Best of South Australia

Best of South Australia

5 Days Starting and ending in Adelaide

Visiting: Adelaide, Adelaide / Hahndorf / Barossa Valley, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, Clare Valley / Adelaide

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PZKA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2080 $2018 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$62

NB: Prices correct on 12-Oct-2024 but subject to change.

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Tour Overview

Would you rather sip world-class wine at spectacular wineries, explore a wild landscape of geological wonders, or learn about a culture that’s prevailed for hundreds of years? On this five-day trip exploring the best of South Australia, there’s no need to choose! Walk through the awe-inspiring scenery of Ikara (Wilpena Pound) with a First Nations guide and gain a special insight into the culture of the Adnyamathanha people, wine and dine in the famed Barossa Valley, and stay on the outskirts of the vast Flinders Ranges. What better way to spend a long weekend?

Highlights

  • Taste the best of South Australia’s famous wines in this gorgeous region of rolling hills, barren bush and world-famous wineries including in the Barossa Valley and Clare.

  • Take a walk with a First Nations elder and learn about the importance of preserving the land. After, enjoy a native tasting plate at an organic winery with biodynamic credentials.

  • Stay on the fringe of Ikara (Wilpena Pound) – a remarkable natural amphitheatre – and join a local First Nations guide to learn about the biodiversity of the landscape and its relationship to the Adnyamathanha people.

  • Spend some free time in the gorgeous landscape of the Flinders Ranges and watch the sunset over the vast horizon. If you’re in the mood, there are plenty of optional hikes here, too!

  • Take in the vast night sky and the glittering Milky Way – as these areas are fairly remote, there is little light pollution, meaning incredible stargazing opportunity!

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.

  • Taste the best of South Australia’s famous wines in this gorgeous region of rolling hills, barren bush and world-famous wineries including in the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Adelaide

Location: Adelaide

Accommodation: Hotel

Welcome to South Australia! Your adventure begins in Adelaide, or Tandanya in the language of The Kaurna people – the traditional owners of the land. If you arrive in Adelaide early, there is much to see and do, from the Central Market to a footy game in the Adelaide Oval. Your trip will start with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. After, the night is yours. Maybe get your group together and head to one of the best restaurants in the city.

Day 2: Adelaide / Hahndorf / Barossa Valley

Location: Adelaide / Hahndorf / Barossa Valley

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: lunch, dinner

After breakfast this morning, meet with a local Aboriginal guide with whom you'll discover the city from a First Nations perspective. Learn about the wonderful and tragic colonial history on a walk through the heart of Adelaide. Next, head out of town to Hahndorf, a historic village nestled in the Adelaide Hills, originally settled by German immigrants in the 1830s. Enjoy some time to explore, then enjoy lunch made from locally sourced ingredients at a historic pub in another nearby village. After lunch, continue your drive to the famed Barossa Valley. A renowned region of wine, the Barossa is home to a string of rural towns, sun-kissed rolling hills and world-famous wineries – with shiraz grapes the local speciality. Enjoy an included wine tasting here, take in the gorgeous scenery and then sit down for a group dinner.

Included Activities:
-Barossa Valley - Winery visit & tasting
-Adelaide - City Cultural Walking Tour with Aboriginal Guide

Day 3: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Location: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to the Flinders Ranges – the largest mountain range in South Australia, stretching for over 430 km. Stop in Ikara (Wilpena Pound) – a natural amphitheatre of mountains. Your base for the night is a stunning spot on the outskirts of this geological marvel. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore, search for the perfect spot to watch the sunset or relax at your eco-style accommodation.

Included Activities:
-Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks

Day 4: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Location: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

In the morning meet with a local First Nations guide for a walk around the magnificent Ikara (Wilpena Pound) area with your group. Your expert guide will share ancient stories of the landscape that have been passed down from generation to generation, provide insight into the region’s biodiversity and the life it sustains, and explain the relationship between the land and the Adnyamathanha people. Once you have a better understanding of the landscape, the rest of the day is yours to explore – maybe join your leader on a hike, opt to go it alone or simply sit back and relax while enjoying the incredible scenery.

Included Activities:
-Wilpena Pound - Yura Udnyu Our Culture, Your Culture walking tour
-Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks

Day 5: Clare Valley / Adelaide

Location: Clare Valley / Adelaide

Meals Included: breaksfast

It's time to head back to Adelaide this morning after breakfast. Along the way, make a stop in the Clare Valley at a local winery for a delicious tasting paddle of their favourite wines. Maybe grab some lunch here and spend the last day of your trip sharing stories with your fellow travellers. After, you’ll end your journey and arrive back in Adelaide at about 4 pm. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

Included Activities:
-Clare Valley - Wine Tasting

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (4 nights)

  • McLaren Flat - Wuldi Cultural Experience at the Gemtree Eco Trail

  • Barossa Valley - Winery visit & tasting

  • Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks

  • Wilpena Pound - Yura Udnyu Our Culture, Your Culture walking tour

  • Clare Valley - Wine Tasting

  • Meals

    3 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners

  • Adelaide - City Cultural Walking Tour with Aboriginal Guide

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

  • DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA
  • Australia is a BIG country! In fact, the whole of Europe fits into Australia with plenty of room to spare. Australians are accustomed to driving long distances on holiday, but you may not be. Perth to Broome is roughly the length of Portugal. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin is about the length of the UK, and Perth to Adelaide is about the same distance from Spain to Poland. However, that's why we think seeing Australia from the ground is better. We live in a country that has it all; stunning coastline and beaches, the outback, tropical rainforests, and some seriously amazing landscapes and wildlife. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • HOT WEATHER
  • From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures over 35C/95F. These extreme temperatures place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your leader will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping cool and hydrated.

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • START & END TIMES
  • The trip starts in Adelaide with a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 at our joining point hotel and finishes back in Adelaide on Day 5 at our finish point hotel around 4pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
  • A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.

Mode of Transport

  • Private Vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    We are travelling for over 500km from Adelaide to Ikara-Flinders Ranges on Day 3 and 5, so there are some long driving days on this trip. Pack a book or stock up on podcasts as you watch the landscape pass you by.

    This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with good fitness and mobility. Please consider your own physical capabilities before embarking on any hikes in Ikara-Flinders Ranges. See the daily itinerary for more information.

    If you would like to continue exploring South Australia with us, consider booking our Kangaroo Island Short Break Adventure trip. See code PZAI-C on our website for details.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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1 Select your preferred date

Tuesday - Saturday

Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 28, 2024
$2080 $2018

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$62

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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