South Australia Outback Adventure
Trip Code: PZSA
Why we love it
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.
Is this trip right for me?
This trip travels to the remote Outback of South Australia. There will be extended periods of time with no phone reception. Choices of where to eat will be limited and not all dietary needs may be able to be met. Road conditions may be affected by weather such as rain, extreme heat or wind particularly from Coober Pedy onwards, and on the Oodnadatta track. Our leaders will check forward conditions in Coober Pedy and make alternative arrangements if the road conditions are not safe for our vehicle to continue. Safety will always come first. This does mean that at times groups will not be able to complete the itinerary as planned. For example, we may need to backtrack from Coober Pedy to Port Augusta and travel from there into the Flinders Ranges. Please also make sure you have access to your emergency funds in case this is needed. Some sites, restaurants, cafes, tours & attractions may be closed during the off season summer months.
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
Departures during summer months can expect extreme heat. You will need to be well prepared with sun protection, including wearing light, long sleeves and carry at least 2 litres of water at all times when out exploring. Our vehicles are air conditioned, but even this may struggle at higher temperatures. In hotter months we may have earlier or adjusted departure times to beat the heat, rest at our accommodation during the hottest hours of the day and then explore again in the late afternoon/early evening. Choose your departure date carefully to make sure you are aware of the conditions.
Important information
1. The trip starts in Adelaide with a Welcome Meeting at 8 am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel.
2. The trip finishes in Adelaide on Day 10 at our finish point hotel around 5pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
3. A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability. This does not include Days 6-7 in Iga Warta where you will be matched up with travellers of the same gender. If a single tent or cabin is available for these nights, you may be able to pay locally to have your own accommodation.
4. In the case that the roads from Coober Pedy and the Oodnadatta track are closed due to weather, an alternative itinerary will be put in place, that may involve returning along some of the route already travelled.
What to bring/pack
Below are some essential items for this trip. Please review the ‘Climate and Seasonal Information’ to ensure you pack appropriately for the weather at the time of year you are travelling.
- Lightweight clothing. You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing and layers. Long shirts and pants are useful to protect against the harsh Australian sun. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry. Maybe bring a change of smart clothes for dinner in larger cities. Australia is pretty casual, shorts or a skirt and a top, with sandals, is our usual warm weather wardrobe.
- Comfortable, closed-in shoes. These will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grasslands and will act as a protective barrier in the rare case of a bite or sting. A pair of sandals or thongs/flip flops are great for the beach.
- Sun protection. Wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
VALUABLES
Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables and use your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
MORE!
If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list., https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list
Physical rating
Joining your group
Adabco Boutique Hotel, 223 Wakefield St, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA, Phone: +61 881007500
Alternate Joining Point
Joining instructions
The Adabco Boutique hotel is easily accessible from Adelaide Airport by bus, shuttle or taxi. A 20 minute bus ride will have you at Stop H1 Greenfell St, where it is a 650m walk south down Frome Street to reach the hotel.
Finishing your trip
Adabco Boutique Hotel, 223 Wakefield St, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA, Phone: +61 881007500
Alternate Finish Point
Meals & dietary information
Breakfasts included: 7
Lunches included: 3
Dinners included: 2
Climate & seasonal information
In case of emergency
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/
In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:
Intrepid's Local Operator: 1300 544 882 or +61 8 6219 5164
Accommodations
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.