Small-Group Buggy Tour: Little Sahara & Eleanor River
Koalas in 500-year-old gum forests, then sand dunes and cliffs most visitors never see.
A small-group buggy tour on South Australia's South Coast takes you through Eleanor River gum forests where koalas live, out to rugged clifftops and a private beach, then inland to Little Sahara's sand dunes: all in roughly two hours with an experienced guide who knows which tracks go where. Children from age 3 are welcome. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces accommodate mobility devices. The meeting point is Vivonne Bay, about 90 minutes from the Penneshaw ferry terminal by car. There's no shuttle service or taxi on the island, so you'll need your own transport to get there.
Step-by-step itinerary
Buggy tour through Little Sahara and coast
- Admire koalas in 500-year-old gum trees
- Cruise over the Eleanor River
- Travel to secluded private beach
- Visit rugged cliff tops and observe wildlife
- Explore inland sand dunes of Little Sahara
- Learn about local history during ride
What’s included
- Helmet and goggles for protection.
- experienced guide who leads the tour in English and shares the history of the area.
Times
- Every day 09:00 10:00 14:30
Before you book
Operated by Little Sahara Adventure Centre
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
You start in the gum forests along the Eleanor River, where the guide takes the buggy through terrain a standard vehicle can't reach. Koala sightings are guaranteed here. The trees are over 500 years old and the animals move through them regularly. The route also passes orchids and Ligurian bees, so there's plenty to spot beyond the wildlife you came for.
From there the buggy heads to the South Coast, stopping at a secluded private beach before climbing to the clifftops. The water is turquoise, the cliffs are rugged, and the Southern Ocean stretches to Antarctica with nothing between. Whales, dolphins, seals, ospreys and wedge-tailed eagles show up often enough that the guide knows where to look for them. The beach itself is pristine and remote. The kind of place you'd need a guide and a buggy to find.
The final stretch cuts inland to Little Sahara's sand dunes, where the landscape shifts to desert-like terrain. The guide shares the history of the area while you drive, and the ride itself is the point. The dunes are the kind of place few people get to experience. Helmet and goggles are provided for protection, and the whole thing wraps in roughly two hours.
Is this one for you?Small groups keep the buggy nimble on tracks a full-size vehicle can't navigate, which is what makes the Eleanor River gum forests, the clifftop views and the inland dunes reachable in a single morning.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the drive like to get to Vivonne Bay where the tour starts?
Vivonne Bay is about 90 minutes from the Penneshaw ferry terminal by car. There's no shuttle service or taxi on the island, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to reach the meeting point.
Will I actually see koalas on this tour?
Koala sightings are guaranteed along the Eleanor River in the 500-year-old gum forests at the start of the tour. The guide knows the trees where they live and takes the buggy through the habitat.
What wildlife might I spot beyond the koalas?
Along the Eleanor River you may see orchids and Ligurian bees. At the coast and clifftops, whales, dolphins, seals, ospreys and wedge-tailed eagles are frequently spotted. The guide knows where to look for them.
Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?
The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Transportation options are also wheelchair accessible, so you can arrange your arrival and departure accordingly.
Small-Group Buggy Tour: Little Sahara & Eleanor River
1h 50m · EN
from AU$ 147 per person
≈ US$ 105 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.