Day 1 (L,D)
Our weekend holiday commences as we meet at Corporate Lounge, Fairburn apron Canberra airport for an 8.00 a.m. departure on board the comfort plus charter Fokker 50 aircraft for the northbound flight to Bourke. Light refreshments as we fly. Bourke is located on the Darling River and was historically an important inland port. Enjoy a short tour of the town and the wharf area prior to an enjoyable lunch. We reboard our aircraft for a two hour afternoon flight, flying over the tiny township of Innamincka and low and slow over the Bourke andWills “dig tree” on route to Birdsville, now famous for the annual Birdsville Races. The airport is literally a two minute stroll from the town. Time to explore this tiny outpost, visit Birdsville Race Track, (subject to availability), stroll around the town or relax in the bar at the famous Birdsville Hotel. Later enjoy dinner and the evening together at the hotel, our home for tonight.

Day 2 (B,L,D)
Following a hearty breakfast we rejoin our aircraft for the two and a half hour flight from Birdsville to Coober Pedy. See the sand dunes on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert. We fly over Goyder Lagoon and follow Warburton Creek to Warburton Groove, where northern flood waters enter Lake Eyre. Fly over Madigan Gulf, site of Donald Campbell’s land speed record. Be amazed at the
constantly changing shoreline and themassive capacity of the lake. Green patches are evidence of the growth resulting from the rains of 2009. Hopefully we will see many migratory birds on the water below. During the flight passengers in aisle seats swap with passengers in window seats to maximise viewing (a condition of travel). Fly over the tiny town of William Creek, on Anna Creek Station, approx mately 24,000 square km (6 million acres), the world’s largest working cattle station.

On to Coober Pedy, 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 on 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. Youmay request underground rooms, but there are only a limited number available and availability is not guaranteed.

Day 3 (B,L)
Another hearty breakfast before we reboard our aircraft and, shortly after take off, fly low and slow over the “painted hills” and again, during this flight, fly low and slow as we view the majestic Flinders Ranges, then continue to themining city of Broken Hill, a flight of just over two hours.
Enjoy a tour of Broken Hill and lunch before our final flight returning to Canberra. Enjoy refreshments from the bar during the flight of approximately 2 hours, arriving in Canberra around 5.00 p.m. having completed a most comprehensive, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable weekend flying holiday.

Inclusions: airfare, in flight refreshments, transfers, sight seeing tours and attractions, all meals, overnight accommodation at Birdsville Hotel and Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy, complimentary drinks on Broken Hill to Canberra flight, souvenir Lake Eyre flight brochure. All inclusive fares: $2,875 p.p.t.s. $150 s.s.

Flinders Ranges 4 days, departs Sydney Sep 16
Fly from Sydney in our comfort-plus Fokker 50 across central and outback New South Wales to the Flinders Ranges. Fly low over the Ranges on route to Port Augusta. Transfer to modern small coaches for the round journey via Leigh Creek, Arkaroola, Wirrealpa, Wilpena and Hawker back to Port Augusta. Fly back to Sydney.

Kangaroo Island 3 days, departs Sydney Nov 11
Fly from Sydney in our comfort-plus Fokker 50 across southern New South Wales and southeastern South Australia to Kangaroo Island. Fly a low circuit around the island before landing near Kingscote. Transfer to modern small coaches to explore the sights of this unique island. Fly back to Sydney.