Flinders Ranges and Outback Tour, October 28 - November 3

This is a specially curated tour using a purpose built, four wheel drive coach with expert driver for a small group of fellow adventurers. We will take in the quintessential aspects of the South Australian outback and one of the great arid mountain ranges in Australia, one of our best hidden secrets.

The Royal Geographical Society SA is offering an exclusive seven-day exploration of the Flinders Ranges to the edge of Lake Eyre South. Joc Schmiechen, Head of Travel for the RGSSA has spent over 50 years walking, exploring, working with the Adnyamathanha people and conducting expeditions to this region. This is a specially curated tour using a purpose built, four wheel drive coach with expert driver for a small group of fellow adventurers. We will take in the quintessential aspects of the South Australian outback and one of the great arid mountain ranges in Australia, one of our best hidden secrets.

Our journey will start at Rawnsley Park Station on the edge of the dramatic Wilpena Pound, entry to one of the most ancient geological landscapes in the world. A key feature will be a guided tour of the Ediacara Fossil Reserve at Nilpena Station. These 650-million-year ancient life forms, discovered by the legendary Reg Sprigg have now been recognised as a distinct geological period.

On our journey we look at the early mining history at Blinman, the resurrected ghost town of Farina and Andamooka, one of the opal mining centres of Australia, now adjoining one of the worlds largest copper uranium mines at Olympic Dam. A highlight will be a two-night stay at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary hosted by Doug Sprigg, whose family have fought a long battle to preserve this outstanding and most rugged of the Flinders landscapes from future mining development. The Star Observatory and the famous Ridge Top tour will be memorable highlights. This is the land of the Arkurra, the great creation serpent of the Adnyamathanha people and we will visit some of the rock art and creation sites and learn of aspects of first nations culture from the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre.

The great desert rivers of the Lake Eyre Basin, the Cooper and Georgina/Diamantina are currently in full flow promising one of the biggest water events ever seen as they drain into Lake Eyre and fill the lake, possibly greater than in 1974. We will have time in Marree, starting point of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks with an option for a scenic flight to see from the air this amazing phenomenon as the desert goes into its boom cycle. Hopefully Arabana elder Reg Dodd will guide us through some of the intricacies of the mound springs, the lifeline for one of Australia’s most extensive trade route systems, dating back over 40,000 years.

The tour is inclusive of travel, accommodation, tours, and most meals. It will require reasonable mobility as some of the locations will involve short walks over uneven terrain. 

• Cost is $2,760/person Twin Share- Single Supplement $ 300 
• Non Members $ 2,860/person 
• To secure your place bookings are open until Friday 16 May requiring a $500 deposit. 
• Final Payment Friday September 26. 
• Detailed Itinerary available here.
• Lake Eyre Scenic Flight 1.5 hours Sunday 2 November $ 495 at own expense

Direct any enquiries;

Joc Schmiechen, Head of Travel, Royal Geographical Society South Australia 

M 61 409200450