Flinders Ranges & Outback

Day 1

Fly by charter flight or drive to Hawker in the Flinders Ranges & Outback before making your way to Arkaba Homestead, one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. After checking in to the historic homestead take part in a guided safari experience exploring the property spotting wildlife and viewing the incredible scenery. Enjoy sundowner drinks and canapes before returning to the homestead for your all-inclusive dinner, complemented by an open bar offering a great selection of South Australian wines and premium spirits.

Accommodation: Arkaba

Touring: Arkaba

Day 2

After breakfast take a guided walk through the Arkaba property with a local Adnyamathanha guide to connect you with stories of Australia’s first people. The knowledge and stories have been passed down through generations over thousands of years and will give an incredible insight and a great understanding of the country you are walking through. After the morning walk head back to the homestead for lunch and make the most of the property’s facilities. In the afternoon choose from a variety of included experiences depending on your interests. You can go on a 4WD safari, hike another section of the property, learn about the conservation in action on the property, go birding with an ornithologist or take part in a photography tour. There is plenty of opportunities to make the most of the location before returning to the homestead for dinner and relaxing the evening away under millions of stars in the outback sky.

Accommodation: Arkaba

Touring: Arkaba

Day 3

This morning, take a stroll through the red gums to the Arkaba’s wildlife viewing hide and watch kangaroos, echidnas, and a variety of bird species stop by for a drink in the permanent waterhole. After catching up with the local wildlife return to the homestead for breakfast before departing for your next destination, Rawnsley Park Station.

After arrival it is time for a 4WD tour through Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorge, some of the most spectacular gorges in the Flinders Ranges. As you make your way through the gorges, you’ll have the opportunity to see the surrounding ridges of Wilpena Pound, 600-million-year-old geology, and keep your eyes out for the endangered yellow footed rock wallaby. After travelling through the gorges stop at the Blinman hotel for lunch before returning to Rawnsley Park Station to check-in to your luxury eco-villa. In the afternoon visit Wadna Shop and meet with Kristian Coulthard, a local Adnyamathanha man, and look through the handmade artworks created by members of the Adnyamathanha community. Join Kristian for a tailored tour and discover some of the unknown and hidden ancient cultural treasures in the area. After the tour return to Rawnsley Park Station and dine at the Woolshed Restaurant.

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station

Touring: Rawnsley Park Station & Wadna

Day 4

Head north to Parachilna and take a tour of Nilpena Ediacara National Park, home to the earliest evidence of complex, multicellular life on earth. 555 million years ago this area of the Flinders Ranges was a shallow tropical sea and early life forms from this era can now be viewed in the most intact and significant fossil beds of this time period anywhere in the world. After the tour stop in at the iconic Prairie Hotel for lunch and sample native (or feral) produce and enjoy a drop of one of the craft beers brewed on-site. It is then time to head back to Rawnsley Park Station and in the afternoon take a short helicopter ride to the top of the Chace Range for drinks and canapes as you watch the sun set. The return helicopter flight will take you past Rawnsley Bluff and over Wilpena Pound giving you an incredible view of the natural amphitheatre. After landing back at the station head to the Woolshed Restaurant for dinner for the last stop for the day.

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station

Touring: Rawnsley Park Station & Nilpena Fossil Tours

Day 5

After breakfast it is time to take your last look at the Flinders Ranges & Outback with a scenic flight to Lake Torrens. View Wilpena Pound, Heyson Range, Leigh Creek, Lake Torrens and many of the locations you have toured via the air in all its wild and rugged majesty. After the flight it is time to head back to Adelaide by car or charter a flight from Hawker to your next destination.

Touring: Rawnsley Park Station