Touring by aeroplane is a pretty neat thing to do. I am back from my Cape Trip and reviewing it there are either no standout points or everything stands out depending on how I look at it. I simply love long distance flight and each destination was, in itself, outstanding but here are the highlights:

The Dig Tree: If you grew up with Australian History and learned about Burke and Wills fateful expedition then this destination is special. I fell in love with this place but I saw it when it was cool, lush and green. It may well be a different story in a midsummer drought but I very much doubt it. Great little info centre. Camping is free and the landing fees are by honesty box, $11.00 is almost too cheap!

Cobbold Gorge: It is not so much the destination as the folk who run it and the time you have there, these folk were neat and the gorge is stunning. We spent two nights here.

Lizard Island: A lot of pilots baulk at the Lizard Island landing fees and they are exorbitant but the island is pretty special. Again there is the history thing with Captain Cook who visited here back in 1770 but there is more than that; great camping, great swimming, great snorkel diving and great bushwalking. I loved the place and could have spent several weeks here. Three nights wasn’t really enough.

Birdsville: This place is a must do for any travelling pilot. It is not only Australia’s iconic desert town; it is also unique as a fly in destination with aircraft parking right in the main street. The museum is great, the pub very friendly and the accommodation was good as well. A single day is all that is required to see the whole town.

Arkaroola: After leaving Birdsville we headed south to the Northern Flinders Ranges and the tourist destination of Arkaroola. This place is run by Doug, a highly experienced bush pilot who owns a Cessna 207 and a vintage Auster. Pilots are made to feel right at home, even before arriving. You contact Doug (or his staff) on 126.4 when overhead the resort for an airstrip pickup. There is fuel here and a hanger for visitors that will hold two planes. Here we met more Tasmanians, a couple with a brand new Tecnam and fresh Recreational Licenses who were off on a round Australia flight. Funny, they only live about 20 kilometers from me and we will definitely be meeting up again when they return to Tasmania. It was our two planes that filled the “visitor’s” hanger. The Ridge Top Tour here was better than good, it stands out as one of the best half day tours I have ever done and I have done a few over the years. The guide was knowledgeable, funny, friendly and very professional. I am sure he loved his job. The Flinders Ranges are as stunning close up as they are from the air.

After leaving Arkaroola we had a long day’s flight that ended up in Apollo Bay right on last light via a refueling stop in Mildura. The Apollo Bay airstrip was very wet and the following morning we helped to get a very bogged Piper Lance unstuck. The strip here is OK but visiting pilots beware – it is too narrow to turn just about anything on – turn only at the very ends. Get out and walk the ground before leaving the taxiway and everything that is off the strip or taxiway should be treated as suspect when there has been recent rain. The last light landing left us with very little fuel so we had to head to Warrnambool  the next day before heading home across Bass Strait. This crossing we did VFR on top at 9500, by far and away the highest we climbed on the trip. Tasmania welcomed us home with a clear, blue, cold and frosty day. All that is left is washing the plane and changing its oil … tomorrow perhaps.

This tour was made easy by “The Pilots Touring Guide” an excellent and highly recommended publication put out by The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Don’t tour without it! The included Australian Map showing destinations and fuel availability is a great aid to planning and the locations are especially picked to be pilot friendly. All the pertinent details are provided. I am getting another; I left mine with the two Tasmanians in their Tecnam at Arkaroola!

Birdsville lineup

 Approaching Arkaroola airstrip

The tip of Australia