TERRA AUSTRALIS SAFARIS

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"Gulflander" Tour Details

"Wild Rover" Tour Details

Tour Itinerary

Pre Tour Meeting                               
Your guide will meet you at your hotel on the eve of the tour start for a welcome drink and pre tour information.

Day 1
Welcome to a fascinating tour through the Outback and along the magnificent southern coastline. Your guide will pick you up at the pre-arranged time at your hotel.
Our journey first leads us out of the city of Adelaide into the Barrossa Valley, famous for its vineyards and the wines produced. We stop at some of the wineries for tasting before heading further north. We drive through the hilly landscape and reach our first destination, Burra. This was once a booming copper mining town. Remnants of that era can be seen on the old mine sites, which we will visit in time to watch a beautiful sunset. We stay at the old miner’s cottages overnight.

Accommodation Paxton Square Cottages

Day 2
We enjoy a delicious breakfast before taking to the road again. Via Terrowie, an old railway town, we head further and further into the more remote parts of South Australia. Around lunchtime or early afternoon we reach the Flinders Ranges National Park. We set up our first camp and then spend the rest of the afternoon on a walk into the famous Wilpena Pound, formed by 2 mountain ranges. We experience our first encounter with kangaroos and wallaroos and may also spot some Emus and many other very colourful birds.

Camping Wilpena Pound camp ground

Day 3
The Flinders and the Gammon Ranges are ancient mountain ranges formed hundreds of millions of years ago. We have time to explore this fascinating environment by car and on walks at various locations. Many lookouts along the route offer spectacular views and kangaroos and emus are often encountered at close range. Today’s itinerary and the overnight camp depend on weather and road conditions, which determine accessibility of gorges and tracks in the region.

Camping Wilpena Pound camp ground or Chambers Gorge bush camp

Day 4
We spend another day in this remote mountain environment. We explore gorges and mountain tops. Again plenty of wildlife will cross our tracks. Colourful parrots and cockatoos are a delightful sight and are often visitors to our campsite.

Camping Chambers Gorge bush camp

Day 5
If you have not felt a sense of remoteness yet today will change that for sure. We leave the mountains behind us and drive further into the vast Outback. Hardly any traffic is encountered on these lonely tracks out here. The land flattens as we approach the Strzelecki Desert and the endless horizon turns into a mirage in the heat of the day. At Mt Hopeless we join the Strezelecki track and near Merti Merti station we reach the most northern point of our tour. The track now leads east, across the many sand dunes. We pick a nice spot amongst the red sand dunes and set up another wonderful bush camp. The sunsets out here are spectacular and the stars at night will leave you speechless. We may even hear the call of a wild dingo.

Camping Strzelecki Desert bush camp

Day 6
We rise early today to take advantage of the coolness of the morning while pulling down our camp. Also the sunrise out here is an awesome sight. Today we have breakfast in Queensland. Which means we pack up and drive a short distance to the Cameron Corner where 3 states, SA, NSW and QLD meet. The Corner Store is built on Queensland territory hence the short visit to that state. The longest fence in the world, the famous dingo fence, which stretches over 5600 km, marks the border. After breakfast at the Corner we cross the fence line into NSW and drive to Tibooburra. The road crosses the remote Sturt National Park and again we should see the big Red Kangaroos along the track.
In Tibooburra we stop for lunch and enjoy a shower at the Caravan Park. After a cold drink at the famous Tibooburra Hotel we continue today’s journey a little further. Remote station tracks lead us to Salisbury Downs Station, one of the many sheep and cattle properties in the area. We set up our bush camp on Salisbury Downs and we only have to share this beautiful spot with kangaroos, emus etc..

Camping Salisbury Station bush camp

Day 7
We leave this wonderful place behind and are back on the track towards White Cliffs. Again we follow remote station tracks. There won’t be much traffic at all in regards to other vehicles but more so in regard to kangaroos, emus and plenty of wild goats. We reach White Cliffs around lunchtime. White Cliffs, the oldest opal mining town in Australia, still produces high quality opal, only at a smaller scale then elsewhere. Here we enjoy a break from camping and stay overnight at PJ’s Underground, a luxury underground bed & breakfast accommodation. We have time to explore the minefields and get an insight into the history and present day life of the place. Here in White Cliffs (providing he is mining) we have the chance to meet Ron Foord, a professional and the most experienced miner on the field. His wife Donna Lee will also show as their finds over the years and you have a chance to buy opal mined by Ron in White Cliffs.

Tonight the “cook” has a day off and we enjoy a delicious dinner at PJ’s Underground. Joanne our host is a marvellous cook and we won’t be disappointed. (Dinner not included)

Accommodation PJ’s Underground Bed & Breakfast

Day  8
It will be hard to leave all this luxury and our friendly hosts at PJ's behind but after breakfast we depart for another day of touring. 
We depart from White Cliffs and follow the road to Willcannia and from there further to the Menindee Lakes, following the dirt track along the famous Darling River. We stop at the lakes, an astonishing sight in the middle of this arid landscape. Waterbirds, including pelicans often congregate at these lakes. From there we drive past Menindee and reach Tolarno Station where we will camp for the coming night. Tolarno is one of the largest Darling River Sheep Stations with an interesting history dating back to the early pioneer’s days.

Camping Tolarno Station bush camp

Day 9
Before we continue our journey we will get an insight into Tolarno’s history and present day operation. On some visits, sheep shearing may be in full swing however, being a seasonal task, cannot be guaranteed on our visit. Nevertheless we will get an insight into the functioning of a typical Australian woolshed. Afterwards we will head south and reach Mildura early afternoon. Opportunity to do some laundry. Tonight we enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in town. (Dinner not included).

Camping Desert City Caravan Park

Day 10
After breakfast we have plenty of time to do some more laundry etc. if required and also have time for a stroll in this modern rural city. After lunch we continue our journey and we reach one of the wheatbelts of Australia, Victoria’s Mallee & Wimmera regions. In Red Cliffs we stop briefly to view the “Big Lizzie”, an amazing kind of tractor built back in 1907. Early afternoon we reach the Hattah Kulkyne National Park and set up another beautiful bushcamp right on the banks of the Murray River. Time for a swim and to relax and to observe the wildlife. This beautiful spot is accessible in dry weather only. Should conditions be wet or rain on the horizon, we will proceed to Wyperfield National Park where we are also back in the remote parts of the country. Here too we will see plenty of kangaroos and the many cockatoos make their presence known with their load calls. We view the spectacular sunset from one of the lookouts nearby.

Camping Hattah Kulkyne or Wyperfield National Park Camp

Day 11
Today's itinerary depends on the weather conditions. We may stay another day in Hattah Kulkyne or Wyperfeld National Park and explore the area on a walk in the morning, or we continue our journey and travel via Horsham to the Grampians National Park. There a totally different world awaits us. mountains, green forests, streams, waterfalls and lakes are, together with an abundance of wildlife, the main features of this park. A short walk lets us enjoy the McKenzie Falls and from various lookouts we enjoy the spectacular views before reaching Halls Gap where we set up camp for 2 nights.

Camping Hattah Kulkyne/Wyperfeld National Park or Parkgate Resort

Day 12
If we arrive at the Grampians National Park today, the itinerary is as described above. If we reached the Grampians the day before we have the entire day to explore and enjoy various areas of the park. We do this by car and along the many walking trails.

Camping Parkgate Resort camp ground

Day 13
Today’s activities depend on the weather conditions. We explore the park by car and on foot. We walk to one of the mountaintops for another spectacular view. In warm conditions we also have time for a swim in the nearby lake. (Laundry facilities)

Camping Parkgate Resort camp ground

Day 14
A short drive brings us to today’s destination. We reach Ballart before lunchtime and check in at our accommodation, the Sovereign Hill Lodge, which is part of the Sovereign Hill Museum. We step back 150 years and have all afternoon to freely explore the outdoor museum. Try your luck at gold panning, go underground and enjoy the many attractions. A true insight into life on the rich goldfields back in the 19. Century.
Dinner is included and also at the museum and afterwards the show “Blood on the Southern Cross” features the highlight of the day.

Accommodation Sovereign Hill Lodge

Day 15
Via Cressy and Colac, past ancient volcanic crater lakes we join the famous Great Ocean Road at Lavers Hill, where we briefly stop for morning tea. From there we soon reach the coast. We stop at many of the scenic look outs along this magnificent coast line, Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, Bay of Island to name a few. We stop for a late lunch in Port Cambbell along the way. Today we stay at Warrnambool, a modern seaside town. We set up camp right near the beach and weather permitting we have time for a swim. We enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in town. Dinner not included (Laundry facilities)

Camping Warrnambool camp ground

Day 16
We follow the coast via Port Fairy to Portland where we stop for lunch and a chance to stock up on fresh supplies. After lunch we drive to the nearby Cape Bridgewater where we undertake a very scenic coastal walk. Along the way we can view a seal colony at the bottom of the cliffs. By mid afternoon we are on the way again and via Nelson reach the Lower Glenelg National Park. We set up camp for tonight in a nice secluded forest setting.

Camping Princess Margaret Rose Camp

Day 17
The calls of the many birds will wake us in the morning. After breakfast we pack up and then visit the wonderful limestone cave nearby. After that we drive back to Nelson and to the endlessly stretching sandy coastline. After a stroll on the beach or even a swimm (weather permitting), we continue our trip and via Mt Gambier and Kingston reach the Coorong National Park.

Accommodation Gemini Downs cabins

Day 18
Today we depart early as today’s stage again includes many highlights.  Via Meningie we reach Wellington where a ferry brings us to the other side of the Murray River. We continue on to Victor Harbour where your guide will  take on fresh supplies for the last few days while you enjoy a walk out to Granite Island. Later in the afternoon we drive along this magnificent coastline and then reach the Deep Creek Conservation Park. We stay at a beautiful homestead right at the edge of the park. The natural surrounding is home to lots of kangaroos and many colourful birds.

Accommodation Deep Creek Homestead

Day 19
Waking up in this beautiful valley, the luxury homestead to enjoy, a wonderful way to start the day. After breakfast we set out to explore the Deep Creek Conservation Park by car and on some of the walks. Wild coastal scenery, lush green forests and plenty of wildlife are the highlights of the day.

Accommodation Deep Creek Homestead

Day 20
An early start is necessary today. We do not want to miss the ferry to Kangaroo Island. We depart the homestead at around 8.00 am for the ferry which departs from nearby Cape Jervis. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the island. We have time for a coffee before our exploration of this natural wonder begins. We first drive to seal bay for another highlight. We visit the Australian Sea-lion colony where we are able to walk amongst them right on their own beach. After that we climb some white sand dunes at the nearby Little Sahara before continuing on to the Flinders Chase National Park. We stay just outside the park at the Western KI. caravan park, a former sheep property. Wildlife is plentiful here and koalas may sit up on the trees right next to your tent.

Camping Western KI camp ground

Day 21 & 22
We spend our last few days on this magnificent Island. We explore the Flinders Chase National Park by car and on walks. There is so much to see. Wild coast lines, the Remarkable Rocks formation, seal colonies, forests and an abundance of wildlife. Surely an appropriate final for this remarkable tour.

Camping Western KI camp ground

Day 23
Our last day on the tour has arrived. We rise early as we have to cross the island back to Penneshaw. We catch the ferry at 10.30 am and sail back to the mainland. We stop for lunch by the sea on the way back to Adelaide where the tour ends with the transfer to your hotel.

Clients who wish to travel to their next destination on the day of arrival in Adelaide should seek advise from Terra Australis Safaris or their Travel Agent. Terra Australis Safaris cannot guarantee exact departure/arrival times and cannot be held responsible for missed connections etc.

I HOPE THAT WITH THIS TOUR I WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU THE UNIQUE BEAUTY OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT, ITS FAUNA AND FLORA AND THAT YOU WILL DEPART WITH MANY UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES - Peter Hasler

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