Channel and Corner Country Adelaide Broken Hill Innaminka Birdsville Alice Springs 14 Day Tour

Join tour in Sydney, Adelaide, Mildura or Broken Hill (rail option from Sydney)
Fully accommodated hotel rooms
Genuine small group - 2-4 per GXL 4WD
NOT a Bus
27 years tours operation

We have strict COVID-19 Safety Management Systems in place to protect guests.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19, all new bookings will be refunded in full if the borders are not open prior to trip departure.
Conditions apply. See https://www.spiritsafaris.com/terms-and-conditions/

This Small group luxury 4WD travel via Channel and Corner Country Adelaide Broken Hill Innaminka Birdsville Alice Springs 12 Day Tour runs from Adelaide to Alice Springs via Mungo National Park, Darling River Run via Pooncarie and Menindee Lakes, Burke and Wills camp, Broken Hill, Silverton, Milparinka, Tibooburra, Cameron Corner, Moomba, Innamincka, Dig Tree, Coongie Lakes (access allowing) Mungerannie, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia, Tobermorey, Plenty Highway to Alice Springs.

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 viewing the Simpson Desert, Cooper Creek cruise, Boulia, Min Min lights encounter and Plenty Highway desert travel and Gemtree minerals visit.

Fully inclusive luxury 4WD vehicles in small group 4WD travel, 12 days from Adelaide or 11 from Broken Hill (meets arrival by rail option), with 8 nights hotel / motel / cabin accommodation, all meals, professional guides.

Pick up available Adelaide, Mildura or Broken Hill - please ASK

Includes 2 hour Cooper Creek cruise at Innamincka (seasonal)

Visit the famous Dig Tree & historic reserve, plus Burke's Grave on the banks of Cooper Creek. this remote and fascinating area around the junction of the NSW, QLD & SA borders, known as Cameron Corner. Travel through giant sheep stations from over 100 years ago, witness the Moomba oil fields & mighty Cooper Creek at Innamincka. Travelling in our luxury 4WD Landcruisers, you can stand at the famous Cameron Corner adjacent the Dog Fence. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and hear the tales of the great Cattle drives as we travel the Strzelecki Track - pioneered by Captain Starlight as he stole 1000 cattle from Queensland QLD in 1870. Later, Sidney Kidman & Co and many others made their fortunes on the track pioneered by Starlight.

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1 – Depart from Sydney – travelling via the famous “Dog on the Tucker Box” over the Great Dividing Range to Wagga Wagga, and on to Hay on the edge of the Murrumbidgee River, and in the Heart of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Learn about Australia’s food bowl, the Murray-Darling Basin. Enjoy a hearty local meal and overnight in a counrty motel. LD

Day 2 – Visit the Shearers Hall of Fame in Hay and learn of the rich life in the wool industry in early NSW. We travel the western plains then follow the Murray River to its junction with the Darling River at Wentworth. Optional wine tasting at Trentham Estate, a family-owned winery on the banks of the Murray River. Enjoy an afternoon wine tasting by the river before we head to Wentworth. In the late 1800’s Wentworth was the largest river port in Australia with over 400 boats plying the Murray and the Darling Rivers. Overnight Wentworth Meals: BL

Day 3 – Enjoy a peaceful nature walk between the confluence of the rivers, admiring the ancient River Red Gums and many water birds of this area. Visit the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers, Australia’s biggest river system and also visit Wentworth Pioneer Museum with life-size megafauna replicas from the local area including the cuddly 2-metre high Diprotodons. After lunch we leave the river area and head for Overnight at Mungo Lodge in Mungo National Park B,L,D

Day 4 - Explore Mungo National Park, a World Heritage listed site thanks to Mungo Man man & woman being discovered here, after their 60,000 year old ritual burial. Explore the walls of China, and more history including National Parks display, and the restored woolshed. Next we meet the Darling River at Pooncarie and follow the river to Menindee, Menindee Lakes, and Burke and Wills campsite on the banks of the river. Arrive in 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 5 - From Broken Hill, we visit Silverton, where films including Mad Max, and Mission Impossible were made. We visit the Living Desert sculptures, Pro Harts Gallery, the Railway & Historical Museum and Miners Memorial on top of the Broken Hill Line of Lode where the mine was located. Alternatively, you may wish to take an Aboriginal guided tour to Mootwingee National Park (extra cost) Overnight Broken Hill Desert Sands Motel or similarB.L.D

Day 6 - Depart Broken Hill through the Barrier Range on the Silver City Highway via Packsaddle for Milparinka and Depot Glen, where explorer Charles Sturt spent 6 months in 1845 with a team of men, waiting for rain or cooler conditions. This area has been extensively mined for tin, lead and gold and operated large sheep stations. Appreciate this once thriving gold mining town at the restored Milparinka Heritage Precinct. Time to explore Tibooburra, and the Outdoor Pastoral Museum. 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. We check out the Tibooburra pubs and considerable town and mining history before overnight here at Family Hotel or Granites Motel BLD

Day 7 - Today we are heading into the Sturt Desert & Sturt National park, crossing the Grey Range with a stop at Fort Grey. The park protects an enormous arid landscape of space and solitude. The rolling red-sand dunes of the Strzelecki desert ripple through the western section, graduating past surprising wetlands surrounded by white sands. After some great opportunities for photos, we pass through the Dog Fence and arrive at Cameron Corner on the 3 states corner (NSW, SA & QLD) for a thirst quencher and souvenirs, and check out the "Corner Store". It is said by the local Queensland residents that the flies come in from NSW, and the dust from South Australia. We travel via Bollards Lagoon, the Yellow Bus site (now buried) and Merty Merty station, crossing the sand hills of the Strzelecki Desert, and Creek as we head for the Strzelecki Track and the uncanny Moomba oil & gas fields. We pass the location of the geothermal power plant / hot rocks project of Geodynamics where Australia has 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 it from 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. Check out the birdlife at sunset on the flooding Cooper Creek before a delicious meal at the Innamincka Hotel, adjacent the famous old Mission station, restored as National Parks offices. Overnight Innaminka Hotel 2 nights

Day 8 - A chance for an early walk and look at creekside birdlife - the old hospital building (now museum & NP office) and quirky Innamincka - before we head for the S/ QLD border and Nappa Merrie Station (was owned by S Kidman & Co, now Gina Reinhart) to the Burke & Wills Dig Tree. Here Burke & Wills support team lead 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 haven for bird life in the region. Overnight Innaminka Hotel 2 nights.

Day 9 - Travel via Moomba and remote Walkers Crossing through the Stony Desert to the Birdsville Track and Mungerannie Hotel, site of their popular Artesian bore fed wetlands. Overnight Mungerannie Hotel - cabin accommodation with shared bathrooms BLD

Day 10 - Today we visit Cowarie Station on the Warburton River, the major inflow to lake Eyre from the Diamantina River and Goyder Lagoon before a visit to Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary operated by Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Here we learn of the important local and widespread work of AWC with its over 24 sanctuary properties in unique and diverse Australian landscapes. We later travel north on the Birdsville Track to cross the Queensland border and overnight in Birdsville, at the Birdsville Pub BLD

Day 11 - Today we will travel through the sandhills to visit and climb Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest sandhill. We do a Birdsville tour with its fascinating history, visit Burke & Wills marked tree by the Diamantina River, and site of Australias most famous thermal power station. After lunch, we depart and travel due north through Channel Country and the Diamantina Shire HQ at Bedourie, crossing several creeks and water holes often hosting wetland birds including Brolgas. Arrive Boulia for overnight at Australia Hotel or Boulia Desert Sands Motel. BLD

Day 12 - The Min Min Encounter is a theatre presentions at the visitors 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. We depart after the exhibition and town tour for Tobermorey via the Plenty Highway and the northern boundary of the Simpson Desert. The Tobermorey camping area which is set on the Tobermorey Station is a lovely grassed area under trees. It has hot showers, flushing toilets and a shop with some basic goods. We can enjoy an open campfire under the stars tonight. Accommodation is available here in basic cabins with ensuite shared bathrooms for early bookers. Alternatively or camping option. as we overnight at Tobermorey Station in basic cabin accommodation. BLD

Day 13 - Our journey onward takes us via Jervois, which is our last fuel stop. Jervois is a cattle station, formed in 1960, and one of the last stations to be taken up in the area. We pass by giant termite nests and nearby the rugged Harts Range. Enjoy a stop at the remote Atitjere community Aboriginal Arts centre, nestled at the base of the Harts Ranges, Atitjere is home to around 400 people. Time permitting, a stopover at Gemtree and check out the gems, crystals and mineral specimens as well as local Aboriginal Art and artefacts at this popular gem fossicking region. Arrive Alice Springs for overnight and a celebratory meal together. BLD

Day 14 - After a tasty breakfast tour completes at 10 am. You are free to enjoy the many options available in Alice Springs including the Araluen Cultural Centre & Museum, Old Telegraph Station, or Royal Flying Doctor Base, Desert Wildlife Park, Aboriginal Art galleries, or extended tours to Uluru via MacDonnell Ranges or to Darwin or beyond. B

This fully inclusive tour is by small group luxury 4WD travel.

Inclusions

Genuine small group 2- 4 per car, in 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
Ensuite hotel/motel accommodation except 1 night shared bathroom at Mungerannie, and possible 1 night camping at Tobermorey if you book too late.
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

Alcohol
Flights to and from departure points

HIGHLIGHTS

Join tour in Adelaide, Sydney Mildura or Broken Hill
Fully accommodated hotel rooms
Genuine small group - 2-4 per 4WD
NOT a Bus
27 years tours operation

We have strict COVID-19 Safety Management Systems in place to protect guests.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Due to the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 crisis, all new bookings will be refunded in full if delayed by COVID-19 issues eg borders not open prior to trip departure.

Update to Terms and Conditions – December 29, 2020 – Travel insurance that includes cancellation cover for COVID-19 issues is recommended.

REVISED REFUND POLICY – Refunds are available with no penalty up to 30 days prior to the departure date, if your request is received in writing (SMS or email preferred). Refunds requested with less than 30 days notice are subject to conditions as below in General terms & Conditions. NOTE – we always try to make refunds available if requested, even at short notice, but we may incur costs (eg relocation of vehicles and people, accommodation terms etc) that do not make 100% refund possible, hence the General Terms and Conditions as detailed on this booking site and our website.

See latest update here https://www.spiritsafaris.com/terms-and-conditions/