Hi Ralph -

Yes, I looked there first, but the reviews are pretty bad, so I kept looking. We've decided to book at Rawnsley Park Station, as it's in the same general area as Wilpena Pound Resort.

Hi Mel...that's too bad, as it is very well located for hiking. We were there in '06...wasn't 5 star by any means, but the rooms were nice and clean and the food was pretty good.

I remember driving past Rawnsley Park Stn en route, as well as seeing it from the air during our flight around the Pound.

Ralph

Hi Mel...you will be very close to Wilpena Pound resort - a short drive - it has been fully renovated but reviews are still pretty ordinary.
You can get to the walks in reasonable driving time from Rawnsley Park - and the food is meant to be better there!

I think WP resort is quite high in price.

The RP cabins are basic - so hope all goes well for you

The beauty of the area is so very special that the accommodation is not always so important.

If you drive into Wilpena Pound Park to the information centre/shop/mini supermarket - there is a great centre with all the details for the walks and sights - good luck!

Thanks guys. I'm not expecting much more than motel like accommodation.

Okay, I've booked Coober Pedy and Flinders Ranges.

Looking for accommodation suggestions in Barossa and/or suggestions on which town to stay near. Would prefer a vineyard or country setting to staying right in a town.

Looking into tours in Coober Pedy. Merv's Breakaways/Painted Desert combo is just too expensive and we don't relish another 400 km of driving sandwiched between two 800 km drive days, so thinking about just a Breakaways tour instead. Is it possible to see the Breakaways on our own, or do we need a tour? Also, is sunset the preferred time to see the Breakaways?

Any suggestions for places to stay in/around McLaren Vale? We plan to spend four nights, so we can also visit Deep Creek Conservation Park and do some hiking.

Considering spending that last night in the Hills, but haven't started looking at accommodation yet.

What did I do before the Internet???

Mel: Where are you staying in Coober Pedy? We stayed at the Desert Cave Hotel and from there we booked a half day tour around town and to the Breakaways. I believe this was operated by the hotel, but I could be wrong. Anyway, it was very good, and included a tour of an old opal mine, as well as some new ones - even got to do some "noodling" ourselves - digging through piles of rock for looking for pieces of opal.

As for the Breakaways, you could definitely go there yourselves, it's not that far out of town - 15 km, perhaps. And yes, most certainly go there near sunset - the shadows adding depth to the view and the late afternoon light bringing out the red color in the rocks. The tour also took us a little bit further, past a beautiful rock formation called "Salt and Pepper" and down the escarpment to the flat desert where the Dog Fence crosses. We drove along side of the fence for a while and it is where we watched the sun actually set. Not a cloud in the sky, but, still, the mood and the scenery made for a very memorable experience.

(Speaking of the Dog Fence, I was very interested in seeing it in Coober Pedy, as several years earlier, be had stayed on a property in rural eastern Queensland through which it runs, maybe 2000 km away. As you may know, it's the longest fence in the world - not much to look at, but nonetheless an interesting story as to why it's there..see for example http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...674365458.html)

Thanks again Ralph. That link isn't working for me though.

We saw the Rabbit proof fence on our way to Kalgoorlie; we'll look into the Dog fence too.

We're staying at the Underground Motel.

I did a search and pulled up all sorts of tours, so I guess I'll shop around a bit. I started with Arid Zone Tours, because Merv came so highly recommended on TA, but I'll definitely look some more.

Are the roads to the Breakaways, the Dog Fence and the rock formation sealed, do you remember?

Also, how were the flies in August when you visited?

Mel:

The road out to the Breakaways, etc is unsealed, but pretty smooth as unsealed roads go. We did a big loop, not returning the the same way we came.

Don't remember flies being a bother at all.

Ralph

Back to your query about somewhere to stay in the Barossa - we have stayed at Strathlyn B & B just outside of Angaston, not sure if it suits your budget/needs:

http://www.strathlyn.com.au/welcome.html

It is a lovely old house with a gracious host and is very close to Vintners Bar and Grill, which is a wonderful place to eat and enjoy local produce and wines amongst locals and other visitors.

I am sure others will have suggestions as there is lots of different types of places to stay in this area.

My suggestions on wineries :
Smaller -Rockfords, Langmeil,Henschkes
Larger - Peter Lehmann, Seppelts (historic).

If you can, call into Maggie Beer Farm, near Tanunda,to pick up some great picnic goodies to enjoy with the wine!
http://www.maggiebeer.com.au/farmshop/location/

Here is a map of local producers that you might like to have a look at:
http://www.southaustralia.com/Butche...l_brochure.pdf

Cheers, Liz

Appreciate those great links Liz - thanks!

My wife and I stopped in at Maggie Beer's for coffee and a snack - worth doing. My wife couldn't help but shop and buy non-perishables (jams, etc) to bring home as gifts. I thought the exotic pheasants, etc. caged outside were more interesting.

Hi Melnq8,

If you make it to the Clare Valley, don't miss Skillogalee winery. www.skillogalee.com.au Great spot for lunch.

Another lovely spot is Sevenhill, where you'll find the Jesuits have an old winery and recently added the Thorn Park Country House to their property. http://www.sevenhillcellars.com.au/

The previous owners of Thorn Park Country House, David Hay & Michael Speers, are wonderful hosts and have built a smaller property just a little away from the Country House. http://www.thornpark.com.au/bythevines/btv.php

I'll second Bokhara. We really loved the Clare Valley...stopped for a wonderful lunch at the rustic Skillogallee winery restaurant. Also visited Sevenhill for wine tasting and a nice walk around the beautiful grounds. Clare is an absolute must for those traveling to/from the Flinders Ranges.

Mel...after a little research, I remember now where we stayed in McLaren Vale. It was the Linear Way B&B. VERY clean and comfortable - the hosts (an English family) were lovely and welcoming.....Ralph

You all have been a great help. Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

My list of places to visit just keeps growing and growing. I could probably fill an entire week in each area alone, but as usual time is an issue. I'd looked into staying in a cottage at Skillogallee but found a better deal, so will settle for a meal there instead. It's come up many times on different forums, so it sounds like a must see place. Same with Maggies.

I've got everything booked except the last night in Adelaide and haven't decided on a tour in Coober yet.

Here it is:

Arrive Adelaide airport mid afternoon, drive to Barossa, three nights at Casa Rossa in Lyndoch

http://www.stayz.com.au/13288

Drive from Barossa to Clare Valley - two nights Edilillie Vineyard

http://www.edilillie.com.au/

Drive from Clare to Coober Pedy (gonna be a long one!) - two nights at The Underground Motel

http://www.theundergroundmotel.com.au/

Drive from Coober Pedy to Flinders Ranges, (another long one!)three nights at Rawnsley Park Station (motel room)

http://www.rawnsleypark.com.au/

Drive from Flinders Ranges to McLaren Vale, four nights at Black Rabbit Cottage in McLaren Flat

http://www.stayz.com.au/30871

Drive from McLaren Vale to Adelaide - one night before early morning departure the following day

Have fun Melnq8, wish I were going too

Wow!

Sounds great Melnq8 and so pleased that everyone is endorsing Skillogalee

Also pleased that stayz helped out.

What kind of place are you after in Adelaide - and what night of the week is it?
The city is small and lovely - and you have a wide choice - and it is very easy to get to airport for early flight so don't think you need an airport motel - they are fairly ordinary.

If you plan to have an afternoon in Adelaide as the drive up will be short - maybe a yummy lunch at The Art Gallery Cafe as a final feast might be nice - great location and setting and delicious food.
Follow it with a short visit to an excellent gallery and a walk along North Terrace.

Happy last planning .

Our night in Adelaide will be on a Saturday. I was all prepared to book the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, but they've already booked all their sale priced rooms. I figured I could find a good price on a room in the city on a Saturday, but may be better off booking last minute. The only drawback to a city hotel is parking, which drives up the hotel price. I'd like to keep it under A$170 if possible. Any suggestions?

I was thinking we could visit Willunga market in McLaren Vale before we leave, and then perhaps work our way back to Adelaide via the hills, arriving in the city late in the day. Is this doable?

Yes - that plan re-Saturday is doable. Head from Willinga to Strathalbyn (not a direct route, but a bit of weaving through the countryside). Stop and have a wander there. Then onto Mt Barker/Hahndorf where the studio of famous painter Sir Hans Heysen is open. It's called the Cedars.

I think Hahndorf is a bit of a tourist trap, but others have different views. I spent some of my childhood there and it is a very changed place from then! Stop at The Lanes winery outside of Hahndorf for a tasting and a glorious view.Then wend down through Stirling and Bridgewater (home of the Bridgewater Mill restaurant) to Mt Lofty and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. There is one of Adelaide's 3 botanic gardens at Mt Lofty which are lovely any time of year and are free to enter with some nice easy walks.

Depending on time you could then join the freeway and head towards the city centre (about 20 minutes) or, if it's not too late and you have the inclination to go on for another 40/45 minutes, then head towards Piccadilly/ Summertown/Uraidla/Ashton for views of some of the apple, pear and cherry orchards and market gardens in the valleys and the hills that supply Adelaide Market. This route will take you into the suburbs, again about 15/20 minutes from the city centre.

There are lots of places to stop along the way - it just depends on your time frame and interests!

Cheers, Liz

That's fanstastic Liz, thank you!