Arkaba Station Flinders Ranges
Location: South Australia | Flinders Range

At Arkaba a five bedroom 1850’s homestead offers a select few guests a taste of classic Australian country hospitality while a few ‘Wild Bush Luxury’ touches ensure comfort, style and a truly memorable experience.

Location

On the southern edge of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges National Park and the remarkable bastions of Wilpena Pound.

Access: 4 ½ hours’ drive from central Adelaide 1 ¾ hours’ flight by private charter aircraft from Adelaide 1 ¼ hours’ drive from Port Augusta (scheduled flights operate between Adelaide and Port Augusta with Sharp Airlines from Monday to Friday) Transfers hosted by a local guides pass through the Barossa & Clare Valleys and can include wine tastings and lunch.

Accommodation

The Arkaba Homestead, dating back to 1851, is a classic Flinders building, with thick stone walls, deep shady verandahs and corrugated roofing all set against the backdrop of the rugged Elder Range. Four traditional style bedrooms are located in the homestead, each with an en suite bathroom and access to the verandah for relaxing in the heat of day. The Coachman’s Cottage in the corner of the garden provides a fifth guest room with en suite bathroom.

The homestead looks out onto the geologically and culturally significant Elder Range, which glows pink with the first rays of sun every morning, and the Arkaba Creek lined with River Red Gums alive with the chatter of hundreds of Galahs each morning. The rooms are air conditioned and have been designed with the homestead’s heritage in mind, a mix of king and twin beds have premium mattresses, 500 threadcount cotton sheets and a choice of pillows to ensure a great night’s sleep. With no telephones, televisions, minibars or the typical features of a hotel room to distract, the focus is on the experience and one of the most beautiful properties in Australia.

A comfortable library with deep leather armchairs and a large stone fireplace provides some seclusion for enjoying a quiet drink and a good book, while dinner is hosted on the terrace overlooking the ranges and a cosy fire. A wet edge pool overlooks the Arkaba Creek and provides areas for relaxing in the midday heat of the summer months. An open bar with a selection of beverages is available to guests and the resident chef provides traditional station cuisine with some contemporary and native elements to jazz it up. Before dinner, guests can choose their wines from a cellar of premium South Australian wines.

Your hosts, Pat and Sally Kent, will ensure a friendly and informal level of attention that is only possible when you are one of a few guests. In a truly Australian way, in a style that is typically ‘down to earth’ we do not lose sight of the attention to the small details that are so important in the best accommodation.

Station Activities
From an ancient seabed to mighty mountain range, tectonic upheavals and subsequent weathering processes have produced some of Australia’s most spectacular outback scenery. Sculpted by millions of years of rain and sun into a fractured landscape of rugged gorges, furrowed valleys with cypress pines, dry creek beds lined with river red gums and vistas from the high ground across miles of outback plain, the Flinders Ranges is an introduction to the sheer scale of the outback. For wildlife watching, bush-walking, photography, Aboriginal rock art or just soaking up the sights and sounds of outback Australia, the Flinders is in a class of its own.

4WD Trips
A day trip into the neighbouring Flinders Ranges National Park includes driving through the likes of Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges, a visit to the old mining town of Blinman and lunch at an outback pub hotel.

Wildlife Viewing
The station is home to an extraordinary variety of birdlife and wildlife. Red and Grey Kangaroos, Euros (Common Wallaroos) and Emus are regular sightings on the property and, for the more intrepid walkers, a couple of colonies of Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies reside in the Elder Range.

Overland Guided Walks
The geological amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound borders Arkaba and a 3 day walk through a rich and varied landscape with overnight luxury swag camps, supplied with food and beverages in advance, is one of the best ways to take in the sights and sounds of the bush and to understand the subtleties of this environment.

Sheep Station Activities
Arkaba remains a working sheep station and offers an insight to life on a medium sized outback property and the vagaries that Australia’s climate imposes on farmers. The Arkaba woolshed was built in 1851 and is one of the finest of its kind anywhere in Australia. Shearing at Arkaba is usually in August each year but visits to neighbouring stations are arranged when shearing is in action elsewhere.

Mountain Biking
The tracks and trails of the station are perfect country for mountain biking – from the more gentle inclines in the centre of the property to the steeper angles in the foothills of the Elder Range.

Indigenous Culture
The area is rich in Aboriginal culture and the Elder Range on Arkaba Station is a location steeped in stories and with rarely visited art sites. Our guides will introduce you to the region's Aboriginal story; for a deeper understanding an indigenous guide can be arranged on request and at additional cost.

Scenic Flights (additional cost)
A scenic flight provides an all encompassing view of the topology of the ranges, particularly Wilpena Pound, and is an easy way to experience the massive salt pans of Lake Torrens to the west of the ranges. Lake Eyre is a full day’s expedition from Arkaba.

Rates include: accommodation, meals, beverages and scheduled touring activities. Air and land transfer rates are available on application.

Minimum Stay - 2 nights
Family Policy - Please note that the camp is not suitable for children under the age of 8.
Conservation Levy - Please note that there is a levy of $10 per person per night (included in the rate) which is donated to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

* Please contact AusHoliday 5 Star for further information, rates and advise on your personalised itinerary.