Big Country Outback Safaris South Australia Australia

Big Country Outback Safaris specializes in camping safaris to Far North South Australia and adjacent areas of Queensland and Northern Territory, in particular the Simpson Desert, Birdsville and the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks. Enjoy small group touring in the air conditioned comfort of a six wheel drive Toyota Arkana and 100 series Landcruisers. Tag-alongs also welcome.

Touring Options

Simpson Desert – Birdsville Track 10 Day Camping Safari – BCOS1A

Ten day, nine night camping safari, Adelaide to Adelaide. Highlights include Port Augusta, Old Ghan and Overland Telegraph lines, Oodnadatta, Oodnadatta Track, salt lakes and artesian springs, Coober Pedy, three day/two night Simpson Desert crossing, Birdsville, Birdsville Track, Flinders Ranges. For more information please see our website below.

. Day One – Depart 0730 from Central Bus Station, Adelaide, heading north to Port Augusta for lunch and visit to Wadlata Outback and Heritage Centre. Travel through Flinders Ranges via Pichi Richi Pass to Quorn, Hawker and Parachilna with pit stop at the Prairie Hotel. Visit Old Beltana Township, on Old Ghan and Overland Telegraph lines, camping overnight at historic Beltana Homestead.

. Day Two – Set off after breakfast for Oodnadatta Track and visit Leigh Creek coalfields and Lyndhurst Ochre Pits. Stop for lunch and visit historic Marree on Old Ghan line and start of Birdsville Track. Continue up Oodnadatta Track stopping at Lake Eyre South; the restored railway siding at Curdimurka; and Artesian "Mound Springs" (Blanche Cup and The Bubbler). Camp overnight at William Creek, enjoying a drink at famous old William Creek Hotel.

. Day Three – Opportunity for early morning flight over Lake Eyre (optional extra at around AUD155.00 per person for one hour). After breakfast, leave for Coober Pedy, the opal mining capital of the world, via Lake Cadibarrawirracanna and cross the famous "Dog Fence", built to keep dingoes and wild dogs out of the sheep country to the south. Town tour of Coober Pedy, visiting underground church, luxury private dugout, and opal mine, later heading out to the "Breakaways", eroded ochre coloured outcrops in the Stuart Range. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at "Bedrock", an underground hostel (dugout).

. Day Four – Head towards Oodnadatta through the arid "Moon Plain", a vast expanse of flat "gibber" (stony) country. Bush walk through the hills of the beautiful Painted Desert. Lunch at the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta. Leave Oodnadatta Track, heading up through cattle country to Hamilton Station and Hamilton Creek. Cross Old Ghan Line at Pedirka Siding and visit ruins of old Dalhousie Homestead in the Witjira National Park. Camp overnight at Dalhousie Springs, the world’s biggest Artesian thermal spring – water temperature around 40 degrees Celsius (showers and toilets available).

. Day Five – Early morning swim and breakfast, then head out through flood out and claypan country towards the edge of the Simpson Desert, visiting Purnie Bore and its associated wetland. East of the bore, enter Simpson Desert’s typical sand dune country – kilometre after kilometre of red sand dunes covered with Spinifex, cane grass – and after rain – wildflowers. Camp overnight amongst the dunes, under a billion stars.

. Day Six – Push on slowly through the desert, enjoying the flora and fauna, stopping on the way for pit stops and lunch. In afternoon, visit the Approdinna Attora Knolls (outcrops of gypseous limestone) and Poeppel Corner, junction of South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Cross the border into Queensland and enter the Simpson Desert National Park, camping overnight.

. Day Seven – Head on through the Simpson Desert National Park, crossing Eyre Creek and head for Nappanerica sand dune (known locally as "Big Red"), the Simpson’s largest sand dune. After this challenge, head for Birdsville and a welcome drink and evening meal at the famous Birdsville Pub. Camp overnight at Birdsville camping ground (showers and laundry facilities).

. Day Eight РMorning to look round the town Рvisiting ruins, the Working Museum, the Diamantina Shire Tourism Centre, the Blue Poles Art Gallery (owned by local artist, Wolfgang John) and its Caravanserai Caf̩ for lunch. Chance to see prolific birdlife when the Diamantina River holds water. After lunch, head down Birdsville Track, driving through Pandie Pandie and Clifton Hills Stations to overnight camp on Mungarannie Station. Time to have a drink at the Mungarannie Pub and a dip in the local artesian springs before dinner.

. Day Nine РAfter breakfast, head on down the track towards Mulka and explore ruins of the old store. Continue south, crossing Cooper Creek (by punt when in flood) and then on down through Dulkaninna and Clayton Stations, past Lake Harry, for lunch stop at historic Marree. Afternoon tea at the famous Quandong caf̩ in Copley, camping over night at beautiful Parachilna Gorge in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

. Day Ten – Depart after breakfast for old copper mining town of Blinman, then south through the Flinders Ranges National Park. Drive through Hawker, Orroroo and Jamestown with lunch stop en route, then on to Clare Valley for spot of wine tasting. Pleasant two hour drive back to Adelaide, arriving approximately 1800.

. Operates:
. Monday 18 April 2005 to Wednesday 27 April 2005 or by arrangement, dependent on numbers.
. Tag along (self drive) option also available – enquire for further information.

. Includes:
. All camping fees and equipment (including sleeping bags, pillows and camp chairs).
. Seven nights camping accommodation in swags and two person tents plus two nights basic accommodation (Shearers’ quarters, Beltana Homestead on day one and Bedrock Dugout, Coober Pedy on day three.
. Ten days all inclusive touring as per itinerary.
. All travel in air conditioned six wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles.
. Experienced tour leader.
. National Park Permits.
. All meals (Breakfast – Continental style (apart from day two – a hot English breakfast). Lunch made en route – sandwiches, cake and fruit (or at cafes/roadhouses as listed in itinerary). Evening meal – two-course dinner around the campfire; or at restaurant/hotel as listed in itinerary).
. Tea, coffee and soft drinks.
. Entrance to Wadlata Outback and Heritage Centre.
. Town tour of Coober Pedy.
. Entrance to museums in Birdsville.

. Excludes:
. Towels, torches and personal items.
. Morning and afternoon teas – snacks and drinks available during pit stops at pubs, roadhouses and cafes (except afternoon tea at Copley on day nine).
. Alcoholic drinks (as a general rule).
. Scenic flight.

Simpson Desert – Birdsville Races Classic 10 Day Camping Safari – BCOS1B

Ten day, nine night camping safari, Adelaide to Adelaide. Highlights include Port Augusta, Old Ghan and Overland Telegraph lines, Oodnadatta, Oodnadatta Track, salt lakes and artesian springs, three day/two night Simpson Desert crossing, Birdsville and Birdsville Races, Birdsville Track, Flinders Ranges. For more information please see our website below.

. Day One – Depart 0730 Central Bus Station, Adelaide, heading north to Port Augusta for lunch and visit to Wadlata Outback and Heritage Centre. Travel through Flinders Ranges via Pichi Richi Pass to Quorn, Hawker and Parachilna with pit stop at the Prairie Hotel. Visit Old Beltana Township, on Old Ghan and Overland Telegraph lines, camping overnight at historic Beltana Homestead.

. Day Two – Set off after breakfast for Oodnadatta Track and visit Leigh Creek Coalfields and Lyndhurst Ochre Pits. Stop for lunch and visit historic Marree on Old Ghan line and start of Birdsville Track. Continue up Oodnadatta Track stopping at Lake Eyre South; the restored railway siding at Curdimurka; and Artesian "Mound Springs" (Blanche Cup and The Bubbler). Camp overnight at William Creek, enjoying a drink at famous old William Creek Hotel.

. Day Three – Opportunity for early morning flight over Lake Eyre (optional extra at around AUD155.00 per person for one hour). After breakfast, head north on the Oodnadatta Track following the Old Ghan line including sighting the Algebuckna Bridge, one of the longest railway bridges in Southern Hemisphere. Lunch at the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta, once an important railhead on Old Ghan line. Leave Oodnadatta Track, heading up through cattle country to Hamilton Station and Hamilton Creek. Cross Old Ghan Line at Pedirka Siding and visit ruins of old Dalhousie Homestead in the Witjira National Park. Camp overnight at Dalhousie Springs, the world’s biggest Artesian thermal spring – water temperature around 40 degrees Celsius (showers and toilets available).

. Day Four – Early morning swim and breakfast, then head out through flood out and claypan country towards the edge of the Simpson Desert, visiting Purnie Bore and its associated wetland. East of the bore, enter Simpson Desert’s typical sand dune country – kilometre after kilometre of red sand dunes covered with Spinifex, cane grass – and after rain – wildflowers. Camp overnight amongst the dunes, under a billion stars.

. Day Five – Push on slowly through the desert, enjoying the flora and fauna, stopping on the way for pit stops and lunch. In afternoon, visit the Approdinna Attora Knolls (outcrops of gypseous limestone) and Poeppel Corner, junction of South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Cross the border into Queensland and enter the Simpson Desert National Park, camping overnight.

. Day Six – Head on through the Simpson Desert National Park, crossing Eyre Creek and head for Nappanerica sand dune (known locally as "Big Red"), the Simpson’s largest sand dune. After this challenge, head for Birdsville and a welcome drink and meal at the famous Birdsville Pub. Camp overnight at Birdsville camping ground (showers and laundry facilities).

. Day Seven – Morning to look round the town – visiting ruins, the Working Museum, the Diamantina Shire Tourism Centre, the Blue Poles Art Gallery (owned by local artist Wolfgang John), and its Caravanserai Café for lunch. Chance to see prolific birdlife when the Diamantina River holds water or just enjoy the festivities – the races are the biggest event on Birdsville’s social calendar. We will get you to the track in plenty of time to place your bets – races start midday. Return to camp where you can count your winnings over a drink (or lament your losses), whilst dinner is prepared.

. Day Eight – Time to catch up on washing, or sleep in! Back to the track for more fun of a bush race meeting. Break camp and head out on the Birdsville Track through Pandie Pandie and Clifton Hills Stations and overnight on Mungarannie Station. Time to have a drink at the Mungarannie Pub and a dip in the local artesian springs before dinner.

. Day Nine РAfter breakfast, head on down the track towards Mulka and explore ruins of the old store. Cross the Cooper Creek (using the punt if in flood) and head south through Dulkaninna and Clayton Stations, past Lake Harry for lunch stop at historic Marree. Afternoon tea at the famous Quandong caf̩ in Copley, camping over night at beautiful Parachilna Gorge in the Northern Flinders Ranges.

. Day Ten – Depart after breakfast for old copper mining town of Blinman, then south through the Flinders Ranges National Park. Drive through Hawker, Orroroo and Jamestown with lunch stop en route, then on to Clare Valley for spot of wine tasting. Pleasant two hour drive back to Adelaide, arriving approximately 1800.

. Operates:
. Saturday 27 August 2005 to Monday 5 September 2005 or by arrangement, dependent on numbers.
.Tag along (self drive) option also available – enquire for further information.

. Includes:
. All camping fees and equipment (including sleeping bags, pillows and camp chairs).
. Eight nights camping accommodation in swags and two person tents plus one night basic accommodation (Shearers’ quarters, Beltana Homestead on day one).
.Ten days all inclusive touring as per itinerary.
. All travel in air conditioned six wheel and four wheel drive vehicles.
. Experienced tour leader.
. National Park Permits.
. Entrance to Wadlata Outback and Heritage Centre.
. Entrance to museums in Birdsville.
. All meals (Breakfast – Continental style (apart from Day two – a hot English breakfast). Lunch made en route – sandwiches, cake and fruit (or at cafes/roadhouses as listed in itinerary). Evening meal – two-course dinner around the campfire; or at hotel as listed in itinerary).
. Tea, coffee and soft drinks.

. Excludes:
. Towels, torches and personal items.
. Morning and afternoon teas – snacks and drinks available during pit stops at pubs, roadhouses and cafes (except afternoon tea at Copley on day nine).
. Alcoholic drinks (as a general rule).
. Scenic flight.

Website: www.bigcountrysafaris.com.au