Flinders Ranges & Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Day 1 - Monday 12 September 2022

Melbourne - Adelaide (L,D)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.  Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for our flight to Adelaide. On arrival into Adelaide we meet up with our local coach captain before boarding our coach and making our way up into the delightful Clare Valley region of South Australia. Our first stop is the imposing Martindale Hall. A Georgian styled Italianate influenced sandstone mansion has significant heritage value in South Australia. Built in 1879 – 1880 at a cost of £30,000 it boasts 32 rooms and large cellar of some 7 rooms, we morning tea here before our next port of call at The Paulett's Winery for wine tastings and a light lunch. 

Following our tasting and visit we proceed to our Clare Valley accommodation for check-in and a rest followed by dinner in the motel restaurant.

Overnight Adelaide: Clare Valley Motel 

Day 2 - Tuesday 13 September 2022

Port Augusta (B,L,D)

After breakfast our journey continues north to Port Augusta via Bungaree Station for a tour followed by morning tea. Established in 1841, Bungaree Station became the headquarters of an extensive sheep station with 100 thousand merino sheep by the 1880s. It was like a small village, with its beautiful sandstone Homestead, Woolshed, Shearers Quarters, Stable Yard, Station Store, Managers House, staff cottages and even the District Council Chambers and a Church. Today, some 160 years later, it is an efficient mixed farm run by the descendent of the original founder, G.C. Hawker. Consequently Bungaree Station is not a museum, but rather a living record of rural Australia since 1841. It's then onto Port Augusta where we call into the Australian Arid Lands Botanical Gardens for lunch.

Afterwards we enjoy a relaxing stroll through a range of natural and themed gardens and soak in the sounds and scents of Australia’s arid heart. See one of Australia’s most significant collections of the ‘desert-loving’ Eremophila. Then take a walk through the innovative and award-winning Arid Smart Garden. We’ll discover how easy it is to create a stunning water-wise garden at home using Australia’s beautiful arid zone flora.

Our next stop is at the multi award winning Wadlata Outback Centre showcasing displays depicting the history of the Flinders Ranges and the Outback of South Australia from 15 million years ago to modern day. Experience and learn about the Dream Time of the Aborigine, European Settlement and Explorers, outback transport and mining, School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Leigh Creek Coal, Olympic Dam Mine and the Moomba gas fields.

It’s now time for check-in at our accommodation with time to relax before dinner.

Overnight Port Augusta: The Standpipe Golf Motor Inn 

Day 3 - Wednesday 14 September 2022

Port Augusta - Pichi Richi Railway - Flinders Ranges (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast and checkout we make our way to the Port Augusta Railway Station to board the historic Afghan Express for our Pichi Richi Rail journey out through Woolshed Flat and onto Quorn. The Afghan Express is the name railwaymen gave to the passenger train that ran from Terowie to Oodnadatta, through Quorn, in 1923. In time, this was abbreviated to the Ghan. Our journey will include a stop at Woolshed Flat for morning tea before watching the ancient Flinders Ranges landscape as we continue along the old Ghan route over red earth and bluebush plains before entering the Pichi Richi Pass with its rocky outcrops, dry riverbeds and beautiful hilly scenery before arriving in the historic outback railway township of Quorn.

Quorn has been used as a backdrop for many famous films including Gallipoli, The Shiralee, The Tracker and most recently Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner. After time spent in Quorn and lunch at the Quandong Cafe, we continue up to the scenic Flinders Ranges via Hawker stopping at the Jeff Morgan Gallery to view his amazing works especially the two magnificent giant panoramas, 30 x 3 metre Wilpena Panorama and 46 x 5.5 metre Arkaroola Panorama.

Late this afternoon we arrive at the award winning Rawnsley Park Station for check in and then dinner across in the Woolshed Restaurant. Located in an authentic Australian Woolshed, the restaurant serves delicious modern Australian cuisine. The setting for our self-contained accommodation and restaurant is at the foot of Rawnsley Bluff, offering amazing views at sunset and sunrise.

Overnigh Flinders Ranges: Rawnsley Park Station 

Day 4 - Thursday 15 September 2022

Flinders Ranges (B, Lunch Packs, D)

Today, with our local guide on-board we begin our drive through the scenic Flinders Ranges travelling along the Blinman Road. We visit Stokes Hill Lookout, which provides an expansive panoramic view of the surrounding landscape including Wilpena Pounds eastern escarpment. Another feature of the lookout is a cast model of Wilpena Pound featuring the main landmarks and the shape and size of this unique formation. Our drive continues into the breathtaking gorges and giant sharp saw tooth ridges. The Aroona Valley flanked by the Heysen Range was where Sir Hans Heysen completed some of his most inspiring and famous works. The drive down into the valley offers spectacular views south of the Pound Range and the area along the Bunyeroo Creek is a favourite location for kangaroos and euros.

We then travel back to Rawnsley Park Station for an afternoon at leisure. (Please note this day can be changed due to conditions and weather, the guide on the day will make changes as required).

Overnight: Flinder Ranges: Rawnsley Park Station 

Day 5 - Friday 16 September 2022

Blinman - Parachilna - Leigh Creek - Arkaroola (B,L,D)

This morning we begin our drive up to the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary via Blinman, Parachilna and Leigh Creek. We take in the Great Wall of China before arriving in the historic copper mining township of Blinman where in the mining era from 1862 – 1910 the mine delivered a large amount of copper to the London Metal Exchange.

After a cuppa we take a look around the historical buildings in town including North Blinman Hotel. We are joined by a local , who gives us an insight to the town and its history. Leaving Blinman our journey continues heading north along the Outback Highway and has us arriving in the former “Open Cut Mining Township” of Leigh Creek for lunch.

Travelling a little further north to the little township of Copley where we set out along the Gammon Range Road travelling east through the settlement of Nepabunna and then through the Gammon Range towards Balcanoona Station. We then head north along the Arkaroola Road which takes us into the 61,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary of Arkaroola for check into our accommodation before enjoying dinner together.

Overnight Arkaroola: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary 

Day 6 - Saturday 17 September 2022

Arkaroola Ridge Half Day Tour (B,D)

Today we'll be enjoying a four-wheel drive for a half day Ridge Top Tour. Travelling in our specially constructed open top 4WD’s, our tour takes in some of the most spectacularly rugged country on earth. Our specially trained guides share their knowledge of Arkaroola’s 1600-million year geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair raising ascents of the famous Ridge Top Track. Inspiring images of red granite mountains and golden spinifex covered hillsides give way to a breath-taking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond. 

Outside of the included Ridge Top Tour, travellers will experience their range of pre-paid optionals.  Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary will be co-ordinating all activities for the day.

Dinner tonight is included.

Overnight Arkaroola: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary 

Day 7 - Sunday 18 September 2022

Arkaroola - Leigh Creek - Parachilna - Flinders Ranges (B,L,D)

This morning we depart Arkaroola early and travel back across to Copley and onto the Leigh Creek for our morning tea stop at the Tourist Centre. We meet our local guide who willl give us some history of the town and watch a video of the town. After bidding our guide farewell we depart Leigh Creek and continue south to Parachilna for lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel. The hotel is renowned for innovative dishes with Australian native and ‘Flinders feral food’ twists, and a focus on local and South Australian produce. From Parachilna we continue south before taking the Moralana scenic drive to Wilpena Pound for check-in. 

Dinner will be at the Resort restaurant.

Overnight Flinders Ranges: Wilpena Pound

Day 8 - Monday 19 September 2022

Flinders Ranges - Petersborough - Tanunda (B,L,D)

Our day takes us down through Hawker and Orroroo to the historic railway township of Peterborough where we enjoy a town tour and visit to the Burg. We then travel onto Burra Railway Museum for a visit and lunch and another interesting tour with a local guide. The copper mines were first discovered in 1845 and were operated by Cornish and Welsh miners until 1877. Our guided tour takes in the heritage buildings, lookouts and other major sites including the Red Ruth Gaol, which featured in the movie Breaker Morant. From Burra it’s a drive of approx 90 minutes down into the beautiful Barossa Valley wine district for check in and dinner.

Overnight Tanunda: Barossa Weintal Resort

Day 9 - Tuesday 20 September 2022

Barossa Valley (B,L,D)

This morning wake to the crisp air of the Barossa Valley enjoying a delicious hot breakfast and enjoy a leisurely morning before we make our way to the Gully Gardens for a visit. We then take in the panorama across Angaston, Nuriootpa and Tanunda from Menglers Lookout and Barossa Sculpture Park. The South Australian Company Store will be our lunch stop. Nestled amongst picturesque vineyards, in an idyllic and tranquil setting is unsurpassed in the Barossa Valley and offers the best of South Australia’s Gourmet and Regional Foods. Artwork by local artist Marilyn Renshaw are just some of the other interesting treasures we will find.

At the historic Seppeltsfield Wines we enjoy a “heritage tour and tastings”, which includes a behind the scenes look through the estate’s treasure trove of historical buildings and spectacular surroundings. Learn of the Seppelt family history and their profound influence on the Australian wine industry. Explore the homestead veranda, elm walk, distillery and underground blending cellar.

Our last stop for the day is at the magnificent Barossa Chateau, showcasing a spectacular rose garden that was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the 28 February 2002. It also contains the stunning antique collection, which contains a private collection of antique furniture and porcelain from some of the great porcelain houses of the world including Meissen, Sevres, Worchester, Chelsea and Stinton. The collection is considered one of the most valuable and important in the world. We also browse the Wine and Rose Gift Shop and then finally taste the exclusive wines in the Cellar Door. Later in the afternoon we return to our accommodation before dinner.

Overnight Tanunda: Barossa Weintal Resort

Day 10 - Wednesday 21 September 2022

Tanunda - Adelaide Central Market - Melbourne (B)

This morning we check out and make our way to the Barossa Valley Chocolate Comapny for a talk and chocolate tastings followed by a shop browse (purchase own morning tea). We then travel back across to Adelaide via the Whispering Wall, set in the Barossa Reservoir just outside of Williamstown. Erected over three years between 1900 and 1903, the wall was intended to act as a back-up water supply for the township of Gawler. However, it isn’t its age that makes it famous, but its unusual acoustic phenomenons. Arriving back in Adelaide we stop by the Adelaide Central Market with over 80 artisan food stalls, cafés, and wine stores. Established in 1869 this grand old girl is South Australia’s most visited tourist attraction. Our afternoon at the markets with its rich history, takes us on a sensory interactive gourmet experience. Enjoy time to wonder the stalls on our own and purchase a bite to eat and anything that might have caught our eye, or just grab a seat and enjoy a cuppa amidst the buzz of the markets. Late afternoon it’s time to make our way to Adelaide Airport for check in and flight back to Melbourne. 

Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.