6-Day Eyre Peninsula & Flinders Ranges Adventure Tour

OVERVIEW

Roam the wild landscapes of South Australia and revel in the freedom to live life untamed. The Eyre Peninsula and Flinders Ranges offer the perfect paradox of outback and ocean to awaken your senses. Venture to the Eyre Peninsula and learn to surf, discover the pristine coastline, see koalas in the wild and add a deeper meaning to your trip by participating in voluntary conservation work. Fall asleep each night under a sea of stars and connect with like-minded travellers. Unearth the 540-million-year-old Flinders Ranges with sweeping gorges, bushland brimming with wildlife and rich Aboriginal history.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Soak up the serenity as you travel by ferry across the Spencer Gulf 
  Learn about Aboriginal culture during authentic experiences with local custodians    
• Participate in a conservation volunteering project   
• Plunge into the ocean environment during a surfing lesson
• Embark on countless rewarding hikes
• Taste seafood straight from the ocean during an oyster lease tour (OE)
• Roam the ancient landscapes of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park 
  Witness abundant native wildlife
• Unearth South Australia with your expert guide

INCLUSIONS

• All National Park and entry fees
• All activities, unless stated as an optional extra (OE)
• Meals – 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
• Accommodation – Swag Camping with basic facilities
• Transport – Air-conditioned minibus (max 20 people)
• Ferry from Wallaroo to Lucky Bay
• Expert local Guide

ITINERARY

Day 1: Adelaide to Port Lincoln

Your nature roaming adventure begins as we head towards Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula, where our ferry will set sail across the Spencer Gulf towards the Eyre Peninsula at 9 am. Grab a coffee at the onboard café, relax, and enjoy the two-and-a-half-hour cruise across the gulf.  

On disembarking in Lucky Bay, jump back on the bus to Port Lincoln. Have some free time in Cowell to buy lunch and see some unique silo art. Upon arrival into Port Lincoln / Galinyala, be greeted by proud Barngarla woman Emmalene Richards for a Welcome to Country ceremony.  

After a quick stop in town, arrive at Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary to set up camp. This private property is home to the Eyre Peninsula's only wild koala population and has many kangaroos and emus to spot.

Relax with your new friends over dinner before rolling out your swag under the stars of the Milky Way.

Today, travel around 370km.

Accommodation

Swag camping at Mikkira Station, which has a toilet and shower.

(Please note in high fire danger periods, camping is not permitted here, and an alternative campsite will be utilised).

Meals

D

Day 2 – Coffin Bay (or aquatic experiences)

After breakfast, head up the coast to Coffin Bay National Park. Famed for its white sandy beaches and wildlife, spend some time exploring, swimming and relaxing.

A visit to Coffin Bay isn't complete without tasting the region's famous oysters, so you can choose the optional extra of pulling on some waders and joining the Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tour. Wade out to a semi-submerged tour deck in a working commercial oyster farm and learn about these delicious molluscs from the farmer himself. Get a hands-on shucking lesson and taste oysters plucked straight from the ocean.

For those not wanting to don the waders, you can set out on the Oyster Trail walk or relax over a coffee or lunch at Oyster HQ whilst soaking up the views over Coffin Bay.

Later, back in Port Lincoln, enjoy some free time to explore the town and enjoy a spot of wine tasting at Boston Bay Wines before we head back to camp.

Alternative Itinerary

Those coming to Port Lincoln to get up close and personal with the aquatic wildlife can opt to have a Great White Shark experience or swim with the ever-playful Australian Sea Lions. These outsourced activities are not included in the itinerary and must be booked directly with Calypso Star Charters. Please see Optional Extras for more information.

Drive time today is about 1.5 hours unless you are doing the shark experience, in which case it is only 1 hour.

Accommodation

Swag camping at Mikkira Station, which has a toilet and shower.

(Please note in high fire danger periods, camping is not permitted here, and an alternative campsite will be utilised).

Meals

B | D

Day 3: Port Lincoln

Surfing is a way of life in Australia, so today, pull on a wetsuit for a two-hour learn-to-surf lesson. The turquoise and calm water of Fisheries Bay is the perfect place for beginners to perfect their skills. Those not wanting to surf can relax on the beach or swim.

The National Trust of South Australia cares for the world's natural and built heritage and relies on the support of volunteers to protect and preserve special places. So, this afternoon after lunch, roll up your sleeves for three hours of conservation volunteering at Brinkworth Reserve. Our activity depends on the time of year but could involve collecting seeds, weeding or planting trees whilst learning from their passionate volunteers.

Head back to camp via Lincoln National Park and Wanna Lookout, then relax over dinner.

Today, travel approximately 60km.

Accommodation

Swag camping at Mikkira Station, which has a toilet and shower.

(Please note in high fire danger periods camping is not permitted here and an alternative campsite will be utilised)

Meals Included

B | L | D

Day 4 – Port Lincoln to Flinders Ranges

Today we have some distance to cover, so say farewell to the wild Eyre Peninsula, travelling to Port Augusta for lunch and to see some impressive silo art along the way. Come late in the afternoon and arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The fossils in this landscape are so unique that geologists had to revise the geologic timeline of Earth's history to encompass a new era called the Ediacaran period. It is also famed for having some of the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere, perfect for stargazing.

Stretch your legs on the Arkaroo Rock Trail, a significant cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people with impressive views over the Chace Range.

Come late afternoon, arrive at Wilpena Pound Resort to set up camp and enjoy dinner before rolling out your swag and spotting shooting stars.

Today, we drive approximately 530km, with stops along the way.

Accommodation

Swag camping at Wilpena Pound Resort, which has toilet and shower facilities.

Meals Included

B | D

Day 5 – Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Watch a mesmerising sunrise in Wilpena Pound, and then after breakfast, meet local Park Ranger and proud Adnyamathanha man John from Ngai Nhina Yuras. After a Welcome to Country, walk with him in a place where the sun and moon create magic as you listen to the fascinating stories of the Adnyamathanha People. Learn about Culture and Traditions, Bush Mai (food), artefacts, and medicinal plants, followed by a cultural smoking protocol.

Return to camp for lunch and a dip in the resort swimming pool in warmer weather. With a better understanding of Aboriginal culture, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring more of the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

Today, travel around 80km. Back at the resort, relax and soak up the serenity of this ancient landscape, and have dinner with your newfound friends.  

Accommodation

Swag camping at Wilpena Pound Resort, which has toilet and shower facilities.

Meals Included

B | L | D

Day 6 – Flinders Ranges to Adelaide

After packing up camp, head towards the Southern Flinders Ranges to visit the Jeff Morgan Gallery in the tiny town of Hawker. See some impressive silo art and visit an iconic bakery in Wirrabara before taking in 360-degree views from Bluff Lookout right out over the Spencer Gulf.

Onwards, travel through the picturesque Clare Valley wine region for our final lunch and wine tasting before arriving in Adelaide at around 5 pm. 

Today, travel approximately 450km. 

Meals Included

B | L

KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK

GENERAL

• To get the most from our adventure tours, you need to enjoy the outdoors and hiking and be able to cope with a range of weather conditions. Our guides work hard and sometimes need a helping hand, so we kindly ask for involvement from our passengers, such as helping with meals and packing up camp.
• A moderate fitness level is required, with walks between 2-9 kilometres on some days. This may involve rough ground and perhaps getting wet.
• Please advise of any special dietary requirements when you book. We offer plenty of variety and do our best to provide fresh products. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are not included.
• Due to limited space in the trailer, bags are restricted to 1 × 15 kg backpack/soft travel bag per person, plus one small piece of hand luggage for on the bus.
• All passengers must complete online check-in, including a 'Fit for Travel' self-declaration to confirm they are illness-free. This is mandatory and must be completed at the latest 24 hours before departure.
• This tour requires a minimum of four people to operate. In the unlikely event your departure is cancelled because minimum numbers have not been met, we will transfer all monies paid onto a future departure date. If this is not suitable, we will refund your tour price in full.
• Itinerary changes may occur to ensure we provide the best possible experience. Weather conditions in Australia can change quickly, and our experienced guides will always put the safety of our passengers first. Any itinerary changes will be communicated to the group in advance.

• Please read our full Booking Terms & Conditions before booking.

ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING

• Camping on this tour is at a mixture of national parks and campgrounds. All campgrounds do have basic toilet and shower facilities.
• Please note that Mikkira Station doesn't permit camping during high fire danger periods. This is most likely to be between November and March. If we cannot stay there, we will camp at one of our other locations, such as Bay View Park, which also has one shower and toilet.  
• When camping, we use single swags. Swags are 'Aussie Bed Rolls' made from sturdy canvas with a mattress built into the swag.
• Sleeping bags – we prefer passengers to provide their own sleeping bag and pillow to insert into the swag. However, this tour has an option if you don't have one to purchase a new 0-degree sleeping bag for $50. Alternatively, you can hire a used one for $20. These options need to be added to your cart at the time of booking. We donate old and unused sleeping bags to a homeless charity, ensuring they go to good use after their time with us.
• Our wet weather option is tents shared by the group.
• In the unlikely event of extreme weather, alternative accommodation may be sourced. In this case, the accommodation costs incurred will be shared 50/50 between Untamed Escapes and each passenger.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

On this tour, there are two optional extras that passengers can decide to add to their tour. You can find all the details for these below. As these experiences can fill up, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. 

• The Coffin Bay Oyster Tour can be added to your cart when booking.
• If you would like to choose the alternative itinerary for Day 2 and have a great white shark or sea lion experience with Calypso Star Charters, you need to contact them directly to check availability and book.