Flinders Ranges 5-Day Small Group 4WD Eco Tour from Adelaide

Great experience with knowledgeable and super friendly guide/driver. Nothing too much trouble.

My husband & I recently returned from the 5 Day Flinders Ranges & Arkaroola Tour, led by Mick. We saw some amazing sights, met interesting locals, & learnt much about the history, landscape & fauna from Mick. There were a few unexpected surprises, eg Wilpena Pound being closed for our 1st nights accommodation due to expected bad weather, however Mick was quickly able to source alternate accommodation in the town of Quorn, that turned out to be a delightful place to stay. I can highly recommend SA Ecotours if you want to see the Flinders Ranges.

We had 4 on our tour - 2 couples - so there was plenty of room on the vehicle. Im not a person for outback adventures but seeing the mountains was on my bucket list. I really reviewed the various tour operators and came to Mick and he is a fantastic communicator, always ready to answer questions and is not the least bit pushy - so I felt very good about booking with him. Our driver/guide was Steve who is a very happy person, tells you lots of detail, answers numerous questions and entertained us with stories. He is also an excellent driver and we all felt very safe with him up front. He knows where all the great cake shops are, the nicer toilets and good coffee and sandwich/pie shops along the way. We were in very safe hands. We were given a list of additional activities and did a flight over wilpena and then a second one over arkaroola. Its a once in a lifetime tour for me and I am so very happy that I spent the money for these flights. They were (costly but) fabulous. Accommodation at Arkaroola was not as good as Wilpena but both had good food and coffee, a good wine list (by glass or bottle) and lovely staff. There was an included ridge top ride in Arkaroola - four hours in the back bumping around on a gravel track. It was good but I much preferred the flights! Along the way up and back, Steve took us on extra little adventures and it was a great way for us to learn about the outback and the people who pioneered the area and those that live there still.

We, eight experienced Australian friends, wanted to explore the Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP in the outback of South Australia. To make this part of the trip a success, we put the organisation in the hands of Mick's "Sa Eco Tours", which turned out to be a very good choice. Mick himself picks us up from the hotel in a small bus with a trailer for our luggage. We set off from Adelaide and travelled a long way through wheat and bean fields, olive plantations, rapeseed fields and vineyards. Here, on the outskirts of Adelaide, there is still plenty of water and we can see why Australia is one of the world's biggest grain exporters. It's a long way to the outback, so we choose the Clare Valley for a cosy overnight stop. Here we taste delicious wine, visit Sevenhill Cellars and cycle through the beautiful wine region on a disused railway line. Now we enter South Australia's driest region. The road becomes increasingly isolated. We pass a few mini-villages (former mining towns or places along the former Ghan railway line), now supply points for adventurous outback visitors. We meet perhaps only 7 cars on the whole route. Wilpena Pound Resort is our home for the next three days. From here we explore the Flinders Ranges with Mick. We walk to Wilpena Pound - an elevated natural basin of ancient quartz rock. From the lookout, Mick explains the stratification and folding of the range - geology at its best. The big highlight of this part of the trip: Nilpena Ediacara NP - here we are allowed to visit the site of the first animal life on earth on a former sheep farm. Ross Fargher (farm owner and now boss of the whole thing) takes us on a personal tour of the site, explaining the circumstances of the finds and showing us the locations and excavations of the first fossils. A multimedia presentation at the end of the tour illustrates all the connections very well. Afterwards there is more geological history in Brachina Gorge. Mick guides us through the 20 kilometre long gorge, where we can experience the history of the Earth from 350 million years ago to almost 1 billion years ago - even without studying geology! On the way back to civilisation we walk to Arkaroo Rock, stop in Quorn (almost a town with 1300 inhabitants) and Melrose and walk along the salty beach of beautiful pink Lake Bumbunga. We would like to thank Mick for this great part of the trip. Everything was well organised and our wishes were fulfilled. We felt well looked after at all times. Mick drove us everywhere safely and his careful driving saved the lives of several kangaroos at night. We had a wonderful time! Falk Group

Wow! We have just finished a 5 day Flinders Ranges trip with SAECO TOURS and I have never seen the Flinders Ranges looking better! Not only was it lush and green after recent rains but the wildlife was prolific - Wedge-tail Eagles, Green Ring-neck parrots, flocks of emus, echidnas, kangaroos and with Mick’s (the tour guide) help, we even spotted dozens of the endangered Yellow Footed Wallabies. A very special experience for both Australians and overseas visitors alike. The trip was well organised and Mick Murdoch went out if his way to make everyone enjoyed themselves. The 4WD vehicle was very comfortable even over unsealed sections of the outback and well equipped with lots of little extras including a beautiful basket of fruit that was a hit with everyone. Highlights for me were Mick’s extraordinary knowledge of the area, the outstanding accommodation, which exceeded everyone’s expectations and then there was the unforgettable landscape! Wilpena Pound, Brachina Gorge, and the Ridgetop Tour at Arkaroola were just a few of my favourites. And the return drive back through Wilmington, Melrose and the Clare Valley was the icing on the cake. So much better than trying to do it ourselves - learnt so much, saw so much and especially enjoyed the company of the other travellers. P Birkett

Bucket list trip that exceeded expectations. Perfect weather, excellent company and great organisation by our bushman and guide Mick! Unsurpassed scenery with many sightings of the shy yellow footed bush wallabies, kangaroos, echidna and emus. The accommodation at the resorts was most comfortable and the meals hearty. A highlight of the trip was the 4x4 ridge top drive from Arkaroola. Informative commentary by the knowledgeable Mick both entertained and educated us throughout. I can highly recommend this trip.

Thank you SA Eco Tours. What a delight to deal with a company that has integrity and delivers on what it promises. The weather was perfect, and the conversations with Steve were stimulating and informative. The days just seemed to pass by so quickly. The Flinders Ranges shone in all their glory and to drive in gorges that were millions of years old was amazing. The accommodation and meals were absolutely fabulous. Thanks, Steve, for looking after every detail and for your company as we drove, walked, ate, or drank tea. Thank you Mick for providing a wonderful tour.

The trip was very well planned and our tour guide/driver Steve was very knowledgeable and fun. Flinders ranges did not disappoint . The 4WD trip at Arkaroola station was a highlight . Thank you SA Eco Tours for a fantastic adventure.

My wife and I did this tour as we wanted to see the Flinders Ranges. I had already been there about 40 years ago. After the tour concluded we commented to each other there was not 1 minute we were disappointed with. To see the Flinders Ranges with an experienced tour operator who is very familiar with the area, it’s history and aboriginal connections was a bonus. The highlight for us was the Ridge Top Tour in Arkaroola. While it’s a rough ride it’s something most people rarely do. A couple of days after the tour my wife and I said we would do it again if the opportunity arises. Other highlights included a flight over Wilpena Pound and Brachina Gorge in a late afternoon drive through. The accommodation for remote areas was good and the meals were fantastic. Mick and Mark were wonderful hosts and very easy to talk to and answer many questions. My wife and I highly recommend this tour.