Day 1 (L,D) MELBOURNE, 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 7:30 a.m.  Refreshments will be available.  Our Fokker 50 flight departs at 8:30 a.m.  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.  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, BIRDSVILLE

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.  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.  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 where we land at the tiny township of Birdsville.  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 a enjoyable lunch.  We reboard our aircraft and, on our return flight, flying south over the mining city of Broken Hill.  We fly low over the city and then return direct to Melbourne, a flight time of approximately 3 hours, 20 minutes, having  completed a most comprehensive, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable weekend flying holiday.

The above itinerary is based on Melbourne departures.  Itineraries and departure dates from other cities are available on request.  Please contact our office or visit our website for further information about these holidays.