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Day 1 - Sydney . Fraser Island
Our journey begins with an early morning flight along the New South
Wales coast, stopping at Coffs Harbour to refuel before finally
landing on Fraser Island. The ground tour begins with a journey
to the lush central rainforest and then on to Wangoolba Creek.
There is time for a swim in the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie
or take a stroll around the white, sandy shores of this beautiful
perched lake. Kingfisher Bay Resort (LD)
Day 2 - Fraser Island . Bowen
From Fraser Island, we head northward along the coast passing a myriad of small
islands, reefs and sandy beaches and important regional centres such as Bundaberg.
The aircraft stops briefly to refuel at Rockhampton before landing in Cairns in
the late afternoon. Pacific International BLD
Day 3 - Bowen . Cairns . Cooktown
This morning we transfer to the Skyrail for the journey up over
the rainforest canopy to Kuranda. After some time to explore Kuranda,
we join the historic rail for the ride back to Cairns. From here we
rejoin the aircraft and fly north to Cooktown. River of Gold Motel BD
Day 4 - Cooktown . Thursday Island
The morning is spent in and around Cooktown including a visit to the famous
Cooktown Museum with its excellent display of relics from James Cook's enforced
stay here when he ran aground in 1770. We then re-board the aircraft for the
flight along the coast. From an altitude of around 1500 feet you can see the
ever changing colour of the water as coral reefs displace the deeper water.
Upon landing at Horn Island we take a short ferry ride across to Thursday Island
the administrative centre of the Torres Strait. The afternoon is spent on tour
including Fort Victoria on Green Hill, the Japanese Memorial and the many churches
and buildings typical of the Torres Strait. We return to Horn Island for our
overnight accommodation at Torres Strait Resort BLD
Day 5 - Thursday Island . Gove . Bathurst Island . Darwin
The first part of the flight is across the very roof of Australia - the
Gulf of Carpentaria; to our refuelling point, Gove (Nhulunbuy). We continue
skirting the coastal fringes of Arnhem Land and then Kakadu National Park
before crossing Van Demien Gulf and onto Bathurst Island, a part of the Tiwi
Group. The remainder of the day is spent exploring the island before rejoining
the aircraft for the short flight back to Darwin. Mirrabeena Resort BLD
Day 6 - Darwin
Today is free to explore Darwin, or perhaps take one of the many optional tours that are available. Mirrabeena Resort BD
Day 7 - Darwin . Litchfield National Park . Darwin
Today we travel by road south to Adelaide River where the American
and Australian Military relocated after the bombing of Darwin. A potent
reminder of the times is the Adelaide River War cemetery and Snake Gully
Ammunition Depot. Next we head into Litchfield National Park. Of particular
interest is the magnetic Termite Mounds, Florence, Tolmer and Wangi Falls
and the “Lost City”. We return to Darwin for the evening. After dinner
we suggest you take a stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the Mindal
Beach markets. Mirrabeena Resort BLD
Day 8 - Darwin . Windjana Gorge . Derby . Broome
The flight this morning skirts the western edge of the Kimberley Ranges
before turning slightly inland to Wandjana Gorge. Here we are met by a
local guide who will take us on a journey back into a time of the Durack
family and the cattle kings of the region. We then drive into Derby through
boab trees and cattle country where we rejoin our aircraft for the short
flight to Broome and our overnight accommodation at the Rendezvous Resort in Broome. BLD
Day 9 - Broome
An early morning flight gives you time to explore the vibrant
regional centre of Broome. In the mid afternoon, we join our
guide for a tour of the town including Chinatown and Gantheaume
Point and finishing at Cable Beach to watch the sun set over the
Indian Ocean. Rendezvous Resort BD
Day 10 - Broome . Karratha . Monkey Mia
Our flight path this morning follows the coast line along eighty
mile beach, passing Cape Boussuf to the regional centre of Karratha.
Here we join our guide for a short tour of the centre with its
huge rail link to the Hammersely Ranges. At Dampier you will
see the mile long ore trains unloading literally millons of tonnes
of ore into conveyors and then onto the giant ore carriers bound
for Japan. From Karratha we fly south, over Carnarvon and on
to Denham/Monkey Mia. Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort BLD
Day 11 - Monkey Mia
Before we begin the days touring, there is time to wander down
to the beach to watch the dolphins come into shore at Monkey
Mia. From here we board a large catamaran for a cruise on World
heritage listed Shark Bay. A highlight is watching the dolphins
leading the boat, crisscrossing the bow. After lunch, we re join
our guide for a road journey along Peon Peninsula. Monkey Mia
Dolphin Resort BLD
Day 12 - Monkey Mia . Pinnacles National Park . Perth
A morning flight southwards along the coast, passing the sheer
Zuytdorp Cliffs named after the Dutch ship wrecked here in 1712,
stopping to refuel at Geraldton, before continuing on to Cervantes
where we travel by road to the Pinnacles National Park before
returning to the aircraft for the flight into Perth. Tradewinds
Hotel BLD
Day 13 - Perth . Rottnest Island . Bunbury . Margaret
River
Today we leave Perth for a day trip across to Rottnest Island.
The day is free to explore this holiday retreat. We reboard the
aircraft at around 1500 for the flight to Bunbury, where we join
our coach driver for the drive along the coast to Margaret River.
The Grange Motel BD
Day 14 - Margaret River . Cape Leeuwin . Walpole
For the next two days we exchange the aircraft for a comfortable
mini-coach to enable us to fully appreciate this wonderful south
western corner of Australia. Our first stop is at one of the
many wineries so famous in the Margaret River area. The journey
continues down to the very edge of Australia, Cape Leeuwin. Here
you can see the merging of the Great Southern and Indian Oceans
and the remarkable riptide between the two. Your journey continues
through Pemberton and finally into Walpole, the home of the Valley
of the Giants and the Tree Top Walk. Tree Top Motel BLD
Day 15 - Walpole . Albany . Esperance
From Walpole we drive into Albany, Western Australia's oldest settlement.
It was here that the first troops left for Gallipoli, a memorial
is set on the hill above the town overlooking the bay. Of special
interest is a visit to Whaleworld where you can see first hand
the history of whaling. Late afternoon we continue our flying
journey with a short flight along the coast to Esperance. Bay
of Islands Motel BLD
Day 16 - Esperance . Nullabor Cliffs . Kangaroo Island
Before departing Esperance, we spend time in and around the town including a visit
to the clear blue sparkling waters of the bay. We then board the aircraft for the
flight to Forrest, a town with the smallest population in Western Australia –
Population 2. Forrest is where the DC3, DC4 and DC6 aircraft were serviced on their
flights across the continent from the early 1940s. Our overnight stop is in the
same houses that passengers in the 1940s and 50s used (somewhat modernised of course).
Forrest Airport BLD
Day 17 - Kangaroo Island
After a leisurely morning, our day begins with a flight along the
cliffs that drop off the Nullarbor Plain into the Southern Ocean.
These cliffs are almost 500ft high in some places and the vision of
the continent crumbling into the sea from your aerial viewpoint is
spectactular. Your flight continues on with a refueling stop at Ceduna
and finishes at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. Ozone Hotel BLD.
Day 18 - Kangaroo Island . Mt Gambier . Warrnambool
Today we commence with a journey to Seal Bay to view the seal colony basking on the beach.
Around lunchtime sees us in the Flinders Chase National Park. After lunch, we continue
our sightseeing with the magnificent Admiralty Arch and Remarkable Rocks. This formation
is unique as it has all the appearance of being a sculpture that would suit any modern art
museum. Ozone Hotel BLD.
Day 19 - Warrnambool . Great Ocean Road . Geelong . Flinders Island
We depart from Kangaroo Island this morning for the flight to Mt Gambier,
home of the famous Blue Lake. After a short tour of the town and lunch,
we reboard the aircraft for our overnight destination – Warrnambool.
Gateway Motor Inn BLD.
Day 20 - Flinders Island
Following a short tour of Warrnambool, we rejoin the aircraft for an
aerial view of one of the most spectacular parts of the Australian
coastline. From the air, view the Twelve Apostles which jut out of the
sea near the limestone cliff, Cape Otway and the run of seaside towns
such as Lorne and Apollo Bay. We then cross Bass Strait to Flinders
Island. Interstate Hotel BLD.
Day 21 - Flinders Island . Sydney
Flinders Island is relatively untouched by tourism with the land resembling
a mini England with rolling downs, wild craggy highlands, patchwork fields
crisscrossing the landscape and small fishing hamlets. We commence our
tour with a visit to Wybalenna, the final home of the Tasmanian Aboriginal
population. After lunch at the picturesque Trouser Point, we reboard the
aircraft for the flight across Bass Strait, making landfall at Malacoota
before finally returning to Sydney.
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