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Walk Arkaba Station

Walking in the Australian Bush is the idea of heaven for many gals (and their guys).

By: Mary Gostelow

Arkaba Station, opening November 1st, 2009, offers 60,000 acres – yes, really! – of Wild Bush Luxury in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia (SA).

This five-bedroom homestead is the newest addition to the Wild Bush Luxury portfolio of properties and experiences. Run by Charles Carlow, CEO of Wild Bush Luxury, the collection also includes Bamurru Plains NT; Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef WA and Blue Mountains Private Safaris (NSW).

“Arkaba is a natural fit with these other properties. Arkaba offers a chance to stay on a working station, while the Flinders Ranges offer some classic outback scenery, fantastic geological formations and prolific wildlife. It is obviously very different from the floodplains of the Top End and the coastal reefs at Ningaloo, however, we have retained the core Wild Bush Luxury attributes of providing an exclusive wilderness experience, supported by key luxury standards,” says Charlie Carlow.

Arkaba is a 60,000-acre working sheep station, about 320 miles north of Adelaide (fly scheduled, daily except Saturdays, from Adelaide to Port Augusta, www.sharpairlines.com). It is located on the edge of Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges National Park.

The Arkaba Homestead, dating back to 1856, is a classic Flinders Ranges building, with thick stone walls, deep shady verandahs and corrugated roofing all set against the backdrop of the rugged Elder Range. Today, run by managers Pat and Sally Kent, it still retains its original Flinders region settler lines. Four traditional style bedrooms are located in the homestead, each with an en suite bathroom and access to the verandah for relaxing in the heat of day. The Coachman’s Cottage in the corner of the garden provides a fifth guest room with en suite bathroom. The homestead looks out onto the geologically and culturally significant Elder Range, which glows pink with the first rays of sun every morning, and the Arkaba Creek lined with River Red Gums alive with the chatter of hundreds of Galahs each morning.

Designer Rosie Woodford Ganf has taken inspiration from the setting and its sheep station heritage to produce a unique ‘Wild Bush Luxury’ homestead feel, with a focus on early settler and safari style. Her natural eye and creativity brings a rustic but supremely comfortable feel to the interior, incorporating station items, local materials, and her own wildlife artwork. In keeping with the Wild Bush Luxury philosophy, touches of luxury include supremely comfortable beds, fine dining – and some down-to-earth country hospitality. Bedrooms open on to a deep verandah, the ideal spot to take in the sunset, as

the surrounding ranges take on the rich red hues of a Namatjira painting and the river red gums along Arkaba Creek vibrate with the chatter of galahs and corellas. (Note, there is air-conditioning, but you cannot expect any of these - telephones, televisions, minibars, CD players, internet access – the last ‘no-no’ means that the WOW.travel team, sadly, will not be visiting, as since we were stuck with no communications in the USA the nightmare day/night following 911, we have vowed never again to be totally out of contact, in case of emergencies.)

OK, back to the positives. There are comfortable leather sofas and a log fire in the library for cool nights and a 32-foot outdoor swimming pool for hot days. Your day is spent family-style. Breakfast times vary depending on whether there is an early morning activity. Snacks and drinks are also taken out on safaris. There is an open bar of South Australia wines, beers, selected spirits and soft drinks, and then a three-course dinner - first course is often canapés around the fire - is served at approximately 7:30, hosted by the lodge manager and one of the guides. Food is contemporary Australian cuisine with a hint of native produce.

The focus at Arkaba is also on immersion in the surrounding environment. Stay here for insight to life on a working sheep station and into the ecosystems that support its abundant native wildlife, including emus, kangaroos, wallaroos, many bird species and the rare Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby. Guides share their passion and knowledge on guided walks and safari drives, showcasing the spectacular natural assets of the region – and there is the option to take to the air for a jaw-dropping scenic flight over Wilpena Pound.

Arkaba Station is open year round. The climate here in the Southern Outback is generally dry and sunny year round. Over the summer months from December to February/March it can get very hot during the days and quite warm in the evenings. As with its sister properties, a proportion of the bed-night revenue at Arkaba will be donated directly to the company’s conservation partner, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

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