A Fabulous Four-Wheel-Drive Adventure -- With a rented vehicle from Adelaide, the Prairie Hotel is a day's drive north through the Clare Valley wine region. Stop off along the way for a traditional Aussie lunch at Bluey Blundstone's Café in Melrose (tel. 08/8666 2173). The next day it's a 3- to 4-hour drive to William Creek, an Outback town with a takeout restaurant, pub and hotel, satellite phone box, campground, and general store. Explore the Outback Camel Safaris (tel. 08/8672 3968) offers 4-day camel safaris across the desert from here (check the website for alternate ways to get to William Creek). Just 20km (12 miles) before you reach town is a turnoff to Lake Eyre, a giant salt lake that's more often than not as dry as a bone. Wrightsair (tel. 0418/336 748 mobile) offers 1-hour flights over Lake Eyre for around A$180 (US$144/UK£72) per person. Camping beside the lake is a magical experience. The next day it's a 166km (103-mile) drive to Coober Pedy, and then a 9-hour drive back to Adelaide.