At a Glance
The Flinders Ranges Arkaba Outback Walk 4D3N is a 4-day luxury walk based at 60,000 acres of private conservancy set against the remarkable backdrop of the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound. Explore the Flinders Ranges by foot, take in the sights and sounds of the outback, learn stories of early pioneers and one of Australia's oldest landscapes, and share quality family time in the beautiful surrounds of nature and wildlife.
At Arkaba we have 60,000 acres of private conservancy for you to enjoy quality time in the beautiful surrounds of nature and wildlife. There’s no better way to take in the sights and sounds of the outback than by exploring on foot – tracking wildlife using their habits and behavioural cues, learning stories of early pioneers and one of Australia’s oldest ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- One night at the beautifully restored 1850s Arkaba Homestead (member of Luxury Lodges of Australia) in a private guestroom
- Two nights' camping in deluxe swags on the signature star beds set up at spectacular locations under the stars. Deluxe swag and camping essentials
- Bush-inspired meals curated by a team led by Head Chef Calvin and prepared at camp by the field guides. South Australia beverages from an open bar. Inclusive of local wines, beer and spirits.
- Fully hosted and guided three day walk across the Arkaba property. Immersive bush walks to showcase the abundance of wildlife & Arkaba’s conservation mission to protect it
- Walking equipment
- 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
Itinerary
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Walking distance: approximately 13km, allowing 5 – 6 hours Self drive to arrive at Arkaba Homestead by 8am. The team will greet you, and transfer you via vehicle to The Arkaba Walk starting point. Today, traverse the basin of Wilpena Pound before crossing into Arkaba’s private wildlife conservancy. Descend to the exclusive Black’s Gap bush camp for tonight’s accommodation in signature swags. This morning we will cross over the majestic landmark that is Wilpena Pound, walking across the largely flat interior, followed by a gradual 1.5km ascent to the rim of the Pound. By the afternoon, we will arrive at tonight’s bush camp to settle in, take a rinse shower and enjoy an evening aperitivo as the sun sets behind the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound. The signature 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. The guides and camp assistant will prepare a three course camp dinner, taken al fresco under the evening sky and accompanied by fine wine for the adults and juice/soft drink options for the children and some interesting tales about Arkaba and the Ikara-Flinders area. Retire to your deluxe swag, and enjoy a night under a canopy of stars. Turn in to our deluxe swags and enjoy a night under a canopy of stars. |
Black's Gap Camp
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: approximately 14 - 15km, 6 - 7 hours Stretch out in one of the world’s oldest landscapes, learn about Arkaba’s 500 million year journey and how we are protecting and allowing natural processes to reassert themselves in this country. 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. 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. Your luggage and swags will have been transported by vehicle to your next signature swag camp, the Elder Camp. You can expect to arrive around 5.30 pm in time for a hot bush shower with a view, a 3 course dinner and another beautiful night under the stars. |
Elder CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: approximately 14 - 15km, 6 - 7 hours Walk across varying terrain through mallee and cypress forests before ascending the Red Range, en route to Arkaba Homestead. Return for a luxurious night back at the lodge, with a glass of wine by the firepit, followed by a dinner to savour prepared by our in-house chef team. Wake to the glorious morning light creeping across the Elder Range, lighting it up in red and orange hues. As we move south east, the first few kilometers will be amongst hill country at the foot of the Elder Range walking through mallee and native pine forests, before ascending the Red Range and down onto the shady banks of the Arkaba Creek, lined with river red gum trees. There are plenty of opportunities to spot birds that commune in the canopy, including galahs, parrots and honeyeater species. The pace is unhurried with time to stop and breathe in the outback, view wildlife and take photographs. Arrive at Arkaba Homestead mid-afternoon, with time to relax. Or, perhaps you’d like to take a pre-booked sunset scenic flight over the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound. This evening enjoy a hosted feast at Arkaba Homestead, your last memorable night at Arkaba. |
Arkaba’s HomesteadBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Enjoy a relaxing morning at leisure to relax poolside, take an optional scenic flight over the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound or perhaps visit Arkaba’s wildlife viewing hide or historic woolshed. Check out from 11am. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Arkaba Homestead, with a morning of leisure. You might like to head poolside or recline by the stone fireplace with a book. If still feeling active, enjoy a self-guided stroll along Arkaba Creek to the historic Arkaba woolshed. Or perhaps visit the Arkaba hide for wildlife viewing by the waterhole. Scenic flights over Flinders Ranges are available, if you would like to pre-book to enjoy an experience from the air this morning. The team will bid farewell as you depart Arkaba by 11am for check out. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
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Dates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures or group bookings.
More Info
- Tour starts in Wilpena Pounds / Arkaba Homestead
- Tour finishes in Wilpena Pounds / Arkaba Homestead
- Guests self drive to arrive and depart
Day 1: Approximately 13km, allowing 5 – 6 hours
Day 2: Approximately 14 - 15km, 6 - 7 hours
Day 3: Approximately 14 – 15km, 6 – 7 hours
Day 4: Depart
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.
