Arkaroola Strzelecki & Birdsville Tracks Birdsville & Lake Eyre
This 8-day small group 4WD tour from Adelaide takes in the best of South Australia’s and Queensland’s Corner Country: Wilpena Pound and Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges, the Strzelecki Track to Innamincka and the Burke & Wills Dig Tree, Birdsville and Big Red, then down the legendary Birdsville Track to Marree and Lake Eyre. Corner Country Birdsville Track Lake Eyre Tour 8 days
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
|---|---|
| Start & finish | Adelaide (return). Broken Hill start option – please ask |
| Route | Adelaide – Wilpena Pound – Arkaroola (2 nights) – Strzelecki Track – Innamincka – Dig Tree – Birdsville – Birdsville Track – Marree – Farina – Adelaide |
| Price | See current price on our booking page |
| Group size | Genuine small group – usually 2–4 guests per 4WD Landcruiser |
| Accommodation | 7 nights hotel / motel |
| Meals | All meals included |
For latest Tour dates, see calendar at the Tours page
Tour Highlights
- Wilpena Pound and two nights at Arkaroola, including the famous Ridge Top Tour
- The Strzelecki Track, Innamincka and Cooper Creek
- Burke & Wills Dig Tree
- Birdsville and Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest dune
- The Birdsville Track, Goyder Lagoon and Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary
- Marree, Lake Eyre South and the Mound Springs, with an optional Lake Eyre flight
- Farina ghost town and the Old Ghan railway
Want more? Our Corner Country Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Track Lake Eyre Tour 10 days adds a second night in Birdsville and follows the Oodnadatta Track to William Creek and Coober Pedy.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Adelaide to Wilpena Pound
Pick-up around 8 am from Adelaide airport or your accommodation (Broken Hill start option available). Travel through the Clare Valley wine country and rural South Australia, visiting historic Quorn and Hawker, to Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges. Enjoy a sunset walk with the kangaroos among ancient river red gums before dinner. L, D
Day 2 – Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola
Take the optional scenic flight over the Pound, or walk to Wangarra Lookout and the old Hills Homestead. We then travel past historic sheep stations and the plains towards Lake Frome, through the Gammon Ranges National Park to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. B, L, D
Day 3 – Arkaroola Ridge Top Tour
The highlight is the 4.5-hour Ridge Top Tour through 1,600 million years of geological history – red granite mountains, golden spinifex and breathtaking views over the Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond. Scenic flights and creek walks are also available. Relax by the fire tonight at Arkaroola. B, L, D
Day 4 – Strzelecki Track to Innamincka
North past sand dunes, gibber plains and Lake Callabonna, where Diprotodon and other megafauna once roamed. At Mt Hopeless we join the Strzelecki Track, passing Merty Merty and the Moomba gas fields to Innamincka on Cooper Creek. Optional Cooper Creek cruise (if operating) before dinner at the Innamincka pub. B, L, D
Day 5 – Burke & Wills Dig Tree to Birdsville
Visit the Burke & Wills Dig Tree and enjoy the prolific birdlife of Cooper Creek, then head north past Australia’s largest shearing shed and the ruins of Cadelga Downs (or via Haddon Corner, depending on road conditions) into Queensland and on to Birdsville. B, L, D
Day 6 – Birdsville, Big Red and the Birdsville Track
Explore this icon of the outback – the old customs post and drovers’ town – with its museum and the Hard Road Cafe. Visit Big Red, the Simpson Desert’s biggest sand dune, and the Burke & Wills marked tree on the Diamantina River (optional Simpson Desert and Goyder Lagoon flight). Then south down the Birdsville Track past Pandie Pandie Station and Goyder Lagoon to Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary (time and conditions permitting) or Mungeranie Roadhouse. B, L, D
Day 7 – Marree and Lake Eyre
Arrive in Marree, at the junction of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks and once a busy Old Ghan railway town – home to Tom Kruse’s mail truck and the Donald Campbell Bluebird story. Take the optional 1 or 2-hour scenic flight over Lake Eyre, the Warburton Groove and the Marree Man. Visit the shores of Lake Eyre South and the Mound Springs, fed by the Great Artesian Basin. Overnight Marree. B, L, D
Day 8 – Farina, Flinders Ranges to Adelaide
Visit the restored Old Ghan ghost town of Farina and the Leigh Creek coal mine, stop at the Quandong Cafe in Copley, then travel via Parachilna and Hawker through the Flinders Ranges foothills to Adelaide, arriving around 6 pm. B, L
What’s Included
- 7 nights hotel / motel accommodation (twin share; single supplement available)
- All meals
- Small group travel in 4WD Landcruisers – usually 2–4 guests per vehicle
- Professional driver guide
- Arkaroola Ridge Top Tour
- National park entry fees
- A contribution to Outback Kids and nature care projects
Not Included
- Travel to and from Adelaide
- Optional scenic flights (Lake Eyre, Wilpena Pound, Simpson Desert)
- Cooper Creek cruise (extra cost, if operating)
- Alcohol and items of a personal nature
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the 8-day and 10-day tours?
Both start the same way – Wilpena Pound, Arkaroola, the Strzelecki Track, Innamincka and the Dig Tree to Birdsville. The 8-day tour returns from Marree via Farina and the Flinders Ranges. The 10-day tour adds a second night in Birdsville, travels down the Birdsville Track, then follows the Oodnadatta Track to William Creek and Coober Pedy, returning via Woomera to Adelaide.
Can I start in Broken Hill?
Yes, a Broken Hill start option is available – please ask.
Is the Lake Eyre flight included?
It’s optional, at extra cost. We recommend booking it early.
Book the 8-Day TourSee all tour dates
Questions? Call 1300 763 188 or 0417 244 600, or email info@spiritsafaris.com.
Other Corner Country Tours
- Corner Country Cameron Corner Tour Broken Hill 4 days – Broken Hill return · Cameron Corner, Innamincka, Dig Tree, Tibooburra
- Corner Country Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Track Lake Eyre Tour 10 days – Adelaide return · two nights in Birdsville, the Oodnadatta Track, William Creek & Coober Pedy
Compare them all on our Cameron Corner Country and Channel Country Tours page.