Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Australia / Flinders Ranges / Arkaba Homestead
Arkaba Homestead
Flinders Ranges, Australia · Independent · High Luxury
The Browne brothers established Arkaba as a sheep station under Pastoral Lease 129 around 1851 in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, with a stone homestead from the early 1850s and an 1856 woolshed. Wild Bush Luxury bought the station in 2009 for about A$2.5 million, spent roughly A$1 million on restoration, and reopened it in November 2009 as a five-bedroom exclusive-use lodge on a 60,000-acre private wildlife conservancy.
- 5 rooms
- Opened 2009
- Neighborhood: Flinders Ranges Way
About Arkaba Homestead
- The Browne brothers established Arkaba under Pastoral Lease 129 around 1851; the stone homestead dates to the early 1850s and a historic woolshed was built in 1856.
- Arkaba Homestead operates as an exclusive-use five-bedroom lodge accommodating up to ten guests on a 60,000-acre private wildlife conservancy.
- Actress Nicole Kidman has stayed at the homestead.
- Five-bedroom exclusive-use homestead on a 60,000-acre Flinders Ranges conservancy, converted from an 1850s sheep station by Wild Bush Luxury.
History
Arkaba Homestead sits on a former sheep station in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, established under Pastoral Lease 129 by the Browne brothers around 1851. The stone homestead dates to the early 1850s (commonly cited as 1851, with some sources noting 1856), and a historic woolshed was built in 1856; for well over a century Arkaba ran as a working pastoral property.
In 2009 the station was acquired by Wild Bush Luxury for about A$2.5 million and, following roughly A$1 million of restoration, reopened in November 2009 as an exclusive-use luxury homestead with five bedrooms accommodating up to ten guests. Today Arkaba is run as a private wildlife conservancy across some 60,000 acres, blending safari-style guiding with heritage homestead living.
Experiences
- Twice-daily guided wilderness safaris — Guided walks, 4WD safaris in open-top vehicles and wildlife hide visits, usually 1.5 to 3.5 hours, included in the stay.
- Flinders Ranges Arkaba Walk — Three days of guided walking of about 12 to 15 km per day with two nights in Eco Cabins and two nights swag camping; limited to 4 to 10 guests.
- Sunrise and sunset guided drives — Guided drives at sunrise and sunset; guests report seeing the Elder Ranges and Wilpena Pound.
- Wildlife hide — A new hide for viewing native wildlife undisturbed, often included early in the morning.
- Wildlife viewing with field guides — Field guides help guests view and learn about kangaroos, emus and various bird species.
- Dining under the stars — Bush-inspired meals by in-house chefs, with a guest review describing the food as Michelin-style.
Amenities
- Pool
- All-inclusive
Open Arkaba Homestead in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.