Day 1 Home Ports - Adelaide - Port Augusta

Today you will be picked up from the Adelaide airport upon your arrival. Passengers must arrive on flights prior to 11.00am. Depart Adelaide and travel through to Port Augusta, heading north along the Princess Highway. Tonight we stay at the Best Western Standpipe Golf Motor Inn.

Day 2 Port Augusta - Marree - Lake Eyre

This morning we depart Port Augusta and trek further north passing through Hawker, Parachilna, and Leigh Creek and on to Marree.

After a BBQ lunch at the Great Northern Hotel we take our ground tour into the Lake Eyre National Park via Muloorina Station. Lake Eyre is the 3rd largest salt lake in the world, covering 9,500 square kilometres. It is the focal point of the Lake Eyre basin which covers one sixth of the Australian Continent.

When our great inland rivers and creeks flow, it's certainly a sight to behold. Especially after 10 years of drought. In 2010, the Warburton Creek and the Cooper Creek will carry enough water from QLD, NSW and SA to partially fill Lake Eyre. And we can assure you that it is a truly breathtaking spectacle. The flooding attracts water birds such as Australian Pelicans, Silver Gulls, Red-necked Avocets, Banded Stilts and Gull-billed Terns. Driven by instinct, these birds flock in from far, far away to breed.

This afternoon we arrive at the shore of Lake Eyre at Madigan Gulf. Due to the nature of Lake Eyre, it is not always possible to see water from the edge of the Lake. Believe it or not, but wind pushes water around the lake from one side to the other. It also depends on the flow rate from each of the creeks. However, the views across the lake are nonetheless spectacular and will last with you forever. Madigan Gulf is also the spot where Donald Campbell set the world land speed record in July 1964.

Later this afternoon we return to Marree to overnight at the Great Northern Hotel. The Great Northern has modern ensuited cabin accommodation that is the best in the region.

Day 3 Exploring Lake Eyre!

Today we split into 2 groups to explore Lake Eyre, the Warburton Creek and the Cooper Creek. Group one will travel by road to Cowarie Station, following the Birdsville Track from Marree to Mungerannie and then on to Cowarie Station. Group two will enjoy their scenic flights of Lake Eyre, the Cooper Creek and the Warburton Creek, landing at Cowarie Station in time to meet up with group one.

Upon arrival at Cowarie Station we enjoy lunch and a station tour. Later this afternoon we'll also embark on a special Outback Spirit journey into Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1.7 million acre property owned and managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Kalamurina is a vast desert wilderness, stretching from the northern shores of Lake Eyre to the southern boundary of the Simpson Desert. It is a property of exceptional conservation values, providing a haven for several endangered species and containing a range of habitat types not represented in any national parks.

The Warburton Creek meanders through Kalamurina before flowing into Lake Eyre. Today we head to the banks of this ancient creek for a guided tour. Learn about the transformation of this country from desert to wildlife haven of epic proportions!

After an insight into the conservation programs being implemented on Kalamurina we head back to the airstrip. Each group will now 'swap over' and return back to Marree either by road or by scenic flights.

Your 2 Scenic Flights - a once in a generation experience!

Today you will enjoy 2 scenic flights! For group one, the first flight departs Marree and tracks over Lake Eyre. View the stunning lake in flood before following the Warburton Groove to the top of the lake. From here follow the Warburton Creek as it meanders up to Cowarie Station. After a quick re-fuel and toilet break we embark on the second scenic flight which will take you over to the flooded Cooper Creek. The Cooper is an intricate maze of wetlands and floodplains that is simply stunning from the air. The water that has flooded the Cooper is a result of the 1 in 100 year rains in QLD, NSW and SA.

The flights for group two, who travel by road to Cowarie Station in the morning, are experienced in reverse. The first flight is over the flooded Cooper Creek, and the second flight runs down the Warburton Creek, the Warburton Groove and Lake Eyre, landing in Marree late afternoon.

Day 4 Marree - Wilpena Pound

Today we take a look around the historic railway town of Marree, located on the old Ghan Line at the junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks. We visit the Marree outdoor Museum before continuing further south to Parachilna. Here we enjoy a gourmet lunch under the verandah of the award winning Prairie Hotel.

After lunch we travel through the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound. Explore Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges en route and enjoy the stunning natural environment of the Flinders. Later this afternoon we arrive at the Wilpena Pound Resort. Having undergone a complete refurbishment in 2009 the resort is now a benchmark for wilderness accommodation in South Australia.

Day 5 Wilpena Pound - Adelaide

This morning enjoy a walk into Wilpena Pound to the Old Homestead. There is also an opportunity for scenic flights to be taken over the Pound (Highly recommended!). We depart Wilpena Pound mid-morning en route to Adelaide. Pass through Peterborough, Orroroo and Burra before arriving into the city at approximately 5.30pm. We check-in to the luxurious Stamford Plaza Hotel on North Terrace for our final evening together. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant and reflect upon your adventure into the heart of outback Australia.

Day 6 Adelaide - Home Ports

This morning enjoy some free time in the city. Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport for your return flights home.