At a Glance
The Flinders Ranges Arkaba walk is a 5-day experience that immerses walkers in the story of the land - walk in the wild and sleep under starry skies. Set against the remarkable backdrop of the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, this Arkaba walking safari is an opportunity to experience the outback in a style that is both exclusive and authentic.
The Flinders Ranges offers some of Australia's most spectacular outback scenery. Nestled among this ancient geological monument, Arkaba's 60,000 acre private conservancy is home to an incredible array of bird and wildlife now protected by the Arkaba Wildlife Conservancy. Owners of Arkaba protect this ancient land and share it with those in search of an authentic Australian bush experience. This fully guided experience combines an outback ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Two nights in the beautifully restored 1850s Arkaba Homestead (member of Luxury Lodges of Australia)
- Two nights' camping in deluxe swags on the signature star beds set up at spectacular locations under the stars
- All meals and drinks including trail snacks, beverages & local South Australian wine. Chef prepared three course gourmet meals at the homestead
- Guided Wilpena Pound land safari on day 1
- Guided walks for 3 days
- A support vehicle for transporting your main luggage between camps
- A suitable hydration backpack with plenty of room for your lunch, camera and items of a personal nature
- Sock protectors, fly net and basic toiletries
- National park entry fees and expert field guide(s)
- A donation to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy
- Adelaide return transfers. One-way direct (5 hours) and one-way scenic (7 hours) including lunch and wine tasting
Itinerary
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Pick up from Adelaide. Arrive Arkaba Homestead and enjoy a welcome and orientation in good time ahead of your guided safari experience taking you deep into Arkaba’s conservancy. You’ll explore high ranges, rolling hill country, gorges and valleys revealing a huge variety of habitat providing the opportunity to immerse yourself in the story of the bush - its ancient geology and all of its glorious diversity. Your guided lay of the land safari experience is usually capped off with a sundowner drink on top of the ranges with the scale and grandeur of outback South Australia laid out for miles around. Dinner is hosted by one of the field guides and is shared with fellow guests providing an atmosphere more akin to staying with friends in the country, or a private safari lodge than a typical luxury hotel. |
Arkaba Homestead
Dinner |
Walking distance: approximately 13km, 5-6hours Breakfast will ensure you are sufficiently fueled and ready to explore before our short 35 minute drive to the starting point. Set off on foot through the basin of Wilpena Pound before walking onto Arkaba's private wildlife conservancy for the edge of the pound and descending to Black Gaps Camp. The distance today is approximately 13km through the flat interior of Wilpena Pound and a gradual 1.5km ascent to the rim of the Pound, climbing 200 metres ahead of a steeper descent of about 1km into Arkaba wilderness and Black’s Gap Signature Swag Camp. Expect to walk into camp at around 5:30pm in time to settle in. Take a hot bush shower and enjoy a cuppa or something a little stronger, while enjoying the evening light on the Pound behind camp. The camp is located between Bunbinyana Range and Wilpena Pound, on a site previously occupied by a shepherd in the late 1850s. His stone chimney place still exists and we camp overlooking the creek where he used to take his water. Your guides and camp assistant will prepare a three-course camp dinner, taken al fresco under the evening sky and accompanied by fine wine and some interesting tales about Arkaba and the Flinders area. Turn in to our deluxe swags and enjoy a night under a canopy of stars. |
Black's Gap CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: approximately 14-15km, 6-7hours Today is arguably the most scenic, as we move out from Black’s Gap into the rolling hills more suited to the sheep farming activities previously carried out across the property. A challenging hike through creeks and broken country approaching the foothills of the Elder Range to Elder Camp. The first 2km will follow the famous Heysen Trail through Black’s Gap itself revealing a fascinating insight into the pastoral history of the region, pausing at old shepherds’ camps and mustering yards, with Red and Grey Kangaroos and Emus all regular sightings. The last leg of the day will take us slightly west into rolling hills culminating in a sharp 1km climb of about 100m in elevation to the summit of the Red Range where we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Ikara Flinders Ranges before moving on to the foot of Elder Range passing through beautiful stands of native Cypress trees. Today’s section of the walk provides fascinating insight into the pastoral history of the region, passing through areas that once were cultivated for wheat, pausing at old shepherds' camps and mustering yards, with Red and Grey Kangaroos and emus all regular sightings. Your luggage and swags will have been transported by vehicle to Elder Camp. You will again expect to arrive into camp around 5:30 pm. A hot bush shower, dinner and another special night under the great Australian sky awaits. |
Elder CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: approximately 14-15km, 6-7hours Wake to glorious morning light creeping up the Elder Range. The first few kilometres will be amongst the hill country at the foot of the Elder Range, traversing mature Mallee and Native Pine forests as we cross Slaty Creek. This creek holds water well into the dry season and sometimes offers the opportunity to drink from crystal clear, ice cold springs. From here, you progress up to the ridge top of the beautiful Red Range before beginning our descent to Arkaba Creek. The riverbank is home to hundreds of magnificent River Red Gums, and is quite spectacular, with plenty of opportunities to spot birds that commune in the canopy, including galahs, parrots and honeyeater species. We pass reliable water points providing year-round life support for kangaroos, parrots and emus. The pace is unhurried with time to stop and breathe in the outback, view wildlife and take photographs. With strategic stops along the way for rests and relaxing lunch in a shady spot, we will expect to arrive at our final destination - Arkaba homestead, in early-mid afternoon. This evening enjoy a hosted feast and guided viewing of the Southern Hemisphere’s clearest skies silhouetted against mountains half a billion years in the making in a quintessentially Australian outback setting before retiring for your final night. |
Arkaba HomesteadBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Arkaba Homestead and a few options to fill your morning. A comfortable library with deep leather armchairs and a large stone fireplace provides some seclusion for enjoying a quiet drink and a good book. The sun lounges by the swimming pool might just be calling your name. There is also the option of a self-guided walk along Arkaba creek to the historic Arkaba Woolshed. Still to this day you will find names etched on the stone wall of shearers gone, dating right back to the late 1800s. We will bid farewell as you depart Arkaba by 10am check-out today. Transfer to Adelaide for your onward destination. |
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Dates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures or group bookings.
More Info
Guests are required to self-drive to Flinders Ranges to start the tour. The closest airport servicing the Flinders Ranges is Port Augusta Airport. Rex Regional Express operates flights between Adelaide and Port Augusta. The drive from Adelaide to Rawnsley Park Station is 440km and takes approximately 4hrs and 42min.
Road & charter flight transfers can be arranged for you. Please contact us for transfer arrangements.
Day1: None
Day 2: Approximately 13 km, 5-6 hours
Day 3: Approximately 14-15km, 6-7 hours
Day 4: Approximately 14-15km, 6-7 hours
Day 5: None
The climate in the Southern Outback is generally dry and sunny year round.
AUTUMN (Mar - May)
This season provides warm days with cooler evenings. Day temperatures will average between 15 – 20°C with the later part of the season being cooler. The evening temperatures will be much cooler and warm clothing will be required. As the days cool, wildlife becomes more active during the middle parts of the day.
WINTER (Jun - Aug)
Walking in winter is particularly beautiful in the Flinders with cold nights and days that are warm with some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. This season provides ideal walking weather with daily temperatures of around 15°C and occasionally as high as 25°C. The evenings and early mornings will be very cold and winter clothing will be required. During July/August temperatures can drop to below 0°C at night. A roaring camp fire and warming glasses of red wine will be enjoyed each night and after winter rains, with surface water in the creeks, wildlife will be far-reaching with lots of food available and very active throughout the day. Emus will generally begin laying from August onwards.
SPRING (Sep - Nov)
Spring in the Flinders Ranges is undeniably spectacular! It is a great time to spot emu chicks as they begin hatching and the outback brown and orange colours are bright with red, yellow, white and purple with native plants and wildflowers. Migratory birds will generally begin to appear and wedgetail eagle chicks will hatch between August and September, fledging by November. The abundance of and timing of the wildflowers depends entirely on rainfall throughout the year. Day temperatures can average between 20°C-25°C with the later part of the season getting warmer. The evening temperatures will be cooler in the early part of the season so a warm layer of clothing will be required.
SUMMER (Dec - Feb)
The walking tour is not operate during the hot, summer months, although you can still book a stay at Arkaba Homestead which is open year round and enjoy shorter walks as part of guided activities that are included in the tariff.
(Data sourced from Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Units = °C)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 119 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
