photos and related ephemera as well as information on Balladonia’s early pioneering days, Aboriginal heritage and the construction of the Eyre Highway.
We arrive mid-afternoon so you have some time to relax and take a look at the museum before dinner.
Overnight accommodation- Balladonia, motel room with en-suite
Day 8 — Tuesday 7th March (L,D)
This morning we leave the Eyre Highway and make our way south on the unsealed Parmango Road, to Cape Le Grand, one of WA’s best known and most spectacular National Parks. The scenery ranges from wild coastal scenery, stunning beaches and rugged granite peaks to sweeping heathlands, which are home to a range of animals and flowers.
En-route we stop at the Deralinya Homestead ruins.
At Cape Le Grand, we visit Thistle Cove, a beautiful bay with a spectacular coastal outlook and a ‘whistling’ rock, and you can take an optional, easy walk along the coast to Lucky Bay. Keep an eye out for dolphins as you look out over the Recherché Archipelago islands.
Lucky Bay is famed as having one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Here we can swim and snorkel or take a walk. Keep an eye out for kangaroos on the beach !
Late afternoon we drive onto Esperance and make our way to our accommodation.
Overnight accommodation- Esperance, motel room with en-suite
Day 9 — Wednesday 8th March (B,L,D)
This morning we take the Esperance Great Ocean Drive, which is a 38km scenic drive following the coastline and including highlights such as Rotary Lookout, Twilight Beach, Observatory Point, the Wind Farm and Pink Lake.
Then we drive to Albany which will take the rest of the day. The King George Sound at Albany was the site of WA’s first European settlement and on the foreshore is a full scale replica of the Brig Amity, which brought the first settlers and convicts into Albany in 1826.
We arrive into Albany and then up to the Anzac Memorial, which also offers views.
Overnight accommodation- Albany, Dog Rock Motel, motel room with en-suite.
Day 10 — Thursday 9th March (B,L,D)
We head further west today, driving to Denmark and a little later we come to the stunning Greens Pool, a beach and swimming area at the eastern end of William Bay National Park. It’s almost completely sheltered from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean by the rounded rock boulders typical to this area and from the car park we can also take a 10 minute walk to Elephant Rocks, which look exactly like a herd of elephants, paddling in the shallow waters.
Further along the coastal drive is the tree-cloaked Walpole-Nornalup National Park, home to tingle forests, which occur nowhere else in the world. Here we take The Valley of the Giants – Tree Top Walk, featuring a stunning walkway positioned 40 metres above the ground amid the dizzying heights of the tingle forest canopy. Experience walking in the Tree Top canopies of tall karri trees with views over core wilderness and then venture to the Ancient Empire of 400 year old red tingle trees along a boardwalk that meanders across the forest floor.
The trail follows the story of the lost era of Gondwana.
Our next stop is inland, to Pemberton, the closest town to the Gloucester National Park, home of the Gloucester Tree.
Overnight accommodation- Pemberton, motel room with en-suite
Day 11 — Friday 10th March (B,L,D)
Today starts with a visit to the Gloucester Tree, which is one of only 3 remaining tall Karri trees that were made into lookouts during the 1930’s and 1940’s. This was a way of spotting fires in the tall Karri forest and this tree was named after the then Governor-General of Australia, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, who was visiting Pemberton at the time. Today, visitors can climb up the 61m to see one of the most spectacular views of the Karri forest.
We continue to nearby Greater Beedelup National Park, where we take a short walk to the beautiful Beedelup Falls.
The final leg of our trip takes us into Busselton, where you have some free time if you’d like to walk along the jetty (or take the train- additional cost).
Making our way into Perth now, our final dinner tonight will be served at the hotel and this is a great chance to reminisce over our adventures from the past 11 days.
Overnight accommodation- Hotel room with en-suite in Perth
Day 12 — Saturday 11th March (Departure Day) (B)
At your leisure, please make your way to Perth airport from your onward flight. Transfers can be arranged by the hotel for you.
END ITINERARY
B = Breakfast L= Lunch D = Dinner
Day 1 (D)
You will be collected from our central Adelaide pick up at 1pm this afternoon for your 11 day 4WD Safari along the Oodnadatta, Birdsville and Strzelecki tracks. 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,L,D)
Our destination today is the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy and it will take us all day to get here. 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 for it’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. Overnight accommodation- underground motel room with en-suite, Coober Pedy (2 night stay)
Day 3 (B,D)
There’s some free time this morning for you to have a wander through the town
After lunch we take a guided tour through a working Opal Mine, where we get an insight of what it means to be an Opal Miner.
Late this afternoon, we make our way out of town to the nearby Breakaways Reserve, offering a striking & unique example of arid scenery.
Overnight accommodation- Coober Pedy
Day 4 (B,L,D)
This morning we depart Coober Pedy and head across the Moon Plain to the Painted Desert (Arckaringa Hills).
We’ll cross the Dog Fence for the first time today.The longest fence in the world, at 5300km’s, it stretches across 3 states.
The Painted Desert is an ancient Inland Sea bed where the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion.
After viewing the Painted Desert from the lookout, we continue through to Oodnadatta. Famous for it’s pink roadhouse, the town was originally created when the Overland Telegraph Line was laid and then became the northern terminus for the Central Australia Railway.
After lunch we join the 615km unsealed Oodnadatta Track, which is littered with ruins of old town sites, station ruins, homes, cairns and remnants of the old railway line, the short-lived gold rush and the Overland Telegraph Line. En-route to William Creek, we stop at Algebuckina Bridge historic site.
Overnight accommodation — motel room with en-suite, William Creek Pub Hotel
Day 5 (B,L,D)
There’s time this morning for optional 1 hour scenic flights over Lake Eyre (own expense).
Departing William Creek, we make our way out to Halligan Bay at Lake Eyre North for a look at the magnificent lake with it’s incredible colours and patterns. Lake Eyre is Australia’s lowest point, the largest inland lake in Australia and the largest salt lake in the world !
We continue exploring the Oodnadatta Track this morning, heading south towards Marree, stopping en-route at the natural artesian springs within Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park and the Lake Eyre South lookout. We then reach Marree, which is situated at the crossroads of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks and 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 6 (B,L,D)
Departing Marree, we now travel north on the famous stock route, which is the Birdsville Track. the 517km track was established in the 1860s as the main stock route to bring cattle from central Queensland to the railway in Marree. En-route, we have a look at the ruins of the Lake Harry Date Plantation, stop at the Cooper Creek Crossing and Mungerannie pub and wetlands.
Crossing into Queensland, we arrive into Birdsville and then take a locally run tour out to “Big Red”, the largest and most famous sand dune in the Simpson Desert.
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Birdsville Pub Hotel
Day 7 (B,L,D)
This morning we head south again, through Cattle Country and back into South Australia to Innamincka, made famous by Victorian explorers Burke and Wills and their ill-fated exploration across central Australia.
En-route we enjoy the view at Deon’s Lookout and visit The Dreamtime Serpent – a work of art representing a series of pathways travelled through Country to connect the river systems in the Channel Country of the Diamantina Shire.
On arrival into Innamincka, we visit the famous Burke and Wills Dig Tree (camp LXV).
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Innamincka Pub Hotel
Day 8 (B,L,D)
We depart Innamincka this morning and head south to join the last of our legendary Outback Tracks- the Strzelecki Track, named after Polish explorer and geologist Paul Edmund de Strzelecki.
Our first stop today is the viewpoint at the Moomba oil and gasfields. Natural gas was first discovered in the region in 1966 and was followed by the discovery of oil in 1970. Moomba is now a major supplier of both for Australian and overseas markets.
We continue down the Strzelecki Track and turn off towards Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The privately owned sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Reg Sprigg, Biologist, Oceanographer, Conservationist, scientist and pioneer of eco-tourism.
Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Day 9 (B,L,D)
This morning you’ll take Arkaroola’s famous Ridgetop tour- an unforgettable encounter with the timeless terrain and unique natural beauty of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Learn from your Arkaroola guides about Arkaroolas 1600 million year old geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair raising ascents of the Ridgetop Track. Inspiring images of red granite mountains and golden spinifex covered hillsides give way to a breath-taking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake From and the desert beyond. Take in the 360 degree panorama as you enjoy morning tea at Sillers Lookout- a lofty pinnacle at the end of the track.
Departing Arkaroola, we make our way today into the central Ikara- Flinders Ranges, known for their unique beauty, indigenous history, ancient geological formations, rich colours and textures and abundant wildlife. The Ikara-Flinders Ranges are home to a huge array of plant species, birds, reptiles and mammals and the vibrant colours of the 800 million-year-old quartzite and limestone outcrop that is the Flinders, are truly spectacular.
Conditions permitting, we’ll take the back road and stop en-route in the old mining town of Blinman.
Overnight accommodation- Wilpena Pound Resort- standard room with en-suite (2 night stay)
Day 10 (B,L,D)
This morning you have the option of taking a walk into Wilpena Pound or take a scenic flight (at own expense). Walk along the beautiful Wilpena Creek, framed by huge river red gums, into Wilpena Pound. Walking on to the Old Hills Homestead, you can learn about the hardships the Hills family had to face at the turn of the century with the option of walking up to the Wangara lookout to see the mystical heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges with stunning views over Wilpena Pound. There is a shuttle available to shorten the walk,that can take you up and back again (extra cost- approx. $5 each way).
After lunch we depart for an afternoon of exploring. Our first stop is the Bunyeroo Valley and Gorge, where we stop for photos at the spectacular Razorback Lookout. This leads us through the Heysen Ranges onto the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail, a trail that passes through 130 million years of earth history, including meteorite debris, stromatolites and fossilized plant and animal life. It offers an insight into past climates, the formation of the ranges and the evolution of early forms of life. It’s also an important refuge for the rare and endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby.
To take us back to Wilpena Pound, we take the Moralana Scenic Drive, which connects the Wilpena and Leigh Creek Roads and is known as one of the best drives through the Flinders Ranges. We’ll see stunning scenery featuring the southern wall of Wilpena Pound, Black Gap Lookout, red Range, Elder Range and more.
Overnight accommodation- Wilpena Pound Resort- standard room with en-suite
Day 11 (B,L)
Departing the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, we head south towards Hawker, the hub of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and a thriving railway town until the line was relocated west in 1956.
After a quick look around the town, we take the RM Williams Highway for a scenic drive through Orroroo, Jamestown and Clare. In Clare, we visit a local cellar door / bakery for tastings and lunch before continuing to Adelaide. We arrive at approximately 6pm and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
END OF TOUR
B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner
Upon arrival into Karratha, please make your way to our hotel.
This evening, we’ll meet at the hotel restaurant for our first dinner as a group and your driver guide will run through the itinerary for the next 6 days.
Overnight accommodation- Karratha International Hotel- motel room with en-suite
Day 1 (B,L,D) Thursday 18th August
We’ll depart our Karratha hotel at 7.30am this morning to begin our 5 day 4WD tour through the Pilbara.
We spend today in Millstream-Chichester National Park, which is a lush oasis of deep gorges and palm-fringed rock pools which provides a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape of rocky escarpments and rolling spinifex-covered hills.
We enter the park from the north and have a swim at Python Pool, a permanent freshwater plunge pool at the base of a cliff in the Chichester Range escarpment.
We also take a walk to the top of Mount Herbert, where we are treated to a splendid view of the savannah lands, including Pyramid, Sherlock and Warambie stations.
Departing the park, our destination this evening is Tom Price, the highest town in WA at 747 metres above sea level.
Dinner tonight is included at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight accommodation- Tom Price Hotel Motel- motel room with en-suite
Day 2 (B,L,D) Friday 19th August
This morning there’s time for you to take an optional guided tour to the Rio Tinto Iron Ore Mine site, (own expense). At the time of putting together this Pilbara tour, it was uncertain whether or not the mine tour would run in 2022, so it’s subject to availability.
We continue into Karijini National Park, in the Hamersley Range. Karijini is Western Australia’s second largest national park, encompassing some 627,442 hectares of spectacular, rugged scenery, ancient geological formations and a variety of arid-land ecosystems.
Massive mountains and escarpments rise out of the flat valleys. The high plateau is dissected by breathtaking gorges, and stony,tree-lined watercourses wind their way over the dusty plain. The slow process of erosion has carved the shape of the land out of rocks that are 2,000 million years old, to form this intriguing landscape and complex ecology.
A variety of ecosystems are represented in the park and these are home to a range of wildlife including a variety of birds, native rodents, native marsupial carnivores (such as the Pilbara ninguai- resident, but nocturnal and shy), red kangaroos, euros, Rothschild’s rock wallabies, bats, dingoes, reptiles and amphibians such as frogs, geckoes, goannas, dragons and legless lizards. Termites and the pebble mound mouse also make their homes here in the form of mounds.
Our first stop within the park is Hamersley gorge, where we’ll find amazing coloured banded iron formations. Take a dip in the natural spa pool at the Gorge and enjoy a spa treatment the way nature intended – surrounded by amazing rock formations almost as old as the Earth itself.
We make our way to our accommodation and after checking in, you make like to walk to nearby Joffre Lookout where rock steps take you down to the lookout to view this spectacular curved waterfall forming a natural amphitheatre.
Dinner for the next 3 nights is included at the Eco- retreat
Overnight accommodation- Karijini Eco Retreat, in eco tents with en-suites (3 night stay) on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 3 (B,L,D) Saturday 20th August
We travel to the western side of the park today, to Dales Gorge, through to Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Circular Pool.
Have a refreshing swim in the spring-fed permanent falls of Fortescue falls, ramble along the gorge floor to the lovely fern framed Fern Pool and enjoy the hidden gardens of Circular Pool.
This afternoon we take a walk through Kalamina Gorge, one of the most picturesque in Karijini. A short walk takes you down a steep track to the base of the gorge to a small permament pool, complete with waterfall and draping ferns. There is a longer, more difficult walk for those who feel energetic. If you follow the trail deep into Kalamina Gorge, you will be rewarded with a lovely walk downstream, past rock pools and beautiful rock walls, finishing at Rock Arch Pool.
Overnight accommodation- Karijini Eco Retreat, in eco tents with en-suites
Day 4 (B,L,D) Sunday 21st August
This morning is spent exploring Handrail Pool, which is reached by walking through Lower Weano Gorge. We also enjoy the scenery at Junction Pool and Oxer Lookout, located at the junction of four mighty gorges and offering one of the most stunning panoramas in WA.
This afternoon we explore Hancock Gorge, where we climb down a ladder and walk deep into the gorge, through narrow chambers and to beautiful rock pools, for a swim.
We finish the day at Knox Lookout, where we’ll take the steps down to the lookout and watch the view spread out in the distance.
Overnight accommodation- Karijini Eco Retreat, in eco tents with en-suites
Day 5 (B,L,D) Monday 22nd August
We depart Karijini this morning and drive north to the mining town of Port Headland, one of the largest and busiest iron ore ports in the world.
We’ll arrive mid- afternoon and after checking into the hotel, it’s time to jump on our private harbour cruise, operated by the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre. This tour consists of a quick presentation at the Seafarers Centre, followed by a lap around the harbour in one of the working Seafarers Launch Service boats. You will be accompanied by an informative member of the Seafarers Centre Staff who will provide commentary and answer any of your questions, while picking up seafarers wishing to come back to the Seafarers Centre.
Tonight we have our final group dinner and say farewell to our new friends.
Overnight accommodation- Port Hedland, hotel room with en-suite
Day 6 (B) Tuesday 23rd August
Your tour finishes after breakfast. Please make your way to Port Hedland Airport for your onward flight.
END ITINERARY B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner
By making a deposit and/or full payment for a tour you will be taken to accept these terms and conditions of booking.
Cancellations must be received in writing.
Unless otherwise advised standard cancellations for 2- 5 day tours will incur the following charges:
• Cancellations outside 45 days - no charge
• Cancellations between 45 and 30 days prior to tour departure – incur 50% total tour cost
• Cancellation within 30 days prior to tour departure - no refund
• Disembarkation from tour once the tour has started- no refund
Unless otherwise advised standard cancellations for extended scheduled and private charter tours over 5 days will incur the following charges:
• Cancellations between 90 and 60 days prior to tour departure – incur 50% total tour cost
• Cancellation within 60 days prior to tour departure - no refund
• Disembarkation from tour once the tour has started- no refund
*** Sacred Earth Safari's Pty Ltd strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance ***
Please check our website for our full Terms and Conditions