4
Introductory to Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 3 days walking
Accommodation
  • 2 nights luxury permanent camps
  • 2 nights homestead
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

5 Days$4400AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: AKW

Arkaba Trip highlights

  • Arkaba Walk is a trip of the Great Walks of Australia
  • Traverse the ancient and spectaclar Flinders Ranges
  • Spend your first and last evenings relaxing in Arkaba’s exclusive luxury lodge with panoramas of Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range
  • Relax around the campfire, indulging in a three-course camp dinners with fine South Australian wines
  • View local wildlife including emus, kangaroos, wallaroos, many bird species and the rare Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby

Why Book With Us

  • Sleep and dine under the stars in our signature swag camps
  • Vehicle supported camping throughout allows you to walk with just a day pack
  • Explore 60,000 acres of privately-owned and carefully protected outback
  • Join an adventure that allows you to actively contribute to a conservation mission to help save the biodiversity of Australia's wildlife

Set against the backdrop of the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, the Arkaba Walk is an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds, the scale and the space of outback Australia in a style that is exclusive and authentic. Our bush luxury philosophy brings a team of passionate guides and a few key creature comforts to an immersive bush experience.

Arkaba's skilled guides lead the small groups over the 3 days of walking, sharing their passion and knowledge of the landscape, geology, pioneering history and abundant wildlife, which includes emus, kangaroos, wallaroos, many bird species and the rare Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby.

Walks are supported by a vehicle and staff member, who transfer all the bedding and personal gear between camps, so that walkers carry only a daypack. Evening meals draw on the finest and freshest produce, with some local bush tucker influences, accompanied by fine South Australian wines.

Activities:

Itinerary

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Meet your guide in the arrivals hall at Adelaide at 9.30am sharp on day 1. Alternatively, if you have stayed in Adelaide, you will be met in the lobby of your centrally located hotel between 09:30 and 10:00am, before hitting the open road to Arkaba. Heading north from Adelaide, you will bypass the small country towns of Virgina, Two Wells and Dublin. Keep an eye out for the imaginative collection of large sculptures along the highway, made by way of protesting the development of a waste facility in the small town. Stop for lunch on the banks of Bumbunga Lake. Following a quick break, your journey will take you past the infamous Snowtown, Redhill, Port Pirie and Port Germein before another short stop in the historic railway town of Quorn. From here, Arkaba is about an hour away, and you will arrive to Arkaba Homestead by 5pm in time to freshen up before your guided lay of the land experience and a three course meal hosted by one of Arkaba’s field guides.

Meals:  L,D

Breakfast will ensure you are sufficiently fueled and ready to explore before our 35 minute drive to our starting point. The distance today is approximately 13km, from Wilpena Resort into Wilpena Pound, crossing the interior of the Pound before the brief ascent to the rim of the Pound. From here, overlook Arkaba Conservancy and the route for the next three days. From here, enter the Arkaba Wilderness and descend off the lip of the Pound to Black’s Gap Camp. Expect to walk into camp at the foot of Wilpena Pound at around 5.30pm, in time to settle in; take a hot shower and enjoy a cuppa or something a little stronger, while enjoying the evening light on the Pound behind camp. Our 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. Our guide 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.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s walk covers a magnificent 14-15km of distance - again, depending on fitness and interest we will vary the route accordingly. This day is arguably the most scenic, as we move out from Black’s Gap into the rolling hills and more open vistas. The first 2km of the hike will follow the famous Heysen Trail through Black’s Gap itself. 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. The last leg of the day will take us slightly West into the hills and up to the very base of the Elder Range among beautiful stands of Native Cypress Pine trees. Our luggage and swags will have been transported by vehicle to our new camp - Elder Camp - and we will again expect to arrive into camp around 5.30pm in time for a hot shower, a 3 course dinner and another beautiful night under the stars.

Meals:  B,L,D

Wake to the glorious morning light on the Elder Range directly ahead and above you. After a nourishing breakfast and pack up, set out on the next leg of the journey. Depending on the group’s fitness and ability, the day will cover a minimum of 10km – with some diversion to points of interest and lookouts, this is more likely to be around 14-15km on the day. The pace will be unhurried, with plenty of time to stop for photographs, bird watching, botanising and discussion. We will again traverse multiple habitats today, as we move south east – 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, we 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 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. Once again our luggage will precede us into the homestead. Enjoy a taste of wild bush luxury at Arkaba homestead: a beautifully prepared meal and some excellent South Australian wines in a quintessentially Australian outback setting before retiring for your final night.

Meals:  B,L,D

Enjoy breakfast at the Arkaba Homestead before departing at 8:30am for your scenic overland transfer to Adelaide via South Australia’s Clare Valley wine country. We’ll make our way through the historic outback towns of Quorn, Wilmington, Mount Remarkable and Melrose, all famous for their nature filled valleys and riverbeds. Lined with massive River Red Gum trees, the land around these towns is home to a multitude of native Australian animals and birds. Head from Melrose into the beautiful Clare Valley, a region famous for its wines. We enjoy lunch and some wine tasting (naturally!) before continuing south through the Adelaide Hills, arriving at Adelaide Airport at approximately 5pm. Please arrange your departing flights from 6pm, to allow enough time for check-in. Alternatively, if you are staying on in Adelaide we are happy to arrange to drop you at your city located hotel with our compliments.

Meals:  B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, and trail snacks
  • All beverages including beer and wine
  • 2 nights accommodation in luxury permanent camps and 2 nights in homestead, twin share
  • Professional walking guide and support team
  • Basic toiletries - soap and shampoo
  • Use of a 30L day pack with inbuilt 2.5L water bladder
  • Return group road transfer from Adelaide (needs 4 people to run or a supplement for a private transfer will apply)
  • All entrance and National Park fees
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • Walking poles and sock protectors
  • Basic toiletries
  • Conservation Levy directly contributing to wildlife conservation programs
  • Support vehicle for transporting your luggage between camps

  • Airfares
  • Accommodation prior and post trip
  • Items of personal nature such as laundry and postage
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature

Accommodation

Arkaba Conservancy Campsites

Your Arkaba Walk is inclusive of two night's camping in deluxe swags on signature star beds. Each camp has five permanent swag decks. 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. Each deck has been fitted with a sheltered area towards the back, where your swag beds will be placed in the event of wind or rain. 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.

Arkaba Homestead

The first and final nights are spent in the comfort of the Arkaba homestead, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia. The Arkaba Homestead adds a luxury element at the end of the walk. All of the homestead guestrooms are en-suite and have French doors opening on to the deep homestead veranda.

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

The Arkaba Walk is a ‘introductory to moderate’ walk. You will cover between 13 to 15km per day over steep, hilly terrain with some mountain scrambling. The route follows some thick vegetation, up hillsides and rocky surfaces. You can be walking up to 7 hours per day with plenty of ascents and descents and across uneven ground. Whilst you do not need previous trekking experience, a good level of fitness is required. Suggested preparation: We recommend regular exercise 3 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) in the months leading up to your trip. At least once a week you should walk with a weighted day pack (5kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip so we recommend including bush walks and multi-day walking in your preparation.

Departure dates


Notes

DN1
In addition to the World Expeditions deposit, you will also be required to pay an additional deposit of 20% of the trip cost (paid in your local currency at the current rate of exchange). Please note that full payment and personal details forms are due 60 days prior to departure.

Priceper person from

$4400AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementAUD$2000
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Arkaba Walk trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The trip requires a minimum group size of 4. The maximum number of people is 10.

The Arkaba Walk involves walking over steep, hilly terrain with some mountain scrambling. The route follows some thick vegetation, up hillsides, crossing creeks and rocky surfaces. You can be walking up to 7 hours per day with plenty of ascents and descents and across uneven ground.

Gloriously, there is no Wi-Fi or phone reception at Arkaba, with the bush camps operated by solar power so you will only be able to charge your devices when returning to the homestead on day 4. We recommend bringing portable battery pack recharges if your device requires charging during the walk, particularly if you plan on taking plenty of photos!

No, previous experience is not necessary. However, you will need a good level of fitness to enjoy the walk.

You will need a good level of fitness as we cover between 12 and 14km per day for three walking days. It’s not a race to the finish, rather an experience that encourages you to take your time, soak in the outback and stories passionately shared by our field guides. There are two sections that some will find more challenging, a steep descent from the lip of Wilpena Pound at the end of day 1, and a steep ascent to the summit of the Red Range at the end of day 2. The reward more than makes up for these short, sharp sections with incredible photo opportunities. One of the best things about the Arkaba Walk is the style is exploratory, you don’t follow a fixed trail and we have flexibility to change up the route according to fitness and interest levels of your collective group.

The trip includes a return road transfer from Adelaide airport or a city located hotel.

The walk operates between March and October with each month offers different flavours, as South Australia is a very seasonal destination. The wildlife at Arkaba is incredible all year round, as is the ever inspiring natural environment, so the best time to walk will depend when you can get away and your preferred walking weather.

March to May provides warm Autumn days, with moderate nights and the earth can still be quite dry.

June to August is Winter and the earth usually starts to green up with a bit of rain, the days are perfect for walking and the nights are cold (with all sorts of Wild Bush Luxury tricks to keep our walkers nice and warm, don’t be concerned if you feel the cold more than others!).

September and October see the arrival of Spring, when rain dependant wildflowers are out and new animals are born. Nights are still quite moderate though the days will begin to heat up significantly towards the end of September into October.

The arrival of the wildflowers is very dependent on rainfall, however we have found in previous years that late August to September seems the time most likely to see the delicate, vibrant petals popping out between the ancient earth. Green and red rough-leaved grevillea, the bright purple vanilla lily and soft silver mulla mulla welcome spring to the Flinders and our guides know just the places to find them!

A support vehicle takes your main luggage ahead leaving you carrying your day bag only for your water, lunch, trail snacks and any personal items you might like available to you throughout the day. Your day pack will likely weigh around 5kg.

While not necessary, we do provide walking poles for your use. They’re lightweight, easily adjustable and are ideal for taking weight off your knees as you descend off the lip of Wilpena Pound, the jewel in the crown of the Flinders Ranges.

It is essential that you have footwear that are broken in and have ankle support, as the creeks beds in particular can be unsteady underfoot. If you don’t have time to break in a new pair of hiking boots, and feel confident in your existing walking shoes, then comfortable trainers would be suitable.

You are welcome to use your own but we do provide you with a 30L day pack with ridged lumbar support, which includes a hydration bladder holding up to 2L. If you have a preferred water bottle instead of the bladder provided, you are most welcome to bring this with you.

Arkaba Trip reviews

Arkaba Videos

Arkaba Walk – Flinders Ranges and Outback, South Australia

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.