Destination: South Australia, Australia

An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983

Small group tours South Australia, Australia

Odyssey offers secure, authentic, SA outback small group tours in the cooler months, March-October. The company est. in 1983 is confident, reliable and an Odyssey Australian outback tour always prioritises the need to travel in comfort and safety into the Australian outback. Each tour is limited to a maximum 15 like minded people and a conscientious relaxed senior program leader

Occupying Australia ‘s central and southern regions, South Australia is Australia ‘s fourth largest, and fifth most populous state. Covering an area roughly 5 times the size of the U.K, or about one and a half times larger than Texas, South Australia has a small population and is home to approximately 1.7 million people. Over three quarters of this population live in Adelaide, the state’s capital city. South Australia plays host to a variety of landscapes and climates, and is in the unique position of bordering every other mainland state, though not The Australian Capital territory.

South Australia Tours

Crafted Tours for Mature World Travellers

Birdsville Track

65 days

Mar

Long tour of Australia for a small group

Visiting New South Wales, Northern Territory

Small group tour for senior couples and solo travellers touring Australia. Travelling through the outback and visiting many of the famous sights as well as off the beaten track locations. Learn about the history of the people who explored the deserts, from indigenous communities to Europeans, as well as Burke and Wills, visit White Cliffs, Marree and far north Kakadu and the Kimberley.

From A$48,995 AUD

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Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, Coober Pedy

13 days

Mar, Oct

Small group tour; Broken Hill and back

Visiting New South Wales, Queensland

Small group tour of New South Wales, Queensland & South Australia deserts, from Broken Hill. Learn about the history of the people who explored the deserts, from indigenous communities to Europeans, as well as Burke and Wills, visit White Cliffs, Birdsville, Maree.

From A$11,550 AUD

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South Australia has a deep Aboriginal history with many ancient intersecting trade routes running through the state. A cluster of historic colonial towns, such as Peterborough, Clare and Burra can be found close to each other in the south of the state between the Flinders Ranges National park and Adelaide.

The south eastern coastline has a warm Mediterranean climate around Yorke and Eyre peninsulas , and houses much of the state’s inhabited region. The climate transitions to a hotter desert landscape as you head further north or west into the Australian outback. One of the main geographic features of the state includes the limestone coast of the Great Australian Bight which can be found along the state’s south coast on the Southern Ocean. This provides the traveller with stunning coastal scenery. The sparse Nullarbor Plain (from the Latin for no trees) lies in the state’s west, while the great Murray River in the east, flows through some of the more temperate and fertile parts of the state. The Eyre Peninsula tour highlights the wildlife of the area, such as the Australian sea lion. South Australia is also well known as an important Australian wine region, with areas such as the Barossa Valley , Clare Valley , and the Adelaide Hills all producing some of the most notable Australian wines. These regions also provide an opportunity for those wishing to experience a wine tasting on a wine tour .

South Australia is also famous for the opal mining town of Coober Pedy with its active opal field and opal mines. The interest of the opal mines is supplemented by curiosities such as the underground hotel, designed to combat the often excessive summer heat of outback South Australia. It is common to visit Coober Pedy on the road to Alice Springs . To the east of South Australia is Oodnadatta and Lake Eyre. Lake Eyre has a massive catchment area, but is often dry. It is home to abundant wildlife, but only after a wet year. The magnificent Flinders Ranges with Wilpena Pound, north of Adelaide, is a renowned tourist attraction.

History

South Australia‘s earliest history traces back to its Indigenous people , with a history that predates European colonization in the region by at least 40,000 years. Aboriginal settlement is thought to have begun on the continent as early as 125,000 years ago, making its way gradually south. The arrival of Aboriginal people in South Australia 49,000 years ago was confirmed by the discovery of artefacts and fossils 2016 at Warratyi, in the Flinders ranges. These finds place the arrival of Aboriginal people much earlier than had previously been thought.

The first European contact in the region came in the year 1624, with Dutch explorer François Thijssen coming across Australia’s southern shore after straying off course on his route to Batavia in the Dutch East Indies. He made it as far as Nuyts Archipelago, just north of the Eyre Peninsula, before eventually heading back. Despite this early contact, more prolonged European contact would not come about until 1836, a full 212 years later. Building on Matthew Flinders ‘ legacy, namely the mapping and circumnavigation of the Australian Continent, the colonization of South Australia began, with the passage of the South Australia Act in British Parliament in the year 1834. Unlike other Australian colonies, such as those in New South Wales, and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), the South Australia Act specifically forbade the transportation of convicts and use of convict labour in establishing the colony, instead touting the colony as one embodying humanist values, and promoting political, religious, and economic freedoms.

In 1836, after an eight month voyage across the globe, the first settlers, in nine ships, reached Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. Kangaroo Island was used by the settlers as an initial base while surveys of the mainland were conducted, searching to find a suitable location to establish the colony. Eventually the land around the Adelaide plains was decided as the site, and settlement of the mainland began in earnest. Following a tumultuous few decades, characterized by land speculation, bankruptcy, and a labour shortage caused by gold rushes in other states, South Australia eventually became a self governing colony in the year 1856. The new state had its own constitution, one that was for the time, very progressive, guaranteeing the male right to vote, as well as suffrage for propertied women.

South Australia grew economically in the ensuing years, developing thriving industries in wool, wheat, copper and wine, with immigrants coming from across Europe, particularly Germany, bringing with them their skills and expertise. South Australia joined with the rest of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, when the country officially became a Federation, and from then continued to grow, with its mining sector, in particular, thriving with discoveries of gold, silver, and uranium. Though South Australia has grown at a slower rate than most other Australian states, it remains a progressive and forward thinking state, historically adopting social justice legislation years before other states, as well as currently being Australia‘s leader in renewable energy.

After an eight month voyage across the globe, the first settlers reached Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia, which they used as an initial base while surveys of the mainland were conducted, searching to find a suitable location to establish the colony. Eventually the land around the Adelaide plains was decided as the site, and settlement of the mainland began in earnest. Following a tumultuous few decades, characterized by land speculation, bankruptcy, and a labour shortage caused by gold rushes in other states, South Australia eventually became a self governing colony in the year 1856, with its own constitution that was at the time very progressive, guaranteeing the male right to vote, as well as suffrage for propertied women. It also grew economically in the ensuing years, developing thriving industries in wool, wheat, copper and wine, with immigrants coming from across Europe, particularly Germany, bringing with them their skills and expertise. South Australia joined with the rest of Australia in the year 1901, when the country officially became a Federation, and continued to grow, with its mining sector in particular thriving with discoveries of gold, silver, and uranium. Though South Australia has grown at a slower rate than most other Australian states, it remains a progressive and forward thinking state, historically adopting social justice legislation years before other states, as well as currently being Australia‘s leader in renewable energy.

Antique photograph of King William Street, Adelaide.

Travelling to South Australia

A guided tour of South Australia as part of an South Australian outback tour can offer an experience that is rich in the states natural, and gastronomic heritage, with travellers on a South Australian tour able to enjoy the iconic limestone coast , the rugged outback beauty, and the verdant wine country that give southern Australia its distinctive character. Odyssey has developed a number of tours to South Australia, suitable for seniors, whether couples or solo travellers, that provide an itinerary for the traveller to see and learn about the deep Aboriginal history and the more recent colonial history while experiencing the dramatic landscape and culture that has shaped South Australia .

A good place to begin a tour to South Australia would be the state’s capital, Adelaide . Adelaide is home to more than three-quarters of the state’s population, this quasi city-state is the hub of commercial and cultural life in the state, bustling with theatres, museums , cafes and restaurants. While in Adelaide travellers might like to include the South Australian Art Gallery, which houses one the largest art museum collections in Australia. You can take a tour with an experienced guide, attend an artist talk or plot your own course. An unusual feature of the gallery is the William Morris Adelaide collection, the world’s second largest Morris collection after London’s V&A. This is an arts and crafts collection of William Morris‘ wallpaper, stained glass windows, furniture, textiles and ceramics. These excellent, iconic works reflect handmade craftsmanship of decorative art from the nineteenth century. The South Australian Museum and the Royal Botanic gardens are also well worth a visit. If you come at the right time of year you may even be able to catch the Royal Adelaide Show, which is held annually and features an agricultural show as well as shops, fun fairs, and rides. For those looking for a short trip from the city, an ideal spot for a day tour is to the beautiful Adelaide Hills. The Adelaide Hills is a cool wine region just 20 minutes drive from the capital, growing predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz varieties. Its altitude, ranging between 150-700m above sea level, gives the region a cooler and wetter climate than the surrounding region, making it ideal for viticulture and wine tasting while just a stone’s throw from Adelaide city.

Along the River Torrens in Adelaide, South Australia

Continuing on the theme of a wine tour , some other popular South Australian wine regions include the McLaren Vale , found on the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula , the Clare Valley , and of course the most famous among them, the historic Barossa Valley. The Barossa Valley , in particular, is synonymous internationally with Australian wine, with some of the country’s most famous, and prolific producers having their homes in the region. The history of the Barossa Valley goes back to the period of German settlement in the mid 19th century, the legacy of which can still be seen in the historic architecture of many of the region’s Lutheran style churches, as well as the towns’ names such as Langmeil and Krondorf. The settlers, often escaping religious persecution in their home countries, were mostly from the fertile Silesian region and brought with them vine clippings with which to begin production, thus bringing centuries of accumulated wisdom and viticulture knowledge to Australian shores. With such a rich and storied heritage, a day tour or visit to the Barossa Valley, or some of South Australia ‘s other winery‘s and regions, is both a fantastic way to learn about the heritage of the state, as well as a thoroughly enjoyable wine tasting experience .

For a more rugged experience of outback South Australia suitable for older travellers, heading south to Kangaroo Island , or venturing north through the Flinders Range into the deep outback, is a great way to fully experience the scale and brutal beauty the larger part of the state has to offer. While not as quintessentially ‘ outback ‘ as the Flinders and beyond, Kangaroo Island is a good place to start for a delve into the natural heritage of South Australia. Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia , after Tasmania and Melville Island, and is home to numerous conservation parks for its endemic wildlife, and rich marine ecosystem. A popular destination for travellers to Kangaroo Island is Flinders Chase National Park , where you can spot much of the island‘s wildlife, as well as its remarkable rocks, shaped by the unique environmental conditions on the island .

Remarkable Rocks
Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island.

Delving deeper into the outback proper, head north from Adelaide city, past Port Augusta until you come upon the Flinders Ranges. The Flinders Ranges National Park marks the gateway into the real Australian outback, running all the way from the South Australian coast to Lake Eyre 600km north. The fascinating indigenous history of the Aboriginal people, impressive geological features, colossal scale, and abundant native wildlife, make the 95,000 hectare ‘Ikara’ Flinders Ranges National Park one of South Australia ‘s most popular tourist destinations, with locations such as Wilpena Pound being truly awe inspiring in their enormous scale. Past the Flinders you’ll eventually make your way to Lake Eyre National Park , surrounded by flat desert as far as the eye can see, Lake Eyre is a rare outback jewel. At 15.2m below sea level, Lake Eyre is the lowest point of the Australian mainland, as well as the largest saltwater lake in the country. Though it only ever fills completely about twice a century, it will often be at least partially filled, attracting birdlife from countless kilometres around and aweing the senses with the scale of this stark landscape. While on an outback tour of South Australia, there are plenty of towns and stops along the way that help give an outback tour with a tour guide, its distinct vibrancy and character. To this end, some towns to consider along your route could include Woomera , Coober Pedy , Oodnadatta , Maree , Burra , Farina, or Curdimurka . Stops along the way also provide a great introduction to some of South Australia‘s other outback adventures, such as the Strzelecki Track , or the Gawler Range.

Wilpena Pound
Aerial shot of Wilpena Pound

South Australia‘s southern shore, and the limestone cliffs around the Great Australian Bight are as iconic an Australian landmark as the Sydney Opera House or Uluru, and a must see stop on any South Australian tour. To this end, one of the best places to take in Australia ‘s rich southern shores is on a guided tour to the Eyre Peninsula. Located due west of Adelaide on the other side of the Spencer Gulf, the Eyre Peninsula is home to some of South Australia‘s best coastal landscapes, and is particularly notable for its white sand beaches, and rich marine ecosystem. This marine abundance makes the Eyre Peninsula a popular destination for eco-tourism, with activities like cage diving with the infamous great white shark attracting the curious and daring alike. Aside from the occasional shark, you’ll also find Australian fur seals, dolphins, whales, and giant cuttlefish, the latter of which congregate in huge numbers to breed annually around the Spencer Gulf. Lincoln National Park is another great spot to take in the Peninsula ‘s natural beauty. Found just south of the town of Port Lincoln , the National Park has plentiful tracks ideal for a guided walking tour, as well as beaches, caves, and spectacular views of the cerulean blue seas. Heading about an hour away from Port Lincoln , you can also find Cummings Monument. Similar to the Twelve Apostles , this towering limestone stack rises majestically from the ocean, and makes for one of the best photo opportunities for travellers to the Eyre Peninsula .

Though Odyssey’s portfolio of small group tours for seniors will also take you into the Adelaide hills on the Adelaide tour, to experience Flinders Ranges attractions such as Wilpena pound, or to visit Marree , Lake Eyre, Oodnadatta, the Strzelecki Track or William Creek, you might like to take one of Odyssey’s longer tours into the outback of South Australia.

One of the best way to experience what South Australia has to offer is with a small group tour. Odyssey specialises in this kind of tour , offering an engaged and intimate tour of South Australia ideal for seniors, solo travellers, and couples heading to Australia and, particularly, South Australia.

Sunrise reflected on Eyre Peninsula SA
Pristine beaches of the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

A unique collection of small group outback tours of Australia Odyssey’s collection of Australia tour packages with a tour manager enable you to explore each state with Odyssey’s escorted tours Australia 2022 portfolio as a city based tour or a Australia holidays package into the Western Australian outback of the Kimberley or South Australia ‘s Flinders range or just spend a week on holiday in Hobart learning about a range of subjects on Odyssey’s Summer Schools tour package. This collection of some 70 scheduled small group holiday departures provides plenty of choice for an Australian holiday . You can make your booking direct for your Australia escorted tour with us or via your travel agent or travel consultant.

Tours in Australia

Small group tours throughout Australia

Birdsville Track

65 days

Mar

Long tour of Australia for a small group

Visiting New South Wales, Northern Territory

Small group tour for senior couples and solo travellers touring Australia. Travelling through the outback and visiting many of the famous sights as well as off the beaten track locations. Learn about the history of the people who explored the deserts, from indigenous communities to Europeans, as well as Burke and Wills, visit White Cliffs, Marree and far north Kakadu and the Kimberley.

From A$48,995 AUD

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Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, Coober Pedy

13 days

Mar, Oct

Small group tour; Broken Hill and back

Visiting New South Wales, Queensland

Small group tour of New South Wales, Queensland & South Australia deserts, from Broken Hill. Learn about the history of the people who explored the deserts, from indigenous communities to Europeans, as well as Burke and Wills, visit White Cliffs, Birdsville, Maree.

From A$11,550 AUD

View Tour

Articles about South Australia

Arkaroo Rock

Aboriginal culture of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

The iconic Flinders Ranges of South Australia have a rich Aboriginal heritage and are home to a number of vitally important cultural sites and ancient artworks that this small group tour for mature and senior travellers has the opportunity its to learn about.

29 Apr 20 · 4 mins read
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Coffin Bay

Australia’s Ocean Frontier: Exploring the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Learn about the landscape and the recent settlement of this Peninsula on the South Australian coast. To see and learn more join on the this collection of Australian small group package tours for mature and senior travellers, couples or singles or join the Eyre & York peninsula program.

30 Jun 20 · 12 mins read
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Stuart

Expeditions of John McDouall Stuart in the Flinders.

John Stuart was an explorer who mapped the Flinders ranges as well as a path through the centre of Australia. The principal road from Port Augusta to Darwin is the Stuart Highway. The Small group tour of the Flinders ranges spends time learning about Stuart.

2 May 20 · 8 mins read
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Exploring the museums of Port Adelaide, South Australia

Exploring the museums of Port Adelaide, South Australia

8 days exploring Adelaide city and surrounds on small group tour for mature and senior travellers, couples and solo travellers visiting include Port Adelaide, The Barossa valley and Mclaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula.

6 May 20 · 6 mins read
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Wilpena pound - October

Flinders Ranges National Parks, South Australia

Rugged mountains, tree-lined gorges, an abundance of wildlife, and important Aboriginal works : the national parks of the iconic Flinders Ranges including Wilpena pound are the beginning of Australia's outback that we explore on a small group tour for mature travellers.

4 Mar 21 · 6 mins read
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Lake Gairdner

Gawler Ranges and Lake Gairdner, South Australia

South Australia proves itself to be interesting from a landscape, wildlife and human history perspective on this collection of Australian tours. These 3 facets form part of a small group package tour for mature and senior travellers to consider with a group leader, whether as a couple or single traveller exploring the Eyre and York Peninsula.

9 Jul 20 · 6 mins read
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Fleurieu Peninsula

History of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia

Fleurieu Peninsula is part of a small group tour of Adelaide for mature and senior travellers seeking to travel as a couple or as a solo traveller. The Peninsula is historically important, click through to learn... It is also where you will find Mclaren Vale.

5 May 20 · 5 mins read
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rural farm with crops in paddock in Mallee

Landscape of Southern Australia from Mallee and Mulga.

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers in Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia & NSW drive through former Mallee country. Article explains the iconic beginnings of Mallee and Mulga in the arid landscapes.

10 Jun 20 · 8 mins read
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Pilbara wildflowers WA

The Australian Outback: A Definitive Guide

Explore learn and consider what is the outback in this article. For mature and senior travelers considering joining a small group package tours into the outback to see, learn and explore about this unique place, not only the landscape but the Aboriginal approach to living. On each of the tours for couples and the single traveler you learn something different but fascinating, from Outback Queensland, the Flinders, Broken Hill and the Kimberley and the wildflowers all contribute to this question, what is the outback?

18 Jun 20 · 15 mins read
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Aboriginal Art

Aboriginal Art

Senior and mature couples and solo travellers remain curious but often informed about the role Aboriginal art plays in the indigenous community and the various styles. This article seeks to provide a platform for this collection of small group tours of upto 15 people into the Australian outback where often Aboriginal art styles are encountered.

6 Nov 20 · 15 mins read
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Aboriginal Kinship systems

Aboriginal Kinship systems

Article about Aboriginal kinship to assist small group tours in Australia understanding Ancient aboriginal society and the contemporary view. Kinship influences the relationships including aboriginal trading routes.

30 Dec 20 · 8 mins read
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Sand storm in remote Australian agricultural farm field. Climate change or global warming concept for drought as a natural disaster.

Aboriginal land use in the Mallee

Learning about the Mallee for a escorted small group tour of South Australia and Western Australia for mature and senior travellers. Understand the Mallee & Wildflowers relationship and the indigenous community land use.

9 Jun 20 · 17 mins read
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Aboriginal Songlines

Aboriginal Songlines

Songlines trace the journeys of ancestral spirits who created the land and all natural phenomena. The creation stories as well as practical knowledge needed for survival in outback Australia. We experience this knowledge on our small group tours into Outback Australia.

4 Mar 21 · 12 mins read
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Ochre Cliffs near Lyndhurst Outback South Australia

Ancient Aboriginal trade routes of Australia

Ancient Aboriginal trade routes of Australia Trade was a central part of life for Aboriginal people prior to the British settlement of Australia. Trading routes criss-crossed the nation, dispersing goods, information, technologies and culture thousands…

14 Feb 21 · 16 mins read
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Australian Outback Cattle King

Australian Outback Cattle King

These mature and senior programs for couples and senior travellers explore the outback Sidney Kidman sought to tame in the Channel country to the Birdsville track, Marree and Farina. Our escorted small group tours of the Australian interior explore history, cultures and landscapes that we experience as we travel from the previous time to the contemporary.

11 Dec 20 · 8 mins read
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Coober Pedy, mine tunnel

Coober Pedy, South Australia

The town of Coober Pedy was established in 1915, when a 14-year old boy found a precious opal in a remote part of the South Australian outback. On this small group tour of the Flinders ranges we explore and learn about this and other towns in the Flinders and its importance to the Aboriginal community.

30 Apr 20 · 5 mins read
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Curdimurka, South Australia

Curdimurka, South Australia

Curdimurka, a place explored from another time. The Ghan historically ran until the mid 1970's past Curdimurka. Learn more on the Oodnadatta and Flinders small group tour for mature and senior travellers couple or solo travelers.

10 Nov 20 · 5 mins read
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Farina - rail head for Channel country

Farina, South Australia

Farina, a ghost town where stockman Stanley Kidman drove his cattle through channel country. Mature and senior travellers explore on small group tour for couples and solo travellers on the Oodnadatta and Flinders tour here and Lake Eyre, Marree and much more through to Flinders ranges.

22 Jun 21 · 8 mins read
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Marree

Marree and the Railway Track, South Australia

Learn more about the importance of this outback town in the settlement of Australia. Visited as part of our small group package tours for mature and senior travellers, couples or singles this is a town with history close to the Birdsville track and the Oodnadatta track.

15 May 20 · 5 mins read
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Oodnadatta

Oodnadatta, South Australia

Oodnadatta is an adaptation of an Arrernte word utnadata meaning 'blossom of the malga'. This town was part of a network of Aboriginal trading routes existing for tens of thousands of years. Learn and discover more on a small group tour of the Flinders ranges.

1 May 20 · 5 mins read
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pencer Gulf, near Port Augusta in South Australia

Port Augusta, South Australia

Before European colonisation, the local Aboriginal people knew the area as Curdnatta, meaning 'sandy place'. The area was named Port Augusta in 1852. We learn more about Aboriginal culture and its evolution on this small group tour to the Flinders ranges.

28 Apr 20 · 4 mins read
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The Arrival of Aboriginal Australians on the Continent

The Arrival of Aboriginal Australians on the Continent

Tracing Aboriginal history via an outback small group tour for mature and senior couples or solo travellers provides an intriguing learning platform about Australia, rock art, trading and culture that traces a history possibly some 120,000 years ago.

3 Dec 20 · 7 mins read
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Vineyard - McLaren Vale

Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale Wine Regions, South Australia

This small group tour for mature and senior travellers for couples and solo travellers in Adelaide takes time to explore the two major wine-growing regions of South Australia, the Barossa Valley and the McLaren Vale.

5 May 20 · 6 mins read
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Chimney at Burra Mine

Burra, South Australia

Once the 5th largest town in Australia, (the 1840's) this article is about the copper mining boom that was at Burra, and also the Yorke Peninsula. Mining boom also occurred at Broken hill with the wealth heading to Adelaide and Melbourne. Learn more on a small group package tour for mature and senior travellers couples or singles that includes Burra or one of the Australian tours offered.

3 Jun 20 · 6 mins read
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camels in the Australian Outback

Camels of the Australian Outback

Camels of the Australian Outback Here’s a trivia question : where are the world’s only wild single-hump (dromedary camel) camels found? If you guessed Arabia or the Sahara, you’d be wrong. In fact, the answer…

16 Jul 20 · 6 mins read
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Sea Lion

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island is reached from Adelaide for a short break tours or view our small group tours of South Australia and/or Adelaide for senior and mature travellers.

7 May 20 · 4 mins read
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Old Parliament House, Adelaide, South Australia

Short history of Adelaide, Australia

The capital of South Australia, Adelaide has a fascinating and distinctive history as the only Australian state without a convict past. On both of these small group tours; Adelaide or the Flinders ranges we explore and learn about this city.

1 May 20 · 5 mins read
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Alice Springs Telegraph Station

The Australian Overland Telegraph Line

Article on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line, that connected Port Augusta with Darwin and thereby Australia overseas to England and the wider world. Learn more on a small group tour for senior and mature couples and solo travellers visiting Central Australia including Uluru-Tjtuta.

27 Feb 21 · 17 mins read
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The Great Australian Bight

The expedition of Edward John Eyre, 1841

For mature and senior travellers on a small group tour into outback Australia, John Eyre is an explorer who extended the colonial knowledge of outback Australia. Escorted small group tours for couple and solo travellers extend your learning on Aboriginal outback history and the colonials.

17 Jul 20 · 9 mins read
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Oodnadatta

The Oodnadatta Track, South Australia

Oodnadatta track follows a traditional Aboriginal trading route along a line of natural mound springs feeding from the Great Artesian Basin – the same route taken by the explorer John McDouall Stuart on his third expedition in 1859, and that chosen for the Overland Telegraph Line and old Ghan railway line. Explore and learn on small group tour for couples and solo mature travellers on a small group tour into the Outback.

2 Mar 21 · 10 mins read
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The Royal Flying Doctor Service History

The Royal Flying Doctor Service History

History, culture and landscapes are continuing themes on an escorted small group tour from Odyssey for mature and senior travellers couples and singles. The Royal Flying doctor adds to to the travellers knowledge of outback Australia history.

29 Dec 21 · 8 mins read
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Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert, Australia

The Simpson Desert, Australia Sand dunes, desert flora, and splendid isolation: the Simpson Desert is one of the great wildernesses of outback Australia. Crossing the borders of South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, the…

21 Jul 20 · 7 mins read
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Sturt's Desert pea

The Strzelecki Track, South Australia

Strzelecki, made a significant impression on Central, Southern and Eastern Australia for such a short visit. This article continues on that theme, importantly this desert is part of a small group tour for mature and senior travellers that starts and finishes in Broken hill. Just 12 participants, a program suitable for couples and singles. This link shows the portfolio of tours offered in Australia.

10 Dec 20 · 7 mins read
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Cooper Creek

Understanding the Channel Country, Australia

Unique geography and a fascinating history as a pre-historic sea, and subsequently precious land to Aboriginal people and European pastoralists is explored on a small group tour for mature and senior travellers into the Outback.

17 Nov 20 · 9 mins read
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Morris and Co studio

William Morris at the Art Gallery of South Australia

Adelaide has the Morris & Co. collection at the Art Gallery of South Australia, the world's second biggest collection of Morris decorative arts after the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Learn more on this small group tour for mature travellers.

6 May 20 · 5 mins read
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Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound, South Australia

Learn more from this article about a geologic icon of South Australia. The scale of this feature is beyond comprehension. Odyssey offers small group package tours to Flinders range every year that include visits and time here. Tours are for mature and senior travellers, couples and singles interested in learning and getting off the beaten track.

1 Jul 20 · 6 mins read
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Woomera

Woomera, South Australia

Read and learn about the contemporary history of this military site and town in South Australia. We visit briefly on the Flinders range tour of South Australia that began in Adelaide. Odyssey has a collection of small group package tours for mature and senior travellers, couples or singles that explore the landscape, wildlife and history of Australia to enjoy.

30 Apr 20 · 5 mins read
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A small group tour of Australia is a journey between cities with up to 250 years of settlement history and an outback, which has some of the oldest known geologic material on earth. But importantly, it has one of the longest and truly fascinating known periods of human settlement. Indigenous Australians settled via a land bridge on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 85,000 years before the first Europeans from Portugal and Spain began exploration in the 17th century. For senior and mature travellers, a small group tour of Australia is a unique experience.

FAQs

What is the best way to tour South Australia?

One of the best way to experience what South Australia has to offer is with a small group tour. Odyssey specialises in this kind of coach tour, offering an engaged and intimate tour of South Australia ideal for seniors, solo travellers, and couples heading to Australia and South Australia. These holidays for over 60’s to Australia show the fringes of the Simpson desert, small town outback Australia and the cattle station history of this great state.

For Odyssey Travellers who tend to be retirees and mature or senior travellers travelling as a couple or as a solo travellers, we suggest an organised group tour as being the best way to tour South Australia as a single or multi-state touring program is joining one of our scheduled South Australia seniors small group tours as part of your Australia vacation bucket list, that may may include an Adelaide vacation package.

Odyssey’s collection of small group South Australia vacation packages escorted tours seeks to be an organised senior tour that gets off the beaten track whether on a regular escorted tour or a walking tour somewhere in the Flinders range Odyssey’s collection of holiday packages in South Australia are all inclusive, with the exception of some meals particularly when on a South Australia holiday package tour of a city. The Solo Traveler does pay a single supplement for sole occupancy of a hotel room. When travelling solo, the accommodation charge is the only difference charged by us a tour operator (tour company) on any of our seniors tours. Our collection of South Australia small group tours are not a day tour, river cruise or wine tour, but learning tours for senior travel groups, by coach, by motorbike or walking tour with a tour leader supported by a travel expert. For couples and the single traveller (solo travel) seeking a unique itinerary and travel experience with like minded people.

These South Australia tour packages are for a small group tour of 12 people (Maximum 15) allows you the freedom to enjoy the journey on one of our small group escorted tours of South Australia whilst your tour guide looks after the logistics of the tour operation and getting you and your fellow travellers to the next place of interest.

For Odyssey Travellers who tend to be retirees and mature or senior travellers travelling as a couple or as a solo travellers,we suggest an organised group tour as being the best way to tour South Australia as a single or multi-state touring program is joining one of our scheduled South Australia seniors small group tours as part of your Australia vacation bucket list.

What are the best places to visit in South Australia?

An escorted South Australia tour has a tour itinerary schedule that will typically visit all the popular destinations a traveller seeks when visiting South Australia, with the specific information being available on each of the tour page’s itinerary section. Some of the best known highlights many of our South Australian tours offer include the capital Adelaide, the Eyre Peninsula, the Flinders Ranges, and Lake Eyre.

When joining Odyssey Traveller, we seek to journey the road less travelled. We provide small group escorted tours of South Australia that explore not only the big named attractions, but the little places along the way that give out tours their engaged, and genuine character.

Our South Australia vacation packages (senior holiday packages) are small group tours that explore, and provide the opportunity to learn as you travel to Adelaide, the Eyre Peninsula, Flinders range, Kangaroo Island, Outback South Australia or the brilliant opal town of Coober Pedy. Many of these are places where Aboriginal stories come to life, where the wildlife can be seen, landscapes leave you in awe, and the history of colonial settlement creates introspective moments to pause and wonder. Though this is a package holiday, we ask you to arrange your domestic flights, ensuring you get the best travel deals available to start down the path of the perfect holiday.

An escorted South Australia tour has a tour itinerary schedule that typically will visit all the popular destinations a traveller seeks as older Australians as a couple or solo traveller when visiting this state as part of your Australia tour. For older Australians the South Australia Seniors small group tours, will find time to break for morning tea or lunch.

What is the best way to get to South Australia?

The character of Australia’s landscape, combined with its urban density, make Australia feel like a somewhat odd assortment of city states at times. With this in mind, the best way to travel the large distances between state capitals, particularly outside of the southeast, is to arrange flights in advance.

For those arriving by car this is of course fine as well, though be sure to take regular breaks when driving long distances, and stay focused and hydrated, especially in Australia’s hotter regions.

When is the best time to visit South Australia?

Odyssey traveller operates it tour dates in Outback South Australia around the ideal times of the year when travelling to our many destinations, with each different climate and season bringing a slightly different experience depending on the destination, and type of tour involved.

With this in mind, when to visit your chosen destination is both up to you, and our tour availability. For travellers visiting Australia from the northern hemisphere, please bear in mind that down under we have our seasons at the opposite times of the year, so for us holiday season means barbeques and beaches, not snow and hot cocoa!

What are the best places to visit in South Australia?

South Australia is unique in that it is home to the Outstanding Flinder ranges and Wilpena pound. The state also occupies a part of this island continent and contains such a diversity of experiences to meet all types of interest that a traveller may have in South Australia.

For Odyssey Travellers a small group tour is getting beyond the “Best” but to reach the places of interest, to satisfy the curiosity and to learn. Our portfolio of small group escorted tours of South Australia and Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia. To each state Odyssey seeks to achieve this in groups of typically 6 to 12 people, with a maximum of 15, plus an experienced leader to provide a holiday package experience to be remembered whether you visit South Australia or other parts of Australia.

How far in advance should i plan a trip to South Australia?

Bookings for an upcoming small group tour with Odyssey, open upto 2 years in advance to allow you book onto your preferred South Australia or Australia seniors small group tour.

A deposit will typically secure your place with final payments falling due between 90 to 60 days before departure.

A reputable travel company will allow you pay by credit card or direct bank transfers in the currency of your choosing.

How much does a South Australia escorted tour cost?

For a small group tour into regional and/or Outback South Australia of typically 12 people in this post pandemic environment you should considering an allowance of AUD$550-$600/day per person on a twin share basis. This should cover all travel, entrances, breakfast and one other meal a day, plus tipping. Yo can learn more about why you should take a small group tour with this paper.

A large group coach tour of up to 50 travellers will operate with a lower cost/day.

How much does an average trip in South Australia cost?

For a small group tour for seniors with Odyssey Traveller you should allow for AUD$3500 for a 8 day city tour to Adelaide for example in South Australia and AUD$12,500 for a 16 day inclusive tour of Outback South Australia.

Location, distance, sights and duration all influence the tour price of coach tours in South Australia and across Australia for seniors.

Touring South Australia

The need to know

Getting around

The Odyssey travel experience is a modern coach tour and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries to enable the itinerary to be meet. Specifics for your South Australia tours are always outlined in your tour itinerary.

If you are booking an seniors small group outback tour of South Australia or Australia in general, be ready to ask about emergency and life safety procedures in the Outback. You are travelling in an extremely inhospitable environment. A reputable tour operator will have a life safety plan/equipment list for touring the desert.

Domestic flights and cross country bus services are widely available. Flying remains the preffered method of traversing Outback Australia . The train services are somewhat more limited in terms of transportation coverage, though remain a comfortable and very scenic way of getting around outback Australia and South Australia . South Australia is the start and end in Adelaide of the Ghan linking the South Australia outback through to the Northern Territory and Darwin.

If choosing one of the Adelaide vacation programs , then a mix of private coach and public transport is used as well as short comfortable walks to explore the city’s popular destinations such as the Adelaide botanic garden, the museum, and art gallery which are all close to the Adelaide city centre.

Accommodation

Odyssey’s seniors travel groups typically stay in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport and local amenities to keep the tour price sharp. The hotels are chosen for location and cleanliness and so you in your down time you can enjoy the city like the locals whether as a couple or solo traveler. For all our escorted tour programs there is a single supplement.

On the outback Australia tours in the South Australia tours accommodation remains limited. North of the Flinders rangeand Coober Pedy (Cooper pedy) accommodation in places such at Mt Dare or Oodnadatta is very limited and should be considered as part of your Outback Australia experience with outback hospitality to be enjoyed. Marree South Australia is a stopover destination at the end of the Oodnadatta track (the other end is Marla) and the Birdsville track with a historic Marree hotel stay with its historic dining rooms paying tribute to John Stuart and the mailman are a treat.

Tour guides

Odyssey as a reputable tour operator (est 1983) always engages locals as guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience on a guided tour during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and cultural experiences of the places you visit.The local guide is supported by a tour leader who manges a group size of upto 15 people on tha small group adventure. For example descendants of the Adnyamathanha people provide local leadership in the Ikara Flinders ranges and Wilpena, Brachina gorge and Bunyeroo gorge region, both on the touring coach and on a guided Aboriginal cultural walks in the ancient landscape of the remnant of the mountain range, that today is considered to be one of the earth’s oldest landscapes. The small group tour along the unsealed road known as the Oodnadatta track, a cultural tour looking at the colonial history dominated by the railway to Alice Springs that includes time in Marree SA, learning about Afghan Cameleers, (the Afghan camel drivers) as well as the Ghan railway.

Geography, Environment, & Weather

Australia comprises a land area of about 7.692 million square kilometres.

Although this is just five per cent of the world’s land mass (149.45 million square kilometres), Australia is the planet’s sixth largest country after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It is also the only one of the largest six nations that is completely surrounded by water.

Australia is the smallest of the world’s continents. It is also the lowest, the flattest and (apart from Antarctica) the driest.

Due to the size of the country, Australia has several different climate zones. The northern section of Australia has a more tropical climate, hot and humid in the summer, and quite warm and dry in the winter, while the southern parts are cooler with mild summers and cool, sometimes rainy winters.

Festivals & Events

One of the highlights on a tour of Adelaide is definitely the annual Adelaide Festival, which is held early March each year.

Reading list

Aboriginal Biocultural Knowledge in South-eastern Australia: Perspectives of Early Colonists, by Fred Cahir, Ian D. Clark, et al.

Out of the Silence: The history and memory of South Australia’s frontier wars, by Robert Foster.

Dark Emu: Aboriginal Australia and the Birth of Agriculture, by Bruce Pascoe.

Eating & Drinking

Australians love their food and this nation is built on a strong history of migration so it’s no wonder that we’ve become famous to the culinary world for our ‘fusion’ food. English and northern European cooking styles have been a part of Australian food since colonisation. Then in the 1970s many Asian cuisines including Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Indian began to influence the Australian food landscape, as well as the many southern European and Middle Eastern influences such as Spanish, Balkan, Hungarian, Turkish and Lebanese.

Australians are the second largest beer drinkers in the world! Our beer is essentially a cold lager with a strength of around 5 per cent and the list of breweries is endless, including Tooheys, Carlton Draught, Coopers, Boags, Cascade (which is also the oldest that’s still operating), Hahn, James Squire, Victoria Bitter, Emu Export and Little Creatures.

With many great wine regions on the doorsteps of Australia’s largest capital cities, the international reputation of Australian wine has never been greater, currently being the fourth largest exporter of wine worldwide at around 750 million litres per year.

Health & Safety

Generally speaking, South Australia is safe to travel in even as a mature solo traveller, though always exercise common sense while travelling. When preparing an outback Australia small group tour for seniors, seasonal road conditions are a crucial part for this tour company in its planning work as well as contingency planning for unexpected events in a desert environment on any small group journey.

Electrical Supply

Whenever you travel on your holidays for solo travellers over 60 Australia, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Australia runs at 230V and 50Hz. Australia uses the Type I electric plug, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.

Responsible travel tips for Australia

  • Before departing on any of these South Australia Outback tours, make sure you have a number of AU dollars in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
  • Carry a card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
  • As a senior traveler ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
  • Before departing on any of these South Australia holidays, make sure you have a number of AUD in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
  • When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
  • Before departing on one of these South Australia holidays, contact your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.

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