Arkaba Walk - 4 day

Arrive Arkaba Homestead by 8am to meet your field guides and walking group. Our team will greet you, and transfer you via vehicle to The Arkaba Walk starting point. There’s time to arrange your provided backpack with daily essentials, hydration packs and walking poles before our 35 minute drive to the starting point. We traverse the flat basin of Wilpena Pound and gradually ascend 1.5km to the rim of the Pound, climbing 200 metres ahead of a steeper descent of about 1km into Arkaba wilderness and Black’s Gap camp. Expect to arrive around 5:30pm in time to settle in, take a hot bush shower (with a view!) and enjoy a pre-dinner drink and canape service as the sun sinks behind the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound. Our 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. A three-course evening feast, taken al fresco under the evening sky is accompanied by local South Australian wine. Enjoy some interesting tales the camp fire and retire to your swag bed for an unforgettable night under a canopy of stars.

Meals:  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 with 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 a leisurely breakfast at the Arkaba Homestead and a few options to make the most of your morning. You might like to head poolside or recline by the stone fireplace with a book, depending on the time of year. A self-guided stroll along Arkaba Creek to our historic Arkaba woolshed might pique your interest. Or you might retreat into nature from Arkaba’s hide. Not only a place to see, but to watch wildlife and all the fascinating interactions that occur between species. We know you’ll remember the beauty and scale of the outback Australian landscape; and then the knowledge and passion of Arkaba’s field guides who immerse you in the stories that lie behind it. This is what really makes the Wild Bush Luxury experience at Arkaba so special. The Wild Bush Luxury team will bid farewell as you depart Arkaba by 11am check-out today.

Meals:  B,L