South Australia #5 on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017

If you’re thinking of getting completely outback and off the beaten track in 2017, why not choose one of the 2017 Lonely Planet best regions of the world to explore… South Australia.

The Arkaba Walk, one of the Great Walks of Australia, takes you over four glorious days from the vibrant city of Adelaide into the heart of the South Australian outback. You’ll explore the majesty of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges on foot, then roll back to Adelaide through one of South Australia’s famous wine regions, the adorable Clare Valley.

As South Australia came in at #5 on the best regions to explore for 2017, here are just five of many reasons why you’ll love the Arkaba Walk:

1. Walk with wildlife

You’ll wander through beautiful surrounds where the wildlife comes to you. There are more kangaroos, emus and bird life than you can poke a stick at, and you don’t follow a fixed trail so it’s more of a guided exploration in the wilderness than the patter and chatter of the person in front kind of walk. It’s a glorious wilderness walk of discovery through everchanging country 600 million years in the making. One of the property’s earliest guests was John McDougall Stuart on his epic first crossing of the continent.

2. Passion for the place

It’s fully guided and we literally walk you through the geological history of time. You’ll discover the Ediacaran fauna (named after the Ediacara Hills of South Australia), the earliest forms of multi-celled life on earth! You’ll learn about the Adnyamathanha people, the traditional custodians of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges country and hear the stories of the early European settlement, of early pioneers and of heroic bush survival. Our guides live and breathe this ancient place and can lead a slow amble or keep a cracking pace, according to needs of your small group (maximum ten walkers).

3. Conservation is our heart

Your outback adventure helps us conserve our region. Arkaba is a National Geographic Top 3 finalist in the 2016 World Legacy Awards for Conserving the Natural World. You’ll learn ways in which the Indigenous owners of the land protected this ancient country, how active conservation programs are restoring the land now and how you are playing a part in saving the wildlife of the Flinders Ranges just by being here.

4. Jaw-dropping landscape

These ranges in South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges are grand in scale and bring a whole new level to the luxury of wide open space. We don’t like bumping into people and there’s 60,000 acres of dramatically beautiful private conservancy to explore! You’ll traverse the country immortalised in Hans Heysen’s art by day. Think ancient seabeds and deep valleys covered with casuarinas and cypress pines which fall into creek beds lined with river red gums. Sleep under a canopy of stars at our signature swag camps by night. And the stars are ridiculous out here in the South Australian outback! Oh, and you can bring your slippers if you please as we have a support vehicle to take care of your gear without you having to lug it around the wilderness. No matter how pretty.

5. Seriously good South Australian food and wine

Savour a sundowner glass of top notch South Australian wine and bush canapés after your day of walking in the wilderness. Toast a marshmallow around the campfire and dine al fresco at the Arkaba Homestead, a Luxury Lodges of Australia property, on the third and final night. Our resident chef will make sure your tummy is as pleased as your body. And then there’s your gorgeous lunch in the Clare Valley wine country for good measure on the scenic road trip back to Adelaide from Arkaba.

Our Arkaba walking season kicks off 23 March and continues to 12 October 2017. Adelaide is Australia’s festival capital after all, and it also happens to be the gateway to our outback walk in style, the Arkaba Walk by Wild Bush Luxury.

Learn more here about The Arkaba Walk,  call 1300 790 561 to speak to a Wild Bush Luxury specialist or email arkabawalk@wildbushluxury.com direct.

Spring is such a beautiful time to be on the Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort that wanders through the MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory.

Desert Rose

With wildflowers in full bloom including desert roses, mulla mulla, daisies and cassia; blue skies, minimal clouds and stunning starry nights, spring is such a pretty time to visit. Plus best of all spring is in the trail’s shoulder season, which means there is typically less people on the walk, meaning more uninterrupted views of Australia’s captivating outback!

The Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort is a six day walk that provides you with award-winning, architecturally designed eco-campsites that will enhance your experience in the outback, while at the same time minimise your environmental impact.

Fearless Campsite
Featuring a kitchen, communal dining area and comfortable lounge on a raised platform, out of the dust, spend your evening relaxed as your guides prepare a delicious three course meals over the camp fire pit. You can then return to your own safari-style tent with thick mattresses, floor to ceiling windows and deck, allowing you to rest and rejuvenate in comfort before another exhilarating day on the trail.

Sunrise on Mount Sonder

If you’re after a exceptional hiking experience in 2017, why wait? Book ahead for the Larapinta Trail in spring 2017, or even earlier… as departures for this magical outback trek re-commence in March.

Walk gallery, full itinerary and booking details here

 

This is your opportunity to experience the ultimate food, wine and walking gourmet escape, with some incredible extras, on the Cape to Cape Walk in Margaret River, Western Australia.

Enjoy world class food and wine and access to exclusive VIP events at the renowned Gourmet Escape festival, before joining a special departure of Walk into Luxury’s 4 day Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk.  Together with Experience Smith, Walk into Luxury have designed the ultimate 7 night luxury escape to the Margaret River region complete with:

• feature dining experiences and special VIP events with all transfers included
• 4 days guided walking on the Cape to Cape Track with gourmet food and wine
• clifftop sunset drinks and private twilight didgeridoo performance in Ngilgi Cave
• Beachfront accommodation at two Small Luxury Hotels of the World

You also have the option of adding a stay at award winning COMO Treasury Perth to complete your luxury WA escape.

Departing Friday 18 November and concluding Thursday 24 November, places are strictly limited!

View more details and the full itinery
Enquire or book at info@walkintoluxury.com.au

Located in the stunning Margaret River, South Western Australia, the Cape to Cape Track is home to one of the world’s most bio-diverse environments, with rare wildflowers blooming.

                
Purple pansy orchid near Redgate beach                 Wild geranium near Yallingup 

With almost 80% of the plant species in the walk’s region not being found anywhere else on the planet, the area is recognised as one of only 34 global biodiversity hotspots in the world!

Rare native wildflowers are currently in bloom on this luxurious walk hosted Walk into Luxury, with guests recently spotting donkey orchids, pink fairy orchids, purple pansy orchids, vanilla lilies, old man’s beard and wild geraniums.

       
Pink Fairy Orchid near Willabrup, Old Mans Beard near Redgate & Vanilla lily near Moses Rock 

These natural beauties only have a short season, so from September to November is the perfect time to experience these gorgeous natural wonders on a backdrop of crystal waters, stunning sand, luxurious accommodation and delectable cuisine.  Don’t delay, start planning your walk among the rarest of wild flowers today!

Find out more about this wildly breathtaking walk here. 

Eco Adventures Australia presents to you the Scenic Rim Trail which has now kicked off for the 2016 walking season. With two nights at Canopy Eco Lodge and the final night at the Luxury Lodges of Australia Member Spicers Peak Lodge, this walk sees guests enjoy South East Queensland’s Main Range National Park.

Famous for its stunning collection of mountains, ridges, forest and ancient volcanic plateaus, this 4 day moderate walk covers 33km including a large ascent on day 3. On the final day, guests can relax at the lodge, play tennis, enjoy a spa treatment or take an optional helicopter ride before transferring to Brisbane.

Tempt yourself even more here. 

 

(more…)