- Pricing From $8,495*
- Single Supplement $895
- From Adelaide
- Duration 6 Days
- Max Group Size 8
- Activity Level Easy Going
Last seat available for June Departure, full details for both Jul & Aug Departures just released – Early Bird Savings Available
Join us for a memorable six day journey to discover the great Australian Outback from the spectacular Flinders Ranges to the ‘Crossroads’ of Port Augusta. We will learn about the Indigenous who moved through the area, the early European explorers and the stockmen, pastoralists and miners who opened up the Outback. Spend two nights in eco-luxury at Rawnsley Park Station, magnificently set in the Flinders Ranges, as we explore this ancient rugged landscape flying over the natural wonder of Wilpena Pound.
With the tremendous flooding of Channel Country in recent years, Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) underwent a remarkable transformation, a testament to the restorative powers of mother nature. Whether in flood or not, the spectacle of the great Lake Eyre and its expanse of vast salt flats is breathtaking and best viewed from your private aircraft while ‘flightseeing’. Stay one night at the iconic Birdsville Hotel as we discover this quintessential frontier town and the Simpson Desert National Park before ‘flightseeing’ Maree Man. Join us for an incredible Outback discovery in Bill Peach Journeys’ inimitable style.
Update on flooding from the North as it continues its inevitable move South.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily hit the Central and North Queensland coast in late January 2024. The heavy rainfall caused much havoc in coastal areas, however, in the often-dry centre of the continent, locals welcomed a deluge such as this which is seldom seen. What could be described as a slow-moving inland sea in southwest Queensland shows the waters cutting along through the aptly named Channel Country. This is the parched landscape that scrapes across the Simpson Desert, flowing south through south-western Queensland to South Australia and down to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
As of Mid-March 2024, water started flowing into Lake Eyre North and began to flow into the Warburton Groove, a channel that runs from north to south down the lake towards the low point at Belt Bay. The size of these floods is something that has to be seen to be believed, and one of the best places to view them, of course, is from above. The remarkable regeneration of vast Outback desert plains flooded by soaking waters brings with it flora and fauna, a miracle of Mother Nature.
The following recent reports from ABC News describes this slow moving flood. Travellers on the Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges Airtour will be some of the lucky few to witness this incredible event of nature as floodwaters continue to pour into these regions. Marvel as we ‘flightsee’ over Lake Eyre, Channel Country, Birdsville and the Flinders Ranges.
Highlights
- Enjoy incredible ‘flightseeing’ of rugged ancient landscapes across the Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound, Birdsville, Marree Man^ and Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda)
- Discover the breathtaking Flinders Ranges including the awe-inspiring Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, Old Wilpena Station and the ‘Corridor Through Time’ featuring Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges
- Touring of Birdsville, Simpson Desert National Park (Munga-Thirri National Park) and Port Augusta
- Stay 5 nights in iconic Australian Outback locations including the spectacularly set Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges and the Birdsville Hotel
- Enjoy sunset at ‘Big Red’, the Simpson Desert’s largest sand dune
- Visit the fascinating Wadlata Outback Centre
- All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Enjoy this Outback discovery with new friends in the comfort of your own private aircraft
- Escorted throughout by a dedicated Journey Director
Tour Departures
Hotels
Bill Peach Journeys understands the importance of selecting the right accommodation to complement each journey. In this case, a selection of exceptional properties have been chosen to showcase the incredible destinations visited throughout this journey.
Mayfair Hotel
The prestigious Mayfair Hotel boasts an unparalleled location in the heart of Adelaide. Beautifully designed interiors complement the iconic heritage-listed exteriors of the Colonial Mutual Life Building.Rawnsley Park Station
Located on the south eastern edge of Wilpena Pound, Rawnsley Park Station adjoins the Flinders Ranges National Park. Stay on an operating sheep station - experience the natural beauty and wildlife of this ancient rugged landscape.Birdsville Hotel
Australia's Most Iconic Outback Pub. The Birdsville Hotel has social value as an outback cultural icon of national significance: a place that has become part of central Australian legend
Arrive in Adelaide and transfer to the Mayfair Hotel, a luxurious 5-star boutique hotel. Your welcome dinner tonight will be hosted by your Journey Director.
Overnight: Mayfair Hotel or similar
We fly north to the Flinders Ranges enjoying spectacular aerial views of Wilpena Pound before landing at the magnificently located Rawnsley Park Station. After lunch at The Woolshed, we enjoy a tour of the Old Wilpena Station, one of South Australia’s oldest and best preserved pastoral settlement learning about the region and its biodiversity.
Overnight: Rawnsley Park Station or similar
Today we explore more than 100 million years of geological history in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Here we will discover the ancient landscape visible in the fossil layers referred to as the ‘Corridor Through Time’. Marvel at the rugged beauty of Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges. Search for Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies and enjoy sweeping views of Bunyeroo Valley and the eastern wall of Wilpena Pound. After lunch, visit an old copper mining town before arriving at Stokes Hill which offers spectacular 360 degree panoramas of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding ranges.
Overnight: Rawnsley Park Station or similar
A morning of impressive flightseeing awaits over Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda). Your private aircraft will provide breathtaking views of the remote landscape of this remarkable ecosystem which covers an area of 9,690 square kilometres, or roughly the size of Holland. Marvel at incredible vistas below of regeneration, wildlife and salt flats.
We land at Birdsville and enjoy a tour of this remote outback town. Proclaimed a town in 1887, it was located at the border of South Australia and Queensland to collect tolls from the droves of cattle being moved interstate. Birdsville was considered the gateway to the Simpson Desert. Known as Munga-Thirri National Park, it is Queensland’s largest protected area and covers nearly a million hectares. See Birdsville’s famous racecourse and visit ‘Big Red’, the largest sand dune in the national park, followed by dinner at the famous Birdsville Hotel.
Overnight: Birdsville Hotel
This morning we fly over the mysterious Marree Man^ on our way to Port Augusta, a one time port at the top of the Spencer Gulf, where wheat and wool were loaded on clipper ships and transported around the world. Today, it is known as the ‘crossroads’ to the outback, as its main roadways extend in all four compass directions. We visit the fascinating Wadlata Outback Centre for a history of the surrounding regions and those that have called them home, from the days of the dinosaurs through to today. Discover the beauty of Australia’s arid heart at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden which features thousands of plants from Australia’s low rainfall regions and more than 150 bird species. After lunch, we fly to Adelaide and enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight: Mayfair Hotel or similar
Following breakfast this morning transfer to Adelaide Airport for your flight home. Say a fond farewell to new friends and take away memories of an unforgettable outback adventure.
About AIRCRUISING
An Air Tour with Bill Peach Journeys is the perfect way to explore these hard to reach destinations in the style, speed and comfort of your own private aircraft. Travelling by private aircraft means that we can land directly in each location ensuring time on the ground is spent discovering each region. The style of aircraft is chosen to provide the best possible access into remote locations.
Fully Inclusive
When you travel on an Aircruise everything is included. This means not only does your holiday include accommodation, dining and all excursions but every one of these elements is the finest in its class. Throughout the journey you will have a Journey Director on hand to look after each detail.
Mode of Transport
This journey will utilise aircraft which are perfect for landing in the remote destinations throughout this journey. To ensure a variety of viewing for everyone, we change seat allocation each day. The aircraft is operated by an experienced pilot and accompanied by a Journey Director. The coaches that we use for the ground component of this journey are fully air-conditioned. There will be a number of 4WD vehicles used on this journey. The journey will involve travelling over unsealed roads.
Pre & post accommodation
Flights from your home port to and from Adelaide are not included in the journey price. Should you require flights to and from Adelaide, we can provide a competitive quote on airfares and pre and post tour accommodation in Adelaide, at the commencement and conclusion of your journey.
Level of Fitness Required – Easy Going
These journeys are not physically demanding unless you want them to be. They include easy guided walks, which are mainly on flat ground. There will be times when you are required to board a launch for shore excursions. You must be able to walk up to 1km unaided and will not need any foreseen assistance throughout the journey. For all clients to fully enjoy this travel experience, excellent health and mobility is required by all.
We strongly urge you to consider the fitness rating before selecting your preferred journey, in respect for your fellow travellers. Bill Peach Journeys reserves the right to refuse travel to any client whose fitness level is below the recommended rating.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover you against such things as personal illness or accident, cancellation, loss of baggage etc. Please make sure you carry a copy of your Travel Insurance policy with you at all times.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to the T&C’s for more information. Terms & Conditions (PDF)
*15 Jun Departure – Conditions Apply: The $500 per person Early Bird Offer applies if booked and paid in full by 15 Mar, 2024 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
*21 Jul Departure – Conditions Apply: The $500 per person Early Bird Offer applies if booked and paid in full by 21 Apr, 2024 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
*15 Aug Departure – Conditions Apply: The $500 per person Early Bird Offer applies if booked and paid in full by 15 May, 2024 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
^Weather Permitting.