6 Day – Eyre Peninsula & Flinders Ranges Camping Adventure
Day 1 –Adelaide to Flinders Ranges National Park
Leaving Adelaide, we drive north, stopping in at Clare for a quick coffee before continuing on to the ancient Southern Flinders Ranges. So unique are the fossils found in this landscape, geologists had to revise the geologic time-line of the Earth’s history, identifying a new era called the Ediacaran period!
Hike Alligator Gorge where we’ll have lunch and explore the pristine Warren Gorge where we’ll be spending the night camped out under the stars of the Southern Cross. We’ll also be keeping our eyes peeling for the rare rock footed wallaby which is bouncing back from near extension.
Today we drive approximately 400 kilometres (4 hours) making stops along the way and tonight, we’ll be bush camping (no bathroom facilities) L / D
Day 2 – Flinders Ranges & the Eyre Peninsula
It’s an early morning start for the incredible Dutchman’s Stern hike before travelling to the wild and beautiful Eyre Peninsula, one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
See some unique outback silo art in the tiny town of Kimba and, after a quick pit stop for lunch, it’s time to head to the coast to explore Venus Bay where you’ll often spot dolphins surfing the waves and visit Talia Caves.
In the afternoon we’ll afternoon in to Coodlie Park, our home base, where company owner, Hassie will cook up a delicious BBQ feast and you’ll share stories with travellers from our other tours, sitting around the campfire before spending the night in a unique little swag hut.
Today we drive around 450 kilometres (5 hours) in total with bathroom and scenic stops along the way. Basic bathroom facilities are provided with a unique bucket shower and eco toilet facilities. B / L / D
Day 3 – Coodlie Park & Baird Bay
This morning you’ll be changing buses & joining our other guests who have been travelling across the Nullarbor Plain from Perth. Are you ready for an adventure packed day on the water?
A highlight of the tour today you’ll have the opportunity to swim, snorkel and splash about with playful sea lions and dolphins on a 3-hour cruise in the calm and sheltered waters of Baird Bay. This outsourced adventure operated by Baird Bay Eco Tours is an optional experience and at only $180 will be one an experience you will treasure forever. If you would prefer to stay dry, you will have the morning at leisure exploring Baird Bay and surrounds.
Following a picnic lunch on the beach, we’ll hit the waters again doing a learn to surf lesson with Sceale Bay Surf School on a remote and pristine beach. Those not wanting to surf will be able to relax, swim or explore some more of the region.
Tonight, we’ll return To Coodlie Park and stay in the swag huts. Total drive time for today is about 3 hours, walking for approximately 1 hour throughout the day and as much swimming as you can handle. B / L / D
Day 4 – Port Lincoln & Mikkira Station
This morning tests your sand boarding skills on the Lake Newland Conservation Park sand dunes before leaving the area to explore the spectacular Eyre Peninsula coastline on our way to Port Lincoln – the Seafood Capital of Australia.
Enjoy delicious lunch on the foreshore and afterwards stretch your legs with a wander around the town – we’ve put aside some time here for you to stroll along the foreshore, survey the scenery or kick back with a cool drink in a café.
We’ll make a short drive onto our campsite for the night at Mikkira Station; a private campground surrounded by eucalyptus trees and plenty of neighbouring koalas.
Driving time today is about 3 hours and walking time is about 2 hours. Mikkira Station has toilet and shower facilities…luxury!!! B / L / D
Day 5 – Port Lincoln to Mt Remarkable
Today you are offered two very different itineraries depending on your love affair with fear! If you are seeking a major adrenalin rush you can choose the optional experience of Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks. Port Lincoln is the only place in Australia and one of only five in the world you can come face to face with this incredible creature. This is a full day tour which costs $395 + $125 water entry fee.
If you choose not to shark cage dive, then your day is still action packed. Visit Lincoln National Park, which features some of the most scenic coastline in South Australia. Travel along Whalers Way coastal drive to see breathtaking coastline and some of the oldest rocks in Australia and you’ll be spotting abundant native Australian wildlife such as emus and kangaroos in the sanctuary.
We visit Wadlata Cultural Centre and have an interpretive walk through the life of the new frontier pioneers of South Australia. We’ll then collect any people returning from the Shark Cage Dive and then head to Mt. Remarkable National Park to set up camp for the night.
Depending on which itinerary you chose we’ll drive for about four hours, and walk for two, if not doing the cage dive. We bush camp In Mt. Remarkable National Park which has shower and toilets. B / L / D
Day 6 – Mt Remarkable to Adelaide
This morning we’ll embark on our last hike of the tour – Davey’s Gully Walk in Mt. Remarkable National Park, before hitting the road back to Adelaide and travelling through some of South Australia pioneer mining towns.
Drive time today is around 5 hours and this overland adventure ends upon arrival in Adelaide. You’ll get your breakfast and lunch and although there are no formal activities planned it is usual for the group to get together and reflect on their adventure together over a few drinks and meal (at own expense). B / D
There’s no accommodation provided tonight so please make sure you have booked your accommodation prior to departure. Speak to Travel Forever for assistance with reserving your onward travel arrangements and accommodation.
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
Optional Extras:
While everything on this tour is included in the price such as transport, accommodation, food and entry and national park fees, there are two optional experiences not included in the price that you can choose to do.
Swim with Sea Lions – Adventure Bay Charters – $205 per person
(Please note does not operate June-August)
Head out on this half-day cruise to the crystal-clear waters of Seal Cove off Port Lincoln, where the puppy dogs of the sea will welcome your arrival with great excitement! Swim, snorkel, paddle and splash about in the company of these inquisitive animals as they splash, jump, twist and twirl all around you. If you’re lucky you might even get a kiss!
Included in the cost is your mask, snorkel, wetsuit and fins, light breakfast served in departure lounge, morning tea on board & free photos.
Shark Cage Diving with Great Whites – Calypso Star Charters – $395 per person + $100 on board payment
Calypso Star Charters was established in 1990 and have a proud history of providing safe and exciting Advanced Eco Certified Shark Cage Diving. They are also the only one-day Shark Cage Diving operator who is permitted to use natural fish berley (chum) to attract the sharks. The full day charter boards at 6.30 am, taking about 2.5 hours to reach the Neptune Islands. If you choose to enter the cage there is a fee of $100 paid on board to the Skipper. No diver experience is required. All food and equipment are supplied and MV Calypso Star 2 is the only Shark Cage Diving vessel fitted with a Gyroscopic Stabilizer greatly increasing your comfort throughout the day.
When booked direct through us you get a free highlights photo package valued at $30.
Please keep in mind:
These optional tours are operated by third party suppliers and therefore the terms and conditions of each of these companies apply. The weather can play an important part in the operation of these tours and occasionally, a tour may be cancelled which is beyond our control. If that is the situation, you will be provided a full refund for the Optional Tours.
The operators of the Shark Cage tours are unable to guarantee shark sightings as they are, after all, wild animals. In the unlikely event that a shark is not seen a return at half price gift voucher is provided to each person.
Important Information:
Meals: We offer plenty of variety and do our best to provide fresh products. Please let us know of any special dietary requirements at time of booking. We also recommend to our passengers who may have a difficult diet to cater for, to bring some of their own preferred foods for the journey. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are not included.
Camping: Our tours are camping adventures and participation and involvement is required from our passengers. Accommodation on tour is a mixture of national parks, campgrounds, bush camps (no bathroom facilities). When camping, we use individual swags provided by Nullarbor Traveller. (Our wet weather option is 3-person dome tents shared by a maximum of 2 people per tent). We like to be flexible with our camping spots as sometimes weather conditions will dictate the best place to camp. If the weather is unreliable the guide may suggest to the group to stop in an accommodated premise – this is at the individuals own cost.
What to bring:
Personal belongings, sleeping bag, travel pillow, torch, rainproof jacket, walking shoes, swimmers and towel, water bottle, insect repellent, hat, and sunscreen.
Bags are restricted to 1 x 15 kilogramme backpack/soft travel bag per person, plus one small piece of hand luggage.
Changes to Itinerary:
Our experienced guides will tailor all of the activities on seasonal & cultural conditions throughout the year, to maximize your experience and enjoyment. Any deviation from this itinerary will be made with serious consideration and your best interest and safety is our priority.
Highlights:
- Southern Flinders Ranges – Alligator & Warren Gorges
- Dutchmans Stern hike
- Learn to surf lesson
- Sandboarding adventure
- Koala’s and native wildlife at Mikkira Station
- Spectacular coastal scenery of the Eyre Peninsula
- Swim with wild Sea Lions & Dolphins (OE)
- Shark Cage Dive with Great Whites (OE)
What’s Included:
- All Meals – 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Transport – Air-conditioned Minibus – max 18 people
- Accommodation – Bush camp (no Facilities) 2 nights – Camping (with basic facilities) 3 nights
- All activities unless stated as an optional extra
