The first and final nights are spent in the comfort of the Arkaba Homestead, a rustically chic, 150 year old homestead and member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Set on 60,000 acres of private property, with only five guestrooms, this is an exclusive outback experience.

Experience Wild Bush Luxury, a beautifully chef prepared meal and some excellent South Australian wines in a quintessentially Australian outback setting.

After arrival, enjoy a guided lay-of-the-land safari experience.

Set off on foot on the first leg of the trail. The distance today is approximately 13km, from Wilpena Resort into Wilpena Pound, crossing the flat interior and a gradual 1.5km ascent to the rim of the Pound, climbing about 200m, before a steeper descent of about 1km into the Arkaba Wilderness and Black’s Gap Signature Swag Camp.

Expect to walk into camp at around 5.30pm in time to settle in; take a hot bush shower and enjoy a drink and canapes service, while enjoying the evening light on the 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 still stands to this day and we camp overlooking the creek where he used to take his water. Our guides and camp assistant will prepare a three-course camp dinner, taken al fresco under the evening sky and accompanied by fine wine and some interesting tales about Arkaba and the Ikara-Flinders area. Retire to your deluxe swag, and enjoy a night under a canopy of stars.

Today is arguably the most scenic, as we move out from Black’s Gap meandering riverbeds into the rolling hills more suited to the sheep farming activities previously carried out across the property. The first 2km will follow the famous Heysen Trail through Black’s Gap itself revealing a fascinating insight into the pastoral history of the region, 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 rolling hills culminating in a sharp 1km climb of about 100m in elevation to the summit of the Red Range where we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges before moving on to the foot of Elder Range passing through beautiful stands of native Cypress trees.

Your luggage and swags will have been transported by vehicle to our new 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 beautiful night under the stars.

Wake to the glorious morning light on the Elder Range directly ahead and above you. The pace will be unhurried, with plenty of time to stop for photographs, bird watching, botanizing and discussion. We will traverse multiple habitats today, and as we move south east, the first few kilometers will be amongst hill country at the foot of the Elder Range.

Walking through Mallee and Native Pine forests, we cross Slaty Creek, which holds water well into the dry season, sometimes even offering the opportunity to drink from crystal clear, ice cold springs.

Ascending up to the ridge top of the beautiful Red Range and down to the banks of the Arkaba Creek, we’ll have an opportunity to see the home to hundreds of magnificent River Red Gums. You will enjoy strategic stops along the way for rests and a relaxing lunch, and can expect to arrive at our final destination, the tastefully restored Arkaba Homestead, in early to mid afternoon.

Experience Wild Bush Luxury, a beautifully chef prepared meal and some excellent South Australian wines in a quintessentially Australian outback setting before retiring for your final night.