south Australia vacations

The 20mins scenic flight provides a fantastic view of our surrounds where you will see Wilpena Pound from the air with the resort nestled in among the River Red Gums just near the Pound Gap. You will also see the Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Lake Torrens, the Heysen Range and St. Mary Peak.

The 30mins scenic flight takes you slightly further and completes a circuit of Wilpena Pound where your pilot will point out the Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Heysen Range, Lake Torrens, Bunyeroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge, St Mary Peak and the Pound Gap. You will clearly see how the Flinders Ranges appear to be a backbone on the landscape. An extraordinary sight and great for photographers.

For a more extensive insight of the Flinders Ranges region, the 1 hour scenic flight will take you beyond Wilpena Pound over the Western Plains, Parachilna Township, Parachilna Gorge, Blinman Township and Copper Mine, the Bunkers Range and Skytrek 4WD track. This is a unique opportunity to truly see the varying colours and textures of this ancient and beautiful landscape.

Tour duration: 6 hours (Flying time: 4 ½ hours). Lunch included.

This tour offers excellent views of outback South Australia. It begins with a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound and Brachina Gorge. We will then pass over Parachilna, home to the famous Prairie Hotel, the Leigh Creek open-cut coal fields, the township of Marree, Muloorina Station and then the awe inspiring Lake Eyre. After marvelling at the wonders of Lake Eyre we will land at the remote town of William Creek (population 10 at last count). Here we will refresh our appetites at the unique pub then make the return trip back to Wilpena over the Andamooka opal fields and Lake Torrens.

VIEW FLIGHT PLAN

Tour duration: 4 hours (Flying time: 3 ½ hours)

Enjoy excellent views of Outback South Australia starting with a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound and Brachina Gorge. Then pass over Parachilna, home to the famous Prairie Hotel, the township of Marree and on to awe-inspiring Lake Eyre. After marvelling at the vastness of Lake Eyre we will land at Muloorina Station to stretch our legs, a remote 400,000 hectare property south of Lake Eyre. The return flight passes over the Leigh Creek open-cut opal fields and the Gammon Ranges before landing at Wilpena.

Note: this tour is available for departures bewteen 1 April - 31 december only.

VIEW FLIGHT PLAN

With a flying time of about 1 hour each way, this flight takes you over Wilpena Pound, the Northern Flinders Ranges and Lake Frome. On arrival at Arkaroola, we join the Ridgetop Tour that takes us over the rugged and arid mountains of the Northern Flinders Ranges. Arkaroola is privately owned by the Wildlife Sanctuary and is a geologist’s dream.

VIEW FLIGHT PLAN

Day 1 - Depart Wilpena at 10:00am and enjoy a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound before heading north. The flight time to Coober Pedy is just over 2 hours in our comfortable 4 seater Cessna 182. Arrive Coober Pedy at 12:30pm an transfer to the Desert Cave Hotel. Stop for lunch at the Crystal Cafe before embarking on an afternoon tour of the township at 1:45pm. After seeing the wonders of Coober Pedy, you will arrive back at the hotel about 6:30pm. Dine at Umbertos Restaurant this evening before settling down for the night in your underground room.

Day 2 - An early start in the morning will ensure we fit everything in for the day! We'll kick it off with breakfast in the Cafe at 7:00am, then catch a ride to the airstrip to depart at 8:30am. We'll depart over the town to get a bird's eye view, then fly over the Painted Desert, William Creek, Lake Eyre and the Gammon Ranges before arriving at Arkaroola airstrip at approx 11:30am. Check in and lunch is next. Before you know it you'll be on a 4 hour 4WD tour taking you over the spectacular ridge tops of Arkaroola. Almost exhausted from all your adventures, you'll recover with a delicious dinner in the Native Pines Restaurant. Then if the sky is clear, at 8:00pm its off on an Observatory Tour to gaze into infinity. A night in the Mawson Suite will be well deserved.

Day 3 - Breakfast in the morning at about 7:30am. We'll catch a ride to the airstrip for our planned departure time of 9:00am. A quick flight back to Wilpena over the Southern Gammon Ranges, Chambers Gorge and the Bunkers Range arriving you back at base around 10:00am.

After being UNDER ground in Coober Pedy and OVER the ridge tops at Arkaroola, you'll have certainly seen it all!

VIEW FLIGHT PLAN

Day 1 - Depart Wilpena at 10.00am for a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound and the Gorges. Fly across the Western Plains, Lake Torrens and Andamooka/Roxby Downs on to Coober Pedy for lunch. After lunch, we take a tour of the surrounds and opal mines, finishing at the Desert Cave Hotel, the world's only underground international hotel. Dinner will be at Umberto’s Restaurant in the hotel.

Day 2 - After breakfast, depart Coober Pedy at 10.00am for a flight over the Painted Desert and back to Wilpena Pound.

VIEW FLIGHT PLAN

All Accommodation and meals provided

Day 1 - Lift off over Wilpena Pound and on to our first stop, Andamooka, Australia’s most unique opal mining town. Departing Andamooka, you fly over the vastness of Lake Eyre, one of the world's greatest salt lakes, then over the Simpson Desert and the legendary\ Birdsville track, arriving for your overnight stay at the famous Birdsville Pub.

Day 2 - This morning, look around Birdsville and visit the working museum, then it's off for Burke and Wills country around Innaminka. Your flight takes you over the Coongie Lakes and Copper Creek where you'll see the famous Dig Tree among other significant landmarks. After a leisurely lunch at Innaminka, head back to Wilpena, flying over the Strzelecki Track, Arkaroola and the Northern Flinders Ranges.

VIEW FLIGHT PLAN