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Day 1 - Sydney - Lightning
Ridge -. Longreach
Our adventure begins with an early morning departure from Sydney
to our first destination, the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge.
Enroute we fly over the rugged Warrumbungle Ranges. Upon arrival
at the “Ridge” we are met by our guide who will show
us around this unusual township and into actual mining sites -
there is an opportunity to purchase opals. Mid-afternoon sees us
winging our way across central Queensland stopping at Charleville
to refuel before reaching Longreach. Jumbuck Motel (LD)
Day 2 Longreach - Mt Isa - Lawn Hill
- National Park
After breakfast we join our guide for a tour around Longreach,
before stopping at the Stockman's Hall of Fame. Here you can
experience life as it was in the 1800's for the explorers and
settlers. Around lunchtime we re-board the aircraft for the flight
northwest, stopping at Mt Isa to refuel before continuing to
Adels Grove. Adels Grove (BLD)
Day 3 - Adels Grove - Katherine
After a leisurely breakfast we join our savannah guide for
a tour of Lawn Hill National Park. For those that would
like to explore
the gorge there is time to canoe and paddle the length of
the waterway. Mid afternoon we fly across the Barkly Tableland,
stopping
at the remote township of Borroloola to refuel before continuing
on to Katherine. Pine Tree Motel (BLD)
Day 4 - Katherine
A mid morning start with a cruise on the Katherine Gorge
where you can experience the majesty and beauty of the
sheer red canyon
walls contrasted against the blue/green cool waters. After
lunch we join our guide for a tour around the town, culminating
with
a swim in the thermal pools. Pine Tree Motel (BLD).
Day 5 - Katherine - Kakadu National
Park -. Darwin
Today's adventure commences with a short flight across
to Cooinda. From here we experience the Yellow Waters
wildlife cruise. The
journey across the floodplains of the South Alligator River
is highlighted by the abundance of wetland birdlife and
saltwater
crocodiles that make the Northern Territory so famous.
At the conclusion of the tour we re-board the aircraft
for the flight
to Darwin. Mirrabeena Resort (BLD)
Day 6 - 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 are 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 7 - Darwin - Kununurra - Bungle
Bungles - Broome
Today's flight includes some of the most spectacular scenery
in Australia. We fly southwest over the Daly River aboriginal
reserve
then south to Kununurra. After landing we are met by our
guide for a tour of the Ord River scheme. From Kununurra
we head directly
over Lake Argyle and the Ashton diamond mine to the Bungle
Bungles. Once over head the aircraft flies at low level
so that you get
a panoramic spectacle of this magnificent and unusual natural
formation. The aircraft then turns west, stopping at Halls
Creek to refuel, before continuing on to Broome. Rendezvous Resort (BLD)
Day 8 - Broome
The morning is free to explore this vibrant regional centre.
After lunch we join our guide for a conducted tour of
the town including
the shell house, the Japanese Cemetery, Cable Beach Resort,
Chinatown and the historic outdoor cinema, finishing
at Gantheaume Point
to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Rendezvous Resort
(BLD)
Day 9 - Broome - Yuendumu - Alice Springs
Today's flight is across some of the most inhospitable
country of the Australian Continent. After crossing the
top end of the
Great Sandy Desert we land at Yuendumu. This remote outpost,
on the edge of the Tanami Desert is home to around 200
people. Set
in the heart of the desert it typifies the harshness of
the outback. Of particular note is the fine aboriginal
art gallery here you
can buy original “non tourist” art works rarely
available to ordinary travellers. On the final leg of today's
flight you
will see a change of landscape as desert plains give way
to the McDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs. Alice Springs
Resort (BLD)
Day 10 - Alice Springs
We explore Alice Springs today, commencing with the Old
Telegraph Station, Simpson's Gap, Stanley Chasm, Royal
Flying Doctor base
and Guth's Panoramic Gallery. Alice Springs Resort (BLD)
Day 11 - Alice Springs - Yulara - Uluru
(Ayers Rock) - Coober Pedy
Our day begins with a short flight to the world's largest
monolith, Uluru, better known as Ayers Rock. Before
landing, the aircraft
will follow the regulated tourist flight path that allows
scenic views of both sides of the “Rock” and
the Olgas. You should obtain some tremendous photographs
of these spectacular
landforms. After landing we board our coach for the circuit
around the “Rock” before heading off to the Olgas.
In the late afternoon we re-board the aircraft and
head across the Great
Victorian Desert to the township of Coober Pedy renown
for its underground dwellings. Desert Cave Hotel (BLD)
Day 12 - Coober Pedy - Marree - Lake Eyre
After a late breakfast we take a tour of this unusual
town highlights include a visit to an opal cutting
centre, and the underground
church. Before lunch we re-board the aircraft for the
flight east wards to Marree. The town once a bustling
hub for the old
Ghan railway is now a stop off point for travellers
heading along the Birdsville Track. After lunch at
the Marree Hotel we join
Reg Dodd, one of the traditional aboriginal land owners.
Reg will take you on a journey of exploration out
into the desert
culminating on the shores of Lake Eyre South for an
evening meal under the stars. Marree Hotel (BLD)
Day 13 - Marree - Broken Hill - Sydney
This morning before departing there is time to wander
around Marree and visit the aboriginal centre. After
lunch we flying across
the northern Flinders Ranges, skirting the edge of
Lake Fromme before landing at Broken Hill for lunch.
Then easterly crossing
New South Wales and back into Sydney. (BLD)
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