Sinclair Tour and Travel 5494 5083

Flinders Ranges Tour

Departs 4th September 2018 – 8 or 12 days

8 days $3,499 per person Single $500

12 days $4,699 per person Single $780

TOUR INCLUSIONS/HIGHLIGHTS

Door to door transfers

Airport check-in assistance

Return flights to Adelaide

Wadlata Outback Centre

Head of Bight – Nullarbor

Whale Watching – Bunda Cliffs

Pildappa Rock

Wilpena Panorama

2 nights Arkaroola Wilderness Resort

Ridgetop Tour/Waterholes Tour

Parachilna Prairie Hotel/Feral Foods

Clare Valley – wine region

2 nights Kangaroo Island

Goolwa - Murray Mouth - Hahndorf

7 or 11 breakfasts and 7 or 11 dinners. 4 or 5 lunches

Travel bag, luggage labels, water bottle, name badge.

Nothing more to spend except lunch on a few days

Day One – Tuesday 4th September

This morning you’re picked up from your home and taken to Brisbane Airport for your flight

to Adelaide. Peter will meet you at the airport and your Flinders Ranges adventure begins.

We’ll visit Wadlata Outback Centre, the essential first stop for visitors to this part of the world.

Wadlata offers a memorable introduction to the area’s culture, heritage, settlement and modern

development. Learn about the aboriginal people, the explorers, stockmen, pastoralists and

miners who opened up the outback – and about the landscape, plants and animals. Pedal the

radio as School of the Air students recite their lessons, have a go at Morse Code, see the

Outback Picture Show, “tour” the Leigh Creek Coal Fields and Olympic Dam Mine – and so

much more. Our first stop is Pt Augusta where we’ll have dinner and overnight. (D)

Best Western Standpipe Pt Augusta (08) 8642 4033

Day Two– Wednesday 5th September

After a hot and hearty breakfast at our hotel, we’ll travel on to Whyalla – where the ocean

meets the sea. We then travel on to Elliston, situated on Waterloo Bay. It’s famed for beautiful

sunsets, breath-taking scenery, salmon fishing at the nearby Locks Well and frequent sightings

of whales, sea-lions and dolphins. We’ll have a lunch stop here and then travel on to Streaky

Bay, a picturesque coastal town on the west coast. It has a well sheltered port and the

surrounding area has some of Australia’s most spectacular coastal scenery and inland

landmarks.

We’ll visit the ancient and unique outcrop of wind worn pink granite boulders known as

Murphy’s Haystacks. These are said to be over 1,500 million years old and is a delight for

photographers. Now what a change of scenery – from the oceans to Ceduna – the start of the

Nullarbor . Ceduna is a corruption of the local Aboriginal word "Chedoona" and is said to mean

a place to sit down and rest. For the traveller crossing the Nullarbor, in either an easterly or

westerly direction, Ceduna is indeed a very welcome overnight rest stop. Located on the scenic

shores of Murat Bay, Ceduna is a town of some 4000 people supported by a number of local

industries, including wheat farming, gypsum mining, salt mining, and commercial fishing for

a number of local fish species such as the much renowned King George Whiting, Snapper,

Garfish, Prawns and Lobsters which are known to South Australians as “Cray Fish”.

Recent developments have also seen the discovery of 6 heavy mineral sands deposits within

the "Eucla Basin". This extensive mineral sands province ranges eastwards of Ceduna through

to Western Australia. Locally, the Iluka Resources company has 2 particularly promising

Zircon sands deposits within the Jacinth-Ambrosia and Dromedary tenements, and the

development of these 2 mining prospects will soon see Iluka Resources become a leading

exporter of rare Zircon sands to the steel industry, and "high tech" ceramics and electronics

components manufacturers around the world. This is a fruit fly check point – eat it or lose it!

(B) (D)

Ceduna Foreshore (08) 8625 2008

Day Three Thursday 6th September

After another delicious brekky, we drive through Penong, known as the town of 100 windmills

– a great photo opportunity. Penong is one of the main outstations of the vast Yalata sheep run.

Between Nundroo and Yalata we’ll cross a grid in the road which is part of the Dog Fence.

Built about 60 years ago, the Dog Fence is believed to be the longest man made structure in

the world. The fence starts on the cliffs overlooking the Great Australian Bight and winds its

way for more than 5,400 kms across South Australia, NSW AND Qld, protecting Australia’s

sheep country from the dingo.

Then on to Head of Bight, located 78 kilometres west of Yalata and 20 kilometres to the east

of Nullarbor Roadhouse. As a vantage point to view the Southern Right Whale the Head of

Bight is impossible to beat. Between June and October of each year up to 100 Southern Right

Whales frequent this area of the South Australian coastline to breed and give birth to whale

calves. From the main viewing platform Southern Right Whales can be observed at close

quarters displaying a variety of behaviour including tail slapping, breaching, blow-holing and

rolling belly up. Frequently whale calves can be seen with their mothers lolling about or

cruising beneath the 65 metre high Bunda Cliffs. What a fabulous experience! Maybe we’ll

even see a Great white Shark! 125 whale sightings were recorded on the day of our last visit!

Lunch is included today at the Nullarbor Roadhouse.

We’ll drive through the Nullarbor National Park and enjoy the beauty of the Bunda Cliffs, a

magnificent sight as they stretch in an unbroken line for 200 kilometres to the Western

Australian border. The traditional owners of the coastal strip of land in this area of the Nullarbor

were the Mirning people. Tentative European explorations of the Nullarbor commenced with

Edward John Eyre's expedition of 1841. At the time Eyre and his 4 fellow expeditioners were

engaged in a desperate quest for rich grazing lands and an overland passage to King George's

Sound in Western Australia. South of Border Village, Eyre's expedition very nearly came to a

calamitous end with the party forced to endure a waterless 5 day trek across the Bunda Cliffs.

Salvation later came to hand when Eyre discovered native wells in the sandhills at nearby

Eucla.

At the time of Eyre's explorations the territory lying between the Head of Bight and Border

Village was held to be part of New South Wales. The "Bight Rectangle" as it became known

stretched as far north as the Great Victoria Desert and the present day boundary of the Northern

Territory. Isolated from the eastern coast of New South Wales it made good political sense to

transfer the "Bight Rectangle" to South Australia's colonial government. Transfer of

sovereignty finally occurred in December 1861.

In 1866 E. Alfred Delisser surveyed the Nullarbor Plain and noted a marked absence of trees.

Contrary to some popular opinions the word Nullarbor is not of Aboriginal origins. In fact the

local Mirning people referred to the area as "Oondiri" which is said to mean "the waterless".

Delisser derived the term Nullarbor from the Latin "nulla" for no, and "arbor" for tree. Hence

the term Nullarbor meaning no trees. In the 1870s and 1880s vast areas of the Nullarbor were

leased to sheep graziers with many sheep stations later being incorporated into the vast Fowler's

Bay run that stretched from Streaky Bay in the East to areas even further west of Nullarbor

Station - a distance of over 400 kilometres! Today just about all that remains are abandoned

homesteads. Koonalda homestead is one such abandoned site that the traveller can visit and

use as accommodation, or as a base to explore nearby Koonalda cave and other limestone

sinkholes within the area. (B)(L)(D)

Ceduna Foreshore 08 8625 2008

Day Four. Friday 7th September

After another hot and hearty breakfast at our Hotel, we’ll head out of Ceduna on the Eyre

Highway. We travel through Wirrulla, Then on to Poochera, home of the primitive Dinosaur

Ants. Scientists come from all around the world to study the world’s most primitive living ant.

We’ll visit Pildappa Rock, the spectacular wave like formation and travel through Minnipa

(gateway to the Gawler Ranges). Pildappa is a spectacular sight - a rock with the highest and

longest wave formations on the Eyre Peninsula, rivalling those of Western Australia's famous

Wave Rock.

The highest waves are near picnic areas - one on the northern side and one on the southern side

of the rock. Long waves with platforms occur along the south eastern end of the rock. Pildappa

offers beautiful views of the surrounding farming land, and an unbroken view of the Gawler

Ranges and Blue Sturts to the north. Kyancutta is an important observation point for long range

weather forecasters. Then on to Kimba – half way across Australia. (home of the Big Galah)

and Iron Knob (birth of the Australian steel industry) before arriving back in Port Augusta for

the evening. We’ll see lots of outback today. Picnic lunch today. (B) (L) (D)

Best Western Standpipe (08) 9642 4033

Day Five. Saturday 8th September

After breakfast this morning, we’ll visit Quorn which, because of its location at the edge of the

Flinders Ranges and its old style charm, has been the setting for many scenes in many movies

- 'Gallipoli', 'The Shiralee', 'The Sundowners', 'Sunday Too Far Away' and 'Robbery Under

Arms'. We then visit the unique Kanyaka Ruins and see many homestead ruins dotting the

landscape. The Kanyaka ruins are of the once huge sheep run, Kanyaka Station in the

pioneering era. In 1856 the Kanyaka Station leases totalled 365 square miles or 240000 acres

(945 square km or 94500 hectares). In good seasons the property housed up to 70 workers and

their families. The main homestead consisted of 16 rooms with 18 inch (46 cm) thick walls of

stone and mortar construction. We journey on to Hawker, where you will have the opportunity

to visit the Wilpena Panorama.

Superbly portrayed by local Hawker artist, Jeff Morgan, with special background music by

Bruce Emsley, the "endless" painting can be viewed from the ground floor or from the staircase

landing. It is as good as it gets - a 360 degree view of some of the most beautiful country in

South Australia as seen from the highest point of Wilpena Pound, St Mary's Peak and the

Flinders Ranges.

We travel along the eastern side of the Flinders Ranges, to view the awe-inspiring mountains,

together with countless magnificent River Red Gums, favourites of the acclaimed artist Sir

Hans Heysen. Lunch in Hawker today (own expense). From Leigh Creek, a mining town which

used to supply coal to Pt Augusta, we head east into the North Flinders Ranges through Copley

before arriving at Arkaroola Tourist Resort where our stay will be for two nights. The journey

in off the highway gives you plenty of opportunities to view the beautiful red river gums on

the many creek beds we cross. You may like to visit the small museum at the resort before

dinner tonight. Or go for a walk! (B)(D)

Arkaroola Tourist Resort (08) 8648 4848

Day Six Sunday 9th September

This morning, after a delicious brekky, we travel in open 4 wheel drive vehicles for our “Ridge

Top Tour” – undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime! Marvel at the rugged beauty that

surrounds us – in all directions are spectacular views of towering granite mountains, hanging

rocks, deep shaded chasms and gorges abounding! Travelling in a specially designed open top

4WD vehicle, we spend time with specially trained tour guides who share their knowledge of

Arkaroola’s 1600 million year geological history, as we navigate steep slopes and hair raising

ascents of the famous Ridgetop Track.

We climb Sillers Lookout for spectacular views, before returning to our resort and after lunch,

we’re all going on a fabulous Waterholes tour. This guided tour of the Waterholes along the

Arkaroola Creek is designed to give you the best chance to see native birds and animals –

especially the elusive and endangered yellow footed rock wallaby. Shady River Red Gums

and towering gorges guarantee a picturesque and relaxed bushland experience – great for keen

photographers.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for the energetic to walk or climb, or just to relax by the

pool! Optional flights over this incredible terrain are available this afternoon.

Tonight, after dinner, you may like to visit the Observatory.(own expense) (B)(L)(D)

Arkaroola Tourist Resort (08) 8648 4848

Day Seven Monday 10th September.

After our last brekky at Arkaroola, we head back to Hawker, making a stop at Parachilna. Dine

or drink at Parachilna's Prairie Hotel and there's every chance you will be in famous company.

The pub is a hub for a growing number of international moviemakers, drawn to the hauntingly

beautiful outback landscape. Famous visitors include Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel, during

the filming of 'Holy Smoke', Australian rock star Paul Kelly, Hollywood director Philip Noyce

and cinematographer, Christopher Doyle, who wrote that "The Prairie Hotel is God's gift to

cuisine and fellowship". The pub, first licensed in 1876, is one of few buildings in Parachilna.

The town has a population in the single digits and is located between the Flinders Ranges to

the east and Lake Torrens to the west. It has got a sensational range of accommodation and a

deserved reputation for 'Flinders feral food', including anything from kangaroo, emu and yabbie

to quandongs, native limes and bush tomatoes. Lunch is included here today! Surprise! Then

we drive on to Clare Valley, home to heritage towns, trails, boutique wineries, museums,

galleries and beautiful scenery. (B)(L)(D)

Clare Valley Motel 08 8842 2799

Day Eight. Tuesday 11th September

Some of you may leave the tour today. If so, we’ll take you to Adelaide airport for your flight

home. For the others, we’ll travel on to Victor harbour via McLarenvale Wine area, one of the

great and oldest names of Australian wine, one that ranks with other classic regions such as

Coonawarra and the Barossa. The birthplace of wine in South Australia, it lies just south of

Adelaide and offers a multiplicity of soils which bask under a benign Mediterranean climate.

We’ll also visit Victor Harbour that has just about everything you want for a relaxing holiday

– sun, surf and sand, clear turquoise waters, stunning views and outstanding early colonial

architecture. Nestled on a wide, sandy arc of Encounter Bay, Victor Harbour has been the

summer holiday choice for generations of South Australians and is situated on the south coast

of the Fleurieu Peninsula. (B) (D)

Comfort Inn Victor Harbour (08) 8552 1822

Day Nine & Ten Wednesday 12th September & Thursday 13th September

We farewell Victor Harbour after breakfast and drive to Cape Jervis where we catch the Sealink

Ferry to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island – a comfortable 45 minute journey. You an get

something to eat on board. In Flinders Chase National Park, we have the opportunity to view

the spectacular Remarkable Rocks, huge weather-sculpted granite boulders, Cape du Couedic

Lighthouse and Admirals Arch.

Kangaroo Island is a natural habitat for platypus, goannas, seals and sea lions, Glossy Black

Cockatoos, wallabies and the island’s own species of kangaroo. Seal Bay Conservation Park

is probably the island’s most popular attraction. We’ll see females nurturing their young, and

bulls of all ages jostling for supremacy. There’s an extensive boardwalk for viewing these

magnificent creatures.

Two of the most dramatic coastal views in Flinders Chase National Park are the huge, wind

sculpted granite boulders, aptly named Remarkable Rocks that are perched on rounded cliffs,

and Admirals Arch, the magnificent opening carved by the ocean beneath a land platform that

looks over a colony of fur seals. And we’ll see it all! We have a local guide who’ll accompany

us for two days and show us much of this fascinating island. We’ll hear about the grim drama

of shipwrecked sailors, the gritty industry of the whalers and the mysteries of the island’s

original inhabitants. There’s something for everyone here. Dinner at our Hotel both nights. (B)

(L) (D) Lunch included on second day only.

Aurora Ozone – Kangaroo Island. (08) 8553 2011

Day Eleven Friday 14th September

Sadly, we leave Kangaroo Island this morning and Return to the mainland again on the Sealink

Ferry. We’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Goolwa, an historic port at the mouth of the Murray River.

Then enjoy a trip to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Browse the

incredible range of shops; from toys, antiques, books, clothing, shoes, minerals, cuckoo clocks,

hand-crafted leather wares, natural beauty products and gift ware, right through to butchers,

bakers and candle makers! Hahndorf really is a shopper's paradise. Overnight in Adelaide

tonight. (B)(D)

Sage Hotel Adelaide (08) 8223 2800

Day Twelve. Saturday 15th September

Last brekky together today. Back to tea and toast tomorrow! Peter will take you to Adelaide

airport for your flight back home. Here a representative of Sinclair Tour and Travel will meet

you at the luggage carousel. Then because you’ve been so well behaved, we’ll take you back

to your front door! We do hope you enjoyed your tour with Sinclair Tour and Travel. Please

tell your friends! That’s how our business grows! And we look forward to traveling with you

again very soon. (B)

INCLUDED IN TOUR

❖ Air conditioned bus fitted with coach seats for your comfort.

❖ Door to door airport transfers.

❖ Return Air travel from Brisbane to Adelaide.

❖ Motel accommodation on a twin share basis.

❖ Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D) as indicated.

❖ All entries as listed.

❖ Morning Teas.

❖ Name badge, luggage labels, water bottle & travel bag.

GENERAL INFORMATION

BOOKINGS

Please phone 5494 5083 for bookings. A Tour Booking Form will be sent to you

for completion and return with a deposit of $700.00 per person within 7 days to

secure your booking.

BALANCE PAYMENT

Balance of payment is to be received at least 60 days prior to Tour Departure

Date. For Tour Bookings made within 60 days of Tour Departure Date, full

payment is required on booking.

CHANGES TO ITINERARY

Sinclair Tour and Travel reserves the right to alter any itinerary due to unforeseen

circumstances beyond its control and to cancel any tour due to insufficient

bookings. A full refund of fare will be made if tour is cancelled by Sinclair Tour

and Travel

CANCELLATION FEES

Number of days notice given Fee payable

More than 60 days Nil

30 – 59 days 50% of tour Price.

15 – 30 days 75% of Tour Price

8 - 14 days 100% of Tour Price

Less than 8 days 100% of Tour Price

Day of Departure or during tour 100% of Tour Price

In addition to the above fee any moneys paid in respect of bookings with other

tour operators, airfares, attractions, etc. on your behalf and which cannot be

recouped will also be payable. A $50 administration fee (per person) will be

charged on ALL cancellations regardless of the number of days notice given.

To cover cancellations due to illness or for loss of baggage we strongly

encourage passengers to have travel insurance. We can arrange Travel

insurance for you as we sell Cover-More Travel Insurance. Phone us today

5494 5083 for a brochure. Prices are very reasonable.