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South Australia's Arkaba Walk (ex-Flinders Ranges)
A great Australian walk in the great Australian outdoors
Adventure awaits on this four-day all-Australian trek through Flinders Ranges National Park. Breathe in the fresh air of the 63,000 acres of the privately-owned Arkaba wildlife sanctuary and Outback location. Set between the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound, you’ll trek through river-red gum forests and cosy kangaroo hangouts, starting and finishing at the traditional Arkaba homestead with two nights swag-sleeping under the stars, dining on freshly prepared campfire 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: Hawker, Australia
End: Hawker, Australia
- Duration
- 4 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 €1,970
EUR €1,478
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, which 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 Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am at Arkaba Homestead, followed by a 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. Head to your custom-built outdoor rooms where you’ll rest under the Outback sky.
Accommodation
- Swag Camping under the night sky (1 night)
Meals
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time, and will be heading off on the Arkaba Walk immediately after.
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 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.
Accommodation
- Swag Camping under the night sky (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
Your walking distance today will be approximately 15 km or 6 to 7 hours. Your walking distance today will be approximately 15 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 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.
Accommodation
- Arkaba Homestead (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special information
Elder camp to Arkaba Homstead. 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. You’re free to enjoy a dip in the pool, lounge by the fireplace or get in a final walk on the Arkaba Creek trail until checkout at 11 am.
Meals
- Breakfast
Special information
The trip ends after breakfast, with a check-out time of 11 am
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
AustraliaMeals
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Walking
Accommodation
1 night at Arkaba Homestead, 2 nights Outdoor Swag Camping
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Before you book you should know
- This trip requires you to drive to Arkaba Homestead yourself, with the trip starting at 8am on day 1. Please let us know if you would like to book additional nights at Arkaba prior to the start of your trip. If you prefer your trip to start and end in Adelaide please have a look at the 5-day version that includes transfers from and to Adelaide (trip code PWXF).
- 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 at 8am at Arkaba Homestead with an immediate departure onto the Arkaba Walk, and finishes on the last day after breakfast with check-out before 11am.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Sleeping accommodation is based on twin share (single beds) 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 room, a single supplement is available on request, at an additional cost.
OPERATIONS
This trip is operated by our trusted partner Wild Bush Luxury.
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
1 night at Arkaba Homestead, 2 nights Outdoor Swag Camping
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 HOMESTEAD
Back at the Arkaba Homestead you will be in one of five ensuite Guestrooms
Arkaba Homestead
Flinders Ranges Way
Hawker
AUSTRALIA
Instructions
Arkaba Conservancy is located in South Australia, on the southern edge of Wilpena Pound and the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The drive from Adelaide takes 5 hours via Port Augusta or a little longer via the Clare Valley wine region. The scenic route via the Clare Valley is extremely pretty and has some fantastic places to stop along the drive for lunch. The road on both the scenic and direct drive to Arkaba is on sealed tarmac all the way so a 4WD is not necessary, unless preferred. Please ensure you have the drive directions from/to Adelaide printed or downloaded ahead of time as you will be out of range and will get lost without them.
Dates and prices
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