Arkaroola Outback Expedition in Mawson Lodge

From ridgetop tours to scenic flights, observatory tours to sunset canapes, this package is a full Arkaroola Outback Expedition. Try to catch your breath during this spectacular three night escape in the Flinders Ranges. Gaze in awe at ancient mountains and gorges during a scenic flight, take on the rugged terrain in a 4WD, get lost in the starry night sky of South Australia’s premier International Dark Sky Sanctuary on an astronomy tour and enjoy sunset canapes and two dinners with wine.

The Arkaroola Sanctuary Flight will take you from the ancient sedimentary seabed layers of southern Arkaroola to the unruly granite and quartzite outcrops of Mt Gee, the Mawson Plateau and the Freeling Heights, all in a stunning 35 minutes. Pilot Doug Sprigg's commentary will teach you about Arkaroola’s geology, Aboriginal Dreaming stories and mining history as you take in the beautiful views down below. It’s a unique way to experience the region and one you won’t forget!

The magnificence of an Arkaroola sunset is difficult to put into words, which is why you need to see it for yourself. Visitors will travel through ancient parts of the wild and rugged Flinders Ranges by 4WD before arriving at a spectacular lookout point, where your very own comfortable lounge chair is set up. Enjoy canapés and drinks, provided along with commentary from your expert local guides, while watching one of nature’s greatest lightshows.

During the day travel in a specially constructed open-top 4WD, on a guided tour of some of the most spectacular rugged country on earth. Experienced tour guides share their knowledge of Arkaroola's 1600-million-year geological history as they navigate the steep slopes and hair raising ascents of the famous Ridgetop Track. Travelling through the oldest parts of the Flinders Ranges, home to plants found nowhere else, you will explore the ancient granite mountains and hillsides covered in native bush. Several lookouts along the way offer breath-taking vistas of the vast and humbling expanse of the ranges. Take a tea break while drinking in the magnificent ring of saw-toothed Freeling Heights fringing the Mawson Plateau. See the jaw-dropping 1000m deep Yudnamutana Gorge, the plains and Lake Frome salt lake. And don't worry- the descent back to the homestead is just as much of an adventure as the way up!

Then come nightfall, go truly intergalactic with your choice of a astronomy tour. View the moon, stars, Milk Way and other celestial bodies up-close through astronomy binoculars, all while comfortably reclining on your camp lounge chair with our Under the Stars Experience (weather conditions permitting) OR see the stars and planets from a whole new perspective, up-close and personal and on the big screen on our real-time, state of the art digital astro experience Explore the Cosmos.

During their free time, guests can explore Arkaroola on foot or in their own vehicle, watch for Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies around the Village or just relax by the pool.