
The Flinders Ranges
An Outback Adventure
Experience stunning outback landscapes, Indigenous culture and the unique geological formations of the Flinders Ranges.
TOUR STATUS
Places Available | Maximum 16
TOUR DATES
Apr 22 -May 2, 2026 | 11 Days
TOUR LEADER
Dr Chris Carter | View Bio
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The tour starts at 2.00pm on Wednesday 22 April, at Adelaide Airport, where we travel by coach to our first accommodation in Bungaree.
The tour ends after breakfast on Saturday 2 May, at the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Adelaide.
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Grade Three. This tour is among our most physically demanding.
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10 nights’ accommodation in centrally located hotels, lodges and historic properties. All breakfasts, 6 lunches and all dinners. Services of an expert tour leader and an experienced tour manager throughout. Scenic flight over Wilpena Pound. All ground transport, entrance fees and tipping.
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$9,980 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
$1,890 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel roomA $1,000 AUD non-refundable deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour
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OVERVIEW
From pioneer sheep stations in the Clare Valley, to the expanses of the Outback, this adventurous tour bears witness to the region’s iconic landscapes, history and heritage.
At Bungaree Station, founded in 1841 and remaining in the same family today, we learn the history of a working sheep station and have lunch at historic Anlaby House, the oldest Merino stud in Australia, before tasting the superb Clare Valley wines of the region. We then travel on to the true Outback at Wilpena Pound, Arkaroola and Parachilna. Here we’ll walk along rocky gorges, visit ancient indigenous sites and early European settlements, observe the distinctive flora and fauna and learn about the rich cultural history of the region.
A relatively new offering is our stay at Prairie Outback Lodge at Parachilna, our base to explore the fabulous new Ediacaran fossil site of Nilpena, opened to the public in 2023. Our host at the Prairie hotel discovered the site and has specialist knowledge of the ancient life it reveals, and he shares with us in situ the story of how it was found and preserved for future generations.
A note on the tour style
This tour is quite different from a regular Academy Travel tour. Accommodation and food in the outback can be relatively basic, with shared facilities at Bungaree Station. In order to fully enjoy the tour, you need to be able to participate in bushwalks of several kilometres and be prepared to travel by sturdy rather than luxury coaches. Please also note that the tour leader Chris Carter is an archaeologist and adventurer, and his style of tour leadership will reflect these interests.
tour highlights
The Heysen Trail, stretching some 1200kms from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges, forms one of Australia’s iconic outback journeys.

Tour feature
Nilpena Ediacara National Park
Etched into rock at a dusty cattle station in outback South Australia is the richest collection of Ediacaran fossils in the world. The half-a-billion-year-old creatures, more alien than any animal seen today, may never have been unearthed if not for this fourth-generation stockman.
Dr Chris Carter
your expert tour leader
Chris is an archaeologist with over 20 years’ experience leading tours to Central and South America, Spain and Ireland as well as within Australia. He is particularly interested in human interaction within landscapes and the formative period of cultural development. Chris has a BA(Hons), MA and PhD from the Australian National University (ANU). He has worked as a tutor at the ANU and lectured at both the ANU and University of Sydney Centres for Continuing Education.
Accompanied by an Experienced Tour Manager
Alongside your expert tour leader, an experienced tour manager will accompany for the entirety of the tour. They oversee logistics, ensure your comfort and safety, and provide friendly support – whether offering tips for free time, sharing a chat over dinner, or giving you space to relax.
tour ITINERARY
Clare Valley (2 nights), Wilpena Pound (3 nights), Arkaroola (2 nights), Parachilna (2 nights), Adelaide (1 night)
Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D
Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. All hotels are a comfortable four-star standard.
Tour Accommodation
Clare Valley, Bungaree Station | 2 Nights
Wilpena Pound, Wilpena Resort | 3 Nights
Arkaroola, Wilderness Sanctuary | 2 Nights
Parachilna, Prairie Outback Lodge | 2 Nights
Adelaide, Majestic Roof Garden | 1 Night
tour booking
$9,980 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
$1,890 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel room
A $1,000 deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour. This deposit is non-refundable.
Hold a Place
Still deciding? We are happy to hold a tentative place for 7 days while you make your final arrangements.
Book Online
To secure your place(s) on tour, book online below with “Athena”, our virtual tour consultant.
DOWNLOAD FORM
Download a printable booking form. You can also complete the form on screen and submit via email.
your tour consultant
The consultant for this tour is Lucy Yeates. For further information or to discuss the tour, please call 9235 0023 (Sydney) or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email lucy@academytravel.com.au
have you thought about?
Academy Travel is more than just a tour operator. We are also a full-service travel agency who can assist you with all aspects of your travel, including flights, transfers, pre-tour arrival, additional travel and comprehensive travel insurance.
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