Embark on an unforgettable journey through Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges, where vibrant city life meets ancient landscapes. Explore rich Aboriginal heritage, marvel at rugged mountain ranges, and gaze at pristine night skies. Discover breathtaking beauty and timeless stories in South Australia’s most captivating destinations.
Adelaide & Flinders Ranges
Discover the perfect blend of city charm and rugged outback beauty in this unforgettable journey through Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges. Begin your adventure in Adelaide, a vibrant beachside city where exceptional food, wine, art and lush parklands offer a serene introduction to South Australia. Wander along North Terrace, Adelaide’s cultural boulevard, and explore its iconic museums, art galleries and the stunning Botanic Gardens, where native plants flourish on Kaurna Country.
From Adelaide, venture north into the heart of the Flinders Ranges, where time stands still amidst ancient landscapes sculpted by millions of years of natural forces. Encounter vast salt lakes, towering mountain ranges, and the awe-inspiring Wilpena Pound — a colossal natural amphitheatre rising dramatically from the earth.
Embrace the rich cultural heritage of the Adnyamathanha people, the traditional custodians of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Marvel at ancient rock engravings in Sacred Canyon and gain a deeper understanding of the land through stories passed down for generations.
Whether stargazing under pristine dark skies, trekking rugged ridges in an open-top 4WD or discovering fossils that date back to the dawn of life, every moment in this extraordinary region is a testament to the power and beauty of nature and culture intertwined.
To book your tour, simply click the “Book Tour” button and submit your enquiry via email. Our tour operator will then get in touch with you to guide you through the next steps.
5 – 10 October 2025
AUD $5,000
5 nights accommodation included
Some meals included
Airport transfers included
Itinerary
MORNING
-
Arrive in Adelaide and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.
Adelaide is a charming beachside city with a blend of exceptional food, wine, art, picturesque parklands, and world-class events. Adelaide is a beautiful combination of the old world and new and is a fantastic place to relax and discover the good things in life.
The history and art of South Australia is on display along Adelaide’s cultural boulevard, North Terrace. You can venture to the library, museum, art gallery and migration museum which have pride of place and offer fascinating insights into the state. On the eastern end of North Terrace, you will find the Adelaide Botanic Garden. The magnificent Bicentennial Conservatory houses a tropical rainforest and is the largest glasshouse in the Southern Hemisphere.
AFTERNOON
- Lunch – own arrangements.
- First Nations Cultural Tour – Adelaide Botanic Garden
Meet your First Nations guide at the Botanic Gardens. Get to know the historical and cultural significance of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, one of Adelaide’s premier tourist locations. As you embark on this interactive tour led by a First Nations guide, be exposed to the stunning gardens and abundance of native plants growing on Kaurna Yerta (Kaurna Country). Discover the Indigenous plants and their traditional uses, to learn about the significant connection between Aboriginal people and their Country.
EVENING
- Dinner – own arrangements.
MORNING
- Breakfast at your hotel. Depart Adelaide for the Flinders Ranges via the Clare Valley wine region.
- Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch in the Clare Valley.
AFTERNOON
- After lunch continue on to Wilpena Pound Resort in the Flinders Ranges.
- Flinders Ranges
Stretching north from Port Augusta into the sun-seared wilderness of South Australia’s deserts, the Flinders Ranges and Outback is one of the country’s most impressive destinations.
The Flinders Ranges and Outback provides a dramatic departure from the hectic pace of big cities, but it’s surprisingly accessible. The arid lands feature country-sized salt lakes, ancient seabeds and majestic ranges, places that stay with all who experience their power and solace. The Ranges themselves – craggy and haunting – are seared into both Aboriginal and European lore.
They’ve been sculpted by millions of years of rain, wind and sun to form a fractured, furrowed landscape of deep valleys and fearsome ridges, covered with casuarinas and cypress pines. Wilpena Pound is one of Australia’s most remarkable sights – a giant saucer-like depression with rims rising to 800m.
The natural environment is known for more than beautiful landscapes beneath wide blue skies: the wildlife is highly adapted and the ancient rocks have yielded fossils of the oldest known forms of primitive life – discoveries that have rewritten the science books.
The Adnyamathanha people (meaning hills or rock people) are the traditional custodians of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Their connection with the land stretches back many thousands of years. Ancient rock paintings and engravings can be seen at Arkaroo Rock, Sacred Canyon and Perawurtina Cultural Heritage Site.
MORNING
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Depart Wilpena.
- Sacred Canyon – 3-hour guided walk with Aboriginal guide
Tour departs 8:00 AM and ends 11:00 AM
Meet Guide: Sacred Canyon Walk Car Park (Via Sacred Canyon Road, Ikara-Flinders National Park)
Nestled in the rugged Ikara-Flinders Ranges, Sacred Canyon lies a mere 20 kilometres from the popular Ikara / Wilpena Pound Resort, offering an accessible yet immersive escape into ancient landscapes.
Join the tour and experience the canyon’s wonders through the eyes of the seasoned Adnyamathanha guides. Marvel at the intricate rock symbols, a legacy etched and painted by Adnyamathanha ancestors.
These petroglyphs and paintings are not mere art; they are storied expressions of a culture that has lived on this land for thousands of years. Learn about the vital roles of native plants, uncover the secrets of bush medicine, and identify traditional bush tucker. Your guide will share insights into various aspects of their rich cultural heritage, offering a holistic understanding of their connection with the land.
- Depart to Blinman.
AFTERNOON
- Lunch Blinman Pub.
- Blinman to Arkaroola – approx. 2.5 hours.
- Dinner included at Arkaroola.
EVENING
- Explore the Cosmos Tour
See the stars and planets from a whole new perspective, up-close and personal and on the big screen! The latest addition to Arkaroola’s impressive collection of astronomical venues, the Ningana Imaging Observatory allows visitors to experience a real-time, state of the art Digital Astro Experience.
Begin by viewing the observatory and telescopes themselves before being seated indoors, in a relaxing space to view the wonders of our solar system and beyond into deep space – all without having to go too far.
ARKAROOLA
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary was officially designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in July 2023, recognising its exceptionally dark and pristine skies which are optimal for astronomical observations and preserving the natural night environment. There are only two certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in Australia.
The International Dark Sky Places program, under which this designation falls, began in 2001 and aims to protect areas with significant night sky darkness from light pollution through responsible lighting policies and public education.
The importance of such sanctuaries extends beyond just providing spectacular stargazing opportunities. They are crucial for protecting wildlife that depends on natural darkness for survival and minimising the adverse health effects on humans caused by light pollution. These sanctuaries also play a vital role in supporting scientific research in astronomy, which can be severely hampered by light pollution.
Visitors to Arkaroola can experience its dark skies through several astronomy-related activities. The sanctuary offers guided tours of the night sky, which can include using state-of-the-art telescopes at their observatory for a close-up view of celestial bodies. For a more immersive experience, guests can participate in the “Under the Stars” experience, where they can recline in specially designed chairs that align them with the night sky as it’s being discussed by astronomy guides.
MORNING/AFTERNOON
- Ridgetop Tour
The Ridgetop Tour is an unforgettable experience, showcasing timeless terrain and the natural beauty of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
Travelling in a specially constructed open-top 4WD, passengers are taken on a guided tour of some of the most spectacular rugged country on earth. Experienced tour guides share their knowledge of Arkaroola’s 1600-million-year geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair-raising ascents of the famous Ridgetop Track.
Travelling through the oldest parts of the Flinders Ranges, home to plants found nowhere else, you will explore the ancient granite mountains and hillsides covered in native bush. Several lookouts along the way offer breath-taking vistas of the vast and humbling expanse of the ranges. Take a tea break at the iconic Siller’s Lookout while drinking in the magnificent ring of saw-toothed Freeling Heights fringing the Mawson Plateau. See the jaw-dropping 1000m deep Yudnamutana Gorge, the plains and Lake Frome salt lake. And don’t worry – the descent back to the village is just as much of an adventure as the way up!
EVENING
- Dinner.
MORNING/AFTERNOON
- Depart Arkaroola to Nilpena.
- Take a picnic lunch.
- Ediacara Fossil Fields Tour
Embark on a mesmerising journey into the past at Nilpena Ediacara National Park, a living chronicle of Earth’s earliest complex animal life. This park offers an unparalleled glimpse into the origins of life itself, making it a must-visit for any history, nature, or science enthusiast.
Nestled on the western fringes of the Flinders Ranges, this park spans over 60,617 hectares of landscapes. Here, you’ll find yourself standing on the grounds of the former Nilpena Pastoral Station, which borders Lake Torrens National Park.
- Depart Nilpena for Quorn.
EVENING
- Dinner included.
- Overnight in Quorn.
MORNING
- Early breakfast at your accommodation.
- Depart to Adelaide Airport. Arriving approx. 1:00 PM.
EVENING
- NB Departure flight from Adelaide should be booked to depart after 2:30 PM.
- 5 nights’ accommodation, 4 dinners, 2 lunches, 5 breakfasts, airport/hotel transfers.
- Private guided Botanic Gardens Cultural Walk.
- Private touring to Flinders Ranges, National Park Fees, Cultural Walk at Sacred Canyon, Explore the Cosmos tour at Arkaroola, Ridgetop tour at Arkaroola, Ediacaran tour at Nilpena.
- GST included.
- Flights to and from Adelaide, beverages with meals, any additional activities not mentioned as included.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Travel Insurance – recommended.
Tour operated by Diverse Travel Australia Pty Ltd.
Below is a summary only, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions
Proceeding with a booking is deemed as acceptance of Diverse Travel Australia’s term and conditions.
The tour operator reserves the right to alter the itinerary and transport in any way that may be necessary due to changes in road, weather, extreme high temperatures, or any change in operational conditions.
Aboriginal hosts are traditional people with strong cultural obligations. When cultural events occur, they may not be available which is beyond the control of tour operator.
Payment Conditions
A deposit of 25% of the tour cost for bookings made at least 90 days prior to the departure date.
The balance of the tour cost must be paid no later than 90 days prior to the departure date.
For bookings made less than 90 days from the departure full payment must be made at time of booking.
Cancellation Fees
If a cancellation is received more than 90 days prior to the departure date, the agent will retain or charge a cancellation fee equal to the full deposit (being 25% of the tour cost) as the cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is received between 46 days and 90 days prior to the departure date, the agent will deduct or charge 50% of the tour cost as the cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is received less than 46 days prior to the departure date, the agent will deduct or charge 100% of the tour cost as the cancellation fee.
In addition, the Client will be required to pay any cancellation fees imposed by Suppliers on the agent, which are in addition to the cancellation fees detailed in this clause and are not covered by the cancellation fees detailed in this clause.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
