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7 Day Outback NSW tour including Mungo NP- 15th March 2020 only
Day 1 - Sunday 15th March 2020 (D)
On arrival into Adelaide Airport, please make your way to our Adelaide city hotel - taxis and an airport shuttle are available. Our first dinner as a group is included at the hotel, which is a great opportunity to meet your fellow travellers. Overnight accommodation - Adelaide Ibis, Hotel room with en-suite
Day 2 - Monday 16th March (B,L,D) After breakfast we begin our 7 day adventure into Outback NSW. After we’ve got through the city and out into the country, we’ll have a coffee stop in the Barossa. We’ll then stop for lunch at Banrock Station Wine and wetlands centre, located in the Riverland region. The centre overlooks the vineyards and wetlands, which are Ramsar Listed. After lunch you’ll have time to take a wander down to the wetlands and see what you can spot at one of the bird hides. Alternatively, you can sample some wines in the centre (own expense).
We cross through into NSW and continue to Wentworth, one of Australia’s busiest ports during the paddlesteamer era of the late 1800s and the great rivers of the Murray and Darling join as one in Wentworth. The town is home to many historic buildings, including the Old Gaol, the Courthouse, the old Convent / Schoolhouse buildings and the Customs House. Junction Island is the name given to the sandy shoal between the two rivers, which we take a look at on arrival into the town. Our accommodation in Wentworth is situated on the banks of the Darling River. Overnight accommodation – Wentworth Grande Resort, motel room with en-suite Day 3 - Tuesday 17th March 2020 (B,L,D)
We start today with a private sunrise cruise on Then we depart for Mungo National Park. This is a remarkable place, with evidence of continual human habitation over 40,000 years. Lake Mungo is one of 17 dry lakes which constitute the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area and is one of the most significant anthropological and archaeological sites in the world, with a landscape shaped by wind and water. Mungo Man and Mungo Woman are likely to be the most significant human remains ever discovered in Australia and are some of the oldest remains of modern humans found outside of Africa, at 42,000 years old. **please note that both set of remains are locked away from the public and not able to be viewed** The park is also home to the “Walls of China”, which are essentially a 26km stretch of ancient sand dunes that comprise a series of ‘lunettes’ – moon-like shapes and pinnacles carved into the sandstone by the westerly wind that persistently lashes the lakebed.
The Walls of China Boardwalks are open to public access but access beyond the boardwalk is only available on a guided tour. We finish the tour with sunset photography. Overnight accommodation – Mungo Lodge in rooms with en-suites Day 4 - Wednesday 18th March 2020 (B,L,D)
This morning we’ll take the 70km loop drive around the park, with several stops en-route including Vigars Well and the Zanci Ruins where we’ll see ruins of a dugout, the Woolshed and various other ruins and memorabilia. This afternoon you have the option of taking one of the park walks, have a wander round the lodge or take an optional scenic flight (own expense). Wildlife in Mungo NP includes Short Beaked Echidna, the Common and Fat- Tailed D Reptiles found in the park include the Shingleback Lizard, Bearded Dragon, Blue- Tongued Lizard, Mallee and Lined Earless Dragons, and the largest reptile in the park, the Gould’s Goanna. Mungo NP also has a large variety of birds, despite it’s arid environment. It’s common species include Major Mitchell Cockatoo’s and many other parrots, finches, honeyeaters and fairy wrens. Birds of prey includes Kites, Goshawks, Harriers, Kestrels and the Wedge- Tailed- Eagle. Late this afternoon we travel back to the Mungo Woolshed and then onto Red Top Lookout for sunset photography at the Lunettes.
Overnight accommodation – Mungo Lodge in rooms with en-suites
Day 5 - Thursday 19th March 2020 (B,L,D) We leave Mungo NP today and drive towards Broken Hill. En-route we have a break in the old river port of Pooncarie, on the banks of the Darling River.
**Please note that the waterways of Kinchega NP may or may not have water in them, due to recent drought conditions but the park is worth the visit for the woolshed alone. If there is water in the lakes, this will be a bonus**
We now pass through Broken Hill on the way to the quirky town of Silverton. The film industry is an integral part of Silverton. Most locals had at least a walk -on role in Mad Max ll, which was filmed in and around the town in 1981. Silverton’s unique landscape has drawn film makers from around the world and print and television commercials have been made around here for decades. As well as Mad Max 2, the films Strangerland, Wake in Fright, The Slim Dusty Movie, Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Mission Impossible II and Dirty Deeds are among many filmed here. Memorabilia, photos and further information can be found all over the walls (literally !) of the Silverton Pub, which is our accommodation for this evening. We finish the day at Mundi Mundi Lookout, a short drive from town. Looking out onto the expansive Mundi Mundi Plains, the wide, flat heart of the Australian outback extends seemingly forever. On a clear day some people say the curvature of the earth can be seen. Alternatively you may prefer to stay in Silverton for sunset.
Overnight accommodation – Silverton Pub in rooms with en-suites
**Please note that the Silverton Pub has a limited number of rooms, so we won’t be able to offer single rooms tonight. All guests must twin share with someone of the same sex in order for us to be able to stay in this unique town**
Day 6 - Friday 20th March 2020 (B,L,D)
There’s plenty of free time this morning to look around Silverton. Things to see include the Mad Max 2 Museum, The Silverton Gaol Museum, The Silverton School museum (all entry fees are at own expense), a variety of historic buildings, quirky art pieces and galleries, there’s a Heritage Walking Trail and the famous Silverton donkeys. Late this morning we travel back to Broken Hill, Australia’s first heri Our first stop in Broken Hill is the Line of Lode Miners Memorial. The memorial sits atop the 'line of load' (the big hill of dirt where THE broken hill used to be) as a memorial to the 700+ miners who have died there since the 1800's when the mines began. We also stop for photos at Brownes Shaft, the oldest remaining wooden headframe on the Line of Lode. You have some free time now to explore the town, which is home to some lovely heritage buildings, a variety of art galleries and studios (including Pro Hart), take the 2 hour Broken Hill Heritage Trail walk, visit the Geo Centre, the Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum, or have a drink in the famous Palace Hotel, featured in the film Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Late this afternoon we meet up again and travel out to the Living Desert Reserve and Sculpture Park on the outskirts of town. At the Living Desert Reserve, the 1.5km cultural trail takes you on a journey through the Arboretum and Sturt Pea Wildflower display and Aboriginal attractions display past culture and recent contemporary story pole artwork. We finish the day with sunset at The Sculptures, comprising 12 sandstone artworks which highlight the skyline, all with a story to tell. The sculptures were completed in 1993 by artists from around the world. Overnight accommodation – Ibis Styles Broken Hill in motel rooms with en-suites Day 7- Saturday 21st March 2020 (B,L,D)
During WW2 a large military camp was established near Terowie railway station to expedite transport of men and materials to the north. While changing trains in Terowie on 20 March 1942, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur made his famous speech regarding the Battle of the Philippines in which he said: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return". The event is commemorated by a plaque on the now abandoned Terowie railway station platform. It’s a good chance for a leg stretch and for a wander around this eerie, almost abandoned historic town, which is like walking on an abandoned western movie set. Our destination this afternoon is the pretty and historic copper mining town of Burra. En-route we’ll stop at the 'Midnight Oil House', one of Australia's most photographed ruins. The abandoned farmhouse is just north of the township of Burra and rose to fame on the album cover of Midnight Oil’s ‘Diesel and Dust’ record. Our accommodation this evening are cottages originally constructed in 1849 by Cornish masons for the South Australian Mining Association, to encourage the mining families to leave their dugouts along Burra Creek. They’re located across from the river and a short walk into the historic town with it’s pretty creek and quaint buildings. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant, Jumbucks, a short walk from our accommodation. Overnight accommodation – The historic Paxton Square Cottages in 1 bedroom cottages with en-suites.
Day 8 - Sunday 22nd March 2020 (B,L,D) We have the morning to explore Burra, including the cellars of the Unicorn Brewery, The Morphett Engine House Museum, the Miners Dugouts (Hobbit-like holes) and the Monster Mine Site and Powder Magazine. Between 1846- 1852, the Miner’s dugouts were used by miners and their families, due to a housing shortage.
The Morphett Engine House Museum was first constructed in 1858, gutted by fire in 1925 and fully restored in 1986. It has a number of displays of Beam Engines and offers some of the best views in town. Operating from 1845 to 1877, Burra’s Monster Mine grew by 1850 to be Australia’s largest metal producing mine. This is a huge open cut copper mine, which offers excellent views from the platform at the Lookout. The site is recognised as one of the most significant mining heritage sites in Australia. Explore the site along self-guided walking tracks with interpretative panels at key points explaining the various mining operations. We’ll get a great insight into Burra’s rich mining history and hopefully some interesting photos. Now we travel back to Adelaide and our last night together as a group. Overnight accommodation - Adelaide Ibis, Hotel room with en-suite
Day 9 - Monday 23rd March 2020 (B)
Your tour finishes after breakfast today. Please make your way to Adelaide Airport for your onward flight - taxis and an airport shuttle are available. END ITINERARY
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner This tour departs Adelaide on 15th March 2020 only AUD $4615 PER ADULT, TWIN SHARE $5555 PER PERSON SINGLE Subject to availability, including GST and valid until 31/10/2020 **don't forget the 10% seniors card holders discount- conditions apply ** **solo travellers must have single accommodation, unless twin share of the same sex can be found. Solo travellers can also request single room and pay single supplement** Maximum 12 passengers Inclusions: • Seat in 4WD tour coach, with professional driver guide • Andrew Goodall as your host and photography guide • All meals, as stated • 8 nights accommodation, as listed • Private sunrise cruise on the Murray and Darling Rivers in Wentworth • Private ranger led tour in Mungo National Park • Entry to the Living Desert Reserve and Sculpture Park in Broken Hill • Burra Heritage Passport, which gives us access to the listed sites Exclusions: • Arrival / departure flights into Adelaide Itinerary is exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris and is subject to availability, road, weather and cultural conditions. Please enquire for private charter prices and details.
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This afternoon we take a private tour through the Walls of China with a ranger from one of the three tribal groups of the Willandra Lakes region. Aboriginal Discovery Tours are the best way to learn about Mungo National Park and its ancient heritage, with the Aboriginal people who have lived the landscape for 45,000 years.
We reach the town of Menindee and make our way out to Kinchega NP, home of the Menindee Lakes. We stop for photos along the river and the old Kinchega Woolshed is very photogenic, as well as the surrounding buildings and pastoral memorabilia. 
We drive back into South Australia today and continue along the Barrier Highway to the tiny town of Terowie. Established in 1880 when the railway arrived, running from Adelaide to Peterborough, Quorn and Broken Hill and as Broken Hill prospered, Terowie railway station became a massive hub for trans-shipping goods. 
There were about 600 dugouts, providing accommodation for around 1800 people, which was over 40% of the population of what was then the 7th largest settlement in Australia. Major flooding drove the miners from the dugouts in 1851 and today only 3 dugouts survive.
