Australian Natural Adventures

Wildlife, Nature & Soft Adventure Tours

Custom Australia, New Zealand & Pacific tours and travel

Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris

Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris operates a wonderful wildlife safari into the Australian outback. Accommodation is at their luxury tented camp, and very comfortable it is. Very large permanent tents, complete with their own bathroom, are dotted about the bush near a large billabong (small outback lake). Parrots and other birds are the morning alarm clock, and several sorts of kangaroos are easily seen. Visits are made to several nearby areas, for scenery, sunsets and wildlife. A highlight is a large salt lake, with ancient fossil stromatolites and colorful and intricately eroded rocks along the shore. A final highlight if the tour is swimming with friendly sea lions and dolphins off the mighty cliffs of the Great Australian Bight.

Day1 – Monday: Adelaide/Port Lincoln/Kangaluna
Depart Adelaide Airport with Rex flight 4356 at 8.15am, arriving at Port Lincoln 9.05am. You are met by your tour leader and travel through farming land into the outback to Wudinna, a small town of 600 people, stopping for lunch along the way. After lunch head into the Outback, passing Wudinna Rock as you travel into the bush to Kangaluna Camp, a tented camp next to a billabong. There is an afternoon tour to begin your wildlife experiences, where the outback animals thrive in this environment. Along the way you get the chance to have some fun and paint your face with the multi colored ocher rock, the same ocher uses for tens of thousands of years by Aboriginal people to decorate themselves and their tools.    (L,D)

Day 2 – Tuesday: Kangaluna
This morning drive to spectacular Lake Gairdner, which appears like a piece of Antarctica, with its glistening white salt pan set in the red landscape. However, frigid cold is not likely to be experienced here. You’ll walk alongside the lake, seeing ancient fossils, and out on to it (rains permitting) to be surrounded by brilliant white salt. Around the lake you’lll take time to go through the bush looking for some of the 146 species of birds recorded in the region. Today we may see Wedge Tailed Eagles, and will see cigar shaped volcanic rock formations 1500 million years old, and lots of wildlife. This afternoon we drive through a changing landscape.., where Emus and Red, Western Grey and Euro kangaroos are seen as we drive through an ancient outback range to camp.       (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Wednesday: Kangaluna
This morning is leisurely to allow plenty of time to walk through the bush near the camp, and along the billabong. An early walk, maybe before breakfast, can reveal mist rising off the water, fresh animal tracks in te mud, and the wakening chorus of bird; some of whom come in to drink. You then head out to visit the organ pipes rock formations at Kolay Micra falls, Nukey Valley and the remote part of the National Park. This is the best wildlife opportunity and the landscapes are stunning and colorful. Late afternoon walk on the Corrobinnie Depression and marvel at the array of color and patterns in the bed of the old river. Sunset drinks will finish the day at the lake.       (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Thursday: Kangaluna/Baird Bay/Ceduna/ Adelaide
Take the opportunity for a morning bush walk this morning, then camp is left for the last time, as you head to the coast at Baird Bay, a tiny settlement of a few huts and houses spread along the beach. You‘ll board the boat straight off the sand for an unforgettable wildlife experience. On the 3 mile journey to a lagoon near Cape Radstock (at 550ft one of the highest sheer points on the southern coast of Australia) you can watch Bottlenose dolphins ride the bow wave of the boat, and join these magnificent mammals in shallow water. Cross the bay to visit a resident colony of rare Australian sea lions and experience playing face to face with these agile and friendly mammals in protected shallow lagoons. After lunch on the beach you leave Baird Bay and visit Streaky Bay and enjoy magnificent coastal scenery before arriving at Ceduna. Sadly your 24 day Downunder wildlife journey is over, as you depart for Adelaide on the 5.35pm flight 4136 with Regional Express, arriving at 7.05pm. Overnight in Adelaide.       (B,L)