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Day 1 - Flinders Ranges
The Prairie Hotel, 1 night
Collect your hire car today and drive north (470km) to the
Flinders Ranges and outback Australia. The drive takes you through the
beautiful and gentle Clare Valley to the town of Melrose, nestling at
the foot of Mount Remarkable National Park and on to Hawker, a great
little outback town with numerous heritage buildings dating back to the
1880’s. Slowly the plains open around you to give a sense of the space
and emptiness of outback Australia.
Your hosts for the evening, Jane & Ross Fargher and their families have lived in the outback for generations. You will be staying with them at their hotel on the western edge of the Flinders ranges. Literally “in the middle of nowhere” the Prairie is a true outback hotel. Enjoy a drink in the evening, and share stories with the locals and passers by, who appear seemingly from nowhere. And the food … well, we will leave you to decide how safe or how adventurous you will be with their unique Australian cuisine.
Day 2 - To Angorichina
Explore the Flinders Ranges
Your Angorichina hosts will collect you this morning for transfer
to the Homestead and your 2 night stay in a remote and private area of
the Flinders Ranges. Di and Ian Fargher own and run Angorichina, a pastoral
lease covering 554 square km that has been in the Fargher family for
four generations.
Your accommodation may be in the original stone homestead or in the renovated schoolroom with
its own en suite bathroom. A maximum of only 6 guests are hosted by Ian and Di Fargher who
provide all meals and touring planned to suit your interests.
The beautiful scenery of the Flinders Ranges surrounds Angorichina and the landscapes are truly
awe-inspiring. This country is always popular with painters and poets as the clear light and the
changing hues of purples and golds provide constant inspiration.
Day 3 - Explore the
Flinders Ranges
During your stay tour the property by 4WD on scenic
flights on guided walks and hikes. Join in the station activities
such as mustering, shearing and checking the mills & bores. As you
go keep an eye out for wildlife including several species of kangaroos,
Emus and wallabies as well as abundant bird life.
Go in search of some of the most ancient fossils on earth and the Aboriginal rock art that is
dotted across the area. On request local Aboriginal guides give an interpretation of their culture
and link with the land as well as identification of local foods and medicinal
plants.
You will dine well on good home cooked cuisine washed down with Australian wines
Day 4 - Clare Valley
North Bundaleer, 2 nights
Return to the Prairie Hotel and set out for the Clare Valley.
Perhaps carry a picnic lunch with you and stop in the shade of river
red gums beside a dry creek bed. Arrive at North Bundaleer a grand pastoral
homestead situated on 400 acres of native bushland and farmland adjacent to
the Bundaleer Forest.
This nationally significant sandstone homestead is rich in the architectural heritage of its formal
rooms, hand-painted original wallpapers, lead-light windows and fireplaces. The owners and your hosts
Marianne and Malcolm Booth have meticulously restored the homestead and the interior decoration is
elegant but eclectic with many antiques and works of art. There are just four beautifully appointed
bedrooms, with en suite bathrooms, central heating and extensive views of the surrounding gardens and
countryside.
Day 5 - Explore the Clare
Valley
The Clare Valley is one of Australia’s longest settled regions;
its rustic and charming towns bear witness to their first British settlers.
Its vineyards remain small, privately owned and with an air of seclusion that
the larger commercial wine areas no longer have. Your hosts can make
suggestions for your local touring today and can recommend several restaurants
for lunch and dinner.
Day 6 - Adelaide
A leisurely drive back to Adelaide with perhaps visits to more wineries
en route. You may care to pass through the Barossa Valley - although just 20
kms wide and 30kms long the area has a rich European culture with German and
English-style villages, churches and chateau as well as more than
50 wineries.
With a unique wine and food culture the local restaurants and cafes specialise in serving regional foods,
and butchers and bakers offer traditional wursts, breads and cakes.
In Adelaide you may return your car, or retain it for further use, just ask our team to co-ordinate
your personal requirements.
Options and Upgrades
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Scenic flight over Wilpena
Pound
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Up-grade to a 4WD /
Range Rover and drive yourself to Angorichina
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Expert guides of the Clare
Valley can be arranged for private touring -
With prior notice a local
Aboriginal guide will escort you on bush walks,
providing insight to traditional culture, local
bush cuisine and medicinal
plants
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