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Arkaba Bush Walk
4 DAY / 3 NIGHT TRIP
Australia - Arkaba Homestead Walk
Experience an Australian Outback adventure with a touch of luxury. The Arkaba Walk is all-inclusive four day walk, on which you will see and hear the results of active conservation as you trek across a unique landscape and meet the wildlife with knowledgable and passionate field guides. Enjoy full days with a small group of walkers, followed by fully catered gourmet meals and relaxing evenings under the stars.
From dry creek beds, isolated waterholes lined with 1,000 year old river gums to craggy ridge lines and rolling hills covered in cypress pines to the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound, this is some of the most stunning walking country in Australia. Your Arkaba Walk includes two night’s camping in deluxe swags and one night in the 1850s Arkaba Homestead, in a Homestead Guestroom with ensuite. Located in some of the most scenic spots on Arkaba, our walking camps have been built to blend as seamlessly as possible with the surrounding vegetation, while providing you with stunning views from every corner. The true value and luxury of a Wild Bush Luxury experience on the Arkaba Walk is the vastness of space, the feeling of exclusivity and the ability to reconnect with nature.
Each camp hosts five timber swag decks, each one is slightly elevated platform 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 a sheltered area in case of rain, and each bed is made with an all-season sleeping bag and liner. At the end of each day a warm ‘bush shower’ awaits when you arrive in camp and the composting toilets are strategically located to offer privacy and spectacular views. You’ll be amazed at the gourmet meals being served out of the remote walking camps before retiring to your signature swag bed and the chance to sleep under billions of stars.
The final night of your adventure will be spent at Arkaba’s beautifully restored Homestead, an exclusive outback experience. As the layout of the original 1850s homestead has been retained, each room has a character of its own and has been named after early settlers, explorers or property owners. Each of the five Homestead Guestrooms has its own bathroom and opens out on a shaded veranda with private views of the surrounding ranges. The decor has been hand fashioned by wildlife artist, Rosie Woodford-Ganf.
DATES
available upon request
PRICES
ask for details.
LENGTH
4 Days / 3 Nights
TYPE
Small Group
(10 or fewer)
Arkaba Trip Highlights:
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Unique Australian Outback Walk
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Camping in luxurious swags
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Historic 1850s Homestead accommodations
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Discover an environment in revival
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Fully catered gourmet meals and complimentary wines
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Trek with experienced guides
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Small group - max 10 walkers
Walk and explore at an easy pace and discover the unexpected.
Your Experience Includes:
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4-day/3-night adventure
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Luxury camping and historic accommodation as indicated in itinerary
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Expertly designed and exclusive itinerary including visits to little known destinations not typically frequented by tourists
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Daily catered meals as indicated in itinerary
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Trekking poles and day pack provided
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Expert Guide throughout
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Arrival meet & greet assistance, departure assistance when arriving and departing on the first and last day of tour
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All park fees, sanctuary fees, museum and monument entry, government taxes and statutory charges as listed on the itinerary.
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Detailed Know Before You Go information including packing list, weather forecast, recommended reading lists, websites and more!
It's not that we travel with The Walking Connection,
it's that we won't travel without them!
CARL AND JO ANN DEINER
Itinerary
Day 1
Arkaba Homestead to Black's Gap
ARKABA WALK from ARKABA:
Make your way to the Arkaba Homestead by 08:00 where you will meet your guide and have time to prepare your daypack before heading to Hawker airstrip to pick up other walking guests who are flying in from Adelaide.
ARKABA WALK from ADELAIDE:
Make your way to General Aviation Terminal at Adelaide Airport by 07:30. Meet your private charter flight departing at 08:00 arriving Hawker 08:50. Please make sure you arrive dressed for walking.
WILPENA POUND TO BLACK’S GAP CAMP:
Enjoy a packed breakfast on the 45 minute drive to Wilpena Pound to begin the walk. Cross the flat interior and a tackle a gradual 200m ascent over 1.5km to the rim of the Pound, before a steeper descent of about 1km into the Arkaba Conservancy and Black’s Gap Camp. Enjoy a warm shower and dinner before settling in for a night under the stars in the luxurious swag camp.
Distance: 13 km
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Black's Gap Camp
Day 2
Black's Gap to Elder Camp
Today is arguably the most scenic, as you venture on from Black’s Gap meandering riverbeds into the rolling hills indicative of the sheep farm that previously occupied the property. The first 2km follow the famous Heysen Trail through Black’s Gap with the last leg of the day heading slightly west into rolling hills culminating in a sharp 100m climb over about 1km to the summit of the Red Range where you are rewarded with panoramic views of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges. Continue on to the foot of the Elder Range, passing through beautiful stands of native Cypress trees.
Your luggage and swags are transported by vehicle during the day to the second signature swag camp, the Elder Camp. You can expect to arrive around 5:30 pm in time for a hot bush shower with a view, a 3 course dinner and another glorious night under the stars
Distance: 15 km
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Elder Camp
Day 3
Elder Camp to Arkaba Homestead
Traverse multiple habitats on the third day, as you move south east, the first few kilometers will be in the foothills of the Elder Range. Walking through Mallee and Native Pine forests, you cross Slaty Creek, which holds water well into the dry season, sometimes even offering the opportunity to drink from crystal clear, ice cold springs. Ascend up to the ridge top of the beautiful Red Range and down to the banks of the Arkaba Creek, observing the stands of magnificent River Red Gum trees. Enjoy strategic stops along the way for rests and a relaxing lunch, and expect to arrive at the beautifully restored Arkaba Homestead, in early to mid afternoon.
Experience a beautifully chef prepared meal and some excellent South Australian wines in a quintessentially Australian outback setting before retiring for your final night.
Distance: 15 km
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Arkaba Homestead
Day 4
Depart Arkaba
ARKABA WALK from ARKABA
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the Arkaba Homestead with time for a self-guided walk to the historic Arkaba Woolshed before departing by 11:00.
ARKABA WALK from ADELAIDE
Depart Arkaba Homestead after breakfast at 08:30 for a scenic transfer through gorgeous outback towns with wine tasting and lunch in the Clare Valley. Arrive at the Adelaide Airport or hotel at 17:00 to meet onward flights departing from 18:00.
Meals included: Breakfast
Itinerary: Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.
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