Arid Recovery Sunset Tour

Join Arid Recovery for a sunset tour inside one of Australia’s largest and longest-running predator-proof reserves. This experience offers a rare chance to explore a working conservation reserve. Get up close to conservation in action and see what it takes to bring species back from the brink of extinction.

Arid Recovery is based at Olympic Dam, 550km north of Adelaide in the South Australian outback. Their vision is to return species from threatened to thriving in the arid zone through science, collaboration and innovation. The fenced reserve is a 123-square km, with 6 different ‘enclosures’. This set up allows for a conservation area where native flora and fauna are protected from cats, foxes, and rabbits; and an experimental zone where native animals live with cats and rabbits. This set up allows for the research of threatened species reintroduction beyond the fenced boundaries.

Since its inception in 1997, five locally extinct mammals have been reintroduced, including western quoll, greater bilby, burrowing bettong, Shark Bay barred bandicoot, and the kowari.  The reserve is also a safe-haven for small native mice, dunnarts, ground-nesting birds, and reptiles. Arid Recovery’s guided sunset tours offer a rare opportunity to explore a protected desert reserve where introduced predators have been removed and native species are returning. Within the reserve’s predator-proof fence, guests can discover a thriving arid ecosystem, learn about groundbreaking conservation work, and encounter species once locally extinct in the region. The experience includes sunset views across the desert landscape, wildlife spotting, track and plant identification, and spotlighting after dark as nocturnal animals emerge.

Arid Recovery Sunset Tours operate on a seasonal basis between April and October on Friday evenings. Additional Wednesday tours operate during South Australian school holiday periods.

Bookings are essential. 

Please note - Tours are subject to minimum numbers and road and weather conditions. If minimum numbers are not reached, guests will be contacted the day before the tour to discuss refund, rescheduling, or proceeding by covering the remaining cost. Full refund will be given for adverse weather conditions and road closures.

Time: Depart 30 minutes before sunset (time will be advised on booking)

Cost: Adult / Concession - $100.00pp | Children (3-16 years) – $50.00 | Under 3 years is free (+ booking fees)

A tour requires a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 participants to proceed. (For larger groups, alternative arrangements can be accommodated)

Your tour includes:

• A small-group, guided conservation experience through the desert landscape.
• Insight into threatened species recovery, ecosystem recovery, feral-predator exclusion and long-term research.
• Sunset from atop a sand dune on our dedicated viewing platform
• At dusk you will travel through the dunes on a guided spotlight walk for a chance to spot some of Arid Recovery's native animals, including burrowing bettongs and spinifex hopping mice.
• Walking on sand dunes and uneven and unpaved terrain, up to 3 km in total. Accessible tour options may be available upon request to help accommodate individual needs.
• Spotlighting after dark to search for nocturnal wildlife
• Small group sizes (maximum 10 people) to minimise impact and enhance the experience

Being a natural environment, wildlife sightings vary with conditions. While sightings cannot be guaranteed, we can guarantee a considered and meaningful conservation experience.

Tour Information:

• Tours begins 30 minutes before sunset at the Arid Recovery gate, located 12 km along Borefield Road from Olympic Way, Olympic Dam. It is a 22km drive from Roxby Downs to the Reserve. After leaving the town centre, head north along Olympic Way for approximately 10kms, continue through Olympic Dam township, then turn right onto the Borefield Road. Follow the road for 12 kms to The Arid Recovery Reserve gate which is on the left-hand side. The road to the Reserve is unsealed but accessible to 2WD unless it has rained heavily in which case the tour co-ordinator will advise of cancellation of tour.
• Tours run for 2.5 hours
• Pets are not permitted on reserve.
• What you need: you own vehicle, drinking water, sturdy enclosed footwear, long pants, a warm jacket. While not essential visitors may also like to bring a torch and camera. This tour requires a reasonable level of fitness as roughly 4kms of walking is required at the reserve.

Visit the Arid Recovery Website to learn more about the reserve.