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South Australia's contrasts come to life on this 7-Day Luxury Self Drive Holiday. Wander Adelaide's boulevards, enjoy a Flinders Ranges bush retreat and blend your very own wine in the beautiful Barossa Valley. From Outback to wine country, with sensational cuisine and world-class wines, this region is foodie heaven. Staying in handpicked boutique accommodation, you won't lose your creature comforts, even in the wilds of the Outback.
Duration: 7 days
Starts: Adelaide
Finishes: Adelaide
Welcome to Adelaide, South Australia's capital city
Cosmopolitan Adelaide brims with culture, flavours, events and entertainment. From spacious boulevards to vibrant suburbs, sophisticated architecture to lush gardens, the city has it all.
Adelaide’s reputation as a foodie destination is well deserved. Famed for culinary creativity and outstanding produce, there is something here for every palate. Adelaide is the Festival Capital of Australia – from comedy and cabaret to food and fashion, there’s always something on no matter when you visit.
2 nights at Eos by SkyCity
Today is yours to explore Adelaide however you desire
History buffs will love the exquisite churches around every corner, many dating back to the 19th century. For a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, join a cruise in search of wild dolphins — you can even swim with them if they are in the mood!
Adelaide Central Market is a great spot to grab lunch and indulge in some people-watching. More than 80 mouth-watering stalls offer local cheese, seafood, patisserie and artisan produce.
Suggested Activity: Kangaroo Island 4WD Safari
For a thrilling day trip, a guided 4WD tour of Kangaroo Island can’t be beaten.
After arriving by plane, you will journey to Seal Bay for a guided walk among the colony of sea lions. Next, explore Flinders Chase, the Island’s largest National Park. Driving through dense Eucalyptus forest to Admirals Arch and marvel at the Remarkable Rocks.
Feast on a fabulous BBQ steak lunch cooked by your guide before heading on to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Wander among koalas in the Tasmanian Blue Gum trees before returning to Adelaide exhilarated and happy.
Leave the city behind for the dusty red roads of the Outback
A luxury wild bush retreat in the heart of the Flinders Ranges is home for the next two nights.
Flinders Ranges National Park
400 km | 248.5 mi north of Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia. Picture pink-red peaks, towering cliffs, ancient redgums and wedge-tailed eagles soaring above.
Flinders Ranges Scenic Flight
Get to know your new surroundings on a scenic flight to remember. Your single-engine plane offers an aerial view of the mountain landscape and the jaw-dropping crater of Wilpena Pound. This giant natural amphitheatre is the national park’s jewel in the crown. At 8 times the size of Uluru and at 300m | 984ft taller, this geological wonder must be seen to be believed.
Arkaba Station
Nestled in the Flinders Ranges, Arkaba Station offers some of Australia’s most spectacular outback scenery. Hosting just ten guests at a time, this exclusive retreat is set in a 1850s homestead among 60,000 acres of private wildlife conservancy.
Relax after your long drive with a dip in the pool, a glass of bubbly and a tantalizing menu of local produce cooked to perfection by the resident chef.
2 nights at Arkaba Homestead
Approximate Distance: 451 km | 280 miles
Total Driving Time: 5 hours 30 mins
Wake up to gorgeous Flinders views, a hearty breakfast and a range of outdoor adventures
Arkaba Station: Outback Experiences
Your stay at Arkaba is a fully hosted, fully guided experience to provoke, inspire and reconnect you with the bush.
Kangaroos, emus and abundant wildlife will delight you on safaris through the ancient landscapes.
Explore the vastness of Arkaba’s ranges, plateaus, gorges, & valleys on an open-top 4WD tour. Or get a different perspective of Arkaba’s magnificent wilderness on an included walking safari.
Expert field guides are on hand to share the geological history, wildlife and heritage of the region.
Winemaking 101
The Barossa Valley is your next beautiful South Australian destination. The Barossa is bursting with flavour, new discoveries and hidden gems; there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Browse through some of Australia’s finest food and wine experiences and immerse yourself in the region’s fascinating cultural heritage. The patchwork of parishes that make up the Barossa mean that each town and village has a distinct feel, from the beautifully preserved German village of Hahndorf to the old English charm of Angaston.
2 nights at The Louise - Luxury Vineyard Retreat
Approximate Distance: 408 km | 254 miles
Total Driving Time: 4 hours 54 mins
Drink in panoramic views of the Barossa's iconic vineyards and charming villages on a guided tour of this stunning wine region
Today’s tour itinerary can include your personal ‘must-see’ wineries: simply let us know. Your guide will also have some surprises up their sleeve: prepare to challenge your palate with new taste sensations!
A luxury Volkswagen Tourer takes you on a relaxing journey through the Barossa Valley, with a sumptuous grazing menu served on board. Dining on delicious artisan produce, good wine, good food and great memories await.
Say farewell to South Australia today as you drop off your rental car and board your onward flight
We know you will enjoy your 7-Day South Australia Loop Self-Drive Tour, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.
Approximate Distance: 76 km | 41 miles
Total Driving Time: 1 hour 2 mins
“A terrific way to spend a week in Australia! Gourmet food, starry skies over the Flinders Ranges, and your very own custom-designed bottle of wine to take home. Add stunning boutique accommodations and you have a luxurious getaway in unforgettable surroundings.”
Ready to find out more? Talk to one of our friendly travel designers about his tour. We guarantee you it will be the experience of a lifetime!
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Always personalised, Eos by SkyCity Adelaide encompasses the finest in modern hospitality. From signature restaurants and entertainment to opulent suites and spa experiences, they’re here for the pleasure-seekers. This is a precise alchemy designed with you at the centre. Step in or step out: each distinct delight is delivered with a deft touch.
Set amongst 60,000 acres on a private wildlife conservancy, Arkaba boasts private rooms within a beautifully restored homestead. Guests enjoy a verandah offering lovely rural views and a guest lounge with a fireplace. Originally built in 1856, this property backs onto the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges. An infinity pool overlooks Arkaba Creek while dinner is hosted on the terrace overlooking the ranges.
Boasting an award-winning restaurant, The Louise is located in the Barossa Valley wine region. A patio, a spa bath and an outdoor shower feature in suites. Guests enjoy a fitness centre with a sauna and gym. All suites offer an outdoor dining setting, a desk, a flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station and free WiFi. Each has a refrigerator, a coffee machine, comfortable slippers, and quality guest toiletries.
The 30-minute scenic flight provides a fantastic view of the Flinders Ranges. See Wilpena Pound from the air with the resort nestled in among the River Red Gums just near the Pound Gap. This flight completes a circuit of Wilpena Pound where your pilot will point out the Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Heysen Range, Lake Torrens, Bunyeroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge, and St Mary Peak. You will clearly see how the Flinders Ranges appear to be the backbone of the landscape. An extraordinary sight for everyone and a treat for photographers.
The homestead offers complimentary experiences including bird and wildlife watching, 4WD and walking safaris, cultural tours, geological tours, and family nature adventures.
Relax in a luxury Volkswagen Tourer as you drink in panoramic vistas of iconic vineyards, historic buildings, food gardens and Barossa Valley’s charming, Europe-inspired villages.
The Sensations Day tour of the beautiful Barossa includes a sumptuous grazing menu which includes fresh, local and seasonal produce from talented food producers. Personalise your tour by adding ‘must-see’ wineries to your day.
Festivals and food, arts and culture, shopping and sports. This is Adelaide – the city where there’s always something going on. Whether you want to party or relax on your next holiday, South Australia’s capital has it all. With spacious boulevards and vibrant inner-city districts, sophisticated architecture and lush gardens, Adelaide is the perfect venue for all sorts of activities – big or small. You might want to immerse yourself in the culture of Adelaide’s North Terrace, with its museums and cafes. Or indulge in retail therapy at Rundle Mall, sample the tastes on offer at the famed Adelaide Central Market and sip award-winning wines at the National Wine Centre. Maybe you prefer to follow in the footsteps of sporting champions at the world-famous Adelaide Oval or enjoy a retreat to the cosmopolitan seaside suburbs of Glenelg and Brighton. In Adelaide, there is a brilliant blend of things to see and do. All you have to do is choose.
In the wine capital of Australia, you can get a real taste for the finer things in life. But if you’re thinking that it all sounds a bit highbrow, think again. The Barossa is a relaxed and friendly place, where you can share a drink with the people who actually make the region’s world-class wines. You might meet them at the Barossa wineries and cellar doors, or you may run into them at restaurants, or on a golf course.
Of course, there’s more to the Barossa Valley than just wine. During your Barossa holiday, you can also browse art stores for something special to take home, sit in a friendly cafe and enjoy a brilliant cup of coffee, or get out into the countryside and stretch your legs with a walk in a national park.
The Flinders Ranges National Park occupies much of the central Flinders Ranges. It’s an extremely popular park and takes in rugged mountain scenery, peaceful timbered gorges, plenty of wildlife, vegetation and history. Picture-perfect Edeowie and Brachina Gorges, Aroona and Bunyeroo Valleys and stunning Wilpena Pound are the park’s major attractions. Wildlife can be seen everywhere in the park: Wedge-tailed Eagles, soaring above their rocky eyries. Rare Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies making their way along ledges, Western Grey Kangaroos grazing undisturbed and flocks of colourful birds swooping here and there. With the right conditions, wildflowers burst onto the landscape around spring, transforming an already beautiful scene into a brilliant-looking wilderness.
