Day 1 (L,D) HOME, COOBER PEDY

Passengers are either met at their metropolitan home/hotel for transfer to Essendon Airport, or provide their own transport to the airport. Free all day parking is available. We meet in the main terminal at approximately 7:30am. Refreshments will be available. Our Fokker 50 flight departs at 8:30am.

Our route takes us over Wentworth, junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers to the Flinders Ranges. Conditions permitting we “fly low and slow” over the Ranges and the famous Wilpena Pound, a natural circular rim formation. Light refreshments as we fly. View the stunning Painted Hills, only accessible by air, prior to arriving at Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy is the largest producer of opal in the world, comprising a huge number of small mines. Finished opals can be purchased from several outlets at “miners prices”. Lunch in an underground restaurant in Coober Pedy on our arrival. During the afternoon we take a tour of this unique town; Catacomb and Sts Peter & Paul underground churches, the unique golf course, and view an opal cutting demonstration and opal mine. Time to browse among the extensive local art, craft and jewellery shops – purchase if you wish. Dinner at the “underground” 4 star Desert Cave Hotel, our overnight home. You may request underground rooms, but there are only a limited number available and availability is not guaranteed.

Day 2 (B,L)COOBER PEDY, LAKE EYRE, BIRDSVILLE

Following a hearty breakfast we rejoin our aircraft for the two and a half hour flight to Birdsville. We fly over Anna Creek Station, approximately 24,000 square km (6 million acres), the world’s largest working cattle station. The tiny town of William Creek is surrounded by Anna Creek station and is the home of Wrights Air, Australian outback scenic air specialists. Owner, Trevor Wright, assisted in the development of this Lake Eyre program.

On to Lake Eyre North to explore from the air many of the features of the lake; fly over Madigan Gulf, site of Donald Campbell’s land speed record, be amazed at the constantly changing shoreline and the massive amount of water. We view Warburton Groove where the northern floodwaters enter Lake Eyre, follow Warburton Creek and then fly to Goyder Lagoon. Hopefully we will see many migratory birds on the water below. The views are stunning, although passengers should note that the level of water is unlikely to reach 2009 levels despite the heavy rains and floods that occurred in the catchment area early this year. See the sand dunes of the Simpson Desert. During the flight passengers in aisle seats swap with passengers in window seats to maximise viewing (a condition of travel).

Into Queensland where we land at the tiny township of Birdsville, now famous for the annual Birdsville Races. The airport is literally a two minute stroll from the town. Time to explore the town or head straight to the historic Birdsville Hotel, dating back to the 1860’s. Enjoy a welcome drink prior to an enjoyable lunch.

We reboard our aircraft and, on our return flight, flying south over the mining city of Broken Hill, this year involved in the filming of another Mad Max film. We fly low over the city and then return direct to Melbourne, a flight time of approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, having completed a most comprehensive, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable weekend flying holiday.