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Flinders Ranges Arkaba Walk from Adelaide
A great Australian walk in the great Australian outdoors
Adventure awaits on this five-day all-Australian trek through the Flinders Ranges. Soon after you say goodbye to the streets of Adelaide you’ll be breathing in the fresh air of the 63,000 acres of the privately-owned Arkaba wildlife sanctuary. An Outback location set between the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound, you’ll trek through river-red gum forests and cosy kangaroo hangouts. Start and finish at our base at Arkaba with two nights swag-sleeping under the stars, dining on freshly prepared meals and trekking one of the Great Walks of Australia. Learn from expert guides about the conservation efforts and walk in style on this fully hosted hike through South Australia.
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Start: Adelaide, Australia
End: Adelaide, Australia
- Duration
- 5 days
- Group size
- 1 to 10
- Minimum age
- 12 years old
- Style
- Comfort
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Walking & trekking
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
From
EUR €2,410
Why you'll love this trip
- Set off on one of the Great Walks of Australia – the Arkaba Walk, one of the top multi-day guided hiking experiences that showcases the vast and impressive Great Australian Outdoors.
- Wander through Wilpena Pound, meaning ‘meeting place’ in the Adnyamathanha language, where thousands of years of geological erosion have left an ancient landform.
- Learn about the region’s history and conservation efforts from expert trail guides who’ll support you every step of the way, providing a fully supported walking experience.
- Explore the wilderness of the Flinders Ranges from Elder Range to Wilpena Pound as you journey on foot through this Outback landscape with expert guides.
Itinerary
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 in the township of Clare. Arrive in the Flinders Ranges sometime after 2 pm and take some time to check in and freshen up. Tonight, sit down to a 3-course meal made with fresh, local produce and prepared by a dedicated team.
Accommodation
- Eco cabins (1 night)
Meals
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
Pick up this morning is from your nominated hotel in Adelaide's CBD between 9:30am and 10:00am. It’s very important that you are on time as we will leave Adelaide straight away this morning.
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Get in a hearty breakfast 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 4.30 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.
Accommodation
- Swag Camping under the night sky (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
Wilpena Pound to Black’s Gap bush camp. Your walking distance today will be approximately 13 km or 5 to 6 hours.
Rise and shine for another leg of the Arkaba Walk. Depart from Black's 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 (Urdlu warlpunha), 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.
Accommodation
- Swag Camping under the night sky (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
Black’s Gap bush camp to Elder Range bush camp. Your walking distance today will be approximately 14 km or 6 to 7 hours.
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 base and your eco cabins at Arkaba 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.
Accommodation
- Eco cabins (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
Elder Range bush camp to Arkaba eco cabins. Your walking distance today will be approximately 15 km or 6 to 7 hours.
Wake up to your last day in Arkaba with a final breakfast with your hiking group. Say goodbye to the Arkaba team as you depart the lodge by 9 am to return to Adelaide, stopping among the heritage buildings of 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.
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Arrival in Adelaide will be sometime between late afternoon and early evening (estimated around 5pm), which should be factored in when booking onward travel.
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
AustraliaMeals
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Walking, Private vehicle
Accommodation
Eco Cabins (2 nights), Outdoor Swag Camping (2 nights)
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Before you book you should know
- This trip starts and ends in Adelaide with hotel pick-ups and drop-offs. If you prefer a shorter trip and drive to our base at Arkaba with your own vehicle please check out our 4-day version (trip code PWXH).
- This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Good footwear, clothing for all types of weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Your luggage will be transported between camps by vehicle. Training for this tour is important. To ensure that you are physically able to enjoy yourself you should be able to comfortably walk 15km on unpaved terrain by the start of the tour. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.
- It is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for the trip. This trip’s remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible. Please also advise us of any medical conditions at the time of booking and bring along any personal medication. Please note that if you require urgent medical attention during the trip, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility.
WALKING & TREKKING
This is a hiking trip. Please come physically prepared and with the right hiking gear in order to complete the hikes safely and comfortably. Please read the trip notes carefully and take note of the packing list. Note that your main luggage will be transported between camps by vehicle.
START & END TIMES
The trip begins with a pick up at your hotel in Adelaide between 9:30am and 10:00am. Please advise us of your pick-up location well ahead of time. The trip finishes upon arrival back into Adelaide on the last day at approximately 5:00pm.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Sleeping accommodation is based on twin share (single beds and single swags) and single travellers may be required to share accommodation with another single walker of the same gender. For guests who prefer not to share a cabin or swag shelter, a single supplement is available on request, at an additional cost.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Please let us know of any dietary requirements or medical conditions well ahead of time. The Flinders Ranges are remote, and last minute changes to dietary needs may not be able to be catered for.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
As we operate in remote areas, you will need to bring all of your own personal medications with you. While our leaders are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry any emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention during the trip, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. If you have any pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the trip or may have an impact on other guests’ experiences and you do not disclose these prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the trip.
Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The "Add connection" feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.
Travel and visa requirements
Eco Cabins (2 nights), Outdoor Swag Camping (2 nights)
SWAG CAMPING
Sleeping out under the stars at our two Signature Swag Camps will be one of the highlights of your trip. One of five timber swag decks will be your room for the night. Each are slightly elevated with a half metre corrugated iron screen around three sides to give privacy, the fourth side is left open to the views over the countryside, while above you is the night sky and a canopy of stars. Your bed itself is a ‘swag’ – the bedding of choice for generations of Australian pioneers, a canvas envelope that is comfortable and waterproof, protecting you from the elements. Inside each swag will be an all seasons sleeping bag with liner. Each deck has a sheltered area where your swag beds will be placed in the event of wind or rain. Facilities at the camps are shared. In tune with our sustainability principles, each camp has two waterless composting toilets that require no use of chemicals and have no polluting discharge. You will enjoy ‘bush showers’ – essentially buckets that our camp assistants will fill by hand with water warmed over the fire and equipped with taps to regulate the flow. Strategically located to enjoy the best of the views, whilst remaining discreet, these showers will be a feature of your trip.
ARKABA ECO CABINS
From May 2027, to create a more immersive camp-to-camp walking experience and deepen your connection to this remarkable landscape, we are excited to introduce our brand-new, purpose-built Eco Cabins, located within Arkaba's private conservancy in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Designed exclusively for Arkaba Walk guests, the cabins offer the comfort of private ensuite accommodation while maintaining the authentic feel of a remote wilderness camp. Guests will gather each evening in a communal dining pavilion and around the outdoor fire pit to share stories, enjoy hosted dining experiences and soak up the magic of the outback under some of Australia's darkest skies. Thoughtfully designed to blend into the environment, the Eco Cabins allow you to sleep amongst the wildlife and landscapes you spend each day exploring, creating a seamless connection between the walking experience and your overnight stay, without compromising on comfort, service or the intimate small-group atmosphere that makes the Arkaba Walk so special.
Your Adelaide Hotel
Pick up between 9:30am and 10:00am
Adelaide
AUSTRALIA
Instructions
We will collect you from your hotel in Adelaide's CBD between 9:30am and 10:00am on Day 1 of the trip. Please advise us of your pick-up location at the time of booking. It’s very important that you are on time as we will leave Adelaide straight away.
Dates and prices
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