Arkaba Conservancy

In the heart of South Australia's Flinders Ranges, Arkaba Conservancy is a pioneering private wildlife reserve that blends luxury eco-tourism with serious conservation. Once a working sheep station, this 60,000-acre property now protects native species and offers travellers an immersive outback experience that feels both wild and exclusive. With its dramatic quartzite ridges, ancient red gums, and abundant wildlife, Arkaba is a place where you can hike through gorges by day and sleep under a canopy of stars in a 'wilderness camp' at night.

Highlights & What to See

• Walk the Arkaba Walk – A four-day, guided 50 km trek across the property, staying at exclusive camps and learning about conservation firsthand.
• Wildlife spotting – Look for red kangaroos, yellow-footed rock-wallabies, echidnas, and over 120 bird species, including the rare short-tailed grasswren.
• Ancient landscapes – Explore Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre of rugged peaks, and the Aboriginal rock art sites hidden in the gorges.
• Stargazing – With near-zero light pollution, the night sky here is a dazzling spectacle; the conservancy offers telescopes and astronomy guides.
• Homestead hospitality – The restored 1850s homestead serves farm-to-table meals using local produce, with a focus on sustainability.

Suggested Time to Spend

Dedicate at least three nights to truly appreciate Arkaba. The full Arkaba Walk requires four days, but if you're short on time, a two-night stay allows for a day hike, a wildlife drive, and an evening at the homestead. The conservancy is best visited from March to November, when temperatures are milder; summer (December–February) can be scorching.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Flinders Ranges National Park – Just north, with iconic Wilpena Pound, Brachina Gorge, and abundant wildlife.
• Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park – A World Heritage site for its geology and Adnyamathanha culture.
• Quorn – Historic railway town and gateway to the Pichi Richi Railway.
• Hawker – A small outback town with galleries and the Jeff Morgan Gallery of Flinders Ranges photography.
• Lake Torrens National Park – A vast salt lake offering stark, otherworldly landscapes.

Please check official sources for current details.