Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound 2024

Please check your required arrival time with the office before booking your flights.

Today you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Directors.

After landing at Adelaide Airport please collect your baggage and make your way to the café located at the bottom of the escalator in the baggage hall where one of your Tour Directors will meet you.

We then depart Adelaide and travel north along the Princes Highway, making our way to Port Augusta. We spend the night at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn. (L,D)

Please Note: Today your tour will split into 2 groups. Group 1 will take the scenic flights/tour as per the itinerary below, while Group 2 travels up to William Creek by road following the Old Ghan rail line. On Day 4, Group 2 enjoys the scenic flight and tour, while Group 1 travels back down to Marree by road.

This morning we head to the Marree Aerodrome to prepare for our scenic flights. Meet your experienced pilot and board our Cessna Grand Caravan (subject to availability). Once airborne, our morning flight will take us over Lake Eyre South before crossing over to Lake Eyre North, the larger of the two lakes.

We continue north over Clifton Hills Station and Goyder Lagoon on the Diamantina River floodplains. Located at the junction of the Diamantina River and Eyre Creek, this large ephemeral swamp consists mainly of shallow braided micro-channels which look stunning from the air. From Goyder Lagoon we fly further north to Birdsville where we land and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the iconic Birdsville Hotel. This is followed by an informative town tour taken by a local guide to close points of interest and the Waddi Waddi trees.

This afternoon we take to the skies for our second flight for the day, this time heading southwest over the mighty Simpson Desert. Admire the endless red sand dunes that stretch to the horizon, before once again flying over Lake Eyre North. After another close inspection of this breathtaking natural spectacle we’ll fly over Belt Bay, the lowest point on the Australia continent at 15 metres below sea level, and head for William Creek, where we rendezvous with the rest of the tour group. We spend the night here in modern ensuite accommodation and enjoy dinner in one of the most atmospheric outback pubs in Australia - the William Creek Hotel. (B, L, D)

After breakfast we farewell Marree and begin our trek south to the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound. Enjoy the scenic drive through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, stopping at several vantage points along the way to admire the views of the Flinders Ranges. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before arriving at Wilpena Pound Resort early in the afternoon.

Wilpena Pound sits in the southern region of the Flinders Ranges National Park. It is characterised by spectacular scenery and is home to nearly half of South Australia’s species of plants. After checking in to your deluxe resort room, we’ll set off on a guided walk through the tranquil Pound Gap into Wilpena Pound (easy grade, 2-3 hrs return). Follow Wilpena Creek past ancient River Red Gums and pines to arrive at the historic Hills Homestead. For the more energetic, there is an optional extension to the walk that leads to Wangarra Hill lookout, which offers panoramic views of Wilpena Pound (good level of fitness and mobility required).

This afternoon we return to the resort. Take some time to freshen up before dinner in the restaurant. (B, L, D)

Today your adventure concludes. After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flights home. (B)