In RM’s Footsteps
The Tailor, in conjunction with R.M.Williams, has designed the ultimate tribute to RM Williams, a legend of the Australian Outback and the creator of the iconic clothing brand which still bears his name. In RM’s Footsteps is a 4-day journey which traces the personal history of RM Williams, telling the story of how he created the famous leather boots now sold around the world.
This amazing Australian outback travel experience offers guests a rare opportunity to explore the legend of RM Williams by visiting several magnificent Outback destinations, such as the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre, enjoying traditional country hospitality and eating delicious regional cuisine. Guests travel in ultimate luxury aboard a Swiss-built Pilatus PC12 aircraft. Numbers are strictly limited to no more than 8 passengers, plus a private guide, to ensure that each trip is truly memorable.
In RM’s Footsteps begins in Adelaide visiting the factory and the original workshop in Percy Street where the great man launched his clothing empire. The visit includes a private tour of the workshop, factory and museum, plus a chance to be fitted with your own boots, clothing and other bush apparel. You will receive a complimentary pair of Craftsman Boots.
The following day guests board their Pilatus PC12 aircraft for a flight north to the iconic Flinders Ranges. Here you will be greeted by a local private guide and taken to your accommodation at The Prairie Hotel. En route we stop for morning tea at Angorichina Station and then visit Parachilna Gorge. In the afternoon guests travel through the stunning Brachina Gorge, a great place to see many native wildlife species, such as Wedge Tail Eagles and the rare Yellow Footed Wallaby.
On day three fly over Lake Eyre, a vast saltpan covering 9,500 square kilometres (3,668 square miles), the aerial views of Lake Eyre are spectacular. Afterwards, your plane lands at the famous Dig Tree chronicled in the iconic Burke and Wills story, before also landing at the Outback town of Innamincka with highlights include a cold beer at the Innamincka pub with lunch and an escorted cruise down the Cooper Creek.
The final day of this extraordinary journey involves a visit to the historic Nilpena Station, a tour of the nearby red desert dunes and a rare visit to the heritage listed Ediacara fossils made famous by the likes of Sir David Attenborough. Guests enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Woolshed before travelling to the ‘Claypan’ situated in the midst of ochre sandhills where their private Pilatus PC12 aircraft will whisk them back to Adelaide.
Highlights:
- Fly in a brand new state of art Pilatus PC12 valued at over $7 million
- Hosted by fourth generation station owners
- Exclusive access and private tour of R.M. Williams factory
- Choose your own pair R.M.Williams craftsmen boots and have them fitted at the famous Percy Street store
- Stay at The Prairie Hotel, the famous Outback pub
- Incredible scenic flight over Lake Eyre
- Stop at the famous Dig Tree
- Escorted cruise on the Cooper Creek
- Tour of Nilpena Station and heritage-listed Ediacara fossils
Itinerary
Day 1
Today begins with breakfast at the Mayfair Hotel before meeting your driver at the concierge desk. Board a private coach for the short drive to the R.M.Williams factory. On arrival you will receive a personal welcome by a senior company employee who will then escort you through the factory floor, explaining the technicalities involved in making each pair of R.M.Williams boots.
Morning tea is served. Guests are encouraged to ask questions as their expert guide leads them along the production line. Although each pair of boots is made from a single piece of leather, they undergo 80 separate processes, all done by hand, before becoming the finished item.
At then end of the tour, you will be transferred to North Adelaide for a delightful lunch at one of the city’s leading restaurants. After lunch, you will be transferred to Percy Street, Prospect, where R.M.Williams first advertised handcrafted elastic sided boots for sale to the public in the 1930s. Here you will have chance to visit the R.M.Williams museum, tour the retail outlet and choose your own pair of expertly fitted Craftsman boots – these can be personalised in time for your return to Adelaide.
Afterwards, your driver will transfer you to the Mayfair Hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening have been left free. Please make your own arrangements.
Day 2
The day starts with a delicious, freshly made breakfast at the Mayfair Hotel before your private transfer to the Pilatus Private terminal at Adelaide Airport.
Please note that luggage restrictions apply. However we are able to work with you to store excess luggage safely and privately in the Pilatus Hanger at Adelaide Airport.
Depart Adelaide bound for The Flinders Ranges. Fly via Wilpena Pound for aerial views of the Ranges. On arrival at Blinman you will be met by your guide Ross Fargher and transferred to Angorichina Station for morning tea in Australia’s oldest native pine Woolshed that is still in use.
Blinman, nestled in the central Flinders Ranges, is the highest town in South Australia. The town dates back to the discovery of copper in 1859. At its peak the population of Blinman was over 1500. Today this peaceful outback town has a population of just 22 permanent residents.
Transfer to The Prairie Hotel in the tiny settlement of Parachilna. The journey takes you via Parachilna Gorge where you will enjoy spectacular scenic views, including the sight of the gorge’s towering and photogenic river gums.
Parachilna is home to Australia’s most awarded – and coolest – Outback gourmet pub. The Prairie Hotel offers an eco-luxury experience, providing guests with an authentic taste of Outback life but without sacrificing the comforts of modern city living.
Depart Parachilna for Brachina Gorge, one of the region’s most spectacular attractions. The gorge is an important refuge for the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby, as well as many species of birds and reptiles. Brachina Gorge provides a window through 130 million years of the Earth’s history and offers insight into past climates, the formation of the ranges and the evolution of early life forms.
After the tour of the Brachina Gorge, return to The Prairie Hotel and enjoy sundowners (evening drinks and nibbles) on the hotel veranda as you watch the sun set over the western plain. Perhaps toast your good fortune with a Fargher Lager, the Prairie’s own brew.
The one of a kind Prairie Hotel bar offers the opportunity for guests to meet outback characters and travellers from all over the world – you never know who you might meet.
Dinner is at The Prairie Hotel – savour The Prairie’s signature Tastings Banquet in one of the private dining rooms. Renowned for its ‘feral food experiences’ the food at The Prairie Hotel was recently voted ‘1 of 20 unmissable Outback experiences’.
Day 3
An early start this morning. After a hearty breakfast, you will be driven to the Leigh Creek airstrip to board your Pilatus PC12 aircraft.
Taking off in a north westerly direction and passing the dry salt lake of Lake Frome, desert plains, magnificent land forms and meandering ancient creek beds.
Fly over Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest inland lake and the lowest point in Australia. Although usually dry, Lake Eyre does occasionally experience dramatic floods – but it has only completely filled three times in the past 160 years.
Continue flying towards the Dig Tree, located a short distance over the western South Australia and Queensland border. The amazing channel country will astound you with its beauty and abundance of birdlife. It is a significant Australian pioneering story which your guide will express more details upon landing and exploring the surrounding area.
Taking off again our next stop is the famous outback outpost of Innamincka near Lake Eyre. Prior to arrival your pilot will ‘buzz the pub’ to let them know when you will be arriving. At Innamincka you have lunch at the pub as well as taking a town tour and a private boat ride down Cooper Creek with your own personal tour guide.
After leaving Innamincka, your scenic aerial journey continues before we land at Leigh Creek. Once on the ground you will be transferred to The Prairie Hotel for a hearty dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 4
After breakfast at The Prairie Hotel, you will be driven to Nilpena Station.
Arrive at Nilpena Station.
Between 540 & 570 million years ago most of Eastern Australia lay under warm, shallow waters inhabited by soft-bodied organisms, similar to jelly fish. Some of the organisms became trapped in fine silt in tidal flats and were fossilised as the silt turned to stone. Edicara fossils are found nearby and you will be able to learn about their origins.
Nilpena Station is a working sheep station situated approximately 44 kilometres north of Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges region neighbouring Lake Torrens. The property currently occupies 800 square kilometres.
It is here that you will enjoy a lavish lunch in the woolshed and a tour of the property before departing from a nearby Claypan to Adelaide. This amazing natural claypan, a dense and compact layer of soil, mostly clay, is surrounded by a row of dramatic red dunes.
You will arrive in the General Aviation Terminal at approximately 5pm. If you are booking onward flights from Adelaide, we strongly recommend booking something that leaves no earlier than 6.30pm. (Times are indicative only)
END OF ARRANGEMENTS
Notes
Important Information:
- Please note landings at each destination en-route cannot be guaranteed and are dependent on local airstrip conditions on the day.
- As Lake Eyre is a totally unique and natural phenomenon, water in the region cannot be guaranteed.
- Departures are subject to weather conditions and minimum numbers being booked.
- Luggage restrictions apply. However we are able to work with you to store excess luggage safely and privately in the Pilatus Hanger at Adelaide Airport.
- Pilatus PC12 is a single engine aircraft.
Aircraft
The PC12 is made by Pilatus, the world market leader in the manufacture of single engine turboprop aircraft. Pilatus has used the most modern design techniques, precision engineering and cutting edge manufacturing processes to produce this high performance PC12 aircraft.
Integrating a 1200 horsepower single turboprop engine into an aerodynamically advanced airframe, the PC12 combines excellent economy. The PC12 has a unique adaptability to perform a wide range of missions from charter, business, leisure as well as aero medical work.
The normal configuration of our PC12 enables up to 8 passengers plus the guide to be seated in air-conditioned comfort.
Departures
Departure dates ready to be booked for 2017 are:
Monday 17th July – Friday 21st July 2017
Monday 31st July – Friday 4th August 2017
Monday 21st August – Friday 25th August 2017
Departures are available specific dates or upon request mid-week for a private group.
The tour starts on a Monday evening at the Mayfair Hotel and finishes on a Friday at the Adelaide airport at 5pm.
Prices
- $5995 per person on a twin share / double share basis
- $250 per person single supplement applies for accommodation
- Price on application for private group departures
**Applicable costs are noted above unless otherwise advised.
**Valid for travel until 31st March 2018.
Inclusions
Accommodation
2 night stay in a Superior Queen Room at the Mayfair, Adelaide on a double/twin/single basis.
2 night stay in a Deluxe Room at the Prairie Hotel on a double/twin/single basis.
Meals
Day 1 – Breakfast at the Mayfair, Adelaide. Lunch at North Adelaide. Evening at leisure.
Day 2 – Breakfast at the Mayfair, Adelaide. Lunch and dinner at the Prairie Hotel.
Day 3 – Breakfast at the Prairie Hotel. Lunch at Innamincka Pub. Dinner at the Prairie Hotel.
Day 4 – Breakfast at the Prairie Hotel. Lunch at the Nilpena Woolshed.
A welcome beer, wine, sparkling or soft drink on arrival pre-lunch and the same for pre-dinner.
Travel
Transfers to R.M.Williams factory to shop and museum and return. Transfers from the Mayfair to the General Aviation Terminal, Adelaide Airport.
Return private air charters and for the duration between Adelaide Airport, Prairie Hotel, Lake Eyre, Dig Tree, Innamincka, Claypan in a Pilatus PC12 (Turbo Prop Single Engine Aircraft).
Other Inclusions
Tea, coffee, bottled water, activities including scenic guided tours of the Northern Flinders Ranges, Brachina Gorge, Dig Tree, Innamincka and Nilpena Station. You will receive all of your travel documents prior to departure.
One pair of R.M. Williams’s craftsman boots are included to the value of $545.00 AUD which will be collected at the Percy Street store during the trip (or other apparel to the same amount).
Exclusions
Dinner on night 1 meals and alcoholic beverages with dinner at Prairie Hotel on nights 2 & 3
Extra activities
International and Domestic airfares
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Travel Insurance**
**Travel Insurance is highly recommended to ensure that you are covered in the unlikely event that your arrangements are disrupted.
**Conditions apply – minimum passenger requirement of 6 people for trip to run