Arkaba Homestead
This former 1851-built sheep farm with its pressed metal ceilings, cool flagstone floors beneath shady verandahs, small library, open fires for frosty winters and sisal-covered bedroom floors, now welcomes just 10 guests. In true Wild Bush Luxury style, the Arkaba Homestead pays homage to its rich pastoral and exploration heritage in a manner that is both rustically chic and utterly exclusive. Your hosts ensure a friendly and personal level of service that is typically ‘down to earth’ but does not lose sight of the attention to the small details that are so important in delivering an outstanding outback experience. Mobs of kangaroos, emus and other abundant wildlife will delight you on safaris through spectacular ancient landscapes, where expert field guides will immerse you in the story of the bush.
Dining around an old wool classing table on the outdoor terrace with the ever-changing light and sounds of the bush all around is a special and uniquely Australian experience. A firepit in the corner of the garden provides a great spot to retire to after dinner with a glass of wine or port to watch the stars appear over this ancient landscape.
The original layout of 1850s’ homestead has been retained, delightfully making all of the five guestrooms unique. Each has its own character and all have ensuite bathrooms and open out onto a shaded verandah with individual views of the surrounding ranges. Four are located in the homestead, while the Coachman’s Cottage in the corner of the garden provides a fifth guestroom and is ideal for honeymooners.
The rooms are air conditioned / heated and the mix of king and twin beds have premium mattresses, organic cotton sheets and a choice of pillows to ensure a great night’s sleep.
A comfortable library with deep leather armchairs and a large stone fireplace provides seclusion for enjoying a quiet drink and a good book, while dinner is hosted on the terrace overlooking the ranges. In the heat of summer, the swimming pool overlooking the Arkaba Creek is a welcome retreat after a morning or day spent exploring the bush. Arkaba is proudly without wifi, telephones, televisions, minibars or any of the typical features of a hotel to distract, the focus is on the experience and one of the most beautiful properties in Australia.
Rooms Feature:
King or twin share accommodation
Ensuite
Daily room service
Ceiling fan / Heating / Air-conditioning
Pool Access
Verandah
Views
Gift shop
HOMESTEAD EXPERIENCE
The Homestead field guides are essential in delivering an immersive wilderness experience through their interpretation and knowledge of the flora, fauna and geology of the Flinders country. Your immersive stay at Arkaba includes approximately 7-hours of daily guided exploration across the 60,000 acre property. Our field guides pull together the incredible geological history, wildlife and pastoral heritage of this region with a range of activities that gives you a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the bush.
All activities maximize wildlife viewing potential in the varying terrains, take in some massive vistas, and encourage being out at the best times of day for beautiful light shows – early morning & late afternoon (throughout the year).
Please note: Unless private experiences are arranged in advance, activities will be with other Homestead guests and therefore we may have a schedule in place prior to arrival. Private experiences ensures full attention to individual interests and is highly recommended for serious birders and photographers.
Approx 7 hours of included activities daily
Australia's most knowledgeable field guides
Tailored to guest's interests
We invite you to become participants in the drama of the bush, not just spectators at the show.
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
SAFARI DRIVES
Get the African experience in Australia as you explore the vastness of Arkaba’s 60,000 acres on an open-top 4WD safari. Arkaba’s picturesque high ranges, plateaus, gorges, valleys and creek lines provide a huge variety of habitat for wildlife and on any given day a game drive will reveal Arkaba’s hidden treasures.
WALKING SAFARIS
Get a completely different perspective of Arkaba’s magnificent wilderness on an included walking safari. Our expert field guides pull together the incredible geological history, wildlife and pastoral heritage of this region that will deepen your connection with the land.
WILDLIFE VIEWING HIDE
Arkaba’s new wildlife viewing Hide a complimentary experience and an ideal place for a spot of morning or afternoon tea as you admire wildlife behaving naturally in the wild just three meters away from you at eye level.
CONSERVATION IN ACTION
Learn about the challenges Australia faces in saving its biodiversity and join one of Arkaba’s field guides on a conservation activity. Wildlife conservation on the property is an ever changing and ever improving endeavor which has immensely enhanced the wilderness experience.
FAMILY ADVENTURES
We have long been welcoming families who seek to share quality family time in beautiful surrounds of nature and wildlife. Our family-focused itineraries include special activities that will appeal to the younger family members offering the opportunity for exploring and learning in this incredible landscape.
WILDLIFE SPOTTING
With the removal of sheep stock and Arkaba’s conservation initiatives, the wildlife has returned en mass to Arkaba including species not seen for decades that are now regularly spotted.
BIRDING
From mobs of emus, Australia’s largest flightless bird, to wedgie-tailed eagles soaring high, to the tiny Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo perched in the trees, spotting birds at Arkaba will delight any serious birders. We can arrange for private experiences with ornithologists who specialize in this region of Australia.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Arkaba’s abundance of wildlife, sweeping vistas and stunning sunrises and sunsets offer both the novice and experienced photographers first-class opportunities to take magical photographs. At certain times of the year we run specific photography courses.
BRACHINA GORGE - FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK
This half to full day experience includes the ‘Geological Trail’ which crosses rocks 525 to 640-million years old. Fossils of the unique Ediacaran fauna can be seen in the Rawnsley Quartzite formation and Brachina Gorge is the best location to look for the Endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby – the poster marsupial of the region. A full day trip includes a stop at the famous Prairie Hotel for lunch.
FOSSIL HUNTING
The fossils preserved in the ancient sea-floor at Ediacara in the Flinders Ranges record the first known multicellular animal life on Earth that predates the Cambrian. This diverse and exquisitely preserved community of ancient organisms represents a significant snapshot of our geological heritage.
PUGILIST HILL LOOK-OUT
Directly east of Wilpena Pound, the view of the pound from here shows the bowl shape accurately. Pugilist Hill is one of the foothills of the Chace Range and in front of Mt Havlock – the highest point on the Chace Range.
WANGARA HILL LOOK-OUT WALK - WILPENA POUND
This 7km walk follows a return track into Wilpena Pound and up to a look-out, rewarding the hiker with great views of the bowl shape of the Pound.
DINE ON BUSH-TUCKER AT THE PRAIRIE HOTEL
The Prairie Hotel is infamous for its innovative dishes with Australian native and ‘Flinders Feral Food’ twists and for those with extra time in the area it’s worth a visit. Dishes include smoked kangaroo, camel sausage and emu pate.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
AIR SAFARIS
For some of the best birds-eye views in Australia you can’t miss an air safari over Arkaba and surrounds. It’s one of the best ways to get a real sense of place and the scenery is spectacular. Whether it’s a heli safari of Wilpena Pound or a small aircraft flight over Lake Eyre, this opportunity is not to be missed.
ARKABA'S HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE SERIES
Embrace your inner explorer and ‘Heli Hike’ along the spine of our very own rainbow-hued Elder Range. Lose yourself in the landscape and drink wine fireside on our new private overnight ‘Heli Swag’ experience in the wilderness. Or enjoy a sundowner drink atop your own mountain as the sun sinks behind Wilpena Pound.
ARKABA THROUGH ADNYAMATHANHA EYES
A walk with Pauline McKenzie is an opportunity to connect you with stories of Australia’s first people, the Adnyamathanha, who have long looked after the landscape and wildlife of South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges. Coming from tens of thousands of years as an oral culture has made them wonderful story tellers.
Arkaba is a Long Run Fellow Member. This means that we directly manage or significantly influence the management of a natural area of conservation value with defined geographical boundaries and are committed to achieving sustainability through a holistic balance of the 4Cs: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. As part of The Long Run Initiative we apply The Long Run approach to life of acting today for a better tomorrow. We aspire to become a Global Ecosphere Retreat-certified Long Run Destination, actively demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable business and providing practical examples of sustainability in action.
