South Australia’s Arkaba Walk (ex-Adelaide)

Welcome to Adelaide! Or Tandanya, in the language of the Kaurna people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Adelaide is now located. Begin your South Australia walking adventure with a welcome in Adelaide this morning. Meet your trip leader and fellow trekkers before departing to Arkaba, stopping along the way for an included lunch among the heritage buildings of Watervale. Arrive at the Arkaba Homestead sometime after 2 pm and take some time to check in and freshen up before your afternoon safari experience, where you’ll join an expert field guide on a 4WD for a wildlife drive through the property. Tonight, sit down to a 3-course meal made with fresh, local produce and prepared by the kitchen.

Get in a hearty breakfast at the lodge before jumping aboard your ride to the Arkaba Walk starting point. From here, you’ll walk the mostly flat interior of the Wilpena Pound basin then cross into Arkaba’s private wildlife conservancy. Today’s walk is your introduction to the species and sights of the ancient mountain range within Flinders Ranges National Park. Arrive at Black’s Gap bush camp around 5.30 pm, where you’ll be shown to your swags (traditional Australian sleeping bag made of canvas). Take time to relax and rinse off in a bush shower before joining your group for aperitivo to watch the sunset over Wilpena Pound. Tonight’s South Australian-inspired camp dinner will be prepared by your field guide and accompanied by local wines. Retire to your swag bed for an unforgettable night under a canopy of outback stars.

Rise and shine for another leg of the Arkaba Walk. Depart from Black Gap on the Heysen Trail – Australia’s longest walking track. Today, you won’t be walking the entire trail but through the rolling hills and pastoral remains of the Flinders Ranges. While on the walk, you’ll hear about Arkaba’s 500-million-year history, learning about current-day protection and conservation work while you wander past old shepherds’ camps and mustering yards. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as kangaroos and emus that have been sighted along the trail. Today’s trek concludes with a final leg that involves a steep 1 km climb of around 100 m in elevation to reach the summit of Red Range. From here, enjoy the well-earned view of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, then continue your walk to the foot of the Elder Range, passing through groves of native cypress trees and arriving at your second swag camp. A hot bush rinse shower, a freshly prepared meal and another evening of outdoor sleeping awaits at Elder Camp.

Wake up to the fresh morning air and orange-hued tones of Elder Range before leaving camp and heading southeast. Wander through mallee and native pine forests at the base of Elder Range before rising out of hill country into the Red Range. Enjoy the scenery from up high before travelling down to the red gum-lined riverbank of Arkaba Creek. Slowly make your way along the trail with plenty of time to spot any lurking galahs, parrots or honeyeaters who frequent the area. Soak up the last stretch of the Outback trail before you return to Arkaba Homestead mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free to spend however you choose, with options including a pre-booked sunset flight over Wilpena Pound or simply relaxing at the lodge. Dinner tonight will begin with a glass of wine by the firepit followed by another dinner made and prepared by your in-house chefs.

Wake up to your last day in Arkaba with a final breakfast with your hiking group. The rest of the morning is free to enjoy the amenities (fancy a dip in the pool or a rest by the fireplace?) or self-guided tracks along Arkaba Creek. Pre-booked scenic flights are also available this morning for those who’d like to get one last view of Wilpena Pound. Say goodbye to the Arkaba team as you depart the lodge by 11 am to return to Adelaide, stopping again at Watervale for lunch and to stretch your legs. You can expect to arrive back at your hotel in Adelaide around late afternoon to early evening at which time the trip comes to an end.