Mr & Mrs Smith

Arkaba Station & Walk

Flinders Ranges, Australia

For an iconic Australian adventure, you can't beat Arkaba Station & Walk hotel in the Flinders Ranges, an elegant 1850s homestead and sheep station set in 60,000 acres of awe-inspiring private wilderness. Design details pay homage to the property's hard-working heritage, from wool sack-wrapped bedside tables to sheepskin hot-water bottles. All-inclusive dining, with world-beating wines, makes for convivial times indoors; outside kangaroo- and emu-watching awaits, or team a stay with Arkaba's fab swag-camp glamping trek.

Need to know

• Rooms Five. You can also book Arkaba's three-night, four-day guided walk (for two to eight), sleeping in cosy campsite swag beds, either separately or with a Homestead stay. From 19 August 2012, Homestead stays will be exclusive-hire only, sleeping two to 10.
• Rates Double rooms from AU$1303.64, excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  The price shown represents the lowest nightly rate for a double room available at this hotel over the next 21 days. Any price conversions from the hotel's local currency (AU$1,304) have been conducted using today's exchange rates from xe.com.
• More details Rates include all meals, select drinks, and daily scheduled activities from guided walks to four-wheel-drive wildlife safaris and mountain biking; a two-night minimum stay applies. The Arkaba Walk includes all meals, select drinks, snacks and swag beds.
• Facilities Library with books, magazines and board games, boutique, mountain bikes with helmets, gardens. In rooms: pillow menu, Australian bird book and binoculars, sheepskin hot-water bottles, eco-friendly Serendipity toiletries, hairdryer on request. On walk: head-torches, thermos flasks, swag beds, bush showers and eco-loo. You're unlikely to get mobile phone reception out here, but there's a landline and computer at the Homestead for guests' use in emergencies, and guides on the walk carry radios.
• Poolside Cool off in Arkaba's outdoor pool, a compact, linear number with serene views out to Arkaba Creek, hills and bush. Pool towels and dressing gowns are available, and there are a few loungers beckoning on the deck for sunset cocktails. As it's unheated, it may get nippy in winter.
• Check-out 11am; check-in, from 2pm. To guarantee an earlier check-in, you'll need to prebook the room for the day before. Walks depart Thursdays from the Homestead after a briefing at 10am.
• Children Due to its intimate scale and wild bush setting, Arkaba only welcomes children aged eight or over (12 and above for the Walk). If you take over the property exclusively, it's possible to bring younger kids, so long as suitable supervision is arranged. More...
• Also Pets are not allowed. Smoking is not permitted in the Homestead, Coach House or on the terrace, but is accectable by the firepit in the garden. Guests should beware of the risk of fire from any butts dropped, especially during the dry season.
• Hotel closed The Homestead is open year-round, but the Arkaba Walk only operates from 14 March to 31 October to avoid the high-summer heat. From 2013, the Walk will change to a two-night swag camp stay, followed by a third night at the Homestead.

Food and drink at Arkaba Station & Walk

• Hotel restaurant

  You can almost see the waistlines expanding at Arkaba, where New Zealand chef Richard Cocoran whips up fabulous all-inclusive meals, drawing on local South Australian food and wines, and starring seasonal, organic and home-grown produce (such as wild limes and quandongs). The good life kicks off at breakfast, when guests help themselves to house-made bircher muesli and yoghurt, home-baked breads and jams, fruit salad and Nespresso coffees, enjoyed around the convivial wooden table in the country-style dining room. Richard will knock you up eggs, any way, if you prefer. Delicious lunch and dinner dishes, such as salmon and polenta or saffron-infused spaghetti with vegetables, mix modern influences with native twists.

• Dress code Smart-casual, notching up the elegance come evening. Imagine you're visiting fortunate friends in the country.
• Top table In winter, the cosy table in the kitchenside breakfast room should get your vote. On sunny days, eat alfresco at the generous terrace table, which reflects the surrounding landscape in its sexy glass-topped surface.
• Last orders Meals are timed around you, but dinner is normally served between 7pm and 8.30pm.
• Room service There's no room service at this intimate retreat, but you're welcome to help yourself anytime to snacks, coffee, tea or fruit from the kitchen, including tasty cookies and cakes care of Richard.
• Hotel bar

  Help yourself from the well-stocked fridge by the outdoor terrace lounge, bulging with an enviable collection of champagne, South Australian wines (we're talking Barossa and Clare Valley tipples), beer and soft drinks. Quaffing from the select open-bar is all-inclusive here, with the team happy to advise you or match wines with food. Canapés, cocktails and wine are served each night before dinner to get the party started.

Arkaba Station & Walk Wilpena Road, Flinders Ranges, South Australia 5434