Lake Eyre Channel Country Tour to Birdsville

Join our fabulous 6 Day Tour to iconic outback towns – Coober Pedy, William Creek, Lake Eyre, Birdsville, Marree, Andamooka and Leigh Creek.

Fully accommodated, all meals, great activities, plus a stunning Lake Eyre Channel Country Scenic Flight to Birdsville.

Your flight covers Channel Country, North Lake Eyre, Warburton Creek, Goyder Lagoon, Birdsville, Big Red Simpson Desert, Belt Bay and Halligan Bay of Lake Eyre. Witness unique patterns and colours, and enjoy spectacular views of remote Australian landscapes from your guaranteed window seat.

Lake Eyre Channel Country tours are full of spectacular photo opportunities from the ground and from the air.

Lake Eyre Channel Country Tour with Birdsville

Tours depart from Adelaide

Depart your Adelaide accommodation by 7am and let us take you on a tour filled with wonders and delights of Iconic Outback Towns. Our journey takes us to Lake Bumbunga in Lochiel for a morning tea break. The lake is known to change colour from pink, to white, to blue, depending on the salinity of the water throughout the year. We then travel further to the historic town of Quorn for a look around and lunch. Mid-afternoon we are arriving in Beltana. The town is state heritage listed and has a population of around 35 permanent residents. Aboriginal, Afghan and Europeans cultures alike regard Beltana as a significant part in their history. The town is rich in historic buildings, and we have some time to uncover some of Beltana’s stories. Only a 30-minute drive to go and we find ourselves in Leigh Creek for a delicious dinner and comfy overnight stay. (Day 1 Lunch, Dinner, Leigh Creek Outback Resort overnight)

Marree and William Creek – South Australia’s Iconic Outback Towns

Get ready for an unforgettable expedition into the rugged heart of the Australian outback as we track the legendary Oodnadatta Track. Today is a journey through time, vast desert horizons, and unforgettable local characters. Our adventure kicks off with a visit to the eccentric world of Talc Alf, where you will marvel at unique stone sculptures and hear the stories behind them. Next, we step back in time at the beautiful ruins of Farina. This historic ghost town offers a fascinating glimpse into pioneer life as you wander through its crumbling stone buildings and eerie desert cemetery.

From there, we cruise into the iconic outback hub of Marree. Take a stroll through the sun-drenched town square to snap some classic outback photos, then dive deep into the town’s rich heritage. You will discover the stories of the Great Northern Express, stand before the historic Afghan Mosque, and see the quirky Lake Eyre Yacht Club—a sailing club in the middle of the desert! Before we roll out, we duck into the historic Marree Hotel to explore its museum room, dedicated to the legendary outback postman, Tom Kruse. Leaving Marree, the dirt track unfolds before us, leading straight to the breathtaking expanse of South Lake Eyre. Here, at the scenic viewing area, we will pause for a picnic lunch framed by spectacular, endless views of the shimmering salt flats. Back on the red dirt, we chase the horizon through raw, sweeping outback country, stopping to stretch our legs at the historic desert oasis of Coward Springs. Finally, we tackle the last one-hour leg of our drive, watching the afternoon light paint the desert as we roll into the iconic outpost of William Creek.

Prepare to uncover one of the outback’s best-kept secrets: the mesmerising Anna Creek Painted Hills. Hidden away from the world with zero road access, this spectacular outcrop of multi-hued sandstone mounds can only be reached by air. This afternoon, we take to the skies to capture a bird’s-eye view of this ancient, natural canvas painted in brilliant desert tones. Our journey goes far beyond a typical flight; a special permission allows us to land directly on the property. Stepping out of the aircraft, you will explore the fragile, beautiful terrain on foot, a truly rare privilege experienced by very few travellers. Upon return relax and unwind before we all meet back for dinner and a briefing about the next day ahead.
(Day 2 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, William Creek Hotel overnight)

Lake Eyre Scenic Flight to Channel Country and Birdsville

This morning, we embark on a spectacular return flight to Birdsville. From the comfort of your window seat, marvel at the breathtaking expanse of Lake Eyre—the Southern Hemisphere’s largest salt lake—situated directly along our flight path. Upon landing in Birdsville, a historic outpost on the banks of the Diamantina River, we will explore the local sights before taking a 4WD journey west to the outskirts of ‘Big Red’. Standing an impressive 36.5 metres above sea level, Big Red is the first of many iconic dunes in the Simpson Desert, the world’s largest sand dune desert. Experience a 4WD ascent to the summit to take in magnificent, panoramic desert views.

By mid-afternoon, we reboard our aircraft to trace the winding labyrinth of creeks and rivers that feed the Goyder Lagoon and the famous Channel Country. Our flightpath follows these ancient waterways all the way to the Warburton Groove, the primary inlet at the northern tip of Lake Eyre North. From your aerial vantage point, admire the striking patterns and shifting colours etched into the landscape—a vivid display of natural artistry. This journey highlights the immense scale, profound isolation, and raw beauty of Outback South Australia, a perspective only possible from the skies. Once back on the ground in William Creek, wrap up an unforgettable day by joining the locals for a refreshing, ice-cold beer at the historic hotel before dinner. (Day 3 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, William Creek Hotel overnight)

Tour Coober Pedy with its unique attractions and stay underground

Journey west into the heart of the Great Australian Outback to arrive at Coober Pedy, the world’s undisputed capital of fine opals. This is a land of ultimate fortune, where legend says you can arrive with nothing but the shirt on your back and leave a multi-millionaire. Our town tour starts with a visit to the Serbian Orthodox Underground Church, a hand-carved masterpiece with scalloped rock walls, relief carvings, and cut-in architectural details. Afterwards, we join a fully guided, well-lit underground mine tour to learn the fascinating secrets of opal mining. In the afternoon we visit to the town’s famous grassless golf course. Officially ranked among the top 10 most unique golf locations on the planet, it offers a fun, light-hearted photo opportunity. Next, we journey to the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park for exceptional photographic opportunities. As an Aboriginal-owned and fully registered Aboriginal heritage site, this protected landscape holds deep cultural significance. Holding official access permits, we guide you directly into the park to experience its unique and striking topography firsthand. Conclude the day at the Big Winch Lookout, enjoying panoramic views of the Coober Pedy landscape at sunset, followed by a delicious dinner. Coober Pedy is known for underground living, and an underground overnight stay is an iconic experience on its own and part of our tour. Retire for a peaceful night’s sleep in an underground dugout room. (Day 4 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coober Pedy Lookout Cave overnight)

Andamooka – Opal Hunter Experience and Observatory

With so much more to see and experience we continue our tour south to Glendambo, Lake Hart and Roxby Downs. From her we venture beyond the ordinary and discover Andamooka, a captivating outback settlement where prehistoric history, pioneering grit, and world-class gemstones converge. Located in the rugged far north of South Australia on the traditional lands of the Kokatha people, this historic opal-mining town offers a rare glimpse into a self-reliant, “last frontier” lifestyle. Whether you are an avid adventurer, a history enthusiast, or a photography lover, Andamooka with its Duke’s Bottlehouse, opal show room, mineral museum, historic cottages, and Cal the Stoner’s stone sculpture studio promises an unforgettable addition to our outback itinerary. After dinner, we make our way over to a private opal mine, where we receive a quick safety briefing and gear up for the night with LED UV flashlights and torches for an exciting treasure hunt. Nocturnal opal noodling is a great way of discovering precious Andamooka opal. It has a brilliant and distinctive fluorescent glow. Then our eyes turn towards heaven for a guided tour of our outback night sky. Start with naked-eye astronomy to read the unpolluted southern sky and map out prominent constellations. Next, you look through a high-powered telescope to peer deep into space at distant planets, glowing nebulae, and detailed lunar craters. (Day 5 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Roxby Downs Nightcap Hotel overnight)

Woomera and the South Australia’s Arid Lands Botanical Gardens

On the final day of our unforgettable outback journey, we transition from ancient opal fields to mid-century military history, pristine botanical landscapes, and a scenic return to South Australia’s capital. Our first destination is Woomera, a historic township established in 1947 as a restricted, top-secret base for rocket and weapons testing. Today, it remains an active, critical hub for modern military trials. Enjoy a short walk through an open-air collection of vintage aircraft, experimental missiles, and historical aerospace artefacts. Leaving the missile range behind, we journey south to Port Augusta’s fantastic Arid Lands Botanical Gardens. After lunch we have time wandering through themed gardens, listening to native birdlife, and admiring striking outdoor art sculptures set against spectacular outback backdrops. We then take on the final stretch to Adelaide passing the Port River Mangroves, the old Dry Creek Salt Fields, and Adelaide Plains Market Gardens. We arrive back in Adelaide by 5.30pm, concluding our Lake Eyre Channel Country Tour with a lifetime of incredible memories, new friendships, and spectacular photographs. (Day 6 Breakfast, Lunch)