Day 1: We meet you at Adelaide Airport or the train at Gawler Central, or you may choose to drive into our country property, and leave your car at Stockport during  the Journey.

Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis at Stockport, in our large converted and refurbished Stables. Join us and fellow travellers for lunch and afternoon tea.  A quiet afternoon to relax and settle in, or walk around the country area.      

An afternoon pre-trip briefing. Familiarization with equipment, and routines, issue of trip maps, etc.  

Drinks at Stockport before we take a short drive to a local Pub for dinner and a relaxing social evening getting to know everyone and talk about the trip ahead.

Day 2: An early start  6.30am (approx), with a hearty breakfast - eggs & bacon, toast and marmalade, cereals, coffee & tea, before we pack up and set out on our Adventure. We head off for Pt. Augusta, the Stuart Highway to Woomera, Glendambo. Overnight Bush Camp South of Coober Pedy.

Day 3: We will call in to Coober Pedy for fuel and water. From there to Marla, Kulgera, Erldunda and Stuarts Well. Overnight at the Caravan Park. We may be able to have an evening’s entertainment from Jim and Dinky the Singing Dingo.

After a short stop in Alice Springs, to refuel and stock, we travel along the Tanami Desert Road and Tilmouth Well, a well established roadhouse. Over night in the caravan park. Drinks in the comfortable bar. Hot showers and all conveniences before we tackle the Tanami proper.

Day 4: On to Rabbit Flat and past several of the giant goldmines. We cross the border into Western Australia and on past the new Coyote Gold Mine. Overnight bush camp.

Day 5: We will visit the Balgo Aboriginal Art Centre, home of the Western Desert Art movement, and an opportunity to purchase work from renowned artists. The Art Centre will mail your purchases for you. We then travel on to our overnight camp site on the banks of Sturt Creek.

Day 6: On the way in to Halls Creek, we visit the amazing Wolfe Creek Crater, created less than 1 million years ago by a falling meteorite.   Overnight at a Motel in Halls Creek, dinner and breakfast in the dining room. We should arrive in Halls Creek early giving you plenty of time to explore the town.

Day 7: South past the Billiluna Community, and the start of the Canning Stock Route and on past Lake Gregory. Well 51 is the first Well on the Route, an important stop. The track here is soft Spinifex country, with low acacia and other growth, and a few low sand dunes.   We may get to Well 50 on this night Overnight Bush Camp.

Day 8: The track passes through stands of Desert Oaks, and the start of some Bloodwood Trees, and White Gums. At Well 49, we will visit the grave of Jack Smith, who died while droving on the Track. There are clay pans and creek crossings through this area. We should reach the beautiful Breaden Hills. Time to explore the hills, photograph and walk to both Godfrey’s Tank and the Breaden Pool. And on to Well 47 for a Bush Camp and replenish our water supplies at a good Bore. We should have at least a half day here to clean up and rest ready to continue our journey. There are often flocks of finches and other birds around this bore.*

Day 9: At this point our travel is slowed by a rough track – rocky ridges and outcrops, and the start of larger sand dunes. We reach Well 45, and go out to Gravity Lakes and the Pijilanga Hills and on to Well 44. There are clay pans and some aboriginal rock art on this section.

Day 10:  Down to Well 43 and across Guli Lake and Well 41. Not much left of the well, but an interesting area with melaleuca, and often budgies and finches. This section of the track is often full of Red Holly Grevillea, Yellow Wattle and purple Tinsel Bush. A wonderful sight, on to Tobin’s Grave near Well 40. Overnight bush camp.

Day 11: Across Tobin Lakes to Well 39 and out to Well 37 (The haunted Well with its numerous graves) and a bit further for a camp under some beautiful desert oaks. The track is mostly large sand dunes, twisting and turning across the track. Well 38 is the lovely Wardbunni Rock Hole.

Day 12: At well 35 we meet the Gary Junction Road and the area where Len Beadell bulldozed a road to  the WA/NT Border. More grevillea, Coolabah Trees and mighty sand dunes to traverse. Near here is the remains of a native soak, in the centre of a Melaleuca grove. Onto Well 33 and fuel at Kunawarrajti village, the Martu community. You can get a few stores and possibly woven baskets or other souvenirs here too. Nearly a full day here as we refuel, wash with plentiful water from the windmill, and generally recuperate and rest. No firewood around, so we will collect this beforehand.*

Day 13: It is then on to visit Wells 32 and 31. 31 is a lovely white gum area, not much of the well or troughs left, but a beautiful spot to camp if possible.

Day 14: Here the track becomes very narrow, with overgrown acacia. We need to keep a watchful eye and maintain radio contact with other travellers on the route. An opportunity to climb Thring Rock – often herds of camels in this area – and camp nearby.

Day 15: More sand dunes, and in season, Thryptomenes in pink, white and yellow. More Holly Grevillea, and Cottony Bluebush. We continue past Wells 29,28, and 27 to Well 26. A restored Well with plenty of good water. At Between Wells 24 and 25 we pass the junction of Windy Corner, another of Len Beadell’s routes. We will camp near Well 24 or Kurrara Soak. Overnight bush camp.

Day 16: Top up our water at Georgia Bore and probably a hot shower. Past Wells 22 and,21, and on to Lake Disappointment, and an opportunity to walk on the salt. Camping under the Desert Oaks near the Lake We travel around large clay pans and arrive at Savoury Creek (unsavoury by reputation) and risky to cross. We will find the best route to cross the Creek and camp after Well 19. Overnight bush camp.

Day 17: On to Oregunya Rock Hole (a spiritually sacred area) and then Well 17 Durba Springs, one of the prettiest areas of the Track.    Permanent water, opportunities to walk around the cliffs or up the creek. There is ancient rock art and the names of early explorers marked on the rocks. Camping here for two nights.*

Day 18: A complete day at the beautiful Durba Springs and two nights to gather our strength for the last leg of our travels down to Wiluna.

Day 19: South from Well 17 around the Hills to Cannings Cairn. Our day will cross numerous clay pans and more open country. This area is often full of flowering Honey Grevillea. We travel past Wells 16 and 15 (recently refurbished) and over some low lying country to Well 14. We visit Well 13 and then Overnight Bush Camping under some more wonderful Desert Oaks At Well 12 (also recently refurbished)*

Day 20: On to Wells 11 and 10 to Weld Springs (well 9) entering pastoral country on our way to Wiluna. Travelling on past well 8 and 7 we arrive at Pierre Springs, wonderfully restored (well 6) and a bush camp under the tall red gums.

Day 21: We visit Windich Springs, and walk across the river to the tree marked by John Forrest in the 1800’s and continue visiting wells 4, 3, 2, and 1, and on to Wiluna. We stay the night at the pub, where we rest, recuperate and ready ourselves for the next leg of the journey. (dinner and breakfast in the dining room)

Day 22: Wiluna Here we can once again refuel and replentish stores. Wiluna is a very busy Shire, the area now part of the active gold, iron and other mining exploration. There is a gallery of emerging artists, well worth a visit.  We leave about lunchtime. We take the Gunbarrel Highway towards Carnegie Station. Overnight bush camp.

Day 23: We stop at Carnegie Station and then join the Gunbarrel proper, blazed out by Len Beadell. Overnight camp on the Gunbarrel.

Day 24: On to Warburton and the incredible gallery there. Refuel once again. Camp on the road to Warakurna.

Day 25: We are now on the Great Central Road. We visit Giles weather station. Over night bush camps.

Day 26: We head towards the Stuart Highway and Kulgera

THE FINAL FEW DAYS ROUTE HOME TO STOCKPORT WILL DEPEND ON TIME AND WEATHER,
THE ROUTE BELOW IS ONE POSSIBILITY!!!

Day 27: From Kulgera Across to the Old Ghan Railway at Finke.

Day 28: South to Oodnadatta, a stop at The Pink Roadhouse and a visit to the interesting museum of local and railway history. Hopefully also the magical little known Painted Desert. Overnight Bush Camp.

Day 29: Onto and this time into Coober Pedy and William Creek and Coward Springs, an old Ghan station now an attractive camping ground. We stay overnight to enjoy their hot spa pool and extensive wetlands area. We can light the boiler for hot showers.

Day 31: South along the abandoned sections of the Ghan Railway, the remains of station buildings, demineralisation plants, bridges, and track. There are ancient Mound Springs to visit. On to Marree, Leigh Creek coalfields and into the Flinders Ranges. Overnight shearers quarters.

Day 32: Travel through the Flinders, visit the Stokes Hill lookout, the Flinders Ranges National Park to Hawker, south for Orroroo. E.T.A. Stockport late afternoon in time for an enjoyable dinner at the Stables and stay overnight with your fellow travellers

Day 33: After a hearty breakfast and a farewell to your new friends, we travel to Adelaide for a final goodbye at the Airport.

* Denotes availability of water for vehicle operated hot showers.