DAY 1: ADELAIDE TO BLACK’S GAP CAMP

Approximately 7 km, 3 - 4 hours

Make your way to Adelaide Airport by 8:10am, dressed and ready to walk, for your Regional Express flight ZL4412 departing at 09:10am. Land at Port Augusta at 10:05am where you will be met by a field guide for the 160 km road transfer to begin Arkaba Walk. You will enjoy a light breakfast on the way.
Set off on foot on the first leg of the trail. The distance today is a warm up of approximately 7km, keeping Wilpena Pound in view to the right, through valleys and creeks before arrival at Black's Gap Camp.


Expect to walk into camp at around 4:30pm in time to settle in; take a hot bush shower and enjoy a drink and canapes service, while enjoying the evening light on the Pound. The signature camp is located between Bunbinyana Range and Wilpena Pound, on a site previously occupied by a shepherd in the late 1850s. His stone chimney place still exists and we camp overlooking the creek where he used to take his water.


The guides and camp assistant will prepare a three course camp dinner, taken al fresco under the evening sky and accompanied by fine wine for the adults and juice/soft drink options for the children and some interesting tales about Arkaba and the Ikara-Flinders area. Retire to your deluxe swag, and enjoy a night under a canopy of stars.


Turn in to our deluxe swags and enjoy a night under a canopy of stars.

Meals: L, D
Accommodation: Black's Gap Camp

DAY 2: BLACK’S GAP CAMP TO ELDER CAMP

Approximately 14 - 15 km, 6 - 7 hours

Today is arguably the most scenic, as we move out from Black's Gap 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 itself revealing a fascinating insight into the pastoral history of the region, pausing at old shepherds' camps and mustering yards, with Red and Grey Kangaroos and Emus all regular sightings.


The last leg of the day will take us 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 your next 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.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Elder Camp

DAY 3: ELDER CAMP TO ARKABA HERITAGE HOMESTEAD

Approximately 10 - 14km, 6 - 7 hours


Wake to the glorious morning light on the Elder Range.. After breakfast depart in a 4WD vehicle for a scenic drive across diverse habitats. From hill country at the foot of the Elder Range into Mallee and Native Pine forests, crossing creek beds, some of which hold water well into the dry season. Climb impressive ridge tops for beautiful views across Arkaba and pass through ancient River Red Gums before returning to the Arkaba Homestead in time for lunch.


This afternoon, experience Arkaba through the eyes of an Adnamatna elder on an immersive bush walk, ending in stories around the campfire.


Pauline McKenzie is a living library of her ancient Adnamatna lifestyle, and one of a few people who still speaks the language fluently. She spends a large amount of time teaching cultural stories and language at the Hawker area school, determined to pass on Adnamatna stories and culture. A walk with Pauline is an opportunity to connect with Australia’s first people who have looked after the landscape and wildlife of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges for tens of thousands of years.


Enjoy a taste of Wild Bush Luxury at Arkaba's homestead: a beautifully prepared meal and some excellent South Australian wines in a quintessentially Australian outback setting before retiring for your final night.


Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Arkaba’s Homestead

DAY 4: ARKABA HERITAGE HOMESTEAD TO ADELAIDE

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Arkaba Homestead before meeting your driver and departing at 8:30am for your scenic transfer to Adelaide via the Clare Valley wine country.

Drive through the historic outback towns of Quorn, Wilmington, Mount Remarkable and Melrose, all famous for their nature filled valleys and riverbeds. Lined with massive River Red Gum trees, the land around these towns is home to a multitude of native Australian animals and birds.

Head from Melrose into the beautiful Clare Valley, where you will visit the living hedge Mintaro Maze before enjoying a picnic lunch. When the bellies are full and the legs have been stretched continue your travel south through the Adelaide Hills, arriving at Adelaide Airport at approximately 5:00pm. Please arrange your departing flights from 6:00pm, to allow enough time for check-in. Alternatively, if you are staying on in Adelaide we are happy to arrange to drop you at your city hotel.



Meals: B

This itinerary is provided as example only - prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.

- Transfers from Adelaide. Fly one way from Adelaide to Port Augusta or Hawker while returning by scenic road transfer with lunch in the picturesque Clare Valley
- Chef prepared three course gourmet meals and trail snacks
- All drinks including premium South Australian wines
- Expert field guide(s)
- Two nights' camping in deluxe swags on the signature star beds set up at spectacular locations under the stars
- One night in the beautifully restored 1850s Arkaba Homestead
- A support vehicle for transporting your main luggage between camps
- National park entry fees
- A donation to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy
- A suitable hydration backpack with plenty of room for your lunch, camera and items of a personal nature
- Sock protectors
- Fly net
- Basic toiletries

Day1: Approximately 12 km, 4-5 hours
Day 2: Approximately 10 - 14km, 6 - 7 hours
Day 3: Approximately 10 - 14km, 6 - 7 hours
Day 4: None

Total: Approximately 32 - 40km

By road:
- 5 hours' drive from Adelaide CBD
- 4 hours' drive from Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley wine region
- 3 hours' drive from the Clare Valley wine region
- Over 1 hour from the commercial airport in Port Augusta
- 20 minute drive from Hawker, the nearest town of the Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges National Park By air:
- 1 hour's private charter flight from Adelaide to Hawker airstrip, and then 20 minute drive to Arkaba
- 1.5 hours’ private charter flight from Kangaroo Island to Hawker airstrip, and then 20 minute drive to Arkaba

Private road & charter flight transfers can be arranged for you. Contact us for your bespoke transfer arrangements.

The climate in the Southern Outback is generally dry and sunny year round.

AUTUMN (Mar - May)
This season provides warm days with cooler evenings. Day temperatures will average between 15 – 20°C with the later part of the season being cooler. The evening temperatures will be much cooler and warm clothing will be required. As the days cool, wildlife becomes more active during the middle parts of the day.

WINTER (Jun - Aug)
Walking in winter is particularly beautiful in the Flinders with cold nights and days that are warm with some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. This season provides ideal walking weather with daily temperatures of around 15°C and occasionally as high as 25°C. The evenings and early mornings will be very cold and winter clothing will be required. During July/August temperatures can drop to below 0°C at night. A roaring camp fire and warming glasses of red wine will be enjoyed each night and after winter rains, with surface water in the creeks, wildlife will be far-reaching with lots of food available and very active throughout the day. Emus will generally begin laying from August onwards.

SPRING (Sep - Nov)
Spring in the Flinders Ranges is undeniably spectacular! It is a great time to spot emu chicks as they begin hatching and the outback brown and orange colours are bright with red, yellow, white and purple with native plants and wildflowers. Migratory birds will generally begin to appear and wedgetail eagle chicks will hatch between August and September, fledging by November. The abundance of and timing of the wildflowers depends entirely on rainfall throughout the year. Day temperatures can average between 20°C-25°C with the later part of the season getting warmer. The evening temperatures will be cooler in the early part of the season so a warm layer of clothing will be required.

SUMMER (Dec - Feb)
The walking tour is not operate during the hot, summer months, although you can still book a stay at Arkaba Homestead which is open year round and enjoy shorter walks as part of guided activities that are included in the tariff.



(Data sourced from Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Units = °C)

OCT4 Pty Ltd trading as ONLY LUXE CLUB acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full deposit payment and the signed Booking Form (if required) has been received by ONLYLUXE CLUB.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to ONLYLUXE CLUB. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price. The current surcharge for all credit cards is 3% of the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify OCT4 PTY LTD, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Not suited for children under the age of 8.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise OCT4 PTY LTD and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. OCT 4 PTY LTD and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the OCT4 PTY LTD and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which OCT4 Pty Ltd or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure OCT4 Pty Ltd will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the OCT4 PTY LTD and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.