Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola & Barossa Valley Escape

Day 1 - Thursday 24 September 2026

Melbourne - Adelaide - Clare Valley (L,D)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!

Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for our flight to Adelaide. 

On arrival in Adelaide, we meet up with our local coach captain and make our way up into the delightful Clare Valley region. On arrival in Mintaro, we enjoy tastings and lunch at Reilly's Cellar Door and Restaurant before taking a stroll through the imposing Martindale Hall. A Georgian-style Italianate influenced sandstone mansion which has significant heritage value in South Australia. Following our tour we proceed to our Clare Valley accommodation for check-in followed by dinner at the Clare Hotel.

Overnight: Clare Valley Motel (or similar)

Day 2 - Friday 25 September 2026

Port Augusta (B,L,D)

Today, after a light breakfast, we journey north to Bungaree Station for a wonderful insight from Mark into the former merino sheep station and life as it is today, operating as an efficient mixed farm and run by the descendant of the original founder, G.C. Hawker. After our tour we enjoy Vicky’s homemade morning tea before heading up to Wirrabara to view the stunning silo mural which captures the beauty of the town and surrounding countryside. We then travel up to Port Augusta via Horrocks Pass before arriving at the Australian Arid Lands Botanical Gardens for a light lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing stroll with our guides through a range of natural and themed gardens and soak in the sounds and scents of Australia’s arid heart.

Our last stop for the day is at the multi-award-winning Wadlata Outback Centre which displays highlight the history of the Flinders Ranges and the Outback of South Australia from 15 million years ago to modern day. It’s then time for check-in at our accommodation with time to relax before dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight: The Standpipe Golf Motor Inn (or similar)

Day 3 - Saturday 26 September 2026

Port Augusta - Pichi Richi Railway - Flinders Ranges (B,L,D)

This morning, after breakfast and check out, we take a drive around Port Augusta with our local guide before boarding the Afghan Express for our historic journey across to the outback town of Quorn. Travelling the old Ghan route over red earth and bluebush plains from Port Augusta, we’ll watch the Flinders Ranges creep ever-closer before entering the Pichi Richi Pass with its rocky outcrops, dry riverbeds and beautiful hilly scenery.

Quorn, which has been used as a backdrop for many famous films including ‘Gallipoli’, ‘The Shiralee’, ‘The Tracker’, and most recently Russell Crowe’s ‘The Water Diviner’. On arrival in Quorn, we soak up a bit of the history of the town and enjoy lunch at a local cafe. Up in Hawker we stop by the Jeff Morgan Gallery and view Jeff’s amazing works, particularly the amazing giant panoramas including the - 30m x 3m Wilpena Panorama and 46m x 5.5m Arkaroola Panorama. Our journey from Hawker to Leigh Creek takes us up alongside the Flinders Ranges before arriving at the Leigh Creek Resort for check-in and dinner.

Overnight Leigh Creek Resort (or similar)

Day 4 - Sunday 27 September 2026

Leigh Creek - Arkaroola (B,L,D)

Today we visit the “Black Rock, Blue Sky” Exhibition, which is a collection of photographic panels that relate the 75-year history of the Leigh Creek Coalfield and the unique story of the two towns. Then with our local guide we enjoy an informative drive around Leigh Creek before heading to the Aroona Dam Sanctuary which offers spectacular views and peaceful surroundings.

After an informative morning, we arrive in the township of Copley for lunch at the iconic Bush Bakery and Quandong Cafe.

This afternoon, we set out along the Gammon Range Road through the settlement of Nepabunna and then through the Gammon Range towards Balcanoona Station. We then head north along the Arkaroola Road which takes us into the 61,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary of Arkaroola for check-in to our accommodation before dinner.

Overnight Arkaroola: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

Day 5 - Monday 28 September 2026

Arkaroola (B,L,D)

This morning we board our four-wheel drive vehicles for the famous half-day Ridge Top Tour, which takes in some of the most spectacularly rugged country on earth. Our specially trained guides share their knowledge of Arkaroola’s 1600-million-year geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair-raising ascents of the famous Ridge Top Track. Inspiring images of red granite mountains and golden spinifex-covered hillsides give way to a breathtaking view across the Freeling Heights, Lake Frome and the desert beyond.

After a wonderful morning, we enjoy lunch back at the resort, before enjoying the afternoon at leisure to enjoy at own cost one of the guided walks or take a scenic flight over the Arkaroola Sanctuary or Lake Eyre.

Overnight  Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary (or similar)

Day 6 - Tuesday 29 September 2026

Arkaroola - Blinman - Flinders Ranges (B,L,D)

We depart Arkaroola this morning and head down into the Flinders Ranges to the historic copper mining township of Blinman, where in the mining era from 1862 – 1910, the mine delivered a large amount of copper to the London Metal Exchange.

After refreshments at the North Blinman Hotel, our guide shows us around the township, followed by our Blinman underground mine experience which offers a unique journey into the heart of a historic copper mine and takes us back in time, to the lives of the miners and their families during the second half of the 19th century.
From Blinman, we travel down past the Great Wall of China and Stokes Hill Lookout before arriving at Wilpena Pound Resort, our home for the next two nights.

Following check-in and a freshen up, we gather in the restaurant for dinner.

Overnight  Wilpena Pound Resort (or similar)

Day 7 - Wednesday 30 September 2026

Flinders Ranges (B,L,D)

Today, with our local station owner guide on board, we begin our drive through the scenic Flinders Ranges.

After pausing at the famous Cazneaux Tree, we head up to Stokes Hill Lookout, which provides expansive panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including Wilpena Pound's eastern escarpment and the Skytrek Willow Springs Station. Our drive continues through the ranges, taking in breathtaking gorges, lookouts and rocky creek beds, while spotting stunning wildflowers (seasonal) and wildlife. Our tour also includes a stop at Skytrek Willow Springs Station Camp Kitchen for refreshments and overview of family life on the remote station from our station owner/guide.

After our drive through the ranges, we arrive back at the Wilpena Pound Information Centre.

This afternoon we have the opportunity at our own cost to take in a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound, take a leisurely walk along one of the tracks or take the shuttle into the Pound for the longer walk, which allows us to see the Hill Homestead and Wangarra Lookouts, which offer stunning views over Wilpena Pound. This evening, after a delightful day out we meet up for dinner back in the restaurant.

Overnight  Wilpena Pound Resort (or similar)

Day 8 - Thursday 1 October 2026

Peterborough - Burra - Tanunda (B,L,D)

Today we head down through Hawker and Orroroo to the historic railway township of Peterborough for a cuppa and tour of the Roundhouse at Steamtown.

Further south, we visit the historic copper mining town of Burra, providing another interesting tour and lunch stop. The copper mines were first discovered in 1845 and were operated by Cornish and Welsh miners until 1877. Our guided tour takes in the heritage buildings, lookouts, and other major sites, including the Red Ruth Gaol, which featured in the movie ‘Breaker Morant’. 

From Burra we drive down into the beautiful Barossa Valley wine district via the Farrell Flat Silo Train Mural. Tanunda is the cosmopolitan heart of the Barossa and our home for the next two nights.

Following check-in at our hotel, we gather for dinner in the restaurant.

Overnight Weintal Resort (or similar)

Day 9 - Friday 2 October 2026

The Barossa Valley Gourmet Trail (B,L,D)

Our day today will be spent in the beautiful Barossa Valley with two special visits to Maggie Beers Farm Shop and also the iconic Chateau Tanunda Cellar Door, with tasting of wines from ‘The Château’ Single Vineyard and ‘The Heritage Release’ series. At Maggie Beer's, we enjoy a brief talk on the history of the property and Maggie’s culinary career plus spend some time in the gourmet gift shop.

We then visit the historic Seppeltsfield Estate for a delicious ‘Barossa Style Lunch’ followed by a ‘Grand Insight Tour and Tastings’, which includes a behind-the-scenes look through the estate’s treasure trove of historical buildings.

After some leisure time in Tanunda we gather back at the Angus and Co Restaurant for our dinner.

Overnight Weintal Resort (or similar)

Day 10 - Saturday 3 October 2026

Tanunda - Adelaide (B,D)

Today, before leaving the Barossa, we enjoy a must-visit to the Barossa Tourist Information Centre, which is also home to the Barossa Made Wares and Food Pantry featuring bespoke, artisan, and unique products and produce all handmade in the Barossa.

Our last Barossa treat is at the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, where we partake in a Gelato Ice Cream and Chocolate pairing experience.

From Tanunda, we travel back across to Adelaide via the Adelaide Hills, enjoying a stop at the Whispering Wall, set within the Barossa Reservoir.

On arrival into Adelaide, we check-in at our hotel before enjoying the remainder of the afternoon at leisure along the Rundle Mall.

This evening we will enjoy our farewell dinner in Culshaws Restaurant.

Overnight Majestic Roof Garden Hotel (or similar)

Day 11- Sunday 4 October 2026

Adelaide - Melbourne (B)

After a leisurely breakfast and check out, we make our way to the Airport for our return flights home to Melbourne, following a wonderful tour of the Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola and the Barossa.

Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back.