9 Days in the Flinders Ranges and Eyre Peninsula

Home , Blinman, Mawson Trail, Neptune Islands, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Spencer Gulf

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9 days in the Flinders Ranges and Eyre Peninsula

Visit the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and soak up the incredible beauty of one of the earth’s oldest landscapes at Wilpena Pound, in the heart of the traditional homeland of the Adnyamathanha (Yura) people. Owned and operated by the Yura people, Wilpena Pound Resort offers 4WD tours, Aboriginal cultural walks, nature and bush walks, and scenic flights. South-west of Wilpena Pound lies Port Lincoln where the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula are a sanctuary for some of Australia’s most unique and curious marine creatures including dolphins, Australian sea lions and the awesome great white shark.

AT A GLANCE THE JOURNEY » 3 nights Wilpena Pound » Nearest Major City: Adelaide » 5 nights Port Lincoln » Duration: 9 days » Mode of Transport: Car, On Foot, 4WD, Bicycle, Plane, Boat Ikara Safari Camp, Wilpena Pound Resort Ikara Sunset Spectacular tour, Wilpena Pound

DAY 1 DAY 3 Depart Adelaide and drive to the Flinders Highlights: This morning take a scenic flight of Lake Eyre Ranges, stopping to stretch your legs at » See the Big Goanna at Crystal Brook. and Muloorina Station. Crystal Brook – home to the Big Goanna. » Try some quandong pie in Quorn. Enjoy stunning aerial views of Parachilna, Stop for lunch at Port Pirie, a treasure trove » Enjoy a traditional Welcome to Country at Marree and awe-inspiring Lake Eyre. Land of colonial architecture with intoxicating Wilpena Pound Resort. at the remote Muloorina Station then pass views of the Spencer Gulf. Cool off at nearby over the Leigh Creek open-cut coal fields and Solomontown Beach. DAY 2 Gammon Ranges on the return flight. Take a break at Quorn where a visit to the Take the full day Mining Mysteries and In the afternoon hire a bike from Reception. Quandong Café for a slice of quandong (wild Outback Histories tour. Ride part of the famous Mawson Trail, which peach) pie is a must. runs from Adelaide to Blinman passing Visit Blinman, exploring the old copper mine behind the Wilpena Pound Campground. Arrive at Wilpena Pound Resort and check in. and historic town. Travel to Parachilna for Alternatively, ride to Old Wilpena Station Wilpena Pound Resort offers visitors to lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel then pass before taking the self-guided walking trail the Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park an through Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges around the old buildings. opportunity to explore and truly appreciate learning about ancient geological history. Highlights: this spectacular and ancient land with its Tonight, enjoy an Ikara Sunset Spectacular » View the magnificent Lake Eyre on a rich cultural history, unique biodiversity and tour with an Aboriginal guide. stunning landscapes. The Resort serves as scenic flight. the only accommodation within the Ikara- Observe the changing colours as the sun sets » Hire a bike and explore one of the many Flinders Ranges National Park and includes over Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges. trails around Wilpena Pound Resort. hotel rooms, ‘glamping’ safari tents Marvel at this vast ancient landscape from a and campsites. spectacular local lookout point. Beverages and canapés are provided. This evening experience a Welcome to Country - Adnyamathanha Yarta. Highlights: » Explore the copper mines and historic town Be welcomed to the area in Yura Ngawarla, of Blinman. the language of the Adnyamathanha people. Enjoy Aboriginal songs, traditional stories, » Have lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel. and local information as you are welcomed » Enjoy drinks and canapés from a sunset to Wilpena Pound Resort and the Flinders lookout. Ranges by a Yura staff member.

Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges Emu, Coffin Bay National Park, Eyre Peninsula

Cummings Lookout, Port Lincoln-Ceduna Australian Coastal Safaris, Baird Bay

DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 Depart Wilpena Pound for Port Lincoln. Meet your guide from Australian Coastal Day 2: Baird Bay Safaris for an unforgettable 3-4 day Depart Port Lincoln for the magical Baird Stop at Port Augusta, the ‘crossroads of Eyre Peninsula Wildlife and Ocean Bay. Take a short boat ride to the location Australia’, an intersection of calm blue waters, Encounters Tour. where you will experience sea lions in their red ranges and semi-arid deserts. Check out the natural environment. Swim with the resident remarkable Sundrop, a farming complex that Day 1: Coffin Bay National Park Bottlenose dolphins, then enjoy lunch on the combines solar power, electricity generation, Enter beautiful Coffin Bay and venture out on beach before returning to Port Lincoln via freshwater production and hydroponics. a cruise joining a local oyster farmer to see Talia caves. two islands named ‘The Brothers’. Shuck your Continue to The Eyre Peninsula, with striking own oysters, then enjoy a gourmet seafood Highlights: coastlines, vast sand dunes, rugged offshore platter before continuing on to Coffin Bay islands, secluded coves and incredible » Swim with Australian sea lions – one of National Park for some wildlife spotting. marine encounters. only two places in the world where this is Return to Port Lincoln. available. Stop at Cowell and enjoy an alfresco lunch at » Enjoy an up-close encounter with The Franklin Harbour Hotel. Highlights: bottlenose dolphins in deeper waters. Arrive Port Lincoln and check into Port » Visit the stunning estuary at Coffin Bay. Lincoln Hotel. » Cruise to The Brothers – unique, paleontological-significant islands. Tonight’s dining suggestions include Del Giorno’s, Sarins Restaurant, The Line & Label » Enjoy a tour and tasting at an oyster farm. and Sharkys Bar » Spot native birds and animals at Coffin Bay National Park. Highlights: » Make a stop at the ‘crossroads of Australia’ – Port Augusta. » Drive past the remarkable Sundrop Farms – successfully growing produce without fossil fuels, vast amounts of fresh water and thousands of acres of cultivated farmland. » Enjoy a laidback dinner with the locals at Port Lincoln. Great White Shark, Neptune Islands, Eyre Peninsula

Koala, Lincoln National Park Adelaide, South Australia

DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 Day 3: Lincoln National Park Day 4: Neptune Islands (Optional) Return to Adelaide. Head to Lincoln National Park, where rugged Today head to Neptune Islands for an cliffs provide an opportunity to view native opportunity to cage dive with the Great Australia birdlife. Take an optional hike to White Sharks. Enter the Aqua Sub (a glass see spectacular views from the Stamford underwater viewing area) or experience the Hill Lookout. After lunch, visit the beautiful underwater action in the cage. Mikkira Station to see a colony of wild koalas Highlights: and emus roaming around amongst the sheep. » Cage dive with Great White Sharks. Highlights: » Spot birdlife, dolphins and Australian Sea- » View seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, lions and Long-nosed Fur Seals. parrots and raptors including osprey and white-bellied sea eagles. » Interact with the koalas at Mikkira Station.