Arkaba Conservancy
We headed out early this morning north of to the Flinders Ranges to Arkaba Conservancy This 5+ hour drive led us through progressively dryer, more desert like landscape. First we traveled through the rolling hills of wheat country. Australia is a major exporter of this grain which is apparent when you realize how many acres are dedicated to it.
Goyders Line runs east west and it delineates the area that receives enough rain to be able to sustain crops from the desert like area to the north. As we crossed over the line it was very obvious that the landscape changed as well as the local economy. Wineries intermixed with with farms as we approached Clare where we stopped for a quick tasting before heading further north. The towns became smaller and more deserted looking as we continued through towns such as Laura, Quorn (pronounced 'corn') and Hawker.
In Laura, we stopped for a Golden North ice cream bar which is made here. The actually had all 23 flavors which is apparently a big deal for its fans. We stopped at Emily's Bistro in Quorn for a meat pie lunch before heading through Hawker towards Ikara-Flinders Rangers.
Arkaba Conservancy is located on a former sheep ranch. It mixes luxury tourism with conservation, trying to return the property to its more vegetated natural state. As we pulled into the drive, we were greeted with a cold towel and juice drink, something we encountered on all of our returns during our stay.
Our accommodations were in the original house with modifications to add several dining spaces and enough bedrooms for guests. A maximum of 10 guests insures each person experiences an intimate group explores the property. Over the course of our two night stay, we met most of the staff that operate the lodge. Charlie served as our main point person, driving us on several of our drives. Nicola, Blythe, David, among others serve as guides and there's additional staff that serve as chefs and household workers. It gives the feel of a large family.
Soon after our arrival we went out in our open air Range Rovers that were equipped to maximize passenger's viewing area as we explored the property. Our first drive served as an introduction to what they are doing on the property along with our first taste of the wildlife and terrain.
After our drive, we returned for our group dinner included with our room. Wine, beer, and a bar were also included in our stay. The first night we were joined by another Australian couple and a couple visiting from Scotland. The food was much more than you would expect to find out in the middle of the desert with fresh fish and vegetables creatively prepared for us.
After dinner, we took our first opportunity to explore the night sky, enhanced by the lack of city lights to allow millions of stars to peer down on us. The Milky way actually is better viewed from the Southern Hemisphere and appeared directly overhead. We were already making plans for a night shoot on the next evening.
Tomorrow: A full day exploring the property
Goyders Line runs east west and it delineates the area that receives enough rain to be able to sustain crops from the desert like area to the north. As we crossed over the line it was very obvious that the landscape changed as well as the local economy. Wineries intermixed with with farms as we approached Clare where we stopped for a quick tasting before heading further north. The towns became smaller and more deserted looking as we continued through towns such as Laura, Quorn (pronounced 'corn') and Hawker.
In Laura, we stopped for a Golden North ice cream bar which is made here. The actually had all 23 flavors which is apparently a big deal for its fans. We stopped at Emily's Bistro in Quorn for a meat pie lunch before heading through Hawker towards Ikara-Flinders Rangers.
Arkaba Conservancy is located on a former sheep ranch. It mixes luxury tourism with conservation, trying to return the property to its more vegetated natural state. As we pulled into the drive, we were greeted with a cold towel and juice drink, something we encountered on all of our returns during our stay.
Our accommodations were in the original house with modifications to add several dining spaces and enough bedrooms for guests. A maximum of 10 guests insures each person experiences an intimate group explores the property. Over the course of our two night stay, we met most of the staff that operate the lodge. Charlie served as our main point person, driving us on several of our drives. Nicola, Blythe, David, among others serve as guides and there's additional staff that serve as chefs and household workers. It gives the feel of a large family.
Soon after our arrival we went out in our open air Range Rovers that were equipped to maximize passenger's viewing area as we explored the property. Our first drive served as an introduction to what they are doing on the property along with our first taste of the wildlife and terrain.
After our drive, we returned for our group dinner included with our room. Wine, beer, and a bar were also included in our stay. The first night we were joined by another Australian couple and a couple visiting from Scotland. The food was much more than you would expect to find out in the middle of the desert with fresh fish and vegetables creatively prepared for us.
After dinner, we took our first opportunity to explore the night sky, enhanced by the lack of city lights to allow millions of stars to peer down on us. The Milky way actually is better viewed from the Southern Hemisphere and appeared directly overhead. We were already making plans for a night shoot on the next evening.
Tomorrow: A full day exploring the property
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