Ideas For Travellers Who Like to Take Their Holidays Sitting Down!

-Bicycles, Motorbikes, Horses and Camels-

The following holiday ideas and suggestions have been designed around the saddle, focussing on cycling, motorbiking, horse riding and camel trekking as the means of exploring South Australia (SA):

CYCLING SA boasts an enviable selection of cycle trails which provide limitless opportunities for visitors to explore the area either independently or as part of a tour group. Cycle tracks range from easy trails through metropolitan Adelaide, ideal for novice cyclists and families with younger children, to the Mawson Trail which begins in the heart of the State capital at the Adelaide Festival Centre and stretches 900 kms. through the Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley to the Flinders Ranges and is best suited to mountain and touring bikes.

Among the tour operators specialising in cycling trips is Ecotrek. Operating both easy and advanced routes, Ecotrek features a five-day gourmet tour which takes in the Eden, Clare and Barossa Valleys, stopping en route at places of interest such as wineries, art and craft galleries, historic towns and National Trust properties, as well as the two-day Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley. www.ecotrek.com.au

For a more physically challenging experience, Remote Outback Cycle Tours combines four-wheel driving with mountain biking into rugged outback locations. Tours suggestions include the seven-day Oodnadatta Track to Clare Valley option, beginning in Alice Springs and ending in Adelaide. This week-long adventure takes in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, the steep ridges, gorges, pools and rolling plains of the Flinders Ranges, and the contrasting landscape of Clare Valley�s vineyards. www.cycletours.com.au.

Information regarding all of SA�s many cycling routes can be found on www.southaustraliantrails.com.

HARLEY DAVIDSONS A number of SA-based operators, including Tours for Two, Elite Harley Tours and Adelaide Harley Tours offer a selection of itineraries from half hourly chauffered trips to longer expeditions as far as the scenic Adelaide Hills, the famous wine-making region of the Barossa Valley and the beaches and coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Further details can be found by putting �harley� into the search facility on www.southaustralia.com.

HORSE RIDING A visit to www.southaustraliantrails.com is recommended for anyone interested in seeing SA on horseback. This informative website gives details of numerous horse riding trails including several loop trails of up to 30 kms. all within easy reach of Adelaide, some of which pass through Native Forest Reserves. The region�s leading equestrian association, Horse SA is also currently developing a 170 kms trail to link McLaren Vale, through the Adelaide Hills, with the Barossa.

One operator offering customised horse riding expeditions is South Australian Scenic Tours. A suggested itinerary includes a three-day tour to the Flinders and Gammon Ranges where participants are introduced to the Adnyamathanha Aboriginal people, visit some of their sites of importance, listen to stories about their past and camp under the stars, sharing traditional bush tucker. www.southaustralianscenictours.com.au

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK CATTLE DRIVE From 30th April until 11 June 2005, adventure-seeking visitors to SA will have the opportunity to join the amazing bi-annual Cattle Drive, which recreates the historic herding of livestock along the 514kms track from Birdsville to Marree. The journey, which will involve some of Australia�s best-known drovers, 600 head of cattle and 120 horses, will offer both novice and experienced riders the chance of a lifetime to experience the exhilaration of participating in one of the world�s greatest outback cattle drives.

The epic six-week event has been divided into four stages covering four distinctly different terrains: the Channel Country, the Gibber Plains, the Cooper Basin and Marree. Special Drovers� Travel Packages, starting from �765 per person, have been created to enable visitors to join the trip for four days or more. www.cattledrivesouthaustralia.com.

CAMEL TREKKING Camels were first introduced to the Australian outback by Afghan pioneers and today these ships of the desert provide visitors with an original way of exploring some of SA�s most remote, pristine regions. Explore The Outback Camel Safaris is one of Australia�s leading operators of nature-based, educational camel treks. Established in 1987, the company offers a selection of fully-catered trips ranging from four to 14 days in duration in the Lake Eyre Basin and in and around the Denison Range, located 12 hours� drive north of Adelaide.

Not only do visitors see some of Australia�s most breathtaking outback terrain, they also learn about the area�s flora and fauna, the art of camel handling and their participation assists with conservation projects concerned with preserving the desert�s natural and cultural heritage. www.austcamel.com.au.

The Bush Safari Company, based at Camp Binda Murray River Camel Farm, offers treks into the semi-desert hinterland north of the Murray River, between October and April. Excursions range from just one and a half hours to three days. Combination camel/boat safaris can also be arranged over one, two and three days. www.safarico.com.au

For further information about �In The Saddle� options as well as other holiday ideas to South Australia, visit www.southaustralia.com.

Qantas Holidays (tel 0870 240 2710 � www.qantas.co.uk/holidays) has a seven-night Highlights of South Australia tour with a lead in price of �1,299 per person, valid for travel 28th March � 30th June 2005.

This price includes return flights with Qantas Airways from London Heathrow to Adelaide including taxes, accommodation, tours, domestic flights, car hire and meals as listed based on twin share.

� 2 nights All Seasons Adelaide Meridien hotel � Return flights to Kangaroo Island, one night�s accommodation, 2 days 4WD touring and meals � 4 days/3 nights Barossa & Clare Valleys, four days group B Hertz self drive and accommodation � 2 days/1 night Flinders Ranges, accommodation at Wilpena Pound, 4WD touring, meals

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For further information contact Jovanka Ristich, Independent Public Relations, tel 01628 623003, email: ristichj@aol.com