The Arkaba Walk
As first-time visitors to the Flinders Ranges, we were keen to see as much as we could in the short time we had available. I don't think we could have picked a better way to immerse ourselves in the landscape than on the three-day Arkaba Walk.
The walk is fabulous, challenging in sections, especially when it’s hot, but always worth the effort. The trail winds through shifting landscapes from creek beds lined with ancient river red gums to rocky ridgelines offering panoramic vistas across the ranges.
Summary
A three-day guided walk combining wildlife, history and some of the Flinders Ranges' most memorable landscapes.
Distance Approximately 12–15km per day
Time 6 - 7 hours walking per day
Duration: 3 days / 3 nights
Level of Difficulty Moderate
Highlights
Walking through the ancient landscapes of the Flinders Ranges
A rich variety of wildlife
Experienced and knowledgeable guides
Learning about conservation and habitat restoration
Comfortable accommodation and excellent meals
Small group experience
Trail Tips
The walk operates from March to October.
Spring brings wildflowers, while autumn offers cooler walking conditions.
Walkers only carry a day pack - luggage is transported separately.
Conditions can be hot and dry, particularly early and late in the season and there is little shade on some sections of the walk, so sun protection is essential.
A detailed packing list is provided before departure.
Walking poles may be useful on some of the steeper sections.
Boots rather than walking shoes are recommended as are gaiters to keep out loose stones
Mobile phone coverage is limited or unavailable across much of the property.
The route varies according to conditions and does not follow a single fixed trail.
What and where is Arkaba?
Arkaba is a private wildlife conservancy covering more than 60,000 acres in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.
Formerly a sheep station, the property has been transformed into a conservation-focused reserve where native wildlife and natural ecosystems are being restored.
The Arkaba Homestead dates back to the 1850s. Formerly a farmhouse, it now operates as accommodation for walkers and other guests to the property. It is from the Homestead that walkers set off on day one and return at the end of day three.
Arkaba Homestead
Accommodation
The homestead caters for a small number of guests, some doing the Arkaba Walk and others enjoying a more relaxed stay with guided outings and shorter walks around the property. Meals are communal and the food tasty and plentiful. A packed lunch and snacks are provided for walkers.
The accommodation is simple, welcoming and tasteful. We stayed in the Coach House, which was comfortable and well suited to recovering after long days on the trail.
Arkaba Walk guests usually spend two nights at wilderness camps and one night at the homestead. Owing to staff illness however, the bush camps were unavailable during our visit, so we stayed all three nights at the homestead and drove to and from the daily start and finish points from there.
Sleeping under the stars would have been a memorable experience, but I suspect our king sized bed in the Coach House was considerably more comfortable than the camp beds.
Walking the Trail
The Arkaba Walk doesn’t follow a strictly defined path as trail conditions vary, but the following should give a general sense of what we covered each day and the kind of terrain and experience you might expect.
Day One
The first part of the walk traverses the broad basin of Wilpena Pound beneath the surrounding ranges. Much of this section is relatively flat, providing an opportunity to settle into the rhythm of the walk and appreciate the scale of the landscape.
Along the way we visited the ruins of the old Hills Homestead, a reminder of the pastoral history that has shaped much of the Flinders Ranges. Interpretive panels helped bring stories to life, explaining the many challenges faced by early settlers (they raised nine children here!), as well as the history of the people who came before them.
The Hill Family Homestead
As the day progressed, the route climbs gradually towards the rim of Wilpena Pound before descending into Arkaba's private land. This descent into Blacks Gap is one of the steeper sections of the walk, but the views across the surrounding ranges make the effort worthwhile.
Day Two
Day two was probably the most scenic day of the walk with rolling hills with distant views across the ranges. The walking began for us with morning tea on top of one of those hills, watching a pair of wallaroos watching us.
The first part of the day’s walk followed the Heysen Trail* through Black’s Gap. Old shepherds’ camps and remnants of mustering yards revealed further insights into the pastoral history of the region along with few remnant sheep! We stopped in this area for lunch before continuing on.
The last part of our second day’s walk included a sharp climb (about 100m in elevation) to the summit of the Red Range. It was a hot afternoon and the slope was slippery underfoot but when we got to the top we were rewarded with panoramic views of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and surrounds.
From there the trail continued through beautiful native cypress pines towards the foot of the Elder Range.
Day Three
Our final day took us through a landscape that seemed to change constantly from open hillsides, mallee woodland, cypress forest and dry creek beds.
One of the highlights of the day for me was walking in the dry bed of Arkaba Creek beneath mature river red gums. Birdlife was particularly active in this section and our guides shared their knowledge of the flora and geology and of conservation work being done in the surrounding area, helping bring the landscape to life.
Our final walking day ended with a climb up another pine (and kangaroo) dotted hill, to more stunning views across the ranges, before we walked back down into Arkaba Homestead.
Wildlife & Conservation
The area in an around Arkaba supports a wide variety of wildlife and it was there on show at almost every turn, both on the walk and wandering around the homestead. We saw emus galore, kangaroos, wallaroos, rock wallabies, an echidna and a variety of birdlife.
Our guides shared their knowledge of the various species and of the conservation work being done here to foster growth in native fauna populations.
Final Thoughts
The Arkaba Walk combines walking, wildlife, conservation and hospitality in a way that feels genuine rather than staged. Everything felt authentic – the passion for conservation, the respect for the landscape and the warm hospitality of the team.
*The Arkaba Walk aligns with some sections of the Heyson Trail, a 1200km stretch from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges.