Staying amongst an Indigenous Australian community is something we have wanted to do since the beginning of our project. It became a reality in the Flinders Ranges at the Aboriginal community of Iga Warta. What an amazing experience it was! We were welcomed with open arms by the extremely friendly, warm and open hearted people of Iga Warta. It was as if we were part of the family. Gathered around the fire, we were treated to a special feast of kangaroo and emu which had been cooked using the traditional method handed down from their ancestors. Whether for a few hours or few days, we strongly recommend a visit to Iga Warta. This is a unique opportunity to understand more about Aboriginal culture and lifestyle. On site, various educational activities and accommodation options are available. Not to be missed!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Iga Warta.

Today we take you to the western Flinders Ranges, where the mountains meet the desert to live our first real Outback experience. We spent a few days at Beltana Station, a fully working sheep and cattle station located on a property of more than... 400,000 acres! If Beltana Station was a sovereign state, it would rank just after Mauritius in the list of countries and dependencies by area. We can tell you that it is huge and that you will never be disturbed by the neighbours! The place is rich in history with most of its stone buildings dating from the nineteenth century. The farm was also the starting point for various expeditions including one made ​​famous by Ernest Giles in 1875. It is also in Beltana that Thomas Elder imported some of the first camels to arrive in South Australia. Among the many activities offered on site today, it is still possible to participate in a safari of several days with these magnificent creatures. A 4WD tour is also a must. From the summit of Mount Deception, which does not deserve its name, the view over the plains is breathtaking. Beltana Station offers a variety of accommodation options to meet different travelers needs ranging from camping to private rooms in the Shearers' Quarters historical buildings to the Overseer's Cottage. Whether for a weekend or long holidays on the farm, Beltana Station is a destination that will immerse you in the heart of the Australian Outback and will allow you to reconnect with the deepest human values​​. For those looking to work in Australia, make sure to contact Laura and Graham. They might have something to offer. We fell in love!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Beltana Station.

The Flinders Ranges are a destination of choice in South Australia. A five-hour drive north of Adelaide and you arrive at Wilpena Pound, the giant natural amphitheater, which is marked with various hiking trails from Rawnsley Park Station where you can also stay and eat. It is also possible to take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound or you can opt for the hot air balloon experience. In all cases, the view is sensational! To get the most out of your stay in the region, we recommend joining a guided Four Wheel Drive Tour. Supervised by experienced local guides, it is a great way to explore every corner of the Flinders Ranges National Park. Rawnsley Park Station has a various range of different tour options on offer including 4WD Tours, guided bushwalking and mountain bike hire. Bookings for scenic flights can be made through Rawnsley Park Station too.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Rawnsley Park Station.

The Flinders Ranges as a backdrop. A rustic barn. Steaks on the menu. No doubt, you have just entered The Woolshed Restaurant at Rawnsley Park Station. The atmosphere is warm and leaves a good first impression of the Australian outback. It is for good reason that this is one of the best restaurants in the area. The impressive collection of awards at the restaurant entrance attests to this. The dishes are a rich mixture of local cuisine and modern Australian cuisine. A highlight of the menu: all desserts are homemade! Do not miss the sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and double cream. Tested and approved by iPhoneography Oz!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of The Woolshed Restaurant.

The most famous place in the Flinders Ranges is probably Wilpena Pound. At the foot of this majestic natural amphitheater is Rawnsley Park Station which is a perfect base for exploring the region. Initially dedicated to sheep, this immense property of 12,000 hectares is now a multiple South Australian Tourism Awards award-wining resort. It offers various accommodation options, including camping opportunities. However we stayed in their signature luxury eco-villas. Designed to blend perfectly into the environment, these modern cottages are the ultimate in luxury accommodation in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. They offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the highlight experience is the presence of a retractable roof in the bedrooms where you can admire the stars before you drift off to sleep! On-site adventure opportunities, whether in 4WD (Arkapena Tracks Self Drive), bush walking or mountain biking, are numerous and will keep you busy for days. We love it!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Rawnsley Park Station.

We will drive through the Flinders Ranges and the Outback in the coming days. It is where you can discover the real Australia. This is also where you can find some of the oldest landscapes on earth. And this is where you can find properties larger than some European countries (the advantage is that you will never disturb your neighbors who are hundreds of kilometres away!). A great way to understand these spectacular regions before visiting them is to go to Wadlata Outback Centre. It is located in Port Augusta on the way to the Flinders Ranges and the Outback, three hours north of Adelaide. It reveals how the region has evolved over millions of years in geological terms, but also explains the Aboriginal legends and stories of European explorers and settlers. You learn a lot while visiting this multiple award-wining tourist attraction. We recommend it!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Wadlata Outback Centre.

On the way to the Flinders Ranges, which we will discuss in the coming days, we found a hotel among the most unusual of the world: North Star Hotel. This hotel restaurant is located in the heart of the charming town of Melrose, a great place to explore the scenic gorges of Mount Remarkable National Park. The hotel has four ensuite hotel rooms, two cottages and two ... trucks! Yes, you read correctly. So we literally slept in the back of a truck! Very novel. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this accommodation. It might look rustic from outside but the inside allows you to access all the comforts of a traditional hotel room with bathroom, heating and even a small kitchenette to prepare breakfast. Is this the representation of an ideal romantic weekend for an Australian from the outback? Not sure. They might not be high end luxury hotel rooms but these boutique hotel trucks are perfect for a rustic country style getaway. We certainly urge you to consider spending at least one night during a visit to this region in South Australia.

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of North Star Hotel.