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Outback Adventure

15 day guided holiday | adelaide to darwin, travel period.

• 01 Apr 2024 – 30 Sep 2024

How do you condense South Australia and the Northern Territory into two weeks? With the kind of skill that comes from operating in Australia for more than a century. This epic exploration traverses record-breaking canyons and gorges, national parks and World Heritage Sites. It’s nature writ large – small wonder TV and movie directors find inspiration here, as you will, too. And then there are the cities, from multicultural Adelaide and the wine country it covets, to steamy Darwin, where sunsets are as brash as the characters that call it home.

Current season sold out CODE: NAAD

15 Day Guided Holiday | Adelaide to Darwin | Travel Period: 1 Apr 2024 – 30 Sep 2024

Trip Details

Accommodation, optional experiences, what's included.

• • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver that are accredited with Uluru and Kakadu National Parks • 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and Kakadu National Park • Centrally located premium hotels • Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and Kakadu National Park entrance fees • Private Arrival and Departure Transfers
• • 8 Dinners with Wine
• • 15 Full Breakfasts
• • 1 Be My Guest Dinner
• • 1 Farewell Dinner
• • 1 Lunch
• • 1 Dinner

Flight Information

• Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm into Adelaide Airport Day 15 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport Flights are not included in the holiday price Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price

What to Bring

• • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• • Water bottle
• • Warm layers in cooler months
• • Camera
• • Comfortable walking shoes

Fitness Requirements

Low level of fitness required.

Kings Canyon Rim Walk: High level of fitness required. Other options available to those with lower fitness levels. 

Itinerary Generating PDF... Print Itinerary

Outback Adventure (Travel Period: 01 Apr 2024 – 30 Sep 2024)

Day 1 Welcome to Adelaide

At once cultured yet cool, Adelaide attracts foodies, historians and art aficionados in equal measure. Explore at your leisure, before meeting a local gourmand to tour the city’s legendary Central Market. This place has been selling cheese, green ant gin and artisan bread for 140-plus years, before joining your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.

Outback Pioneer Hotel (Budget), Desert Gardens Hotel (Standard) or Sails in the Desert Hotel (Superior), Ayers Rock Resort. (from day 1 to 3) View and select

Scenic helicopeter tour name View and select options

Day 2 Adelaide - Flinders Ranges

One of Australia’s oldest wine regions, the Clare Valley is all rounded hills, rippling vines and native forest. It’s the postcard-perfect setting for historic Knappstein Enterprise Winery, producing sweet-scented rieslings and mineral-rich reds. The route north lands you at Hawker, the gateway to the Flinders Ranges, but there are plenty of reasons to linger, including well-preserved heritage buildings and the Jeff Morgan Gallery. The best is yet to come, as you arrive at Wilpena Pound Resort in the shadows of a staggering natural amphitheatre. Know that your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit to the resort helps by contributing towards the sustainable economic future of the Adnyamathanha who in turn work with the resort to minimize the environmental footprint and participate in the conservation of the region.

Day 3 Flinders Ranges - Port Augusta

The river red gums that envelop Hills Homestead will leave you lost for words. You get here on a leisurely walk along Wilpena Creek and continue to Wangarra Hill Lookout for views over the pound’s peaks and curves. The drama is echoed as you climb to Pichi Richi Pass and the historic town of Quorn, where with a Local Guide, you'll hear the importance of this town in the ANZAC's Gallipoli Campaign, before easing into Port Augusta.

Day 4 Port Augusta - Coober Pedy

The main attraction in Woomera is a former rocket-testing site, today stocked with disused rockets and missiles. Speaking of space, you’ll think you’ve landed on the moon as you travel through sun-baked country to Coober Pedy, known as ‘the opal capital of the world’. Things get deep as you travel underground to visit the town’s head-scratching subterranean facilities.

Day 5 Coober Pedy - Uluru

Emerge from your cave and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has World Heritage status for a reason; under the gaze of the world’s mightiest monolith, toast the end of the day with a glass of bubbles and a camera full of sunset photos. Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

Day 6 Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta

Pre-dawn wake-up calls are worth it when you get to enjoy a Red Centre sunrise. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll encounter the iconic Uluru, or ‘The Rock,’ half a billion years old, standing 348 meters high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. Marvel at the majesty of Ulu r u as you circumnavigate its base or join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. This landscape takes you back to the beginning of time, a sacred place among the Anangu people. More soul-salving landscapes await at Kata Tjuta, cool relief provided as you walk amid its domes to Walpa Gorge.

Day 7 Uluru - Kings Canyon

Another sunrise excursion awaits, with this morning’s optional tour to Bruce Munro's Uluru Field of Light – a blanket of 50,000 glowing bulbs. Next chance to stretch your legs is at Kings Creek Station, the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. All your senses will be activated at Kings Canyon, 440-million years in the making.

Day 8 Kings Canyon - Alice Springs

Things are bigger in the NT outback, from the cattle stations to the MacDonnell Ranges, which stretch like a dinosaur spine toward Alice Springs. Aside from its plethora of Aboriginal galleries and art stores, Alice makes Australian history for her 1872 Telegraph Station, one of 12 along the Overland Telegraph Line between Adelaide and Darwin.

Day 9 Alice Springs

Aboriginal culture is strong in Alice, as you’ll fast find on a tour revealing the history of the Arrernte people at the Alice Springs Desert Park. The other thing that’s mighty is community spirit – it’s essential when there are so few people scattered over such a vast area of land. Enter the Royal Flying Doctor Service, its base a museum that goes behind the scenes of the life-saving health services delivered to people in remote realms. One of the benefits of being this far-flung is the lack of light pollution. And at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, this equates to epic stargazing. Your Be My Guest BBQ dinner here with the Falzon family is enlightening and uplifting.

Day 10 Alice Springs - Tennant Creek

1.3 million square kilometers – that’s the eye-watering distance the School of Air’s lessons are broadcast across daily. Learn how teachers interact with children who would otherwise have no access to education. It doesn’t matter how studious you are, you might just believe in aliens when you pass Wycliffe Well, the self-proclaimed ‘UFO capital’ of Australia. It’s the devil (well, his marbles) that awaits at Karlu Karlu, where precariously balanced boulders appear superglued together.

Day 11 Tennant Creek - Katherine

Since the 1930s, the Daly Waters Historic Pub has been dishing up schnitzels, barramundi burgers and hearty steaks. The walls are lined with treasures that passers-by leave behind. ‘Land of the Never Never’ awaits at Mataranka. Visit a replica of the Elsey Homestead, used in 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Or wander palm-lined walkways to take a dip in the region’s thermal springs.

Day 12 Katherine - Kakadu

The Jawoyn have called Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge home for millennia. You can feel their presence as you cruise the waterway, home to more than a few resident crocs. They’ll make another appearance in Kakadu, when you explore Yellow Water Billabong. You don’t need binoculars to spot the sea eagles, brolgas and kingfishers; they’re everywhere you look.

Day 13 Kakadu - Darwin

Decisions, decisions: optional morning flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land, or a sleep in. We vote for the former before you venture toward Ubirr and its ancient Aboriginal rock art. The night is yours in steamy Darwin, where the characters are as large as the shadows cast at sunset.

Day 14 Litchfield National Park

Nature rules today, your explorations into Litchfield National Park revealing magnetic termite mounds standing two metres tall. And then there are the waterfalls: Florence, for its dreamy cascades, and Wangi, where you can cool off in a crystal-clear waterhole (swimming is seasonal). See the NT capital in a new light when you venture out on a Darwin Harbour Cruise, your sparkling wine glass full to toast your last evening on this epic adventure.

Day 15 Farewell from Darwin

Time to bid adieu and head home to sort through all those photos. Even better are the memories; two weeks of wild outback adventures.

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.

15 Day Guided Holiday

Adelaide to Darwin

Local Connection

Discover the beauty of the Australian outback over a Be My Guest dinner at Earth Sanctuary, plus tours with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air.

Cultural Immersion

From Uluru to Kakadu, nothing puts life in perspective quite like glimpsing 40,000-year-old rock art with an Aboriginal guide.

Sustainable Footprints

Sleep soundly at Wilpena Pound Resort knowing your stay contributes directly to the local Adnyamathanha people and regional conservation projects.

Wildlife & Nature

Ancient red rock cliffs encircle desert palms at Kings Canyon, the spectacular heart of Australia and a place that will make your pulse race.

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

Day 1 - Crowne Plaza Adelaide

27 Frome St, Adelaide SA 5000

Enjoy a culturally-rich and inspiring escape at Crowne Plaza Adelaide with stunning views from the city’s tallest building in design-led rooms. Stay in the East End— Adelaide’s sweet spot— close to Lot Fourteen and Adelaide Botanic Garden with easy access to the casino, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Oval.

• Complimentary WiFi
• Porter / Bellman
• Same-Day Dry Cleaning
• Heated Outdoor Infinity Pool
• State-of-the-art Fitness Centre
• Level 10 Bar
• Restaurant and In Room Dining

Day 2 - Wilpena Pound Resort

Wilpena Road, Flinders Ranges Via Hawker, South Australia 5434

Wilpena Pound Resort is spectacularly located within the Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia. Enjoy a haven of outback hospitality, stop and stay awhile as you soak up the incredible beauty of one of the earth’s oldest landscapes.

• Shower and toilet facilities
• Tea & Coffee Facilities
• Refrigerator
• Iron / Ironing Board
• Air-conditioning

Day 3 - Majestic Oasis Apartments

Marryatt Street, Port Augusta, South Australia 5700

Majestic Oasis Apartments is perfectly positioned overlooking the waters of the Upper Spencer Gulf in sunny Port Augusta, only 3 hours drive North of Adelaide in South Australia. The property comprises 75 self-contained serviced apartments.

• Guest Laundry
• In-room safe
• Electric blankets

Day 4 - Desert Cave Hotel

3 Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy, SA 5723

Built into a hillside, the Desert Cave Hotel is perfectly located right in the centre of town close to shops and restaurants. Experience subterranean life as you explore the hotels underground shops, bar and opal display. Some rooms are also situated underground however staying in this room type is not guaranteed.

• In-house movies
• Wireless Internet access
• Mini-bar (surcharge)
• Room service

Day 5 - Desert Gardens

Yulara Dr, Yulara, NT 0872

Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel is centrally located to all resort and touring facilities and offers a range of accommodation, from shaded poolside rooms to deluxe rooms overlooking the desert.

Please Note : Desert Gardens is undergoing refurbishments to their Garden View Rooms and restaurant area. Completion of refurbishments to their Garden View Rooms will be May 2016 and the restaurant until March 2017.

• Air Conditioning
• Private veranda or courtyard
• ISD/STD phone
• Coffee/tea making facilities

Day 7 - Kings Canyon Resort

Luritja Road, Watarrka National Park, NT 0872

Retreat to the luxury of Kings Canyon Resort after an active day of hiking through the rugged terrain of Watarrka National Park. The sensitively designed property is located in Watarrka National Park, just nine kilometres from Kings Canyon. Naturally, the Kings Canyon Resort has been built to blend in harmoniously with the surround.

• Direct Dial Telephone
• Insect screens

Day 8 - Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs

82 Barrett Dr, Alice Springs NT 0870

Experience eco-friendly luxury and enjoy stunning views of the majestic MacDonnell Mountain Ranges when you stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs. Conveniently located just off of Stuart Highway, the hotel is only 15 minutes’ drive from Alice Springs Airport and within walking distance of downtown. Enjoy easy access to many businesses, government offices and attractions such as Simpsons Gap, Desert Park and Anzac Hill. Ideal for both corporate and leisure guests, this Alice Springs hotel offers fantastic business and recreational facilities and friendly service from our dedicated staff.

Day 10 - Bluestone Motor Inn

1 Paterson St, Tennant Creek, NT 0860

The Bluestone Motor Inn is the perfect base from which to explore the diverse nature and culture of the Australian outback. Bluestone is the perfect place to stay at the halfway mark along the track from Alice Springs to Darwin and back, or coming west from Mt. Isa.

• Internet Access
• Swimming Pool

Day 11 - Contour Hotel Katherine

9 Cyprus St, Katherine East NT 0850

Contour Hotel Katherine is situated near Katharine town centre, and offers affordable, comfortable accommodation for intrepid travellers.

• Satellite/cable colour TV
• Barbecue facilities
• Wi-Fi (additional cost)
• Gym facilities

Day 12 - Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

1 Flinders St, Jabiru, NT 0886

The indigenous owned luxury accommodation is uniquely shaped to represent Kakadu's most famous inhabitant, the saltwater crocodile. Relax in the recently refurbished rooms, unwind in your private courtyard, by the shaded outdoor pool or take in the landscaped interior garden view from the balcony.

• Bathtub and shower
• Broadband Internet access

Day 13 - Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

122 Esplanade, Darwin, NT 0800

Overlooking the Darwin Esplanade and Darwin Harbour, Garden Inn Darwin is 2 km from Mindil Beach, 3 km from Darwin Convention Centre and 12 km from Darwin International Airport.

Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.

Field of Light Sunrise (Ayers Rock)

Adult Price: AUD 105.00 Child Price: AUD 75.00

With just enough time for some background commentary on the internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro, you will arrive very excited to see his latest artistic endeavour. Arriving in complete darkness, you will be able to enjoy the 50,000 spheres of light in the desert, before making your way up the hill to the Field of Light sunrise viewing area.

Kakadu Air Scenic Flights (Kakadu)

Adult Price: AUD 159.00   (30 Minute) Child Price:  AUD 130.00 (30 Minute)

One of the best ways to experience Kakadu is by a scenic fixed wing flight which allows you to see the amazing escarpments, waterways and wetlands. You will be amazed by the vastness and varied landscape that can be best experienced from the air. An experience not to be missed.

Outback Hot Air Ballooning (Alice Springs)

Adult Price: From AUD 350.00 Child Price: From AUD 297.50.00

Your adventure begins with the balloons being inflated just as the sun lights up the rugged MacDonnell Ranges. Whilst floating gently in the air you will appreciate the vast remoteness, scenery and wildlife of the Australian outback. The tour includes your return transfers and a light breakfast.

Please note this excursion is not recommended for the elderly or a less agile person. If you are unsure, please discuss your situation directly with Outback Ballooning. A compulsory aviation insurance charge of $30.00 per person is included in the cost.

Uluru Barbecue Dinner (Ayers Rock)

Adult Price: AUD 195.00 Child Price: AUD 135.00

Enjoy a sparkling wine on arrival at this unique and exclusive dining experience with Uluru as your stunning backdrop. Enjoy wine and beer with a classic barbecue of beef steak, lamb sausages, skewered chicken and garlic prawns, as well as a selection of fresh salads and a tasty dessert. There’s even time for stargazing.

Uluru Scenic Flights (Uluru (Ayers Rock))

Adult: $145.00

Child: 145.00

A 20 minute, fixed wing scenic flight is a great way to take in the amazing landscape of Uluru. This small plane operator offer extended flights that include both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Wilpena Pound Half Day 4WD Tour (Flinders Ranges)

Adult - AUD 175.00

Child - AUD 125.00

Explore more than 800 million years of geological history in the “Corridor Through Time”. Marvel at the rugged beauty of Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges. Search for Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies and enjoy sweeping views of Bunyeroo Valley and the eastern wall of Wilpena Pound.

Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Cultural Experience (Darwin)

Adult Price:   From  AUD 439.00 Child Price:  From AUD 309.00.00

Enjoy an Aboriginal cultural experience on the Tiwi Islands. You will travel to and from the Island by ferry. Once there you will learn about the Tiwi people’s unique and rich culture as they introduce you to their traditional art displays and ceremonies. Enjoy lunch with your local guide and the local community as they teach you more about their culture and rituals. To partake in this experience you will require an additional post tour night accommodation or a flight that departs after 8pm on the day of the tour.

Uluru Helicopter Scenic Flight (Uluru (Ayers Rock))

Adult: $315.00 AUD Child: $315.00 AUD

Experience a unique view with a scenic helicopter flight over the Red Centre and see Uluru from the Air. You might choose the 15 minute flight to appreciate Uluru from the air or the recommended longer flight to witness Uluru as well as the extraordinary Kata Tjuta.

Wintijiri Wiru After Dark Show (Uluru (Ayers Rock))

Adult: $190.00 AUD Child: $95.00 AUD

Wintjiri Wiru, which in the local Pitjantjatjara language means ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’. This breathtaking sound and light show brings to life the ancient Mala story of the Anangu people, a story passed on for thousands of generations. With the use of ground-breaking technology, choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminate the night sky. Wintjiri Wiru takes place at Ayers Rock Resort, in the spiritual heart of Australia and is an immersion into Anangu culture. The experience begins with a transfer from Resort hotels to a sustainably-built platform where you will take a seat in the intimate amphitheatre.

Kings Canyon Light Towers by Night (Kings Canyon)

Adult: $30.00 AUD Child $25.00 AUD

Kings Canyon Light Towers at Sunrise (Kings Canyon)

Adult: $45.00 Child: $30.00

Start your day immersed in magic. Awaken your senses to the mystery of the outback as you wander among the Light Towers maze of sound and light. Enjoy coffee and pastry at the Luritja Lookout once the sun is up.  From the butterfly mind of internationally renowned light and sound artist Bruce Munro, ‘Light Towers at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon’ will immerse you in the pure magic of light, sound and landscape in this iconic location. Consisting of 69 two-metre towers of light, which change colour in response to a celestial soundscape by Orlando Gough, guests are invited to wander amongst the maze of Light Towers.A local guide will greet and introduce guests to the Light Towers at Lurijta Lookout where you will receive a session wristband, before following a lit path into the field of red earth where the Light Towers experience takes place. STARTS: This experience commences 30 mins before sunrise. Meet at the Luritja Lookout 5 minutes before your ticketed session start time. EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Introduction to the Light Towers by a local guide. Post sunrise coffee and pastry on the Luritja Lookout.

20 Minute Scenic Flight - Wilpena Pound (Flinders Ranges)

Adult Price: From AUD 235.00   Child Price:  From AUD 180.00

This flight provides a fantastic view of our surrounds where you will see Wilpena Pound from the air with the resort nestled in among the River Red Gums just near the Pound Gap. You will also see the Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Lake Torrens, the Heysen Range and St. Mary Peak.

Overall Trip Rating

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Prices are per person in . Child prices are available on request. Trip details, itineraries, prices and departure date status may be subject to change.

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Adelaide, South Australia(AU)

Darwin, Northern Territory(AU)

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15 DAY 23 Included Experiences

Departure dates.

Definite Departures highlighted in red.

For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/NAAD or contact your local travel agent.

A limited number of single rooms are also available.

• 14 Full Breakfasts B
• 8 Dinners with Wine DW
• 1 Farewell Dinner FD
• 1 Be My Guest Dinner BGD

1 Welcome to Adelaide

At once cultured yet cool, Adelaide attracts foodies, historians and art aficionados in equal measure. Explore at your leisure, before meeting a local gourmand to tour the city’s legendary Central Market. This place has been selling cheese, green ant gin and artisan bread for 140-plus years, before joining your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. DW

2 Adelaide - Flinders Ranges

One of Australia’s oldest wine regions, the Clare Valley is all rounded hills, rippling vines and native forest. It’s the postcard-perfect setting for historic Knappstein Enterprise Winery, producing sweet-scented rieslings and mineral-rich reds. The route north lands you at Hawker, the gateway to the Flinders Ranges, but there are plenty of reasons to linger, including well-preserved heritage buildings and the Jeff Morgan Gallery. The best is yet to come, as you arrive at Wilpena Pound Resort in the shadows of a staggering natural amphitheatre. Know that your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit to the resort helps by contributing towards the sustainable economic future of the Adnyamathanha who in turn work with the resort to minimize the environmental footprint and participate in the conservation of the region. Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort. B DW

3 Flinders Ranges - Port Augusta

The river red gums that envelop Hills Homestead will leave you lost for words. You get here on a leisurely walk along Wilpena Creek and continue to Wangarra Hill Lookout for views over the pound’s peaks and curves. The drama is echoed as you climb to Pichi Richi Pass and the historic town of Quorn, where with a Local Guide, you'll hear the importance of this town in the ANZAC's Gallipoli Campaign, before easing into Port Augusta. Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments. B DW

4 Port Augusta - Coober Pedy

The main attraction in Woomera is a former rocket-testing site, today stocked with disused rockets and missiles. Speaking of space, you’ll think you’ve landed on the moon as you travel through sun-baked country to Coober Pedy, known as ‘the opal capital of the world’. Things get deep as you travel underground to visit the town’s head-scratching subterranean facilities. Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel. B DW

5 Coober Pedy - Uluru

Emerge from your cave and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has World Heritage status for a reason; under the gaze of the world’s mightiest monolith, toast the end of the day with a glass of bubbles and a camera full of sunset photos. Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Hotel: Desert Gardens. B

6 Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta

Pre-dawn wake-up calls are worth it when you get to enjoy a Red Centre sunrise. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll encounter the iconic Uluru, or ‘The Rock,’ half a billion years old, standing 348 meters high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. Marvel at the majesty of Uluru as you circumnavigate its base or join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. This landscape takes you back to the beginning of time, a sacred place among the Anangu people. More soul-salving landscapes await at Kata Tjuta, cool relief provided as you walk amid its domes to Walpa Gorge. Hotel: Desert Gardens. B

7 Uluru - Kings Canyon

Another sunrise excursion awaits, with this morning’s optional tour to Bruce Munro's Uluru Field of Light – a blanket of 50,000 glowing bulbs. Next chance to stretch your legs is at Kings Creek Station, the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. All your senses will be activated at Kings Canyon, 440-million years in the making. Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort. B DW

8 Kings Canyon - Alice Springs

Things are bigger in the NT outback, from the cattle stations to the MacDonnell Ranges, which stretch like a dinosaur spine toward Alice Springs. Aside from its plethora of Aboriginal galleries and art stores, Alice makes Australian history for her 1872 Telegraph Station, one of 12 along the Overland Telegraph Line between Adelaide and Darwin. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B

9 Alice Springs

Aboriginal culture is strong in Alice, as you’ll fast find on a tour revealing the history of the Arrernte people at the Alice Springs Desert Park. The other thing that’s mighty is community spirit – it’s essential when there are so few people scattered over such a vast area of land. Enter the Royal Flying Doctor Service, its base a museum that goes behind the scenes of the life-saving health services delivered to people in remote realms. One of the benefits of being this far-flung is the lack of light pollution. And at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, this equates to epic stargazing. Your Be My Guest BBQ dinner here with the Falzon family is enlightening and uplifting. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B BGD

10 Alice Springs - Tennant Creek

1.3 million square kilometers – that’s the eye-watering distance the School of Air’s lessons are broadcast across daily. Learn how teachers interact with children who would otherwise have no access to education. It doesn’tmatter how studious you are, you might just believe in aliens when you pass Wycliffe Well, the self-proclaimed ‘UFO capital’ of Australia. It’s the devil (well, his marbles) that awaits at Karlu Karlu, where precariously balanced boulders appear superglued together. Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn. B DW

11 Tennant Creek - Katherine

Since the 1930s, the Daly Waters Historic Pub has been dishing up schnitzels, barramundi burgers and hearty steaks. The walls are lined with treasures that passers-by leave behind. ‘Land of the Never Never’ awaits at Mataranka. Visit a replica of the Elsey Homestead, used in 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Or wander palm-lined walkways to take a dip in the region’s thermal springs. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW

12 Katherine - Kakadu

The Jawoyn have called Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge home for millennia. You can feel their presence as you cruise the waterway, home to more than a few resident crocs. They’ll make another appearance in Kakadu, when you explore Yellow Water Billabong. You don’t need binoculars to spot the sea eagles, brolgas and kingfishers; they’re everywhere you look. Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B DW

13 Kakadu - Darwin

Decisions, decisions: optional morning flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land, or a sleep in. We vote for the former before you venture toward Ubirr and its ancient Aboriginal rock art. The night is yours in steamy Darwin, where the characters are as large as the shadows cast at sunset. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. B

14 Litchfield National Park

Nature rules today, your explorations into Litchfield National Park revealing magnetic termite mounds standing two metres tall. And then there are the waterfalls: Florence, for its dreamy cascades, and Wangi, where youcan cool off in a crystal-clear waterhole (swimming is seasonal). See the NT capital in a new light when you venture out on a Darwin Harbour Cruise, your sparkling wine glass full to toast your last evening on this epic adventure. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. B FD

15 Farewell from Darwin

Time to bid adieu and head home to sort through all those photos. Even better are the memories; two weeks of wild outback adventures. B

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Our guide to Outback South Australia

• Getting there
• Tours and packages

Embark on an unforgettable road trip in Outback South Australia, driving through the Flinders Ranges , marvelling at Wilpena Pound  and visiting the quirky town of Coober Pedy .

Here’s our pick of the best things to see and do in Outback South Australia.

Getting to Outback South Australia

Getting to Outback South Australia is part of the journey with a quintessential Australian road trip. From Adelaide, drive approximately 5 hours to Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges to start your Outback South Australia experience. Alternatively, Regional Express  flies regularly between Adelaide and Coober Pedy. Greyhound Australia  offers regular coach transfers between Adelaide and most Outback South Australia major centres.

Top Things to do in Outback South Australia

featured post

Everything you need to know about South Australia’s bright pink lakes

Hidden away in the South Australian outback are some of the most spectacular, naturally pink lakes you’ll see. Someho...

Bring your sense of adventure for camping in Outback South Australia. One of the best spots to camp in South Australia is Wilpena Pound offering powered and unpowered campsites as well as luxury safari tents. Climb the ridge in the early morning and late afternoon and watch the sun rising and setting over the pound, a magnificent natural amphitheatre and the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges National Park. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary also offers powered and unpowered sites alongside the incredible Astronomical Observatory.

Conservation Park

One of the best things to do in Coober Pedy is visit the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park approximately 30km north of Coober Pedy. The Conservation Park takes in some of the most spectacular landscape in Outback South Australia with the best views from the main lookout or along the Dog Fence Scenic Tourist Drive Road.

Also check out South Australia’s incredible pink lakes while you’re touring the Outback.

Umoona Opal Mine and Museum

Coober Pedy is a quirky town not to be missed! Originally an opal mine, Umoona has been converted into the town’s largest single underground tourist attraction in Coober Pedy. A visit to Umoona includes a walk through the Museum, which details Aboriginal and European settlement of the area. Take a guided tour and see an underground living display home, learn about “The Story of Opal” an award-winning documentary and visit

The Arkaba walk that “rewilds your spirit”

Once farmland stripped bare, South Australia’s Arkaba is now a thriving outback wilderness where emus wander and wildflowers gro...

The top places you should stop along the Nullarbor

The Nullarbor crossing is infamous among road trippers, with legends of how monotonous the 1256-kilometre route across southern Au...

Wilpena Pound: Australia’s unknown icon

How can something as marvellously grand as the Flinders Ranges' Wilpena Pound fly under the radar for so long?, asks Steve Madgwic...

Play the world’s longest Golf Course on the Nullarbor Plain

Not satisfied with cricket matches that take five days to complete? There is now a golf course that takes four days and 1365km ...

The essential guide to visiting the Flinders Ranges

There are great rafts of information published about the Flinders Rangers. Here’s our distilled guide to the essential Flinders ...

13 reasons Coober Pedy is delightfully strange

Opal mining town enigma Coober Pedy is very special place. Very special. Here are 13 reasons why this is Australia’s most deligh...

Seeing Lake Eyre – the where, what, when and how

The often dry Lake Eyre is an outback enigma, famous for its rare and beautiful floodscapes. A scenic flight over Australia’s la...

Best Places to Stay in Outback South Australia

Whether you’re planning a family holiday road trip or adventurous couples getaway you’ll find the perfect Eyre Peninsula accommodation to suit your style and budget from Outback South Australia caravan parks and motels to glamping and luxury accommodation.

Luxury Accommodation

Be amazed by the spectacular scenery of the Flinders Rangers from safari tent style glamping accommodation at Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound. Arkaba Conservancy invites you to experience Wild Bush Luxury in the Flinders Ranges with five luxury guestrooms in a renovated homestead, add a walking safari in your stay to fully appreciate the landscape. Rawnsley Park Station offers self-contained secluded eco villas in the Flinders Ranges with views of Wilpena Pound.

On a long road trip, a comfortable hotel is a welcoming sight. Prairie Hotel is one of Australia’s most awarded Outback hotels. Prairie Hotel offers quality room and legendary service from the Fargher family, the local station owners. In Coober Pedy there are a number of underground hotels including Desert Cave Hotel offering unique underground accommodation with the option to stay above ground and featuring resort style facilities such as outdoor swimming pool and onsite restaurant and café.

Motels are a great value option when road tripping from Adelaide to Darwin. Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience is a former working opal mine, transformed into an underground motel complex in the 90’s and a welcome oasis for travellers. Mud Hut Motel offers unique accommodation built of rammed earth in the style typically found in Outback Australia.

The ultimate guide to camping in the Flinders Ranges

Fresh air, starry nights and a roaring campfire: here’s everything you need to enjoy the perfect outback camping exper...

Fresh air, starry nights and a roaring campfire: here’s everything you need to enjoy the perfect outback camping experience. Th...

Where to eat in Outback South Australia

Unique cuisine, iconic pub food and local wine await in Outback South Australia. Go feral at The Prairie Hotel where you can dine on emu egg omelette and camel sausage. The infamous pit stop attracts travellers from far and wide for the ‘Feral Mixed Grill’ listed as one of the top Gourmet experiences in Australia! For more refined dining, feast in the Flinders at Arkaba Station using the finest South Australian produce to dine in style under the stars.

Tours and packages Outback South Australia

Explore Outback South Australia by air or land on an organised tour or charter. A scenic flight over Australia’s largest salt lake is near the top of the outback bucket list, so here’s everything you need to know to see Lake Eyre from the air, pardon the pun.

If you’re looking to explore Coober Pedy, Noble Tours Australia offers one of the best Coober Pedy tours and packages with 4WD Outback tours from Coober Pedy covering all the Coober Pedy highlights and attractions.

The often dry Lake Eyre is an outback enigma, famous for its rare and beautiful floodscapes. A scenic flight over Austra...

Incredible South Australia destinations to explore

• South Australia
• McLaren Vale
• Kangaroo Island
• Eyre Peninsula
• Barossa Valley

© Australian Traveller Media 2024. All rights reserved.

South Australian Outback Tours

Immerse yourself in the adventure of outback sa, one of australia’s best-kept secrets, it doesn’t get much more real than the south australian outback. we invite you to fully immerse yourself in the absolute grandeur of sa with our guided camping tours., experience a world unspoilt and raw, camping under the stars in safety, luxury and comfort with outback horizons. use one of our suggested itineraries or travel with a bespoke, private tour fully tailored to your desires. there’s something suitable for everyone – families, the seasoned travellers or those new to the camping game, the relaxers or the hikers., what to expect.

Uniquely Australian, you won’t get much closer to the outback than with our luxury 4WD camping tour.

Experience the power and passion of outback South Australia settled around the campfire amongst the stars.

A more personable experience

Knowledgeable and friendly tour guide

Comfort and care every step of the way

Safe and reliable luxury tour vehicles

Comfortable, high-quality tents and sleeping gear

A once-in-a lifetime adventure

The outback will become your ‘home away from home’, as you enjoy the cozy comforts included on our camping tours. We offer twin-share, easy-to-erect and dismantle turbo tents. The deluxe self-inflating mattresses or stretchers (available upon request) and -10°C sleeping bags offer an ultra comfortable sleep whilst being as close to nature as it gets.

Our camping tours are all-inclusive. You will receive breakfast, lunch, dinner and plenty of fresh fruit and snacks along the way. We offer a wide variety of delicious home-cooked meals prepared fresh. We think of ourselves as foodies and only offer the best possible meals to tempt your palate.

If you have any special dietary requirements (gluten free, vegetarian or other needs/allergies), we can cater menus to suit you.

Your help is welcome in setting up and packing down camp – the quicker it can be done, the sooner we can be relaxing around the campfire or travelling the road!

Witness Australia like very few ever have the chance to do.

Experience outback adventure.

Vast, red desert landscapes stretching well into the distance welcome you to the outback.

We invite you on an other-wordly adventure to the north of SA. Departing from Port Augusta, the gateway to the outback, you’ll have the chance to discover the famous Opal Fields of Coober Pedy, fly over the picturesque Lake Eyre, adventure over the towering cliffs in the Flinders Ranges and witness the astronomical phenomena in Arkaroola.

Our camping tours make for a truly memorable journey with fantastic photography opportunities at every corner.

Your journey

Outback Horizons offer the complete outback experience. Our outback camping tours blend pristine nature and exhilarating experiences to create a real sense of adventure.

We offer shared departures, using the itinerary below, or receive a personalised itinerary to your tastes. Here, we have included a sample itinerary, these encounters are a must-do.

7 Day Outback SA Discovery

Meet plenty of locals along the way and learn the country’s ancient history, millions of years in the making. Immerse yourself in the local Indigenous culture and experience breathtaking night skies, untouched by the city lights.

An accredited and experienced guide

A scenic helicopter flight (excluding Kimberley Encounter)

Home-cooked meals

A ll park and entrance fees

Tents and camping gear

Top of the range vehicles, for safety and comfort

Special thanks to the South Australian Tourism Commission for supplying imagery.

Interested in our luxury 4wd tours of south australia.

Talk to our team and receive your handcrafted tour itinerary.

South Australia Tours & Vacations

There’s more to South Australia than amazing wine...

But we must admit,  cycling through three wine regions  is one of our favorite ways to explore. With ancient peaks, blissful beaches, unique outback towns, and some of the country’s best  wildlife encounters , South Australia offers a little bit of everything. Head west for an outback-meets-ocean adventure along the  Eyre Peninsula . Uncover thousands of years of Adnyamathanhan history in  Ikara (Wilpena Pound) , a natural amphitheater of mountains. Or hop over the pond to  Kangaroo Island  to hang out with a colony of 10,000 fur seals.

Our South Australia trips

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

South Australia highlights

South australia tour reviews.

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Kangaroo Island Adventure

Melbourne to Kangaroo Island Adventure

10 must-visit beaches in South Australia

6 of the best things to do in the Flinders Ranges

12 things to add to your Eyre Peninsula bucket list

5 things to do when you travel from Port Augusta to Adelaide

5 of the best Clare Valley restaurants

A foodie’s guide to Kangaroo Island

Raise a toast: 11 of the best Barossa Valley wineries

9 things you probably didn’t know you could do on Kangaroo Island 

Popular regions

South australia travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit South Australia?

South Australia has diverse landscapes and weather patterns. Southern regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale have a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. As you go further north, the weather generally gets hotter and drier. But remember, even in the outback, the temperature can drop considerably at night.

Down south and along the coast, summer (December-February) is the busiest time of year thanks to warm, sunny weather and a busy festival calendar. Fall (March-May) is probably the best time of year for foodies and wine lovers with all the harvest and Vintage celebrations in wine country.

Winter (June-August) is a fab time to see wildlife in Flinders Ranges National Park, where wallabies, kangaroos and other native critters make the most of abundant vegetation. You can also spot humpback and southern right whales off the coast.

Spring is a particularly good season for hiking and bushwalking as temperatures are pleasant and native wildflowers are in bloom.

What should I pack for a trip to South Australia?

Bring a trusted pair of walking shoes and a pair of flip-flops (sandals) to wear around your accommodation. Layered clothing is best, including a fleece or jumper to pop on in the evening and a rain jacket in case the weather turns. One or two smart casual outfits should be more than enough for dining out unless you plan on visiting many high-end restaurants or wineries.

How will I travel around South Australia?

Travelling around South Australia often involves a lot of time on the road. Services/amenities can be limited, so bring ample snacks and be sure to download a few podcasts for the journey.

What are some of the best beaches in South Australia?

People all around the world have seen or heard about Bondi Beach, Byron Bay and Whitehaven Beach, but unless you’ve lived or traveled in South Australia, you might not know how stunning its beaches are. Some of our favorite spots include:

• Maslin Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula 
• Glenelg Beach, Adelaide
• Port Willunga, Fleurieu Peninsula 
• Crackalinga Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula 
• Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island
• Almonta Beach, Eyre Peninsula
• Cactus Beach, Penong
• Perlubie Beach, Streaky Bay
• Memory Cove, Eyre Peninsula
• Emu Bay Beach, Kangaroo Island

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Tell us about your SA Eco Tours experience and win great prizes!

“we offer our valued customers authentic encounters, maximum freedom, and assure personal attention, respect for the environment, nature and local people. always.”, discover some of the world’s oldest untouched landscapes.

Whether it’s Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, the Flinders Ranges or Yorke Peninsula, come and experience the beauty of the South Australian outback on an SA Eco Tours 4WD Eco Safari . We’ll show you the true Australian outback, up close and personal, on our small group tours through some of Australia’s most breathtaking scenery.

Travel the outback in 4WD air-conditioned comfort and cross some things off your bucket list! Fancy a scenic flight over Lake Eyre, a 4WD Arkaroola ridge-top tour, a Coober Pedy mine tour or a visit to the amazing Wilpena Pound? Experience all these and more.

Our tour guides are qualified, professional bushmen with a passion and respect for the outback. With tours leaving every week, and a range of destinations and activities, we’re sure you’ll love your SA Eco Tours experience.

UPCOMING TOURS & CURRENT SPECIALS

Limited special, book a standard or superior accommodation option on our 4-day lake eyre & flinders ranges 4wd outback tour including a 6-hour scenic flight departing adelaide on monday 20th november 2023 and get a $500 discount , limited places available, call mick direct on 0417 830 533 to grab this deal now.

This tour is also available without the desert flight at a lower price (activity replaced with bushwalking instead).

“Just a quick note to say what a fabulous trip we had to the outback. From the sandy hills, mesas and desert to the lush green of Wilpena Pound. Steve was a great tour guide and driver. He kept us entertained with his bush stories and his knowledge of local areas. We went to some interesting old pubs and met some interesting locals along the way, who also had a story to tell. Thank you so much for the opportunity to see this part of Australia.” ~ J & N

Book a Standard or Superior accommodation option on our 3-day Flinders Ranges & Outback 4WD outback tour departing Adelaide on Friday 27th October 2023 and get a $200 DISCOUNT !

Book a standard or superior accommodation option on our 5-day flinders ranges & outback 4wd outback tour departing adelaide on friday 27th october 2023 and get a $200 discount , book a standard or superior accommodation option on our 4-day lake eyre & flinders ranges 4wd outback tour including a 6-hour scenic flight departing adelaide on monday 15th may 2023 and get a $500 discount .

The tour is also available without the scenic flight: Standard Motel, double/twin share: $2,495 pp Standard Motel, single: $2,660 pp Superior Motel, double/twin share: $3,060 pp Superior Motel, single: $3,195 pp (yes, take an extra $500 off these prices!)

Book direct with SA ECO TOURS .

Email sa eco tours at [email protected], or call us on 0417 830 533 for all details..

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

4 Day Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre tour.

This is normally a small group tour, but I was the sole participant on the trip – the fact Mick took me, is a testament to his commitment to the role. So I got the personal attention and flexibility needed to work around the winter weather.

The tour was full of wonderful experiences. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. Mick made sure I saw unique spots, rare animals, learnt about the culture, and enjoyed the Australiana that was around every corner. There were plenty of “ah” moments. My favourite place in the Flinders Ranges was Brachna Gorge with its unique landforms, fossils and yellow footed wallabies (yes, Mick made sure I saw this rare animal, in two places).

The tour included a scenic flight over Lake Torrens and Lake Eyre. This was stunning!

The whole tour was well paced and enjoyable. Mick catered for my every need. He was informative, courteous, friendly and had such great stories to tell me. He made the tour so much fun!

I have travelled to 70 countries world-wide and this tour was up there with “the best” I’ve enjoyed. Wilpena Pound is a good central location for this tour and offers lots of options for hikers, walkers, or a senior like me, who enjoys touring. Good value for money too. Thanks for enriching my awareness of our “wide brown land”.

7 Day Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy tour.

What an exciting way to see the Flinders ranges and the outback in a private four-wheel-drive for 7 days with 3 solo guests and our driver, we went places you couldn’t go on a large tour, our driver Steve was very knowledgeable and a very skilled driver, showed us the Flinders ranges and the outback towns in-depth , this was the real Australia, If you really want to see the real outback this is the only way to do it, the experience of a lifetime, the vista’s were incredible!

3 Day Flinders Ranges tour.

I was picked up near where I was staying and the driver/guide was friendly and one felt one was going to get on with him and enjoy the tour. Due to a previous accident we were not able to use the stock 4WD but the modern rented van did not alter plans.

We were in for a long drive but time passed agreeably and our first stop was at an interesting township for lunch at a characterful pub. From then on we were in the wonderful countryside of the Flinders for our trip.

The trip was full of interesting stops, with chances to photograph and learn. We stayed at Wilpena Pound. One could use all the facilities and the included meals (choices available) were really good. Prebooked sleeping arrangements included motel room, cabin or tent.

Two interesting morning walks, which if you are not fully mobile, could be a problem (6Ks woodland and 2K mostly rocky and up/downhill).

Every effort is made to enable one to see animals and this is great trip for those wanting an experience in the outback.

5 Day Flinders Ranges tour.

Just finished the 5 days Flinders Ranges & Outback tour and it was perfect. Travelling in a small group was awesome. Beautiful landscapes, good meals and accommodation. Our guide Beno was next level and we had a lot of fun ;-). I highly recommend this company!

If you are in Adelaide and looking for a true outback experience in a breathtaking mountainous landscape, this is the Tour for you. The small group setting made for an intimate and unique experience which made the trip seem very personalized and private. For 3 days you will be inundated with European settlement sites, sightseeing walks and drives, animals, aboriginal culture, and ancient history of the flinders ranges. We saw plenty of kangaroos, emus, yellow footed rock wallabies, kookaburras, and other wild animals. Shane the tour guide was absolutely fantastic. He was so knowledgeable and full of entertaining stories.

Definitely one of the best tours I’ve ever been on. As a solo traveler, I chose the tent option which made for a very immersive experience under the stars. When you wake up in the morning you will find yourself among kangaroos, birds and maybe even a wild goat or two! I elected to take a 20 minute morning scenic flight around the Wilpena Pound and it did not disappoint.

Been traveling in Australia, but almost merely in the majot cities, so it was time to see in someway the real Australia, the OUTBACK…and Flinders Range was on the meny.

I had a wonderful time with a gentlemen Mick, who had organised for me an spectacular 3 days…his knowledge about the histories of aboriginal and Australia was awesome, but the informations about the different plans, trees etc blew me away. We had so much fun during the trip weather we having lunch in the bush, driving the whole Skytrek, or just joking about different things.

This was a start for me with SA Eco Tours, and I will use the company in my future trips to Down under. I sincerely recommend this company.

Kiitos Mick and Ben.

Kindest regards, Ken (from the land of Santa Claus, and NO, it is not in Sweden 😁)

YORKE PENINSULA ACCOMMODATION

Southern yorke peninsula holiday holiday house, “dolphin view” 40 min. drive from innes national park book online at airbnb.

Email: [email protected]    •  Call: 0417 830 533 for details.

Flinders Ranges and Outback ECO Safaris and Tours

Touring the Flinders Ranges and the outback since 1989, we are proudly South Australian owned and operated. It is our pleasure to take international and local travellers into rarely-visited desert regions, so that passengers can truly say they have been introduced to Aboriginal culture and experienced the real Australian outback.

SA Eco Tours is an accredited tourism business and is proud to be a member of EcoTourism Australia and Responsible Travel. The company is recognised as setting some of the highest standards in outback safety.

“OUR PERSONALISED SMALL GROUP ECO TOURS, ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AREAS THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.”

Accommodation and activities around adelaide.

Looking for more to do around Adelaide? Try KAYAK’s Adelaide Travel Guide .

Contact SA ECO Tours

Phone: 0417 830 533

Email: [email protected]

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Flinders Ranges and Outback

Discover the flinders ranges and outback.

Driving through the Flinders Ranges and Outback, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were navigating the unexplored face of Mars. Towering ancient cliffs and deep craters border dusty red roads. Take an aerial tour of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre or drive along the Aboriginal Dreaming Trail. Marvel at Ikara-Wilpena Pound , a shockingly large amphitheatre, created through erosion over millions of years, or look up at night for a sky show like never before at the Arkaroola International Dark Sky Sanctuary . Be surrounded by ancient mountain ranges, spectacular gorges and sheltered creeks only five hours drive from Adelaide to Ikara-Wilpena Pound, or embark on the ultimate road trip along the Explorer's Way .

Start planning

Itineraries and inspiration to start planning your flinders ranges and outback getaway including road trips, camping and glamping, and accommodation..

Flinders Ranges and Outback Accommodation

Cosy up in the rugged outback at an off-grid cabin or luxury resort, get back to nature camping or glamping or experience life on the land on a station stay. explore the best places to stay in the flinders ranges and outback and start planning., wilpena pound resort, rawnsley park station, umoona opal mine and museum accommodation, holowiliena station, cockburn house, prairie outback lodge, off the rails accomodation, arkaroola wilderness sanctuary accommodation, flinders ranges and outback experiences and attractions, explore the flinders ranges and outback with the best things to do including hiking, tours, wildlife encounters and outback experiences., quorn silo light show, big winch 360 lookout & historical poi, arkaroola wilderness sanctuary, the woolshed restaurant at rawnsley park, australian arid lands botanic garden, umoona opal mine and museum, wadna aboriginal culture tours, mount remarkable national park, blinman heritage mine, dalhousie springs campground, witjira national park, flinders ranges and outback.

No matter where your South Australian journey takes you, we’ve got you covered. With so much to see, do, taste and explore, start your trip with our regional brochures and maps.

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South Australia

Seats selling fast.

Hurry, limited seats available

Spectacular coastlines, vibrant marine life and iconic outback landscapes

South Australia enjoys the distinction of being Australia's first freely settled state. Perhaps that's one reason why our guests find it such a liberated, vibrant and culturally diverse place. Or maybe it's just the abundance of festivals and fine wines that give it such a carefree atmosphere.

What also makes South Australia so unique are its stunning natural landscapes. There’s the grandeur of the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound, a magnificent natural Amphitheatre. Further north, there’s the spectacular Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre National Park, Australia’s largest salt-lake and the 13th largest lake in the world. Offshore lies beautiful Kangaroo Island, a sanctuary for Sea Lions and Fur Seals and home to the Remarkable Rocks.

There’s simply so much to see in South Australia, and Outback Spirit’s award-winning adventure tours are the best way to do it.

100% Refund Guarantee

Book with confidence for the last remaining seats of 2021 with our special 100% Refund Guarantee. If you are unable to travel due to government enacted border closures you can amend or cancel your booking with no fees up to 2 days before departure. If your tour is cancelled due to government enacted border closures you will also be entitled to a full refund. Find out more here

South Australia Tours

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Eyre Peninsula Whale & Seafood Discovery

8 days | adelaide - adelaide fully accommodated tour.

Outback South Australia & Kangaroo Island

14 days | adelaide - adelaide fully accommodated tour.

Outback South Australia

11 days | adelaide - adelaide fully accommodated tour.

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound

7 days | adelaide - adelaide fully accommodated tour.

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre Spectacular

6 days | adelaide - adelaide fully accommodated tour.

Amazing small group South Australia tours

Travel in 5-star comfort while taking in the remarkable highlights of South Australia on one of our 4 small group tours of South Australia. All 4 tours depart from and return to Adelaide starting in May and run through until October. Our South Australia tours range from 8 to 14 days and include all accommodation, meals and attractions.

More destinations you will love Cape York Outback Queensland Arnhem Land The Kimberley

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South Australia Outback Adventure

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: adelaide / port pirie / port augusta, day 2: woomera / coober pedy, day 3: coober pedy, day 4: kanku-breakaways conservation park / william creek, day 5: oodnadatta track / marree, day 6: farina / iga warta, day 7: vulkathunha-gammon ranges national park / iga warta, day 8: ikara-flinders ranges national park / wilpena pound, day 9: ikara-flinders ranges national park / wilpena pound, day 10: clare valley / adelaide, trip inclusions expand all, sightseeing highlights.

• Watch the night sky come alive as you enjoy a campfire dinner and learn about the stories and traditions of the First Nations Adnyamathanha people who are the traditional custodians of the Flinders Ranges.
• Enjoy a subterranean stay in Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia, in underground accommodation which is cool, comfortable and unique to this part of the South Australian outback.
• Soak up the scenic beauty of the Clare Valley, one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, and sample Rieslings and other fine wines.
• Drive into the remote South Australian Outback and bounce along the famous Oodnadatta Track to William Creek where you can enjoy a cold beer and check out the unique "museum" of memorabilia across the street.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Country Needs People. Donations help them support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Accommodation

• Hotel (3 nights)
• Underground hotel (2 nights)
• Tents or Cabins with shared facilities (2 nights)
• Resort (2 nights)

Included Meals

• 7 Breakfasts included
• 3 Lunches included
• 2 Dinners included
• Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
• Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Intrepid Australia & New Zealand (2022-24)

Prices & dates.

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

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South Australia Outback Adventure (11 destinations)

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• Introduction
• Day 1 Adelaide - Port Pirie - Port Augusta
• Day 2 Woomera - Coober Pedy
• Day 3 Coober Pedy
• Day 4 Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park / William Creek
• Day 5 Oodnadatta Track - Marree
• Day 6 Farina - Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park - Iga Warta
• Day 7 Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park - Iga Warta
• Day 8 Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Wilpena Pound
• Day 9 Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Wilpena Pound
• Day 10 Clare Valley - Adelaide

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Operated by intrepid travel.

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and Manch set off on an adventure to the other side of the world. They travelled to Africa and without air conditioning on their modified truck, they filled it with supplies, some beer, a bunch of aviator sunglasses, and some friends. On that trip, they came up with the idea that perhaps others may be interested in this style of travel too. Just like that, Intrepid was born. Intrepid has come a long way since then, now giving over 100,000 travelers a year the opportunity to experience small group travel across all 7 continents. They use local transport, sleep in local accommodation from Cambodian stilt houses to Moroccan riads, and employ 100% local leaders. With three different travel styles including basix, original and comfort, themes ranging from cycling trips to family holidays, and itineraries crafted with the perfect balance of must-see sights and free time, Intrepid caters to every type of traveller no matter their age, budget or travel style. The company has grown but their mission remains the same: to change the way people see the world through sustainable, experience-rich travel

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 5.0
• Itinerary Excellent 5.0
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Good 4.0
• Accommodation Good 4.0
• Food Good 4.0
• Tour Operator Intrepid Travel 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Currency $ Australian Dollar Australia

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

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• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Australia. Ideally 10 days before travel.
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• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before June 18th, 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 18th, 2024, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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Outback South Australia

The further north you travel, the more you’ll understand that the South Australian Outback is a region of exceptional beauty, charisma, and unforgettable experiences that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

The local communities are thriving with a quirkiness that is unique to Australia. The iconic remote towns are steeped in history and culture, and the outback hospitality is unbeatable.

Breathe a little deeper, settle into outback time and feel the daily grind disappear behind you. Let the expansive scenery unfold in front of you and prepare to be delighted by the Outback's mystery, contrasts and character.

Once you hit these wide open roads, you will understand why people who love the Outback, are really in love with the Outback.

Spectacular outback scenery

The South Australian Outback is home to awe-inspiring beauty, from mountain ranges, vast open plains and stony deserts to lazy creeks and rivers, billabongs, and wetlands.

Take a scenic flight with Wrightsair to see the Anna Creek Painted Hills, the stunning rock formations in colours you would never have expected to find in Australia.

Discover an oasis in the desert in the Witjira National Park. Dalhousie Springs is the largest complex of artesian springs in Australia, where you can enjoy swimming in one-million-year-old waters at a constant 37°C.

The Innamincka Regional Reserve includes the majestic Cooper Creek. Take a sunset cruise in the pristine beauty of Channel Country, or set up camp and fish for yellowbelly. Paddle a canoe all the way along Cullyamurra Waterhole, Australia’s largest billabong and a significant and special place for the Traditional Owners, the Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka People.

The beauty is also hidden far underground with an abundance of opal, Australia’s National Gemstone. Go noodling for your own opal at Coober Pedy or Andamooka, where you may even find rare opalised dinosaur fossils like Karkaroo, the Andamooka Plesiosaur.

Famous outback pubs

Outback towns are few and far between, but each is as welcoming as the next. The pub is usually the meeting place of choice, and the outback plays host to some of the quirkiest in Australia.

The Mungerannie Hotel halfway along the Birdsville Track is acclaimed for its collection of outback memorabilia, including hats from locals and locks of hair from its many visitors. Experience the welcoming yet outlandish Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta and stop by William Creek Hotel , one of the most remote pubs in the world.

Marree has a great pub , where you can also book a scenic flight to view the famous Marree Man.

Stop by the Innamincka Hotel for a beautiful pub meal and a drink in the Outamincka Bar. Catch an outdoor movie, a round of mini golf, or spend a few nights in a comfy motel room while you explore Channel Country and learn about the ill-fated expedition of Burke and Wills.

Camping in the outback

There are some great camping spots and visitor facilities at 3 O’Clock Creek, Dalhousie Springs, Purni Bore, and Mount Dare. The Mount Dare Hotel offers fuel, accommodation, some supplies and an airstrip.

If visiting the Witjira National Park and Simpson Desert Reserves for the first time, it’s recommended you travel west to east to take advantage of the gentler upslope to most dunes. You will also need to purchase a Desert Parks Pass.

There are a long list of magical places to camp in the Outback, but visitors need to be prepared. See the Aussie Travel Code for information on safe, respectful travel.

Outback accommodation

Accommodation options are as vast as the region itself.

The unique offerings include underground hotels and apartments, motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks, station stays, homesteads, cottages, and cabins. For the more adventurous, camping under the stars in one of the many national parks will require a desert pass from the local ranger.

How can we help?

Events in outback south australia.

Check out the vibrant events calendar that attracts thousands of revellers to unforgettable outback events.

The Outback races season kicks off with the Oodnadatta Races and Gymkhana, followed by the Marree Camel Cup and the iconic Birdsville Races.

The Big Red Bash is the world's most remote music festival, attracting 10,000 people to Birdsville and the Simpson Desert. For more fantastic performances, 500 Miles of Music visits Wombat Flat, Wilmington, Leigh Creek and William Creek.

Rallies, rodeos and marathons also run throughout the year. The usual schedule may have been impacted by COVID-19, but it takes more than a pandemic to keep the Outback down.

Events continue to run when it is safe to do so.

Highlights of the Outback

Unique Nature Experiences in the Flinders Ranges and Outback

Unique Accommodation in the Flinders Ranges and Outback

Unique Tours of the Flinders Ranges and Outback

Need more help?

Get in touch with the Visitor Information Centres located across the Outback. The friendly staff can help you with local recommendations, advise on permits and passes, and provide any other assistance you need to have a great trip.

Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre

Roxby Downs Visitor Information Centre

Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre

Explore Every Corner of Our Region

Flinders Ranges

Southern Flinders Ranges

• +61 1300 763 188 or 0417 244 600

Spirit Safaris Australian Wilderness & Outback Tours since 1993 are Genuine small group, personal and private by luxury 4WD Big Nature wilderness tours specialising in remote, wild nature, remote outback, photography, Aboriginal Rock Art, Aboriginal Art Centres and Communities, artist tours, family tours, groups, and business incentive programs. Day and multi day extended tours, comfortable camping or motel/cabin / safari camp accommodated travel .

PERSONAL & PRIVATE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TOURS AUSTRALIA WIDE

New Kimberley Corner Country Simpson

Desert canning lake eyre 4wd tours for 2024.

Jump in quick because these tours book out – especially Kimberley accommodated tours

NSW Blue Mountains – Hunter Valley – Jenolan Caves – Sydney Beaches Bays Bush & Rivers

Sydney Private & Personal tours – Maximise Your time in Sydney –  see NSW Tours

Lake Eyre tours and flights options for early 2024 …

• April 4 – 9 – Mungo Silo Art Wentworth Menindee Darling River Run Sydney Broken Hill Adelaide
• April 10-13 – Lake Eyre Tours Flights with Wilpena Pound Walks 4 Days –

Outback NSW Lake Eyre Innamincka Arkaroola …

• April 10-13 – Cameron Corner Country Tour from Broken Hill to Broken Hill 4 days
• April 15-20 – Arkaroola Wilpena Flinders Ranges Lake Eyre Tours 6 days 
• April 15-22 – Corner Country Dig Tree Birdsville Track Strzelecki Track Oodnadatta Track & Lake Eyre Tours 8 Days 
• April  23 – 26 – Mungo Silo Art Wentworth Menindee Darling River Run Adelaide to Sydney
• April 24-26 – Mungo National Park Tour Broken Hill to Sydney 3 days

Cape York and Gulf Savannah Way .. Undara Lava Tubes, Adels Grove, Lawn Hill, Gulf cruise, Thursday Island

• May 5 – 12  – Cape York Thursday Island Daintree Rock Art Cairns Tour
• May 14 – 21 – Gulf Savannah Way Cairns to Darwin Tours

May 23rd – Kimberley & Karijini Tours commence from Darwin and Broome – see calendar here 

• July 21 – Karijini National Park Pilbara Karratha Tours from Broome commence 

Canning Stock Route from Alice Springs & Broome

• August 6 – Canning Stock Route, Tanami & Gunbarrel Highway  from Alice Springs & Broome – Check out our the CSR video here

Cameron Corner Dig Tree Dinosaurs Macquarie Marshes Menindee Broken Hill Silo Art

• Sept 7 – 10  – Cameron Corner Country Tour from Broken Hill to Broken Hill 4 days – See Details Here
• September 30 – October 9 – from Sydney – Cameron Corner Dig Tree Dinosaurs Macquarie Marshes Menindee Broken Hill Silo Art Tibooburra Innamincka Bourke NSW Outback Tour 10 days – learn more about and travel the songlines on this fascinating journey – See Details Here

Lake Eyre Tours and Flights with Wilpena Pound

• September 7 -10 – Lake Eyre Tours and Flights with Wilpena Pound
• September 12 – 15 – Lake Eyre Tours and Flights with Wilpena Pound

See All Tours for 2024 at Calendar Here

To be the most preferred tour company in Australia by connecting people more deeply to the land and nature and inspiring their life journey

Our Mission

To give people the best tour experience of their life so they can connect more deeply and appreciate a greater sense of adventure, wonder and inspiration

What Makes Us Different

We deliver personalized small group 4WD adventures that inspire and connect you to a new love of the land and life !!

Our Guarantee

We guarantee to give you a deeper appreciation and sense of connection to the land, and inspire you with a richer sense of life purpose

See more About Us   Download our Inspiration Checklist and Values Checklist at Free Resource s

Access our connections from our unique experiences working with Australian Aboriginal elders and communities Australia wide for more than 20 years, supporting ancient wisdom, kids and communities and preservation of sacred sites.

Why Travel with Spirit Safaris

Real Small Groups of 2-4 people or up to 7 per 4WD if private group or family * Convoy of 2 or more cars available for large groups. * Luxury 4WD GXL Landcruisers *  Affordable, Inspiring, Relaxing * Personal & Private tours  * NOT a bus, a REAL 4WD Tour * Exclusive remote sites access * Your interests are Key * Expert, Professional Guides * 24+ years tours operations * Long-term Aboriginal links * * Delicious meals & special diets * Accommodated Options or * Easy, Comfortable Camping Options * Aboriginal Art from source * Tailored Passenger & Convoys * Tag Along Tour options * Eco Certified T-Quality Assured * Supports Outback Kids programs * Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) Support * Early Bird & Travel Club Savings * Highly Recommended by Clients

Appreciate the power of the Australian land

As you travel, tune into the power and beauty of the natural landscapes. In the open, pristine land you will develop surprising clarity and creativity. The land has the power to inspire and revive you.

Make a meaningful connection to Aboriginal culture

Our Kimberley tours are an extraordinary opportunity to meet Aboriginal elders and their communities. You will learn about Aboriginal spirituality, lore & law, bush medicine and food, story, song and dance.

Free Your Spirit – and Be Inspired !

Humanity is now being called to take notice of this beautiful planet Earth – for the great journey we all travel together. You will maximise your Australian outback and Sydney travel experiences with our professional guides and staff, supported by our close connections with the Aboriginal people who have been caretakers of these very special environments. Our accommodated or camping tours (on very comfortable bedding) allow us to be close to the Earth and community.

Take time out to discover your real self with a journey to the Heartlands of Australia with Spirit Safaris. Spirit Safaris connects you to your deeper power and creativity, travelling some of the most awe inspiring landscapes and experiences this planet has to offer.

More Tours & Dates at links below – Please Ask – Email or Call Us Now > 1300 763 188

Yes – we are Ecotourism Certified and have the Green Tick –  Hi, I am Richard O’Neill, creator of Spirit Safaris and a 5th generation Aussie explorer, bushman, adventurer and songman. Our family and professional team have a deep love and connection to the land of Oz, and have journeyed Australia’s songlines with the wisdom keepers for many generations. We have worked with Australian Aboriginal elders and communities in the Kimberley and across Australia for more than 20 years, supporting communities to re-establish on traditional lands and helping share their knowledge of the country through Bush University and other initiatives. Join us for some inspirational fun and adventure …

Tours by region ….   Enter Your Name for Earlybird Savings  >> 

Outback tours australia – outback & coast.

Kimberley Tours   Kakadu Tours   Uluru / Ayers Rock Tours    Tanami Track Tours   |  Pilbara & Karijini NP   |  Lake Eyre Tours & Flights   | Alice Springs & Red Centre Tours   |   Corner Country Tours   | Lost City  / Devils Marbles/ Daly Waters   |   Aboriginal Art Centre Tours   |  Alice Springs & Ayers Rock / Uluru Tours  |  Kimberley Darwin Broome Tours    | Tanami Track Broome Alice Springs Tours   |   NSW Outback Tours     |   Cairns/ Darwin via Lost City & Gulf Savannah Way Tours   | Cape York Tours    |  Western Deserts Tours   |  Whale Watching South Australia   |  Alice Springs to Broome via Tanami   | Simpson Desert Tours   |  Canning Stock Route Tours   |  1 Day & Overnight Tours   |  Canning Stock Route Tours

Northern Territory Tours

Uluru / Ayers Rock Tours   | MacDonnell Ranges Tours  |  Rainbow Valley & Chambers Pillar  from Alice Springs   |   Kakadu Tours | Kimberley Darwin Broome Tours    |  Tanami Track Broome Alice Springs Tours    | Kimberley Tours from Darwin   |  Alice Springs & Red Centre Tours   |  Corner Country Tours   |  Lost City  / Devils Marbles/ Daly Waters   |   Aboriginal Art Centre Tours   |   Cairns/ Darwin via Lost City & Gulf Savannah Way Tours    |  Western Deserts Tours   |  Simpson Desert Tours    |  Canning Stock Route Tours

Western Australia Tours

Kimberley Tours   |    Tanami Track Tours   |   Pilbara & Karijini NP   |   Aboriginal Art Centre Tours   |    Kimberley Darwin Broome Tours    |  Tanami Track Broome Alice Springs Tours   |   Cairns/ Darwin via Lost City & Gulf Savannah Way Tours    |  Western Deserts Tours    |   Alice Springs to Broome via Tanami   |   Canning Stock Route Tours

South Australia Tours

Lake Eyre Tours & Flights    |   Corner Country Tours   |   Alice Springs & Red Centre Tours from Adelaide   |     Aboriginal Art Centre Tours   |   Alice Springs & Ayers Rock / Uluru Tours   |   Whale Watching South Australia   |   Simpson Desert Tours   |  Innamincka  & Strzelecki Track  Tours   | Flinders Ranges Tours | Wilpena Pound Tours   | Brachina Gorge Tours | Arkaroola Tours |  Limestone Coast Tours | Great Ocean Road Tours

Queensland Tours

Cape York Thursday Island Tours | Cairns/ Darwin via Lost City & Gulf Savannah Way Tours | Simpson Desert Tours | Birdsville Races Tours | Birdsville, Innamincka & Strezkecki Track Tours | Dinosaur Trail Tours   | Cairns to Alice Springs | Alice Springs to Cairns via Plenty Highway

New South Wales Tours in NSW

Blue Mountains Tours    Hunter Valley Tours     NSW Day Tours    Outback NSW Tours    South Coast NSW Tours   NSW / QLD Cameron Corner Country Tours   |  3 day Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley |  2 day Blue Mountains Hunter Valley Tours   | 4 day Outback NSW Tours 

1 Day & Short Overnight Sydney Tours – Private, small group or tailored luxury 4WD Eco Tours to Remote Wilderness, Aboriginal Rock Art & Aboriginal Art Centres in Outback, Sydney & NSW Australia – Please Call or Email

Special Interest Tours

Aboriginal Art Tours    |  Rock Art Tours   |  Tag Along Tours   | Photography Tours   |  Corporate Tours | Family Travel Tours | Australia Movie Tours – Kimberley | Australian Wildlife Conservancy Tours   |  Whale Watching Tours   |  Birdsville Races Tours |  Tour Planner

We provide a real “Welcome to Country” and guide you through Australia’s powerful natural and outback world, weaving creation stories, visiting ancient rock art sites, exploring songlines and sacred sites. Your journey is safe, fun and meaningful.

OURS INFORMATION

Simpson Desert Tours   |  Canning Stock Route Tours |  Jenolan Caves Blue Mountains Hunter Valley Tours |  Darling River Run Tours Sydney to Broken Hill Tours | Great Ocean Road Tours | Tag Along Tours | Kimberley Mitchell Falls Tours | Darling River Run Tours Sydney to Broken Hill Tours   | Arkaroola Wilpena Flinders Ranges Lake Eyre Tours   | Kimberley Broome to Broome Kalumburu Tours   | Darwin to Ayers Rock Devils Marbles Tours | Kakadu Katherine Gorge Litchfield Tours   |  Kakadu Katherine Gorge Tours   | Quinkan Rock Art Tours   | Old Ghan Tours | Mungo National Park Tours   | Adelaide to Alice Springs Lake Eyre Tours | Kimberley Camping Tours | Photography Tours | Birdsville Races Tours Flights | Kimberley Tours Broome to Darwin | Karijini Tours 5 Days | Darwin Litchfield Kakadu Devils Marbles Alice Springs Tours   | 3 day Lake Eyre Tours and Flights | Karijini National Park Tours | Cape Leveque Tours |  2 Day Hunter Valley Wine Wildlife Tours | 2 Day Hunter Valley Concert Accommodation Tours | Kimberley Tours Mitchell Falls 10 day | Sydney NSW 4×4 Outback Tours | Kimberley Camping Tours 9 Days | Kimberley Tours from Broome to Darwin via Mitchell Falls, Bungle Bungles | Kimberley Tours Mitchell Falls Tours | Sydney to Adelaide Tours | Cape York Thursday Island Tours, Weipa, Laura Dance, Daintree, Quinkan Rock Art, Cairns Tour | Uluru to Alice Springs via MacDonnell Ranges Tours | Gulf Savannah Tours | 4 Day Kimberley Darwin to Broome Tours | 2 Day Outback NSW Blue Mountains Hunter Valley Tours | Kimberley Tours Mitchell Falls Bungle Bungles | Gulf Savannah Way Tours from Alice Springs | 4 Day Lake Eyre Tours Flights via William Creek Coober Pedy | Kimberley Mitchell Falls Kakadu Tours 9 Days  |  Spirit Safaris   | Bungle Bungles Tours | Kangaroo Island Photography Tour | Gulf Savannah Way Tours Alice Springs to Cairns | Karijini Ningaloo Monkey Mia Coral Coast Kalbari Broome Perth Tour | 3 Day Hunter Valley Wollombi Broke Wine Tasting Tours | Alice Spring to Uluru Ayers Rock via MacDonnell Ranges Tours | Perth to Broome via Kalbari Karijini Ningaloo Monkey Mia Tour

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Outback Tours

Outback tours australia.

Nothing quite captures the essence of Australia like the Outback.  For most travellers from across the globe, an Australian Outback tour is an absolute must to capture seemingly endless stretches of open space, observe the amazingly well-adapted wildlife, share the intriguing stories and traditions of the Aboriginal culture, gaze in wonder at starlit skies and photograph iconic landmarks and converse with the unique characters that call the outback home.

The Red Centre is considered the spiritual heart of Australia and most popular region for outback tours in Australia , with incredible desert landscapes characterised by rich red soils and the iconic landmarks such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Mt Conner. The Anangu people of Uluru have been the traditional custodians of this region for at least 30,000 years, balancing the intricate relationship between people, plants, animals and the majestic landscapes, with several outback tours providing the opportunity to share the story of this ancient land through indigenous eyes.

For visitors wanting an extended Australian outback adventure , a multi-day tour from Alice Springs through to Uluru will provide opportunities to spot the amazing flora and fauna that have evolved to thrive in this arid environment including numerous skinks, the iconic Thorny Devil, bushbirds, goannas, raptor birds, Kangaroos, Common Wallaroos and fascinating insects. The impressive Kings Canyon also provides the opportunity to take a Rim Walk and marvel at the sandstone rock walls, towering more than 300 metres above the valley floor, with lush gardens and contrasting green cycads below. For visitors wanting to experience a 4WD outback tour across a sprawling outback station, Mt Conner located within Curtin Springs Station, is perfect to wander off the beaten track and learn more about the pioneering history of this majestic region.

Further south, Arkaba is nestled amongst the ancient landscapes of the Flinders Ranges, famed for beautiful sculpted ranges, spectacular deep gorges, striking river red gum creek lines, abundant wildlife and beautifully restored homestead accommodation. The geological history of the area is world-renowned and combined with the Aboriginal rock art, impressive fossil remains and European settlement history, is one of the most fascinating regions to visit for an Australian outback adventure . Arkaba is one of the best locations in Australia to see Macropods due to the year round pockets of water along with many bushbirds and parrots.

Below is a selection of the best Australian Outback Tours offering unforgettable day or extended touring experiences in small groups or on a private basis.

Across the Nullarbor

From $4,375 USD

13 days/12 nights

Please note the price above is per person, based on 2 travellers and does not include airfares. Explore the picturesque city of Perth before heading to the Margaret River region to enjoy the region's magnificent culinary, wine and whale watching experiences. You will then enjoy the rail journey of a...

Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals

Eyre Peninsula Wildlife & Ocean Encounters

From $1,499 USD

3 days/3 nights

This three-day adventure combines the best terrestrial and marine protected areas across the region including the opportunity to swim with wild Sea-Lions and Bottlenose Dolphins, see Emus, wild Koalas and Kangaroos and the Rosenbergs Goanna! Be mesmerised by the agility, curiosity and playful interaction from Australian Sea-Lions; the ‘puppy dogs...

Eyre Peninsula Winter Whale Watching and Wildlife Encounter

From $2,375 USD

4 days/4 nights

Fowler's Bay in South Australia is where you will encounter numerous opportunities to watch these magnificent creatures in their natural state; the Southern Right Whale and Humpback Whale. Not to be outshone is the hospitality of the local country towns, majestic coastline all the way down to Port Lincoln, native...

Wildlife Interests: Fish & Marine Invertebrates

Great White Shark Cage Dive Packages

From $950 USD

2 days/2 nights

Experience the amazing Eyre Peninsula, with a choice of these two day adventures, encompassing the exhilarating Great White Shark Cage Dive! Experience premium 4WD touring, aquatic activities and culinary offerings across Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay or surrounds. Tour stunning Port Lincoln, nestled on the shores of beautiful Boston Bay where...

Kakadu & Arnhem Land Photography Tour

From $3,950 USD

5 days/4 nights

One of the most desired locations for photographers to visit in Australia is the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park and for good reason. It is one of the most pristine environments left on the planet. Explore a combination of soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests, river...

Wildlife Interests: Birds

Kakadu Birding Tour

From $2,060 USD

3 days/2 nights

The World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park is one of the most pristine environments left on the planet and the combination of soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests and river mangroves make this one of the world’s great birdwatching sites. There is an immense concentration of birds,...

Luxury Top End Explorer

From $17,945 USD

15 days/14 nights

Please note the price above is per person, based on 2 travellers and does not include airfares. Experience Australia's iconic outback and rainforest landscapes with this epic adventure that combines World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and Daintree National Park; the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, before concluding in...

Murray River Safari

From $1,460 USD

4 days/3 nights

Experience the diverse wildlife offerings where Australia's river oasis meets the outback. This multi-activity wildlife safari along Australia's greatest river includes guided walks, canoeing, an outback drive and open back cruising, combined with luxurious houseboat accommodation and superb dining including local wines. Spot Koalas, Kangaroos, Australian Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills, Black...

Port Lincoln Wildlife Encounters

From $960 USD

This incredible two day adventure combines the best terrestrial and marine protected areas across the region including Lincoln National Park, Coffin Bay National Park, Big Swamp, Mikkira Station and Mount Dutton Bay Conservation Park. On shore, there is an abundance of seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, parrots (including the beautiful Port Lincoln...

Wildlife Interests: Reptiles & Amphibians

Private Mungo Outback Journey

From $1,680 USD

4 days/ 3 nights

Be captivated by the expansive red sand plains and dunes, riverine ecosystems of the famous Murray and Darling Rivers and the arid land ecosystems around Lake Mungo. Spot Kangaroos, Emus, Pink Cockatoos, several parrot species including Mulga, Red-rumped, Mallee Ringnecks and Blue-bonnets, raptor birds including the Wedge-tailed Eagle and several...

Three Day Kakadu & Arnhem Land

From $2,065 USD

3 Days/2 Nights

This epic tailored adventure across the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land winds across stunning floodplains and escarpments in search of the formidable Saltwater Crocodile, many of the region’s 280 bird species, adorable marsupials and mammals and incredible flora. The pristine beauty of Fogg Dam, Mary River...

Top End Luxury Lodges

From $4,525 USD

5 Days/4 Nights

Combining the Mary River Catchment and Nitmiluk National Parks, this tour cover the spectacular landscapes with the premium lodgings in the area; Bamurru Plains and Cicada Lodge. Bamurru Plains is a birdwatchers paradise, with 236 recorded species including Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling- Duck, Egrets, Ibis and Brolgas, but also teems...

Ultimate Luxury Safari Adventure

From $5,140 USD

6 days/5 nights - Kakadu & Arnhem Land

Covering black soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests, river mangroves and dramatic escarpments, this is the ultimate Top End private adventure for wildlife enthusiasts! Highlights include a visit to Fogg Dam, the iconic Yellow Water Cruise and airboat rides across the Mary River Catchment. The richness and...

Wild About Wildlife

From $10,745 USD

18 days/17 nights

Please note the price above is per person, based on 2 travellers and does not include airfares. This journey is a mix of Australia's ultimate marine and terrestrial wildlife safari experiences. Be mesmerised by snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, swimming with Australian Sea-lions on the Eyre Peninsula, exploring the oldest...

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SA TALKING TOURS

• Woomera, the historic Outback rocket-testing and missile-detection hub of the world’s largest land-based rocket launch and missile range
• the nearby Olympic Dam mine, the world’s biggest Uranium mine and one of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, gold and silver - and the township of Roxby Downs
• and two audio tours of the Barossa Valley , Australia’s premier wine, food and tourist region. The first audio tour takes you back in time to explore the Barossa’s history and provenance, while the second tour takes you on a journey of wine appreciation for cellar door visitors.

Oregon Outback: Summer Lake area has hot springs, dark skies, adventure and thick steaks

Everything feels just a little bigger in the Oregon Outback.

The mountains are steeper, history deeper, night skies darker and cuts of steak thicker than anyone has a right to expect in remote southcentral Oregon.

And don’t get me started on the birds.

I’ve seen vast flocks on rivers and wildlife refuges. But the scale and sound of migration season at Summer Lake Wildlife Area boggles the senses.

Over spring break I returned to the Oregon Outback for the first time in a few years to explore just a few of the places I’d missed, including Summer Lake. It reminded me how great this area is for a spring road trip.   

Here’s a few ideas for places to stay, explore and eat near Summer Lake.

Summer Lake and Winter Ridge

On Dec. 16, 1843, Capt. John C. Frémont and a mapping expedition were trekking across a snow-covered plateau when they came to a cliff and saw a remarkable sight.

“More than a thousand feet below, we looked into a green prairie country, in which a beautiful lake, some twenty miles in length, was spread along the foot of the mountain,” Frémont wrote. “Shivering on snow three feet deep, and stiffening in a cold north wind, we exclaimed at once that the names of Summer Lake and Winter Ridge should be applied to these proximate places of such sudden and violent contrast.”

The name is fitting, especially in the spring. It can feel sunny and pleasant along Summer Lake while almost directly overhead, it’s snowing on 30-mile long Winter Ridge.

The dynamic scenery is the the first thing you notice upon driving here. It has the “whoa” factor as much as any place in Oregon.

The interesting thing is that while Summer Lake looks cool — 15 miles long and sparkling — it’s not a recreation spot itself. The lake is alkaline and shallow — not a place to boat, swim or explore. It’s really the places around its edges that create the magic.

Base camp: Summer Lake Hot Springs

This has become one of Oregon’s more beloved hot springs, but what struck me most in visiting was it’s still a small, low-impact site. You would never refer to this as a resort.

You can rent funky and cool cabins here, with geothermically warmed floors, along with RV spots and campsites. But the entire compound blends into the landscape so well it’s hard to spot it from a distance. It’s a place that lets the scenery and hot springs do the work.

Speaking of the hot springs. It has three outdoor pools open all night. By day, you can soak and enjoy views of the aforementioned Winter Ridge. At night, you can view one of the world’s darkest skies, part of the newly-established Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary .

By mid-May, an indoor swimming pool bathhouse opens up that allows for a little bit more space and access for hot springing.

Nearby gem: Summer Lake Wildlife Area

Nothing quite prepares you for the number of birds here during migration season at this wildlife area on the north side of the lake. The sky and wetlands are packed, and the sound is a chaotic symphony of chirps and trills as hundreds of thousands of birds migrate through here each year on the Pacific Flyway.

The wildlife area is 18,941 acres of wetlands and streams that becomes a temporary home for all manner of shorebirds and waterfoul, from tundra swans to western sandpipers to sandhill cranes.

The area has three main seasons for visitors, according to manager Jason Journey. There is the spring migration (March to May) and fall migration (August to September). Both times are good for birdwatching, hiking, photography and canoeing around the streams and wetlands. Apparently, mosquitoes and flies make it unpleasant during peak-summer.

The third option is hunting season, which runs from October to late January.

Ana Reservoir

The water in the wildlife area and Summer Lake comes directly from Ana Reservoir, a scenic place good for boating, swimming and fishing.

For anglers, the area is probably most famous for its population of hybrid striped bass — often known as “wipers.” They were stocked years ago to control the population of invasive tui chub, and the largest wiper on record was caught here in 2009.

Deepest history in North America

The history near Summer Lake goes deeper than just about anywhere else in North America.

Summer Lake is now about 15 miles long, which seems large, but it was once far larger. Prehistoric Lake Chewaucan once covered 461 square miles at depths of up to 375 feet.

The waves from that ancient lake cut a series of caves, now famously known as the Paisley Caves, which are home to the oldest evidence of human habitation in North America — up to 14,300 years ago.

Evidence of those ancient people can be found at Picture Rock Pass Petroglyphs Site, just north of Summer Lake on the side of Highway 31, likely created between 7,500 and 12,000 years ago.

Fort Rock Cave tours

The Paisley Caves aren’t the only famous historical site. Head to Fort Rock State Park, and you’ll not only be treated to a hike through a massive colosseum of stone, but you can also tour caves where the earliest known footwear on Earth was discovered.

Fort Rock Cave tours offered throughout spring and early summer cost $20. This is the site where the famous sagebrush sandals were discovered and dated to 9,350 to 10,500 years old.

Eat at the Cowboy Dinner Tree

The best restaurant in Oregon is a little place nestled deep in the Oregon Outback, about an hour from Summer Lake, called the Cowboy Dinner Tree . Their menu is simple: A gigantic top sirloin steak or a whole roasted chicken, plus salad, soup, sweet rolls and dessert.

It’s a place you don’t order your meal or make requests. There’s no vegetarian options, you can’t pick your dressing or even how your steak is cooked. You eat what you’re given. And they only take cash.

That model would seem to doom a restaurant, but the simplicity allows the restaurant to focus on doing what they do really well. The steak was the best I’ve ever eaten, cooked to that perfect spot that's rare but not raw. The chicken was flavorful and delicious.

The restaurant opened in 1992, but legend is that it goes back to the early 1900s. The place where the restaurant is located used to be a little shack where cowboys would seek shade under a juniper tree. Sometimes a chuckwagon would park there and cowboys and ranchers would gather to eat. Before it was the Cowboy Dinner Tree it was originally called the dinner tree.

The inside is rustic and packed with character, including lots of $1 bills tucked into the corners of pictures and tables. People started putting them there around a decade ago. The restaurant collects them every now and again and donates them to local charity.

From the setting to the scene, there is no place quite like it. Just make sure to make reservations way ahead of time by calling 541-576-2426 .

Ride the Christmas Valley sand dunes

Riding ATVs is popular at the Christmas Valley sand dunes, but there is some hiking as well.

Visit Paisley

This town of 250 features the Pioneer Saloon and Restaurant and the Paisley Mercantile, both worth checking out. And also …

Fly-fish the Chewaucan

If you’re fly-fishing, check out the much beloved Chewaucan River for rainbow trout. I’m saving this adventure for my next trip to the Oregon Outback, but there's a decent amount of information out there about it.

Hike Winter Ridge or Hager Mountain

For those looking to get into the alpine regions of the area, there are hikes on Winter Ridge, right above Summer Lake, that typically open up in late May. There is also Hager Mountain, a challenging mountain that climbs to a lookout. I wrote about staying overnight in the lookout back in 2016.

With this much possible adventure — and food — there’s good reason to visit, and keep coming back.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast . Urness is the author of “ Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon ” and “ Hiking Southern Oregon .” He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.

Proposed Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre management plan to ban recreational access without cultural permission

A new management plan proposed for outback Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre by the SA government suggests banning members of the public from walking, driving or boating on the lake bed without permission from the traditional owners.

The public would be allowed to view the inland lake from the air or from two designated visitor areas — Halligan Bay Point Campground and the southern information bay off the Oodnadatta Track. 

Arabana Aboriginal Corporation chairperson Bronwyn Dodd said Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre was connected to one of their most important Ularaka (stories) and a place where their ancestors rest.  

"From a cultural aspect, that's really disrespectful to enter such a significant cultural site," she said. 

"For us, our ancestors are there, our stories are there, and it's a very powerful place for Arabana. 

"We want people to come and enjoy Kati Thanda by all means. We just want to be able to do that through education and respectful engagement." 

Pushback from boaters

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park is the second largest national park in Australia, covering more than 1.3 million hectares.

The inland lake is a significant tourist drawcard for the outback region, with the usually dry lake-bed experiencing flooding every three to 10 years.

Lake Eyre Yacht Club commodore Bob Backway said he was in disbelief at the proposed plan. 

Mr Backway was against controlling recreational activity on the lake, saying it was "effectively privatising the national park". 

"We respect physical evidence of Arabana culture and we have strict rules in our club that we only look, examine, study and photograph, but put back any relics that we find out there," he said. 

The Department for Environment and Water confirmed there would be exemptions available. 

"There's absolutely provision for access for commercial filming or photography, or commercial tour permits to go out onto the lake and that will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure that what's being proposed is culturally appropriate," National Parks and Wildlife Service program director Jason Irving said.

If the management plan is adopted, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre would not be the first natural tourism attraction to limit access to tourists. 

In 2019, the Uluru climb was closed by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board after consultation with the Anangu community.  

Misuse hurts traditional owners 

Ms Dodd said activities such as driving or boating on the lake could not only damage the lake bed, but was also hurtful for Arabana. 

"My elders have often told me that when they see behaviour such as that, that they deeply hurt inside and it hurts them to see our country hurt like that, when it's being disrespected in such a way," she said. 

"They have tried to engage over the years and to help protect and preserve that, but it's certainly a deep hurt when we see people disrespecting such a culturally significant site to us." 

Ms Dodd said they also had concerns for the safety of tourists navigating the lake, which was in a remote area. 

Members of the public can provide feedback on the management plan online until July 19. 

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Ethical considerations drowned out as Adelaide’s LIV affair continues

More in South Australia are seemingly able to turn the other way and view the Saudi-backed rebel golf tour’s presence as a boon for the sport

A s LIV golf returns to Adelaide next week, Australia’s appetite for the breakaway tour appears stronger than anywhere in the world. The South Australian capital has been the most successful venue in the short history of the tour, and there are few signs that any ethical misgivings about the tour’s Saudi backers have diminished that popularity.

The manner of the challenger brand’s ingratiation of Australian officials, players and spectators serves as a model for LIV, particularly as the mooted merger with the PGA Tour shows little sign of delivering a united sport. The 2024 event, which gets under way on Friday 26 April, is therefore significant.

The existing deal with SA covers this year’s event, plus two more, and the state’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, has trumpeted its success. He has acknowledged the ethical misgivings about LIV, but has ploughed on anyway. The state “went out on a limb”, he told ABC last year, “and provided LIV Golf their breakthrough moment globally”.

Public discussion of the human rights record of Saudi Arabia, which has bankrolled LIV’s rapid establishment through the country’s Public Investment Fund, has largely fallen away, but amid the South Australian backslapping there are still some who are pushing back. The Liberal opposition leader, David Speirs, has been opposed to the event since its announcement, and continues to criticise Malinauskas on the decision to host the event due to the links to Saudi Arabia.

But more in Australia are seemingly able to turn the other way, and view LIV’s presence as a boon for the sport. Golf Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland, said last month this part of the world looked at LIV differently. “There’s clearly an ‘anti’ or a conservative sentiment about the Saudis in the US, and the further east you go on a world map from America, the more moderate the views are,” he told the SportNXT conference in a room featuring many of Australian sport’s senior executives.

Golf Australia’s close collaborator is the PGA of Australia, the body representing tournament and club professionals and organiser of the Australasian Tour, which is still aligned with LIV rival the DP World Tour. Despite the political complexity, Sutherland was matter-of-fact. “The Australian public just wants to embrace great talent in that golf sphere that ordinarily wouldn’t come to Australia.”

Indeed, the most vocal local criticism of LIV’s Adelaide event last year was not about the crackdown on dissent in Saudi Arabia or the country’s repression of women , but rather the impact the event had on the condition of the host course.

Sutherland’s comments highlight the region’s appetite for the sport which – due to the PGA Tour’s historical dominance – has largely focused on audiences in the US and, to a lesser extent, Europe. They suggest LIV’s formula is, at least in Australia, working, despite close connections between Australia’s golf establishment and the DP World Tour, which alongside the PGA Tour in the US has been at loggerheads with LIV.

The appeal of LIV in Adelaide is simple. Never before has such an expensive collection of golfing talent been taken to Australia’s fifth-largest city. Last year 77,000 tickets were sold, roughly double the estimated attendance of LIV’s next most popular event (figures are not formally reported).

Although LIV has demonstrated its almost unlimited financial resources in the pursuit of players, the taxpayers of SA have paid – in money and time – for the privilege of hosting. The exact amount has been kept under wraps, with the government refusing to detail the deal in parliament.

The deep pockets of the breakaway tour have been regarded as its greatest power. December’s deal for John Rahm – reported to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars – underscores LIV’s long-term financial commitment, close to two years after it initially picked off its opening lineup.

But last year’s Adelaide event – although managed by LIV’s operating partner Performance 54 (another PIF-backed entity) – was only pulled off thanks to the help of more than 700 unpaid helpers. A similar callout is under way this year.

LIV has reportedly offered millions in site fees to clubs in the US to host the tournament . But no such windfall has come the way of Australian host, the Grange Golf Club.

T he Grange sits close to the beach not far from Adelaide’s CBD, and is approaching its 100th year. Its financial results for last year show no specific revenue spikes attributed to LIV, and the largest unexplained growth in a single line item was a $350,000 increase in “sundry income”. However, the documents describe a healthy club, boosted by more than $300,000 in additional bar and catering profit, a reduction in the club’s debt and a membership fee increase that was below inflation.

The club is not looking to be handsomely compensated, according to the general manger of the course, Barry Linke. He said hosting the event delivered multiple benefits, although the precise terms of the agreement with LIV were commercial in confidence. “[There were] improved playing conditions for members due to the additional maintenance and work done on the golf course – in 2023 we spent twice as much on course maintenance as a normal year,” he said.

“There is a financial benefit, improved infrastructure, worldwide recognition to the Grange, increase in membership inquiry and demand, increase in visiting player revenue, and improved club reciprocal opportunities for our members.”

The announcement of the Grange as LIV’s Australian host came in late 2022, but not out of the blue. One of its two courses is designed by LIV commissioner Greg Norman, and the club was the site of his first professional victory in 1976. He even has a testimonial on the club’s website.

Grange reported 86% of members were satisfied with the LIV event, even though it interfered with access to the course. One member of 45 years went to the local newspaper complaining about the damage hosting LIV had caused. Not long after, his scorecard was leaked by another Grange member seemingly unhappy with the dissent. The X account that posted the hacker’s card said the complainant “should probably worry more about the state of his golf game than the state of the course”.

LIV’s divisive attack on world golf and sensitivities around the source of its wealth may linger in these debates. But they suggest SA’s long-ignored golfing community may be less concerned with the death of Jamal Khashoggi, and more with the condition of a course.

Speirs said the opposition party maintained its anti-LIV stance while the rebel event “remains under the control of the Saudi regime, which is notorious for sports-washing in order to cover up the deplorable mistreatment and basic rights violations of women”. That position means, come 26 April, the spectre of Saudi Arabia’s influence will not have been extinguished entirely amid the beats and beers along Grange’s exclusive fairways. But, like Chase Koepka on last year’s party hole, that sentiment is likely to be drowned out.

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Russian weapons help Iran harden defenses against Israeli airstrike

Intelligence officials say tehran’s growing partnership with moscow is strengthening the capabilities of both countries.

Last March, a Russian arms maker invited a delegation of Iranians to a VIP shopping tour of its weapons factories. The 17 visitors were treated to lunches and cultural shows and, on the final day, toured a plant that makes products long coveted by Tehran: advanced Russian air defense systems for shooting down enemy planes.

The factory, NPP Start, in the city of Yekaterinburg, is under U.S. sanctions for supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. Among its wares are mobile launchers and other components for antiaircraft batteries — including Russia’s S-400, which military analysts assess to be capable of detecting and destroying stealth fighter jets flown by Israel and the United States.

A leaked Russian document, part of stolen Iranian emails posted online in February by a hacker group, described the tour as a showcase for “scientific and technical potential and production capabilities” that Russia could offer Iran.

Whether the visit led directly to a purchase is unknown. But the trip is emblematic of what intelligence officials describe as a deepening strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran in the two years since Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine — an alliance that could emerge as a significant factor as Israeli leaders weigh possible military strikes in retaliation for the hundreds of drones and missiles launched against Israel over the weekend.

Iran opened a dangerous new chapter in its relations with Russia by agreeing in 2022 to supply thousands of battlefield drones and missiles to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine. The expanded ties have now helped cement agreements between Moscow and Tehran, including a pledge by Russia to provide its ally with advanced fighter jets and air defense technology, assets that could help Tehran harden its defenses against any future airstrike by Israel or the United States, according to U.S., European and Middle Eastern intelligence officials and weapons experts. The officials, like several others interviewed for this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

It is not known how many of the systems have been provided and deployed, but Russian technology could turn Iran into a far more formidable adversary, with an enhanced ability to shoot down planes and missiles, the officials and experts said.

The weapons deals, some details of which have not been reported previously, are part of a broader collaboration that includes co-production of military drones inside Russia, the sharing of anti-jamming technology, and real-time battlefield assessments of weapons deployed against NATO-equipped forces in Ukraine, the intelligence officials and weapons experts said. The cooperation is reaping substantial benefits for both countries, while elevating Iran’s status from junior ally to strategic partner, they said.

“It’s no longer the patron-client dynamic, where Russia holds all the leverage,” said Hanna Notte, director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. “The Iranians are accruing benefits from this change. The nature of their relationship has gone beyond just getting things. There’s knowledge transfer, there’s intangible gains.”

Intelligence officials described Russia as “advancing” agreements negotiated in secret to supply Iran with Su-35s, one of Russia’s most capable fighter-bombers and a potentially dramatic upgrade for an Iranian air force that consists mainly of rebuilt U.S. and Soviet aircraft dating from before 1979. Russia also pledged to provide technical help with Iranian spy satellites as well as assistance in building rockets to put more satellites into space, the officials said.

There is no public evidence that Su-35s have been delivered; the holdup may be a delay by Iran in paying for the planes, according to a U.S. and a Middle Eastern intelligence official with detailed knowledge of the deal.

On the defensive side of the ledger, Iran has long sought Russia’s top-of-the-line antiaircraft missile batteries to protect its nuclear and military facilities against a possible U.S. or Israeli strike. In 2007, Tehran cut a deal to purchase Russia’s S-300 antiaircraft system, but Moscow delayed supplying the weapons amid pressure from the United States and European powers. The self-imposed ban ended in 2016, and Iranian S-300s became operational in 2019.

Iran has since sought to purchase Russia’s more capable S-400 system, although whether Moscow has moved to provide S-400 batteries is not publicly known.

Some variants of the S-400 are equipped with radars that can defeat stealth technology used by modern warplanes. Russia has deployed the S-400 to protect its military bases in Syria, and the batteries constitute a potentially lethal threat to U.S. and Israeli military aircraft that occasionally operate in Syrian airspace.

An Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1 killed two Iranian generals and led directly to Iran’s decision to launch drones and missiles against Israel over the weekend.

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, said Monday that Iran’s attack “will be met with a response.”

If delivered, the new Russian antiaircraft missiles and anti-stealth systems, deployed to protect underground bases carved in rocky mountains , would assuredly make Iranian airspace “a more dangerous place,” said Can Kasapoglu, a senior fellow with the Hudson Institute, a Washington think tank.

“This is important at a time when the regime is fast and unchecked moving toward a bomb,” Kasapoglu said. In addition, he said, “any engagement [with Israel] will take place in the Iranian airspace, where Tehran will hold the advantage of playing at home.”

Moscow also is reaping benefits from the collaboration, intelligence officials said. In addition to thousands of drones procured from Iran, Russia agreed late last year to purchase about $2 billion worth of additional military goods, including anti-drone defensive systems that have become a top priority for Russian generals in Ukraine, according to two intelligence officials with detailed knowledge of the deal.

Iran has separately agreed to sell Russia surface-to-surface missiles for use in Ukraine and, according to a new intelligence assessment, is expected to begin transfer of the weapons imminently. Spy agencies have seen no evidence so far that the missiles have been delivered, the officials said.

The production of battlefield drones, meanwhile, has evolved into a joint venture between the two countries, intelligence officials said. Initially, Iran’s provision of drones to Russia was an attempt by Tehran to help its ally plug a hole in its military campaign against Ukraine. Russia, which possessed few battlefield drones at the start of the war, began using two types of Iranian-made Shahed drones in the fall of 2022: the long-range, sweptwing Shahed-131 and the Shahed-136.

By midsummer 2023, Russia was beginning to manufacture Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones indigenously, at factory in Alabuga, a town in Russia’s Tatarstan region, about 500 miles east of Moscow. Russian documents obtained by The Washington Post last year described plans to manufacture 6,000 drones by summer 2025 to use in its campaign of strikes against Ukrainian forces as well as electricity plants and other vital infrastructure.

Concerned about Russia’s domestic production, the Ukrainian military launched a drone attack of its own against the Alabuga complex on April 2.

More recently, Moscow and Tehran have begun working cooperatively on new kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, according to intelligence officials and leaked documents. The trove of Russian and Iranian emails and records released by the hacking group Prana Network were purportedly stolen from an Iranian server linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier this year.

Among the documents were details of visits by Iranian and Russian delegations to tour weapons facilities in both countries. The Iranians’ trip to the NPP Start factory was described in a Russian “program” for the visit that listed tours of defense facilities in five cities. The document was signed by officials of Technodinamika JSC, which operates NPP Start, as well as the Russian Defense Ministry.

The Post could not independently verify the documents, but two Biden administration officials acknowledged that U.S. intelligence agencies have closely studied the leaked materials and do not dispute their authenticity. Neither Russia nor Iran has publicly responded to the leak.

Several documents describe an April 2023 trip to Iran by a delegation of Russian engineers to watch a demonstration of a new jet-powered drone as well as a line of hunter-killer UAVs designed to destroy enemy drones. Both appeared to impress the visitors.

Variants of the jet-powered drone, dubbed the MS-237, Shahed-238 and Shahed-236, were described as having a maximum speed of about 400 mph — about three times faster than previous iterations of Iranian drones. Tehran revealed the existence of the new drone at an air show in November.

In the demonstration, the jet drone — code-named “motorboat” in the Russians’ internal communications — “successfully took off, accomplished the tasks … and successfully landed by parachute,” a leaked Russian report said. “Given its high speed, the boat is essentially a cruise missile.”

The test apparently helped cement an agreement to acquire more than 600 of the Iranian-designed jet drones, with most of them built on Russian soil with Iranian parts and help, according to the leaked emails. The documents also describe protracted negotiations over how Russia would pay for the drones. At least two installments were to come in the form of gold bullion valued at about $140 million, the documents show.

In January, photos of the remains of a jet-powered drone that appears identical to the MS-237 were posted by Ukraine bloggers after the aircraft reportedly was shot down somewhere over central Ukraine. It is not yet known whether any of the jet drones were launched against Israel in the recent Iranian attack.

“It’s faster, which means it is more difficult to intercept,” said Fabian Hinz, a defense analyst and expert on UAVs and missile systems with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank. But, he said, the jet drones are “probably also substantially more expensive, because these types of jet engines are tricky to build.”

Producing the drones as a joint production offers substantial benefits for Iran, including the ability to evaluate their performance on Ukrainian battlefields. David Albright, an expert on Iran’s weapon systems and president of the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington nonprofit, noted that the leaked documents show evidence of Russian engineers incorporating design improvements on Iranian drones.

“Mistakes and flaws in the designs were identified and fixed,” he said, “and Iran would benefit from that.”

Even if Russian systems such as the S-400 have not already been sold to Iran and deployed there, Albright said the sharing of design information and technological expertise could quietly bolster Iran’s capabilities without triggering alarms in the West.

“You might not see anything,” he said.

Israel-Gaza war

The Israel-Gaza war has gone on for six months, and tensions have spilled into the surrounding region .

The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival . (See photos and videos of how the deadly assault unfolded ). Israel declared war on Hamas in response, launching a ground invasion that fueled the biggest displacement in the region since Israel’s creation in 1948 .

Gaza crisis: In the Gaza Strip, Israel has waged one of this century’s most destructive wars , killing tens of thousands and plunging at least half of the population into “ famine-like conditions. ” For months, Israel has resisted pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave .

U.S. involvement: Despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some U.S. politicians , including President Biden, the United States supports Israel with weapons , funds aid packages , and has vetoed or abstained from the United Nations’ cease-fire resolutions.

History: The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 . Read more on the history of the Gaza Strip .

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