8 Day Corner Country, Birdsville, Cooper Creek, Strzelecki Track, Arkaroola, Innamincka, Wilpena Pound & Lake Eyre Tours & Flights

Floodwaters pass by Birdsville and head for Goyder Lagoon on the way to Lake Eyre

Corner Country, Arkaroola, Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges, Birdsville & Lake Eyre – From Adelaide or Broken Hill to Birdsville,  via Strzelecki Track, Arkaroola, Wilpena Pound, Lake Eyre (flight included), Flinders Ranges to Adelaide or Broken Hill. Cooper Creek, Lake Eyre via Coongie Lake wetlands, (now need to bypass due to road damage), Moomba, Innamincka, Birdsville, Burke & Wills Dig Tree, Lake Eyre (flight included), Flinders Ranges to Adelaide. Connection options to Sydney, Broken Hill, Adelaide or Melbourne.

Day 1  - From Adelaide pickup (or Broken Hill option) approximately 8 am from airport or your accommodation for departure via spectacular mountain scenery as we travel via Clare Valley wine country, then the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound. Our journey takes us through rural SA to enjoy picturesque roadside stops for lunch and a morning and afternoon teas. Visit historic Quorn & Hawker before arrival at Wilpena Pound resort for our comfy overnight stop. Enjoy a sunset walk with the kangaroos amongst the ancient Red River Gums and a relax at the bar before dinner. L, D

Day 2 – This morning we recommend the spectacular optional scenic flight over the pound. There’s time also to enjoy the Wangarra Lookout & Hills Homestead walk into the Pound. We leave Wilpena and pass by traditional sheep stations and the impressive Lake Frome, into the Gammon Ranges National Park to Arkaroola.  Overnight Arkaroola Resort. B,L,D

Day 3 - There's plenty to do here in this remote,  rugged area, including scenic flights or relaxing walks in the paths by nearby creeks, but the highlight is the Ridge Top Tour.  The 4.5 hour Ridge Top Tour showcases the magic of the Northern Flinders Ranges timeless terrain and unique natural beauty of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Witness some of the most spectacularly rugged country on earth as you travel through Arkaroola's 1600-million year geological history, as the inspiring images of red granite mountains and golden spinifex hillsides give way to a breath-taking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond. After a spectacular day, relax by the fireside and share your experiences. Overnight Arkaroola BLD

Arkaroola Resort		Ridge Top Tour Arkaroola

Day 4 - Today we pass by desert sand dunes, gibber plains and hot springs as we heading north to Innamincka. We pass by Lake Callabonna, where Diprotodon and numerous Australian megafauna roamed in swampy terrain when this was the eastern most shore of Australia. There are many remains of ancient beasties here, and the country makes it easy to imagine this other world of many millions of years ago. At Mt Hopeless (aptly named) we join the Strzelecki Track, we pass Merty Merty homestead and on via the vast oil and gas fields of Moomba and the Delta gas fields to enter the Innamincka Regional Reserve area, and famous Innamincka township on the banks of the notorious Cooper Creek.  A Cooper Creek cruise is in order before dinner at the Innamincka pub.

Day 5 - Today we visit the Burke & Wills dig tree, were the ill fated explorers arrived too late for their support party, and did not respond to the message on the tree to dig, where supplies were buried  that could have saved their lives. We head for the Coongie Lakes a Ramsar listed wetlands in the middle of the desert (now need to bypass due to road damage). We do though enjoy the prolific birdlife near here and unique flora before heading up the track, passing the largest shearing shed in Australia and the ruins of Cadelga Downs station, (alternatively via Haddon Corner, depending on road conditions) over the Queensland border to arrive Birdsville for overnight. BLD

Day 6 - Birdsville is an icon of the outback, attracting outback travellers to connect with the frontier history of this landmark town. Birdsville used to be the customs post for goods and cattle travelling to and from South Australia before Federation. It was the route used by the great cattle drovers, including S. Kidman & Co, and there's plenty of this history to experience in Birdsville, especially at the local museum, adjacent the tasty treats of the Hard Road Cafe. Today we visit Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest sand hill, and see Burke & Wills marked tree on the Diamantina River. An optional flight over the Simpson Desert and Goyder Lagoon is available here. We head off south on the Birdsville Track following the spectacular Diamantina River past Pandie Pandie station and Goyder Lagoon. Time and track conditions willing, we visit Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary & Station, part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for overnight, or alternatively overnight at Mungeranie Roadhouse on the Birdsville Track. BLD

Day 7 – Arriving in Marree, we take a 1 hr 30 min scenic flight over Lake Eyre. Our flight allows us to see the Warburton Groove, the main inflow channel to Lake Eyre, Elliot Price Conservation Park, Halligan Bay, Lake Eyre South and the Marree Man (a 4 km long, giant engraving in the landscape). On return to base, we see some of the sights of Marree, this once thriving Ghan Railway town. Marree is caretaker for some interesting railway relics, plus  the old mail truck used by legendary outback mailman Tom Kruse on the run from Marree to Birdsville. We visit the shores of Lake Eyre and Lake Eyre National Park and connect with the wonder of the bird and plant life revitalised by recent flooding rains in a permanent waterhole. Overnight in Marree with a few yarns around the campfire or at the local pub. BLD

Big Red Sandhill - Simpson Desert	Big Red Sandhill - Simpson Desert	Lake Eyre Flight

Day 8 – Today we visit the ruins of the old Ghan railway town of Farina, which once supported 300 people. We view the giant Leigh Creek coal mine, enjoy a break at the Quandong cafe at Copley and travel via old Ghan railway towns to Parachilna, and in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges to Hawker and picturesque mountain landscapes to arrive in Adelaide around 6pm, delivered to your accommodation or airport connection. BL

Cooper Creek flowing to Lake Eyre Download Tour Brochure

Corner Country, Birdsville Track & Lake Eyre Tours 8 day tour from Broken Hill or Adelaide to Birdsville, Cooper Creek, Lake Eyre via Strzelecki Track, Arkaroola, Wilpena Pound, Coongie Lake wetlands, (bypass) Moomba, Innamincka, Birdsville, Burke & Wills Dig Tree, Lake Eyre (flight included), Flinders Ranges to Adelaide or Broken Hill.  Price includes all meals, NP park entry fees, professional guide, Lake Eyre flight (less $ if flight not required), luxury small group 4WD transport. Price of $3,395 is for comfy camping OR for 7 nights accommodation (with hotel meals selection) upgrade add $595 per person. Rooms are in local hotel or ensuite cabins. April 26-May 3 May 12-19 May 20-27 September 15-22 October 7-14 8 days / 7 nights From Broken Hill or Adelaide options return to Adelaide or BH   Call 1300 763 188 or email with any questions to info@spiritsafaris.com