Nature Bound Australia has selected 4 major Australian National Parks (NP), southern seascapes and the picturesque southern outback to be featured in stunning contrast during this South Australia National Parks ecotour. The great Southern Ocean brings unimpeded and creative forces to the South Australia, SA, coastline along with fascinating marine life including penguins, seals, sea lions and whales. This is a most appropriate starting point for our Australian guided walking vacations which eventually adventure north deep into some of the most arid and beautiful Australian outback scenery in the country.

Along the way, we will pass through idyllic country-sides dotted with vineyards and quaint historic villages, home to CJ Denis, the celebrated poet and Flinders Ranges countryside once the fascination of renowned Antarctic explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson and legendary Aussie bushman RM Williams. "RM" as he was affectionately known, made his first pair of riding boots around a campfire in the Gammon Ranges. He went on to build a clothing and outfitting empire now marketed to the world. .

While some of the ranges we visit once stood as mammoth features they are now relatively modest in height but in ruggedness and beauty terms, they are grand and stand alone. We will climb various high points for inspired viewing and walk many scenic trails along tree-lined gorges. Wildlife and reptiles, wildflowers, Aboriginal culture and legends are constant reminders of the essential essence of this part of Australia. The further north the drier the land, with Lake Eyre the ultimate driest spot on the driest continent on earth. Here all your senses will discover the very core of an Australian outback tour.

Everywhere we journey you will witness "character", be it natures own or a symbol of man's progress, going forward or looking back. Any wonder many artists and photographers find their creative calling in this wild and delightfully consuming part of the world.

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JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

From Adelaide, returning to Adelaide (South Australia)

We begin our walking holidays with a relaxed travel day along the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, featuring picturesque coastal scenery, the historic Southern Vales vineyards, nature reserves and Victor Harbor which sits on the migratory path of the southern right whales. We visit The Bluff overlooking the great Southern Ocean and walk a causeway to Granite Island for an evening viewing of the local penguin rookery.

We visit the early walking sections of the 1200km Heysen Trail which stretches the length of our journey, taking trekkers with time from Cape Jervis in the south to Parachilna Gorge in the north, near Wilpena Pound. We will re-visit the trail at various times of our journey.

Kangaroo Island and Flinders Chase National Park - a deeply dissected plateau with soaring sea cliffs and historic lighthouses, mallee scrub and tall sugar-gum trees. This is an Australia wildlife haven, home to New Zealand fur seals and rare Australian sea lions. Admirals Arch is formed by the pounding seas. There are large clusters of weird sculptured granite formations known as the Remarkable Rocks, wonderful shapes, sinkholes and caverns and much more, to captivate our interest over two days of guided walks.

We journey through the picturesque Clare Valley with its vineyards and a mosaic of small heritage listed villages, with art and craft galleries to match.

Mt Remarkable National Park. - A 4 hour return guided walk up the mountain for stunning summit views and select from a number of secluded gorges as narrow as 2 metres wide in this dramatic and scenic park, again locating the Heysen Trail

The tortuous semi-arid form of Wilpena Pound set in the Flinders Ranges National Park is a natural amphitheatre 11kms long by 5kms wide with 600metre high walls, homestead ruins, an Aboriginal gallery and former initiation site

During a geological day drive around the Pound, we'll take-in its rugged, red saw-toothed peaks, abundant wildlife and carpets of Australia wildflowers, the state floral emblem, the vivid Sturt's Desert Pea.

Mary's Peak, South Australia's highest peak, is a haven for colourful reptiles and breathtaking views. Keep an eye open for the bearded dragon and other creatures, common in the ranges.

Choose an optional flight (at added cost) over Lake Eyre, Australia's largest salt lake, 13,492 sqkms in area. A unique sight, gleaming white and located in the driest area of Australia with less than 125mm of rain annually and an evaporation rate in excess of 2 metres. Here was the site of a world land speed record set in 1964 of 645 kms/hr. Once described as useless in every respect with the very sight of it causing thirst, it remains an extreme exhibit of the driest place in the driest continent on earth, all in stark contrast to other parts of our journey.

We'll visit the tiny village of Parachilna and its picturesque gorge which marks the end of the Heysen Trail. The 11 kms Blinman Pools Trail nearby, is considered one of the best in the Flinders Ranges.

Gammon Ranges National Park - this is an arid wilderness of spectacular rugged ranges and deep gorges shading delightful eucalypt lined creeks. Large numbers of Kangaroos can be spotted at dusk. Aboriginal legend has it that the giant serpent Arkaroo ended a journey in these ranges with a bilious condition causing his stomach to rumble, like the earth tremors being experienced in the area to this day.

The remarkable retreat and story of Arkaroola Mt Painter Wildlife Sanctuary urges our visit. It is a place of richly coloured and tortuous landscapes resembling a thorny spine where scarcely a level piece of land exists and the annual rainfall is only 250 mm. Unique wildlife, geology and old gold mines, the 200 metre deep Bararranna Gorge all feature. Bubbling up from the earth's fault are the radioactive waters of Paralana Springs, once the abandoned dream for a health spa . We enjoy an adrenalin pumping ridge top 4WD tour. The ranges, now only a remnant 1100 metres in height, once rivalled the Andes at 6000 metres, before being claimed by millions of years of erosion.

The minerals glitter vividly in an array of colours from the hillsides. West of Mt Painter lies the thickest bed of glacial rocks in the world. 5000 metres of conglomerate deposited by mighty ice flows, perhaps difficult to comprehend in today's arid environment. Sir Douglas Mawson, one of Australia's greatest geologists and explorers, who discovered the South Pole and mapped 1500kms of the Antarctic coastline, studied the glacial geology of Arkaroola for much of his life and died in Adelaide in 1958.

We'll visit a seismic station and astronomical observatory, as students of the minor earth tremors and brilliant night skies.

As time permits we will pass by the genuine desert ghost town of Dawson in the closing stages of our journey.

We conclude our journey in a premium wine producing district, the scenic Barossa Valley with its European heritage, magnificent old churches, wineries, cottages and eateries, before returning to Adelaide.

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WALKING ACTIVITY

Day/Half Day walks scheduled for Flinders Chase NP, Mt Remarkable NP, Wilpena Pound, Blinman Pools Trail, Flinders Ranges, Gammon Ranges NP, Barossa Valley.

Short strolls included in all travel days as we shift from one National Park or reserve to another.

ACCOMMODATION

Selection from motels, historic hotels, B&B's and lodges with private and shared facilities.5 nights of comfort camping included with facilities provided.

MEALS

All main meals (BLD), morning and afternoon teas included on all days.

GETTING THERE

The tour commences and concludes in Adelaide, a 2 hour flight west of Sydney with Qantas or Virgin.

Internationals entering Australia through Perth can stopover in Adelaide and following our journey, travel on to the east coast.

DURATION

Ultimate journey 15 days. See also "Price on Application" below.

DEPARTURES

Our groups meet at the departure point the evening before, for final administration and a Meet 'n Greet function.

BEST MONTHS TO VISIT

August to November

PARTICIPANTS

Available to both independent travellers and groups.
Minimum of 14.

INCLUSIONS

Meals as indicated, tour memento, National Park entries, accommodation twin share, transport and guide services, celebration dinner, local guide fees, various feature entries and travel extras.

EXCLUSIONS

Free time and personal costs. Any optional activities elected by participants and not part of our guided journey. Personal travel insurances. Pre and post tour arrangements including travel to and from our journey. Australian departure taxes. Food and beverages additional to those provided.

OPTIONAL

Scenic flight over Lake Eyre at cost

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

HEALTH AND FITNESS
Walks on this tour require a moderate to advanced degree of fitness. They will range in duration from 30 minutes to 6 hours. Some walks on exposed rock faces will require common caution. Tracks will vary from the well formed to moderately rough with rocks and tree roots to step over. You will need to carry a small day pack with essential provisions for the day ...More

WHAT TO BRING
On receipt of your confirmed booking and deposit we will forward to you general information and checklists relating to your preparation for a comfortable journey.

WEATHER
The climate in this region is Mediterranean through to dry continental. Winters are mild and summers warm to hot. Temperatures during our visit should range between 8° C - 32° C (46° F - 89° F), given the broad geographic range of the journey from coastal islands through to the outback.

PRE AND POST TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS

Contact us if we can assist you with travel arrangements complementing this, Seascapes and Outback journey.

These may include the following suggestions:

FROM Adelaide : Adelaide is Australia's fifth largest city and is renowned for its charm and arts communityl. Its museum has the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world and with abundant wineries on its doorstep it is noted for its culinary delights and relaxed alfresco dining. Soaking up this lifestyle prior to or after the tour may suit. Connections with flights and activities on the east and west coasts or central Australia are possible.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We invite you to read the terms and conditions of travel with Nature-Bound Australia before placing a reservation. You will be asked to confirm your understanding of these details when booking. Participation in our journeys will be on the basis you have read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions ...More

PRIVACY AND DISCLAIMER

Our privacy and disclaimer statements govern the manner in which we manage and safeguard private information you supply us in enquiring of and participating in our journeys. Please read these before communicating with us ...More

ENQUIRE FURTHER

To enquire about a tour, please select the appropriate option below...

	Independent travellers
	Group travel organiser

PRICE ON APPLICATION

Our tours are offered on a near all-inclusive price basis with generous extras and are designed for the discerning traveller who is a collector of authentic experiences.This tour is offered as an extended journey of 15 days to gain the ultimate experience and most diverse coverage of features in the regions visited.

Understandably, some guests have limited time and travel budget constraints but recognise the style and inherent value of a Nature-Bound journey. For these guests there is opportunity to join select sections of the tour varying in length of 3.5 and 11.5 days with appropriate price variations.

To find out more, click to see the online price on application form.

You may also care to email us with your specific requirements.

RESERVATION REQUEST

	1 - 4 people
	5 or more people

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