DARWIN to ADELAIDE – 14 Day Small Group Luxury 4WD Tour

Fully accommodated hotel rooms
Genuine small group - 2-4 per 4WD
NOT a Bus
30+ years tours operation
Combined tour and past passenger discounts apply - please ask

DARWIN to ADELAIDE – 14 Day Small Group Luxury 4WD Tour

This Small Group Luxury 4WD journey travels via Channel Country and Corner Country between Darwin and Adelaide, linking the Top End, Red Centre and Outback heartlands of Alice Springs, Birdsville, Innamincka, Cameron Corner, Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Mungo National Park and the Murray Riverlands.

This route follows the Mungo National Park,Darling River Run via Pooncarie and Menindee Lakes, Burke & Wills camp, Broken Hill, Silverton, Milparinka, Tibooburra, Cameron Corner, Moomba, Innamincka, Dig Tree, Coongie Lakes (access allowing), Mungerannie, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia, Tobermorey and the Plenty Highway to Alice Springs, now experienced in reverse direction from Darwin to Adelaide.

Explore in the footsteps of Burke &Wills (visit the Dig Tree) in this remote and fascinating area around the junction of the NSW, QLD & SA borders and beyond. This tour includes Big Red sandhill in the Simpson Desert, a Cooper Creek cruise, Boulia, a Min Min lights encounter, Plenty Highway desert travel and a Gemtree minerals visit.

Fully inclusive luxury 4WD Land Cruiser travel in small groups, with comfortable motel / hotel / cabin accommodation, all or most meals and professional guides.

Pick up available by arrangement (e.g. Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Broken Hill, Mildura or Adelaide) – please ASK.

Includes a 2-hour Cooper Creek cruise at Innamincka (if operating) plus visits to the famous Dig Tree & historic reserve, Burke’s Grave on the banks of Cooper Creek and Cameron Corner adjacent to the Dog Fence. Travel through giant outback Cattle & sheep stations, see the Moomba oil & gas fields and the mighty Cooper Creek at Innamincka. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and hear tales of great cattle drives along the Strzelecki Track, pioneered by Captain Starlight and later used by Sir Sidney Kidman & Co and many others.

ITINERARY DETAILS – DARWIN to ADELAIDE (14Days)

Day 1 – Darwin to Katherine, Mataranka & Dunmarra

Depart Darwin and travel south on the Stuart Highway via the lush Top End landscape to Katherine. Continue via Mataranka and the MatarankaThermal Springs / Elsey National Park, where you can enjoy the palm-lined,spring-fed pools that feature in We of the Never Never.

We then travel via the renowned Daly Waters Pub, with its quirky memorabilia and rich aviation and droving history,before continuing south toward Three Ways and the John Flynn Memorial,connecting with the story of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Cross the Ashburton and Whittington Ranges as we continue through classic outback scenery to overnight at Dunmarra,a famous outback rest stop on the Stuart Highway. L D

Day 2 – Dunmarra, Newcastle Waters, Renner Springs & Devils Marbles to Alice Springs

Depart Dunmarra and travel via Lake Woods and Newcastle Waters, once an important droving centre, and past Renner Springs, another iconic outback roadhouse.

We then pass through Three Ways, where the road from Mt Isa / Townsville joins the Stuart Highway, and see the John Flynn memorial (father of the RFDS). Continue south to Tennant Creek,once a major gold mining town, before reaching the spectacular Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) for great photo opportunities among these giantrounded boulders, known in Aboriginal legend as the “Eggs of the Rainbow Serpent”.

Continue via Wycliffe Wells, Barrow Creek, Ti-Tree and Aileron, where we visit the Aileron Outback Art Gallery and can see artists at work, before arriving in Alice Springs. Overnight in Alice Springs. BLD

Day 3 – Alice Springs to Gemtree, Harts Range, Atitjere & Tobermorey Station

After a tasty breakfast, we depart AliceSprings along the Plenty Highway, travelling east across the Central Australian desert.

Enjoy a stop at Gemtree, where you cancheck out gems, crystals and mineral specimens as well as local Aboriginal artand artefacts in this popular fossicking region. We pass by the rugged HartsRange and stop at the remote Atitjere community Aboriginal Arts centre,nestled at the base of the Harts Ranges and home to around 400 people.

We continue past giant termite mounds anddesert landscapes to cross into Queensland and arrive at Tobermorey Station.

The Tobermorey area, set on TobermoreyStation, is a lovely grassed area under trees. It has hotshowers, flushing toilets and a shop with some basic goods. We can enjoy anopen campfire under the stars tonight. Accommodation is available here in well appointed cabins with ensuite bathroom for early bookers. BLD

Day 4 – Tobermorey Station to Boulia & MinMin Encounter

Today we travel from Tobermorey across the northern fringe of the Simpson Desert and into the heart of Channel Country, arriving at the remote township of Boulia.

The highlight here is the Min Min Encounter,a theatre presentation at the visitor centre, where we learn of the fascinating story of the Min Min lights phenomena – a mystery of strange red lights appearing and following people in this remote desert region.

After the Min Min Encounter and a Boulia town tour, we settle in for the night at Australia Hotel or Boulia Desert Sands Motel. BLD

Day 5 – Boulia, Bedourie & Channel Country to Birdsville

Depart Boulia and travel due south through thewide open spaces and braided channels of Channel Country. We cross several creeks and waterholes often hosting wetland birds including Brolgas and other waterbirds.

We pass through Bedourie, headquarters of the Diamantina Shire, with its classic outback character and long droving history.

Arrive in Birdsville for a town tour with its fascinating history – visit sites including Burke & Wills marked tree by the Diamantina River, and the site of one of Australia’s most famous thermal power stations. Overnight in Birdsville, with achance to soak up the atmosphere of the iconic Birdsville Pub. BLD

Day 6 – Birdsville & Big Red, WarburtonRiver & Kalamurina – to Mungerannie

This morning we head out through the sandhills to visit and climb Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest sandhill, with panoramic views over the desert.

Returning to Birdsville, we then journey south along the Birdsville Track, visiting Cowarie Station on the Warburton River, the major inflow to Lake Eyre from the Diamantina River and Goyder Lagoon.

We visit Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary(operated by Australian Wildlife Conservancy) to learn of their important local and widespread conservation work across over 24 sanctuary properties in unique and diverse Australian landscapes.

Continuing south on the Birdsville Track, we reach Mungerannie Hotel, site of popular artesian bore-fed wetlands,a rich haven for birdlife and wildlife. Overnight Mungerannie Hotel – cabin accommodation with shared bathrooms. BLD

Day 7 – Mungerannie to Innamincka via WalkersCrossing & Moomba

Today we leave Mungerannie and travel via Walkers Crossing through the Stony Desert, crossing gibber plains and remote watercourses as we make our way towards the Strzelecki Track.

We pass the uncanny Moomba oil & gasfields, a major hub of Australia’s energy industry, and the location of the geothermal / hot rocks project of Geodynamics, where Australia has some of the hottest rocks on Earth, outside of volcanic areas.

**Geologists think that 10 million years ago,the granites in the Cooper Basin, South Australia, were exposed at the surface.Since that time they have been covered by a sedimentary layer, four kilometres thick, that acts as an overlying blanket, trapping the heat and preventing itfrom escaping to the atmosphere.

The heat is created by naturally occurring radiogenic decay that heats the granite to more than 250 degrees Celsius. The granite temperatures in Europe are only 180 degrees Celsius. The granite belt in the Cooper Basin is fractured in horizontal layers and these fractures naturally contain water at very high pressures – up to 5,000 pounds per square inch.**

Arrive at Innamincka, on the banks of Cooper Creek.

Check out the birdlife at sunset on the flood plains of Cooper Creek before a delicious meal at the Innamincka Hotel,adjacent the famous old Australian Inland Mission hospital restored as a museum and National Parks offices. Overnight Innamincka Hotel – 2 nights. BLD

Day 8 – Innamincka, Dig Tree, Burke’s Grave & Cooper Creek Cruise / Coongie Lakes

A chance for an early walk and look at creek side birdlife, the old hospital building (now museum & NP office) and quirky Innamincka – before we head for the SA/QLD border and Nappa Merrie Station (was owned by S Kidman & Co, now Gina Rinehart)to the Burke & Wills Dig Tree.

Here Burke & Wills’ support team led by Brahe had waited 4 months and 4 days (a month longer than agreed) and had buried provisions for the possibility of the returning northern explorers. The support team left only a few hours before Burke & Wills’ return, and the supplies were possibly not found, contributing to their demise. Lots of history– and birdlife – here on the infamous Cooper Creek.

There’s time for a cruise on Cooper Creek,and, providing the access route is open, we can visit Coongie Lakes, a superb haven for bird life in the region. Return to Innamincka Hotel. BLD

Day 9 – Innamincka, Strzelecki Desert &Moomba to Cameron Corner & Tibooburra

Today we depart Innamincka, rejoining the StrzeleckiTrack and travelling once more through the rolling red-sand dunes of the StrzeleckiDesert, past surprising wetlands surrounded by white sands, and acrossclassic desert and station country.

We pass again by the broader Moomba region and then travel via Merty Merty Station, the Yellow Bus site (now buried) and Bollards Lagoon, heading for Cameron Corner,where the borders of NSW, SA & QLD meet at the Dog Fence.

It is said by local Queensland residents that the flies come in from NSW, and the dust from South Australia. After a thirst quencher and time for photos and souvenirs at the “Corner Store”, we cross into NSW and continue into Sturt National Park and the Sturt Desert landscape.

We arrive at Tibooburra, with time to explore the Tibooburra pubs and considerable town and mining history,plus the Outdoor Pastoral Museum. Overnight at Family Hotel or Granites Motel, Tibooburra. BLD

Day 10 – Tibooburra, Depot Glen & Milparinka to Broken Hill

Depart Tibooburra travelling through the central Jump-Up country of Sturt National Park, with its flat-topped mesas and fantastic views.

We visit Depot Glen and the restored Milparinka Heritage Precinct, where explorer Charles Sturt spent six months in1845 with his men, waiting for rain or cooler conditions. This area has been extensively mined for tin, lead and gold and supported large sheep stations.

Flat-topped mesas and fantastic views characterise the central Jump-Up country. Remnant gidgee woodland, the catchment system of the ephemeral Twelve-Mile Creek and gibber and grass-covered plains dominate the east, while 450-million-year-old granite tors surrounding Tibooburra form part of the southern boundary of the park.

Appreciate this once thriving gold mining town, then travel via Packsaddle, cross the Barrier Range, and arrive in Broken Hill.

Arrive Broken Hill for overnight. Enjoy viewing Mario's famous artworks and a well deserved dinner at the famous Palace Hotel from Priscilla Queen of the Desert fame. In Broken Hill we can meet passengers from the Sydney train. 2 nights at Desert Sands Motel or similar, Broken Hill. BLD

Day 11 – Broken Hill, Silverton, Living Desert& Galleries

From Broken Hill, we visit Silverton,where films including Mad Max and Mission Impossible were made.We visit the Living Desert sculptures, Pro Hart’s Gallery, the Railway& Historical Museum and Miners Memorial, perched on top of theBroken Hill Line of Lode where the mine was located.

Alternatively, you may wish to take an Aboriginal-guided tour to Mutawintji (Mootwingee) National Park (extra cost), visitingoutstanding rock art sites and learning more of local Aboriginal culture.Overnight Broken Hill, Desert Sands Motel or similar. BLD

Day 12 – Broken Hill, Menindee Lakes &Darling River to Mungo National Park

Depart Broken Hill for Menindee, Menindee Lakes and Burke & Wills campsite on the banks of the Darling River.

We follow the Darling River to Pooncarie and then into Mungo National Park, a World Heritage-listed sitethanks to Mungo Man & Mungo Woman being discovered here after their60,000-year-old ritual burials.

Overnight at Mungo Lodge in Mungo National Park. BLD

Day 13 – Explore Mungo National Park, then via Mildura & Murray Riverland to Adelaide

Today we explore Mungo National Park in depth – visiting the eerie Walls of China lunette formations, learning more of the area’s Aboriginal and natural history at the National Parks display,and visiting the restored woolshed that tells the story of station life here.

We depart Mungo and travel via Mildura,then cross the Murray Riverlands through Pooncarie (if not already visited in reverse routing), Berri and Renmark, and through the Barossa Valley wine country, before arriving in Adelaide in the late afternoon / early evening. BLD

Day 14 – Tour Concludes in Adelaide

After breakfast, the tour completes in Adelaide by 10am. You are free to explore the many options in and around Adelaide – the Central Markets, Glenelg, nearby Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale wine regions – or connect with flights and onward travel. B

Inclusions

Genuine small group 2- 4 per 4WD Landcruisers
Professional and experienced driver / guides
Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people enriches experiences
Access to remote areas and rock art sites unreachable by most tour vehicles
En-suite hotel/motel accommodation except 1 night shared bathroom at Mungerannie
All Delicious meals on tour, including vegetarian options.
All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees
Aboriginal Art community visits for “direct from artist” purchases
Contributions of tour price support Outback Kids and nature care programs.
You – and Your involvement in a creation much bigger than most can imagine

Exclusions