GREAT SUSTAINABLE TOURS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Flinders Ranges

Camping under the stars in the Flinders Ranges is a wonderful experience that many people from all around the world gravitate to. Combine this with the excitement and thrill of rockclimbing, abseiling and wild caving it brings together an unforgettable and enriching experience.

This is a 4-5 day camping trip starting off camping at Warren Gorge near Quorn. Warren Gorge has a basic camp ground surrounded with glowing cliffs, gums, fauna and flora. There is even a colony of the rare and endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby living in the rocky outcrops. This shy marsupial is often seen at dawn or dusk in the gorge. Here we tackle climbing some of the stunning red rock faces and abseil down them.

After we have mastered the cliffs of Warren Gorge we pack our equipment and head towards Bagalowie Station where there are some impressive cave systems. Camping near the Ghost Gum lined creeks of Bagalowie brings an understanding of the beauty that the remoteness this area offers. One of the caves is a simple walk in with some crawling to discover ancient stalactite, stalagmites and tunnels left behind from the time this area was underwater. The other cave we abseil into then explores the uniqueness and stillness it offers beneath the ground.

At the end of the camp we have some options on the way home to visit other areas in the Flinders Ranges. Often groups like to pass by Alligator Gorge for a stroll down to the rock pools and cascading waterfalls during the wetter months.

Adelaide Hills

Bushland Park (Heritage Park)

Lobethal Bushland Park is one of the largest reserves of remnant bush land in the upper catchment zone of the Onkaparinga Valley. As such, it provides habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Rare Maiden Hair Fern and Leafy Greenhood Orchids are represented in the park, while being absent from most of the Onkaparinga Valley area.

The Native Orchid Society has catalogued 33 species of native orchid – some of which were thought to be extinct – of which the Leafy Greenhood is one. The Friends group is involved in helping preserve these orchids.

During the 19th and early 20th century, before reticulated water was available to the towns in the Onkaparinga Valley, two reservoirs on a 118 hectare property supplied water to the town of Lobethal and its major industry. The first reservoir in the park was completed in 1894 to serve an expanding tweed factory (The Onkaparinga Wollen Mill) and the township. The reservoir's capacity was later doubled to 15 million gallons (73,000kL). A second 'balancing' was built in 1934.

The park was used as a 'mine' for its natural resources for 120 years. Since the early 1980s, Bushland Park land has seen a dramatic turn-around, with active community involvement in achieving ecological conservation.

See Aboriginal Significance below for more info

Fleurieu Peninsula

Barossa Valley

Yorke Peninsula

Wallaroo

Recommended Minimum 3 days. Multi Activity camp with groups rotating. Each activity running for half day sessions.

Possible Activity choices.

  • Rafting
  • Snorkelling
  • Riding
  • Initiatives
  • Beach Olympics
  • Fishing

Accommodation is a Dorm facilities and Fully Catered.

The South-East

Enjoy the excitement of the wild cave experience by  donning overalls and hard hat to explore, squeeze and crawl. Adventure caving tours are designed for beginners who have a sense of fun and adventure. Stick-Tomato Cave is the most suitable, as the tunnels are larger and the squeezes optional. Blackberry Cave involves smaller passages, rocky squeezes as well as several optional exercises. helmets and kneepads are supplied, and safe caving techniques and cave protection issues are discussed prior to the start of each tour. Tours are conducted by our experienced staff

Camping at Mt Gambier

Located on the slopes of a dormant volcano Mount Gambier services a regional population of 60,000 and is one of the fastest growing cities in South Australia. Mount Gambier enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, summers are mostly warm to hot, while winters are crisp and wet. With an average summer temperature of 26, while the average winter temperature is 14. Four distinct seasons break up the year with long hot summer days, colorful autumns, and cool winters to enjoy by the fire.

Western Victoria

This Experience Will Begin with a base camp at Arapiles. Facilities include Toilets and Tent Accommodation. The Students will be given the opportunity to climb, boulder and abseil in a world renowned location. It will test their nerves in a controlled safe environment.

We will then be journeying south to the Glenelg River where we will be Rafting to our next three campsites. This will be a journey part of the trip moving campsite every night. We will be paddling downstream in large rafts and also stop off on the way to experience Princess Margaret Rose Cave. Facilities include Tents, Toilets and Shower on the last night only.

This trip can also be done using kayaks, choice is yours.

Aboriginal Significance

Bushland Park is a very strategic central piece of Peramangk land within the Adelaide Hills region. From Angaston and Macclesfield In the winter months, the Pernmangk people traditionally live in groups of 20-60, gathering food for trade in the summer. They then split into family groups, where each has their own piece of land. These groups consist of an extended family up to three or four generations.

Shelters are traditionally made from the bark of the Stringy Bark tree and are occupied for four to five weeks at a time. The Aboriginal people purposely move around the district to help the land regenerate. Fire-stick farming aids this purpose by encouraging new growth following cool burns.

There are many plants and animals around Bushland Park used for food, shelter and tools by Peramangk people:

Yacca – stem of the flower is used to make the spear shaft, while soaking the flowers in water makes a sweet drink.

Blue Gum – bark is used for shields and shelter.

Bracken – roots are crushed and washed to remove poison, then eaten as a substitute for meat. Also used to treat insect bites.

Stringy Bark – bark is moist which is good to steam food in. Also good for shelter.

Kangaroo – a good food source. The tendons are also used as string to attach to shafts of spears.

Flinders Ranges

Camping under the stars in the Flinders Ranges is a wonderful experience that many people from all around the world gravitate to. Combine this with the excitement and thrill of rockclimbing, abseiling and wild caving it brings together an unforgettable and enriching experience.