Test drive a Land Rover Defender in an iconic Australian outback location – for a price

A four-day tour of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia in a Land Rover Defender – with luxury food, and one of the nights in the 4WD's roof-top tent – may be the 'ultimate' test drive for a new car in Australia.

The program – which costs $5500 for a couple's ticket, and is available to the general public, Land Rover customer or not – joins other travel experiences offered by the British car maker which allow patrons to explore the Defender's capability in exciting and exotic locations.

Known as Defender Experience Arkaba, it is a four-day tour based at a privately-operated 65,000-acre property about six hours north of Adelaide.

The Arkaba Homestead was built in 1856 and run as a working sheep station until 2012 when it was converted into a land and wildlife conservancy.

Guests embark on a guided tour of the property behind the wheel of a Land Rover Defender.

Accommodation starts at the refurbished homestead, but heads off-grid to remote campsites, and even sees guests stay in roof-mounted tents on top of the Defenders. All meals are included, with expert chefs preparing fine local cuisine within the natural environment.

The expedition sees customers drive a Defender through picturesque terrain, while learning about the history of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges region and helping to plant a tree.

The March 2024 event has already run – with sold-out attendance – but bookings are now open online for the 2025 iteration.

If you want an even wilder travel experience, other Defender journeys include a selection of sub-Saharan African safaris – including a 10-day tour of the Skeleton Coast in Namibia – with many available to non-Land Rover customers.