Day 1 (L,D)

We meet at Perth Airport at 7.00am for an 8.00am departure on board our Fokker 50 aircraft for the 1.5 hour flight to Kalgoorlie. A short tour of some of the highlights of this historic gold rush city, including a visit to the “super pit” prior to an early lunch at the Kalgoorlie golf course. We rejoin our aircraft, fly “low and slow” over the stunning Painted Hills during the 3 hour flight to Coober Pedy, “Opal capital of the world”. Transfer to our home for two nights, the 4 star Desert Cave Hotel. A limited number of underground rooms are available but not guaranteed. Time to relax, maybe enjoy a pre-dinner drink with other passengers before dinner in Umberto’s Restaurant at the Desert Cave.

Day 2 (B,L,D)

Coober Pedy is the largest producer of opal in the world, comprising a huge number of small mines, situated close to the Stuart Highway on the road to Darwin. A fascinating community which today we explore at a leisurely pace. Included is a town tour featuring Catacomb and St Peter & Paul underground churches and the unique outback golf course. We also visit the beautiful Breakaways, and exclusive rocky outcrop nearby with its stunning colours and formations and travel alongside the Dog Fence, thousands of kilometres in length. Visit Umoona underground mine, learn a little about opal mining and view an opal cutting demonstration and the opal mine. Time to browse in the huge opal shop, guaranteed value, purchase if you wish. Dinner together concludes the day.

Day 3(B,L)

Following a hearty breakfast we rejoin our aircraft for the flight to Birdsville. View Anna Creek Station, at approximately 24,000 square kilometres (6 million acres), the worlds largest working cattle station. Fly over the tiny village of William Creek 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 and speed record. Marvel at the vast white salt pan which forms the bed of the lake. We view Warburton Groove where the northern floodwaters enter Lake Eyre, follow Warburton Creek and then fly to Goyder Lagoon. 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 and we land at the tiny township of Birdsville, now famous for the annual Birdsville Races. Time to explore the town and visit the Wirrari Information Centre. Stroll back to the historic Birdsville Hotel dating back to the 1860’s. Enjoy a welcome drink prior to a delicious buffet lunch.

We reboard our aircraft and on our afternoon flight fly over the Flinders Ranges, flying low to circle the famous Wilpena Pound, a natural formation in the ranges. Flight time approximately 2.5 hours, returning to Adelaide to join an evening Qantas flight to Perth, having completed a most comprehensive, interesting and enjoyable flying holiday to Lake Eyre and the outback.