Explore the highlights of South Australia on this week-long self drive from the charming capital, Adelaide. Explore the vineyards and rolling hills of the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale, before venturing north into the outback and the remarkable Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Return south and hop over to Kangaroo Island for thrilling wildlife encounters.
Explore Adelaide’s central market and botanical gardens before enjoying a fully guided wine tour and tasting into the nearby McLaren Vale or Barossa Valley wine regions. Head north deep into the southern outback and join a guided 4WD tour of Ikara-Flinders National Park before taking a scenic flight over the remarkable Wilpena Pound. Travel south to Kangaroo Island and spend two days exploring natural phenomena, enjoying delicious cuisine and encountering the varied wildlife of this magnificent island.
With activities included and logistics taken care off, enjoy leisurely exploration of this fascinating and lesser-visited state.
Itinerary
Arrive in Adelaide and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Explore Adelaide’s buzzing central market; a melting pot of different cultures and cuisines or visit South Australia’s State Art Gallery and botanical gardens. Alternatively take the tram to the beachside suburb of Glenelg and enjoy a swimming with dolphins cruise.
Enjoy a fully guided day tour to the Barossa Valley to sample some of Australia’s most eminent wine producers. The Barossa is home to a wide range of smaller boutique wineries, where you can hear about the processes involved in wine making direct from the producers, as well as larger wineries such as the renowned Jacob’s Creek. Explore the traditional German settlement of Tunanda, discover local craft shops and relax over a gourmet al fresco lunch amongst the vines. Enjoy further cellar door tasting sessions before returning to Adelaide.
Best of the Barossa Valley, Adelaide
Collect your rental car this morning and commence your drive north towards Clare Valley wine region. Sample the local Clare Valley produce and enjoy morning tea whilst admiring the rolling hills and abundant wheat fields or hire bikes and cycle some of the gentle Riesling Trail through vineyards along the disused railway line. Continue towards the township of Hawker, the last outpost of civilisation before Wilpena Pound stopping en-route at the renowned Yourambulla Caves which are famed for their detailed Aboriginal rock art and charcoal paintings.
Rise early for an guided adventure deep into the heart of Ikara-Flinders National Park and learn about the regions diverse wildlife and geological history. Explore the park’s biggest drawcard; Wilpena Pound and marvel at the astonishing formation of jagged rock escarpments encircling the vast dusty interior before continuing through the scenic Bunyeroo Valley for panoramic views of the ranges. Pass through the dramatic Brachina Gorge and see the abundant native flora and fauna before stopping for lunch at the famous Prairie Hotel – a renowned outback establishment. After lunch continue to the town of Blinman and enjoy a guided tour of the Blinman Heritage Mine before returning to your accommodation.
Enjoy a self-guided walk to the Wangarra Lookout. This two hour return walk provides a wonderful opportunity to view inside Wilpena Pound and see native wildlife as well as the chance to visit Hill’s Homestead and learn about the history of the local Adnyamathanha people and first western settlers. Later, take to the skies and enjoy a scenic flight across the central Flinders Ranges, the ideal way to truly appreciate the scale and grandeur of Wilpena Pound. After lunch head south towards the township of Quorn, marvelling at the derelict ruins of early settlements that litter the surrounding plains before continuing through Port Augusta and on to Adelaide.
This morning you will be collected from your Adelaide hotel and transferred to Cape Jervis for the 45-minute ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island. On arrival, collect your new rental car and begin your exploration of this fascinating island.
Whilst Kangaroo Island is much celebrated for its wildlife, its food, wine and local produce are integral parts of the experience too. Taste organic honey and sample honey products from the Island’s famous Ligurian Bee, visit the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, or take in the stunning scenery surrounding the numerous vineyards and cellar doors. Natural wonders abound – you may wish to visit Seal Bay Conservation Park where you can join a guided beach tour with an experienced Park Ranger and walk amongst a colony of rare and wild Australian sea lions. Head to Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for native Australian wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas. Enjoy great photo opportunities at Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, a natural nursery and haven for playful longnosed fur seals that can be seen resting, swimming and playing in the waves or on the rocks. Return to Penneshaw this evening for your overnight stay.
Continue your exploration of Kangaroo Island today before returning your car and boarding the ferry back to Cape Jervis. You will be met at the ferry terminal and transferred to your Adelaide hotel for an overnight stay.
Make your way to the airport and depart on your onward journey.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Car rental throughout
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Guided wine tour of the Barossa Valley
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Full day Ikara-Flinders Ranges 4WD escorted tour
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Scenic flight over Wilpena Pound
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Overnight stay on Kangaroo Island
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Return ferry from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1595 Excluding Flights
7 Nights
Year Round
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the best prices and the flexibility to choose what works for you.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Lauren
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Cradle Mountain climb
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Baby turtle released
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
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Calum
Travel Specialist
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Eric
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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