Flinders Ranges Outback Adventure
South Australia - Tue 23rd September 2025

We’ll start our journey bright and early, departing from Adelaide at 7:30am and heading out through the northern suburbs and across the scenic Adelaide Plains. Our first stop is the Clare Valley wine region, where we’ll take a break for morning tea at a local café and stretch our legs before continuing the adventure.

Next, we’ll visit the historic town of Kapunda, home to one of Australia’s earliest mines and once the base for Sir Sid Kidman’s pastoral empire. Kapunda’s rich history is reflected in its fascinating street art, which gives us a glimpse into the town’s past. After soaking in the local culture, we’ll make our way to Sevenhill Winery and Church, South Australia’s oldest winery, where we’ll enjoy the peaceful surroundings and perhaps sample a little local wine.

From there, we travel through Jamestown, the birthplace of legendary Australian bushman RM Williams, before reaching our destination: Rawnsley Park. With its breathtaking views of the Flinders Ranges, this will be our home for the next two nights. Settle into your comfortable ensuite room, and later, join the group for a delicious dinner where we’ll share stories, get to know one another, and look forward to the adventures ahead.

Note that you will need to arrive in Adelaide the night before. The pickup location / meeting point on day 1 will be in the vicinity of Hindmarsh Square. The Pullman, Ibis and Mantra hotels are all in this area and provide some variety in price-point.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station

After a continental breakfast, we’ll head out for an exciting day of walking and exploring the stunning landscapes around Ikara/Wilpena Pound. Our first walk takes us to Akurra Adnya (Arkaroo Rock), an ancient Aboriginal art site on the edge of Wilpena Pound. As we stand before these timeless artworks, we’ll take a moment to reflect on the deep connection between the land and its traditional custodians.

Our second walk of the day is a 7.5km return hike to Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout, offering breathtaking views of the natural amphitheatre that makes up the heart of Wilpena Pound. The effort is well worth it, with the lookout providing a sweeping panorama of the area’s rugged beauty, giving us a sense of awe for this ancient land.

Throughout the day, we’ll share a picnic morning tea and lunch, creating opportunities to bond with your fellow travellers as we take in the incredible scenery together. In the evening, back at Rawnsley Park, we’ll wind down over dinner, reflecting on the day's adventures and deepening the camaraderie that grows with each shared experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station

We’ll start the day with an exciting option for those keen to take to the skies - an optional scenic flight over the breathtaking Wilpena Pound. Choose from a 30-minute fixed-wing or a 10-minute helicopter ride for a unique bird’s-eye view of this incredible natural amphitheatre (trust us, it’s worth it!).

After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to Arkaroola, stopping first at the historic mining town of Blinman. Here, we’ll explore the old copper mine and take in the charm of the historic town buildings, which offer a glimpse into the region’s rich mining heritage.

Next, we’ll visit the Wadna Aboriginal Gallery, where we’ll be warmly welcomed with a "Welcome to Country" ceremony before browsing the incredible artwork by Gabby and Christian Coulthard, offering insight into the area’s Indigenous culture and art.

Our journey continues to Chambers Gorge, where we’ll stop to view the ancient Aboriginal engraving sites, adding yet another layer of history and culture to the day. The Gorge’s stunning natural beauty and cultural significance make it a truly special place to pause and reflect.

We’ll arrive at Arkaroola in the late afternoon, just in time to relax with a cold beverage at the Pick & Shovel Bar, a perfect way to unwind after a day of adventure. In the evening, we’ll come together for a delicious two-course dinner at the Native Pine Restaurant, where stories from the day’s travels are sure to be shared, strengthening the bonds between the women in our group.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Today is all about adventure and exploration! After breakfast, we’ll kick off the day with the famous Ridgetop 4WD Tour. This thrilling journey takes us through some of the most rugged and remote terrain in the Flinders Ranges, offering spectacular views and an exhilarating ride. The panoramic vistas from the top will leave you breathless and in awe of the ancient landscape around us.

We’ll return in time to enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch by the pool, where we can relax, cool off, and chat with fellow travellers about the morning’s adventure. In the afternoon, there’s time to explore the local area further - whether you prefer to lace up your boots and explore on foot or take a self-drive tour to visit nearby landmarks like the Ochre Walls, Stubbs Waterhole, and Tillite Gorge. Each spot offers its own unique beauty, with rich colours, serene waterholes, and fascinating geological formations.

After a 2-course dinner at the Native Pine Restaurant, we’ll cap off the day with an unforgettable experience - a tour of the Arkaroola Observatory. As the night sky unfolds, we’ll gaze at the stars and planets through the telescope, learning about the universe in one of the clearest and most pristine stargazing locations in Australia. It’s the perfect way to end a day full of adventure, bonding over the wonders of both the Earth and the cosmos.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Today is a more relaxed, but equally rewarding day as we set out on local walks right from Arkaroola Village. We’ll start with the Acacia Ridge Walk, where we’ll hike through beautiful landscapes filled with native flora, taking in the peaceful surroundings and enjoying the serenity that comes with being immersed in nature. The ridge offers stunning views over the surrounding ranges, giving us another chance to marvel at the vastness of the outback.

After a well-deserved break back at the village for lunch, we’ll head out again on the Arkaroola Waterhole Walk, where we might spot some of the local wildlife while meandering toward the tranquil waterhole. This walk is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, sharing the experience with your fellow travellers as we take in the beauty of the area together.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Take some free time to explore the village, rest, or perhaps join the group to watch the Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies during their feeding time at 5:00pm. These beautiful and rare creatures are a real highlight of the area, and seeing them in their natural habitat is a special treat.

In the evening, we’ll come together for another wonderful dinner at the Native Pine Restaurant, where we can share stories and memories on the day’s walks and the amazing wildlife we’ve encountered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Today, we begin our journey back towards Adelaide, but the adventure is far from over. After breakfast, we’ll depart Arkaroola and head towards Iga Warta, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of the Adnyamathanha people. Here, we’ll visit a local museum that sheds light on their heritage, and take the Nguthunanga mai ambatanha (Damper Hill) tour, a special walk that leads us to a significant women’s heritage site. It’s a moment to reflect and connect with the stories of the women who came before us.

After a picnic lunch, we’ll continue south to one of South Australia’s newest and most fascinating National Parks: Ediacara/Nilpena National Park. This park holds a remarkable place in history as the site of some of the earliest complex life on Earth, discovered in 1946 by geologist Reg Sprigg. We’ll learn about the incredible fossils found here, which date back over half a billion years, and marvel at how this remote part of the world shaped life as we know it today.

In the mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive in Hawker, where we’ll visit the popular Jeff Morgan Art Gallery. Here, we’ll be treated to a stunning collection of local landscape art, including two breathtaking panorama paintings that capture the beauty and scale of the region.

In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner at the Hawker Pub, chatting about the day’s discoveries and the powerful connection we’ve shared with the landscapes, history, and each other throughout the journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station

Our final day begins with a delicious gourmet breakfast at the popular Flinders Food Co, where we can savour local flavours one last time before hitting the road. As we journey south, we’ll pass through the charming towns of Quorn, Port Augusta, and Port Wakefield, enjoying the changing landscapes as we make our way back to Adelaide.

Along the way, we’ll stop for a walk around the historic Kanyaka Homestead, once the largest station in the area during the mid-1800s. This walk offers a glimpse into the region’s pioneering past, and it’s a perfect moment to stretch our legs and imagine life in this remote outback during those early days.

The scenic drive continues as we travel through the stunning Pichi Richi and Horrocks Passes, taking in the breathtaking views before visiting the Wadlata Outback Centre. Here, we’ll explore exhibits that bring the stories of the outback to life, offering a chance to reflect on all the incredible places we’ve visited throughout our journey.

Before returning to Adelaide, we’ll stop to admire the impressive silo art at Wirrabara, a vibrant tribute to the town’s farming heritage and local artists. It’s a perfect final stop, adding a splash of colour and creativity to our day.

We’ll arrive back in Adelaide around 6pm, with new friendships, shared stories, and unforgettable memories from our week-long adventure through South Australia’s outback.

Note, we will make a drop off in the vicinity of Hindmarsh Square and then at the airport for anyone flying out late evening. If you are staying on, the Pullman, Ibis and Mantra hotels are all in the vicinity of Hindmarsh square and offer a variety of price-points.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch