9-day The Strzelecki and Ooodnadatta Tracks Tag-along Tour

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Although most Australians live on the coastal fringe, it is this land far beyond the mountains - the Outback - that evokes images of the real Australia: a sunburnt country, a land of endless horizons and fiery sunsets, or even splintery jagged peaks and ranges rising starkly out of flat semi-arid desert country. This tag-along tour will provide you with a variety of natural experiences through the ancient landscape of the desert areas of Outback New South Wales and South Australia. We will take you to an environment where the average traveller never goes and you will take away a feeling of having experienced what the Outback is really all about.

DAY 1: BROKEN HILL - TIBOOBURRA

Head north from Broken Hill to the “corner country”. Gain your first experience of the Outback - our special heritage. Continue in the steps of early explorers towards tiny Milparinka. With a population of approx. 10 people, the town stands at the entrance to the mighty Strzelecki Desert. Capt. Charles Sturt and company tackled this wilderness and spent 6 months on the banks of a muddy creek, close to the present township. Their companion, James Poole, eventually died from repeated attacks of scurvy and is buried there – leaving visible evidence of the hardships suffered by those early explorers. Continue to Tibooburra, the most remote town in NSW, our base for the next two nights. (Meals, accommodation are available at the Tibooburra Hotel if preferred).

DAY 2: TIBOOBURRA - CAMERON CORNER

Wake to the sound of the Outback silence! Today our route takes us west through magnificent Sturt National Park to Cameron Corner where South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales meet. Take the time and opportunity to learn about a very special part of the Australian bush; capture the spirit of “corner country”. Kangaroos, emus and birdlife by the hundreds. Shoot as much as you like ... with your camera! Travel along the dingo fence and finally arrive at Cameron Corner late afternoon. (Meals, accommodation are available at the Cameron Corner Roadhouse if required).

DAY 3: CAMERON CORNER - STRZELECKI TRACK - LYNDHURST

Travel down the Strzelecki Track with its spectacular red sandhills. This track, first opened by a cattle thief from Queensland, was then used as a major stock route for cattle heading to southern markets. Crossing through some of Australia’s lowest rainfall country, the ‘track’ proved a real test for man and beasts’ ability to survive. The tiny settlement of Lyndhurst, once a thriving railhead for stock going onto the old Ghan railway, now sits quietly, catering to the adventurous travellers. (Meals, accommodation are available at the Lyndhurst Hotel if preferred).

DAY 4: LYNDHURST - WILLIAM CREEK

Continue west, through the old rail town of Marree to join the Oodnadatta Track, heading past Lake Eyre South, the Mound Springs to our stop at one of Australia’s most remote watering holes, William Creek, our base for the next 2 nights. Overnight William Creek Campground (meals and facilities). [Meals, accommodation are available at the William Creek Hotel if preferred.]

Day 5: LAKE EYRE NORTH - WILLIAM CREEK

No trip to this region is complete without seeing Lake Eyre – Australia’s greatest salt lake system. Occasionally, after rains in the Queensland “Channel country”, the lake will fill with water; more often than not though it is a glistening salt pan devoid of all life. This short drive will put us between Halligan and Belt Bays on Lake Eyre North.

Day 6: WILLIAM CREEK - OODNADATTA

Today we leave William Creek and follow the Old Ghan rail line to view the amazing Algebuckina rail bridge that spans the mighty Neales Creek. Arrive Oodnadatta late afternoon. Overnight Oodnadatta Hotel, Pink Roadhouse or Campground.

Day 7: OODNADATTA - PAINTED DESERT - COOBER PEDY

Today we travel through the Painted Desert, a little known area in Outback South Australia that should not be missed. These hills are a series of spectacular flat-topped mesas, streaked in the unique colours of the Outback. They have been sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years, producing the spectacular shapes and colours we see today. Continue to Coober Pedy, Australia’s opal mining capital. Overnight Oasis Tourist Caravan Park (or Motel if preferred).

Day 8: COOBER PEDY - BRITISH ATOMIC TEST SITE

Today’s trip will take us west to the site where the first two atomic bombs were tested by the British in the early 1950s. Plaques attached to cement plinths mark these two sites. Both sites have been declared safe for visitors. This will be our only bush camp of the trip and offers an opportunity to listen to the sounds of the Outback after dark.

Day 9: COOBER PEDY

Return to the opal township of Coober Pedy and explore its unique underground attractions. Tonight is end of tour group dinner, hosted by your guide. Location to be advised