Arkaba
Arkaba is nestled amongst some of the most ancient mountain ranges on earth and is regarded by many as the most picturesque outback station in Australia.
Wild Bush Luxury bought the stunning property in 2009 with the African safari model in mind, to blend tourism and conservation in a mutually beneficial relationship. Under the leadership of founder Charlie Carlow, the property implemented a destocking program to remove sheep from grazing the region. By the year 2013, all sheep had been removed from the 60,000 acre property and Arkaba was officially developed into a wildlife conservancy.
The Arkaba team’s central tenet is to connect guests in the story of the land through knowledgeable and passionate field guiding. All guides have a background and interest in ecology and bring an infectious enthusiasm to showing guests the region. This is achieved through an interactive and interpretative approach, with guests taking part in tracking and identifying species, using habitat, geology and behavioural cues. Combined with Arkaba Homestead’s rustically chic accommodation (5 ensuite bedrooms) and exceptional personalised service, it is easy to understand why guests experience an insatiable desire to learn more about our distinctive flora and fauna and a sense of ownership to preserve this precious landscape.
Working in partnership with numerous environmental organisations, ongoing conservation programs aim to remove feral species from the landscape and to allow native vegetation communities to reestablish themselves, with a 2% levy supporting numerous projects and the employment of a Conservation Officer on site. This commitment has already yielded extraordinary results in relation to the re-establishment of numerous species including endangered endemic reptiles, birds and marsupials.
Arkaba is a member of The Long Run: a sustainable travel movement helping businesses, nature and people work together for a better future. Using the 4Cs framework that we have adopted through our membership of The Long Run: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. This framework guides the approach and initiatives at Wild Bush Luxury. The nurture and care for our local flora and fauna; embracing and connecting with the cultures of our experience destinations.
Speciality areas
- Birds
- Land Mammals & Marsupials
- Reptiles & Amphibians
Quick facts
- Majestic outback landscapes with ancient mountain ranges, gorges and river red gums
- Prime spot for viewing Macropods, reptiles and bush birds year round
- Critical sanctuary for the endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby
- Arkaba Wildlife Conservancy is rebuilding native species through extensive conservation programs
About the region
Flinders Ranges
Set amongst the ancient landscapes of the Flinders Ranges, Arkaba is renowed for its beautiful sculpted ranges, spectacular deep gorges, and striking river red gum creek lines. The intriguing blend of semi-arid to temperate habitats within these mountain ranges that cut into deserts of outback South Australia, has encouraged a huge diversity of wildlife and plant life, with about 1,200 species of plants and nearly 300 species of birds recorded within the ranges.
The geological history of the area is world-renowned and combined with the Aboriginal rock art, impressive fossil remains and European settlement history, is one of the most fascinating regions to visit across Australia.
Arkaba is one of the best locations in Australia to see Macropods due to the year round pockets of water and limited population of Dingoes. The largest living marsupial, the Red Kangaroo, is in very healthy populations, as are Western Grey Kangaroos and Common Wallaroos, which is uniquely adapted to rock out-crops of the Flinders.
The Flinders Ranges is famous for hosting Australia’s largest population of the endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby with Brachina Gorge providing guaranteed sightings of this incredibly rare and beautifully decorated species.
Our experiences guides tell it like it is
