• NaturalHistory Tours to destinations beyond the High Country. 
  
  
• The outback and more for nature lovers
  
  
• Destinations include Strzelecki Track and Cooper Creek, the Flinders Ranges and even Tasmania
  
  
• Led by naturalist guides you will enjoy outstanding birdwatching opportunities, plus a variety of different habitats, their wildlife and wildflowers, geology, landforms, history and more

Beyond the High Country

Strzelecki Track and Cooper Creek

An arid environment Natural History Tour

(Fully accommodated)

This is the fifth time I have offered this trip and every time, participants are thrilled by the variety of landscapes we visit as well as the combination of nature and history.  With a naturalist guide to lead you to discover the amazing landforms, plants, birds and animals of the arid zone on this really comprehensive Natural History Tour. We don’t rush either, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the easy walks, birdwatching or just to soak up the atmosphere of the arid country.

The Innamincka region is probably best known historically for the tragedy of the Burke and Wills expedition, however the Innamincka Regional Reserve is also one of the world's most unusual wetlands. Set in a desert region it relies on water from Northern Queensland to regularly replenish the maze of lakes and waterholes along Cooper Creek. To sum it up, "Cooper Creek is one of Australia's largest, most isolated and historic river systems - and it flows through a desert!"

During 2010 and 2011, this area along with much of Australia’s outback, received excellent rainfall which resulted in prolific plant growth and increases in wildlife numbers. The results of this should still be very noticeable in 2012.  We expect to find country that has been refreshed and rejuvenated with bird and wildlife populations higher than normal. Birdwatchers will enjoy lots of great birdwatching opportunities.

Highlights from the 15 days include the Strzelecki Track, Innamincka township, picturesque waterholes along Cooper Creek and their birdlife, the Burke and Wills Dig Tree, goldmining towns of Tibooburra and Milparinka as well as Broken Hill, Kinchega and Mungo National Parks.

Enjoy being part of a small group of no more than 14 participants.  For the first time in 2012, this trip will be fully accommodated.  Yes even in remote Innamincka, you will enjoy a comfortable bed every night.

This tour has a Natural History focus and along the way we will explore a number of different environments including big red sand dunes, dry creek-beds lined with ancient eucalypts, gibber plains, freshwater lakes and waterholes. The area has a rich flora and careful observation should be rewarded with discoveries of wildflowers. As well as expecting to see a wide variety of arid-land birds, we will be hunting out sightings and signs of other wildlife and looking at how plants and animals interact and survive in this harsh environment.

In addition we will enjoy the overall scenic beauty, natural landforms, geology and there will be a strong focus on history of both the first aboriginal inhabitants as well as the early European explorers and settlers.

May 6, 2012        15 Days ex. Adelaide   $5450

Photos and comments

Stories and poems

Download Birdlist (Word doc)

"The sights and sounds of the "road to Innamincka" are etched in my mind.

To be retrieved at quiet times to be enjoyed all over again"

Claire, May 2002

Birdwatching stop on the Strzelecki Track

Discover history and wildlife along Cooper Creek

Short walks to explore the desert environment

Coongie Lakes are a haven for birds and wildlife

Beyond the High Country

Flinders Ranges Natural History Tour

Fully accommodated (13 nights)

The Flinders Ranges have for a long time been a classic holiday destination for lovers of rugged scenery, walking, wildlife and wildflowers.  The Flinders has so much more as well! The geology that makes up these rugged ranges and valleys is fascinating and the history is rich and varied.

This Natural History tour of the Flinders Ranges allows you to appreciate all these aspects and more.  Expertly led by a naturalist guide, you will gain an appreciation of how plants and animals interact and survive in an often harsh climate.  Learn and experience first hand some of the issues including the boom and bust nature of this land and the impact of feral animals.

Spring is a great time for wildflowers and as this area received above average rainfall in 2010 along with much of Australia’s outback, we can expect the country to be still looking good this year.  Hopefully bird and wildlife numbers will be increased due to additional food availability.

Our birdlist from the past few years is very comprehensive and there will be ample time for birdwatching as we visit different habitats. If history is more to your liking, you will be well rewarded with a wide range of historic sites ranging from the early aboriginal rock art of the first people through to many ruins highlighting the hardships of early European settlers.  In addition you will discover scenes which are familiar to you from classic photographs or artworks.

This trip is fully accommodation, so every night we stay in basic but comfortable accommodation.  One of the highlights is our five nights spend in shearers quarters on a station property near Blinman, a fine base for exploring the central Flinders Ranges.  In addition we travel north as far as Arkaroola with 2 nights to take in this rugged part of the northern Flinders.

There will be lots of short walks, but all of easy-moderate grade.  The pace will be leisurely as we pause, look, discuss and photograph as we go. Sit quietly beside a waterhole in a gum-lined creekbed, listening to frogs, watching birds or stretch your legs on a walk, often the choice is yours. 

This tour offers you an opportunity to gain a real appreciation and understanding of the Flinders Ranges and return invigorated and refreshed.

September 2, 2012
14 Days ex. Melbourne  $5,100

Full day by day itinerary and supporting notes are available now.