Duration
Type
Max Group Size
AVAILABLE FROM
Contact us for 2022 departures.
INTERESTS
Walking, wildlife, river cruise
Enquire about this Journey
Discover the dramatic scenery of the Flinders Ranges and walk the creek beds lined with River Red Gums while never losing sight of the rolling, craggy cypress pine ridged lines of these mountainous ranges. Leave the mountains behind at the floodplain wetlands of the Murray River and enjoy a gentle cruise up its meandering bends. Discover on foot the ever-changing scenery, the stunning red-ochre cliffs at sunset and the great Eucalypt forests that are a haven for small bird species.
While everyone loves to have a comfortable bed and great food, the time spent with guides on the ground leaves a lasting impact. Our friendly and passionate guides will share their knowledge of the landscape and help you independently identify the common species of birds, wildlife, and plants spotted on the journey so you become familiar with these two iconic Australian environments.
Arkaba Homestead
Arkaba Walk’s Signature Camps
Murray River Houseboat
Arkaba Homestead – Your first and fourth evening is spent in the comfort of Arkaba’s restored homestead, member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, and an exclusive outback Australian experience. As the layout of the original homestead has been retained, each of the five homestead guestrooms has a character of its own and has been named after early settlers, explorers or property owners. Each has a private bathroom and opens out on a shaded verandah with views of the surrounding ranges. The decor has been hand-fashioned by wildlife artist, Rosie Woodford-Granf. Bedheads are from recycled fence posts and fleeces, curtains tied back by gumnut tassles, lights are perched on explorers’ tripod theodolites. The Arkaba Homestead retains a real sense of history and place.
Arkaba Walk’s Signature Camps – Each signature camp has five permanent swag decks. The low timber decks are slightly elevated, and each have a ½ metre corrugated iron screen around three sides, to give privacy – the fourth side is left open to the views over the countryside, while above you is the night sky and a canopy of stars. There is also a sheltered section of your swag deck, in the event of wind or rain. Your bed is a ‘swag’ – the bedding of choice for generations of Australian pioneers, a canvas envelope that is comfortable and waterproof, protecting you from the elements. Inside each swag will be an all season’s sleeping bag with liner. Each camp site has two waterless composting toilets – each in their own little ‘dunny’ shed and strategically located to enjoy the best of the views. Each camp has two bush showers – essentially buckets that are filled with water warmed on the fire, and equipped with taps to regulate the flow.
Murray River Houseboat – The houseboat is your lodge-based accommodation on the Murray River Walk. The scenery from your houseboat and your bedroom window is always spectacular. In the evenings, relax in the houseboat lounge and share stories with your fellow travellers, or venture up to the top deck where a hot spa provides a perfect end to the day’s activities. Your houseboat sleeps up to 10 people in 5 rooms (each room sleeps 2 people, queen bed or 2 singles), and each boat has 2 bathrooms with hot showers, a spacious lounge and modern kitchen. The houseboat will be moored each day at your daily destination, you only need to unpack once as you keep the same room for the entire journey.
12 – 15km per day for 6 walking days.
The Arkaba Walk is graded ‘moderate’ and The Murray River Walk ‘easy’. On The Arkaba Walk, you will cover between 10 to 15km per day over steep, hilly terrain with some mountain scrambling. The route follows some thick vegetation, up
hillsides and rocky surfaces. You can be walking up to 7 hours per day with plenty of ascents and descents and across uneven ground. Whilst you do not need previous trekking experience, a good level of fitness is required.
On Murray River Walk the landscape is flatter in the Murray River delta with gentle climbs through the cliffs. There are some short steep sections, but the view is worth it.
- Self Drive
- with Transfers to and from Adelaide
Self Drive Itinerary $4,216 per person twin share
With Transfers from Adelaide $4,820 per person
Single supplement applies for non shared rooms – price on application
WITH TRANSFERS FROM ADELAIDE
Meet and greet Adelaide airport or city located hotel before we hit the open road for our direct journey to the Flinders Ranges and your guided safari experience on arrival at Arkaba which will familiarise you with the area.
SELF DRIVE ITINERARY
Make your way to Arkaba Homestead from 2pm for check-in to your Homestead Guestroom. There will be time to freshen up before your guided ‘Welcome to Arkaba’ safari experience.
Traverse the basin of Wilpena Pound before crossing onto Arkaba’s private wildlife conservancy and descend to Black’s Gap Signature Swag Camp. Glorious diversity meets big outback space and starry skies.
13km walking
Today is arguably the most scenic, as we move out from Black’s Gap meandering riverbeds into the rolling hills more suited to the sheep farming activities previously carried out across the property. The first 2km will follow the famous Heysen Trail through Black’s Gap with the last leg of the day will heading slightly west into rolling hills culminating in a sharp 1km climb of about 100m in elevation to the summit of the Red Range where we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges before moving on to the foot of Elder Range passing through beautiful stands of native Cypress trees.
Your luggage and swags will have been transported by vehicle to our new signature swag camp, the Elder Camp. You can expect to arrive around 5.30 pm in time for a hot bush shower with a view, a 3 course dinner and another beautiful night under the stars.
13km walking
Walk across varying terrain through Mallee and cypress forests before ascending the Red Range. Immerse yourself in our ancient Arkaba Creek line alive with glorious diversity enroute to Arkaba Homestead.
13 – 14 km walking
WITH TRANSFERS
Depart Arkaba Homestead after breakfast at 08:30 for a scenic transfer through gorgeous outback towns with wine tasting and lunch in the Clare Valley. Over lunch, meet your Murray River Walk guide who will continue your transfer onwards to the Renmark Hotel with dinner at the Nanya Bistro that evening.
SELF DRIVE ITINERARY
Morning at leisure to relax fireside, take an optional scenic flight over the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound or perhaps retreat into nature from Arkaba’s wildlife viewing hide or historic woolshed. Check out by 11am and set off for Renmark via the Clare Valley wine country. Take your pick of wineries for a beautiful lunch. From the Clare Valley head east through Robertson and Cadell before arriving at your chosen accommodation in Renmark.
Meet your guides and fellow walkers at 7.30 am at the Renmark Community Hotel for a pre-walk briefing before we board the pontoon “cruiser” boat for a 14 km cruise along the Murray River to the start of the walking route.
Discover the lagoons that are havens for waterbirds, learn about the site of a World War II Japanese internment camp and cross creeks that feed the red gum forests and box woodlands. A gentle climb through the cliffs reveals a magnificent view of the vast Murray River floodplain that will surround you over the next 3 days. A short transfer across the river in the cruiser and you have arrived at your destination.
Your “Boat Guide” will welcome you aboard and settle you in – before a cool foot dip in the river or a hot spa followed by a 3-course dinner paired with local wines.
12km walking + 12km cruising
Rise before the sun and walk a gentle slope to the rim of the Murray River valley for a spectacular sunrise. See colours appear and marvel at the journey route below before returning to the houseboat for a cooked breakfast. Depart again for the daily walk discovering Aboriginal canoe trees, giant red gum forests and small islands along leafy Amazon Creek.
Arriving at your floating home you’ll enjoy a local tasting plate as you dip your feet in the cool waters of the Murray River.
14km walking + 12km cruising
Awake to the mists on the water and enjoy a great coffee, local navel oranges and tasty breakfast followed by a briefing on the Murray Darling Basin and the management of its network of rivers which drain 14% of Australia. Today we cruise to the Chowilla Creek Environmental Regulator to learn about environmental watering and new stewardship for the river, before setting off on our walk.
You’ll walk along Chowilla Creek, restored wetlands and visit the proposed site of the 1960’s Chowilla Dam.
In the afternoon we celebrate completing our walking journey from Queens Bend Cliffs before cruising to the houseboat as the late afternoon sun illuminates the red cliffs.
10km walking + 18km cruising
After breakfast take a self-guided 2 km walk along the river, before cruising in the pontoon boat through Lock 6. Experience a gentle drop in the water level of 3 metres.
Rejoining the houseboat downstream, you will cruise for 2 hours on the houseboat to the innovative Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery, set in a 100 year old shearing shed on the banks of the river.
Enjoy a tour with the head brewer before sitting down with your guides to a fine barbecue, prepared by your guides before saying your farewells.
You will depart for Renmark by bus and arrive at the Renmark Hotel at 2.00 pm.
WITH TRANSFERS
Depart Renmark at 2.00pm for your transfer back to Adelaide airport or city located hotel. Estimated time of arrival in Adelaide is 5.00pm.
SELF DRIVE ITINERARY
Make your way onto your next destination, considering an extra night in Renmark (at your own leisure) and dine out at one of the many great restaurants and visit the Riverland’s unique cellar doors the following day.
Enquire about this Journey
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