Justin Meneguzzi for Travel + Leisure visits Nilpena Ediacara National Park in South Australia where some of the world’s most dramatic scenery, incredible wildlife, and oldest fossils have been discovered. The Nilpena Ediacara National Park neighbours the awe-inspiring expanse of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and located in these ancient ranges is Arkaba Homestead.

More than 540 million years ago, South Australia’s outback formed part of a vibrant coastline where a shallow seabed hosted early, alien-like life forms, the planet’s first organisms. Over time, these creatures were preserved in sediment layers, leading to their discovery by geologist Reg Sprigg in 1946 in the Ediacara Hills, marking the unearthing of some of Earth’s oldest fossils. Seventy-five years since its initial discovery, Nilpena Ediacara National Park has revealed dozens of fossil beds. These sites unveil entire ecosystems, each housing tens of thousands of remarkably preserved specimens. 

Arkaba Homestead offers a rare luxury experience, where its 60,000 acres are shared by only 10 guests, redefining exclusivity in Australia. Surrounded by the majestic Elder and Chase Ranges and Rawnsley Bluff. With a rich Aboriginal history spanning millennia and geological formations dating back hundreds of millions of years, Arkaba harmoniously blends conservation with tourism, epitomising true luxury in its natural setting and is the perfect place to rest after discovering the ancient treasures of its surrounds and the Nilpena Ediacara National Park.

“Neighbouring Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park makes for a natural extension on any trip to Nilpena Ediacara National Park. While Nilpena Ediacara National Park is flatter and more open, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is home to sprawling mountain ranges and grasslands. Here, you’ll find many hiking trails, campgrounds, and historic stations that were transformed into luxury lodgings at the edge of the park.”

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