Arkaba is a 60,000-acre (24,300 ha) working sheep station, located on the edge of Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia. The five-bedroom heritage homestead was built in 1856 and retains its original Flinders region settler lines.

Drawing inspiration from Arkaba’s spectacular setting and its sheep station heritage, renowned local wildlife artist, Rosie Woodford Ganf has produced a very different and very ‘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.

The en-suite bedrooms open on to a deep verandah where a comfortable chair offers respite from the heat of the day, or the perfect spot to sip a sun-downer as the folds of the Elder Range take on the hues of a Namatjira painting and the river red gums along Arkaba Creek vibrate with the chatter of pink and grey galahs.

There are comfortable leather sofas and a log fire in the library for cool nights and a swimming pool for hot days. An open bar is available for guests and dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the garden and ranges. Packages at Arkaba Station will include accommodation, all meals, selected beverages and station activities.

Activities at Akaba Station
The focus, however, is on immersing guests in the surrounding environment: staying at Arkaba is an insight to life on a 60,000 acre (24,300 ha) 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.

Arkaba’s guides share their passion and knowledge on guided walks and safari drives, showcasing the spectacular natural assets of the region. Arkaba’s topography offers some of outback Australia’s most breathtaking scenery, ranging from knife edge ridge tops through cypress pine country to red gum lined creek beds. Our expert field guides pull together the incredible geological history, wildlife and pastoral heritage of this region with some spectacular 4WD’s and guided walks that visit the secret spots on the property and a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the bush.

Arkaba Conservation
In keeping with the Wild Bush Luxury ethos of working in harmony with the property’s natural surroundings, strong environmental practices are followed in the operation of the business. As with its sister properties, a proportion of the bed-night revenue at Arkaba is donated directly to the company’s conservation partner, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Since taking over, Wild Bush Luxury has worked towards creating a wildlife sanctuary, with a comprehensive program of measures including removing two thirds of the property from sheep production and grazing, allowing regeneration of native grasses and wildflowers.

Two colonies of rare Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies are thriving and 10 new bird species have been recorded on Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges, as a result of conservation efforts undertaken by ecotourism operator, Wild Bush Luxury, which has owned the historic property since 2009.

“Our eco-tourism model for Arkaba sees revenue from our tourism business underpinning the cost of our conservation efforts. It’s been a big undertaking, but it’s wonderfully gratifying to see such dramatic results,” explained Charles Carlow, CEO of Wild Bush Luxury, owner of Arkaba Station.

Prior to Wild Bush Luxury’s acquisition of the working sheep station, it was owned by the Rasheed family, who took extensive measures to improve the land by reducing stock numbers and destroying rabbit warrens.

A comprehensive feral animal reduction program, in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, has eradicated over 600 goats, while Arkaba’s own extended program has eradicated over 250 foxes and 30 feral cats. Goats and rabbits destroy vegetation and compete with native animals for feed and water, while foxes and cats kill large numbers of native animals.

The feral cat population in Australia is estimated at between 12 and 19 million animals, with each cat killing up to a dozen mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs each day. It is estimated that feral cats kill two million native animals each day in the northern one-sixth of the continent, alone.

“These programs are directly responsible for the remarkable recovery we’re seeing in the number of bird and kangaroo species, as well as reptiles – we’re now seeing good numbers of goannas and dragons, which wasn’t the case a year ago,” explained Charles Carlow.

“In addition, with vegetation regenerating, Arkaba’s landscape is in visibly much better condition than many other properties in the surrounding areas.”

Arkaba models its conservation programs on best-practice projects from around Australia and the world, utilising technology such as infrared cameras to detect evidence of feral animals, enabling targeted trapping. Arkaba’s manager, Brendon Bevan, has considerable experience in Africa with conservation programs and brings his skills and passion to Australia’s environment.

Arkaba Station Location
On the southern edge of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges National Park and the remarkable bastions of Wilpena Pound.

Access to Arkaba Station
• 4½ hours’ drive from central Adelaide
• 1 hour flight by private charter aircraft from Adelaide to Hawker (less if using a larger aircraft)
• 1¼ hours’ drive from Port Augusta (scheduled flights operate between Adelaide and Port Augusta with Sharp Airlines Monday to Friday).
Transfers hosted by local guides pass through the Barossa and Clare Valleys and can include wine tastings and lunch (additional cost).
Flights can also be arranged to/from Kangaroo Island.

Other Wild Bush Luxury experiences in Australia
The Arkaba Walk
Bamurru Plains – Northern Territory
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef – Western Australia