Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges Air Tour

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 Aboriginals 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 magnificently set in the Flinders Ranges as we explore this ancient rugged landscape including 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.

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 recent reports from ABC News describes this slow moving flood.  A satellite image taken on 13 April by NASA shows that there is now ideal conditions to see the groove salt; that is, guests will not simply view a body of water; what makes this miracle of nature so special is all the contrast that can be seen – the dried salt lake areas, the wet salt lake areas and the water itself.  Water flows down the Warburton Groove to continue filling Belt Bay which lies in the south western region of Lake Eyre.  As at mid-April, the water level at Belt Bay was at 1.2m and rising. Madigan’s Gulf while not filled to the extent that Belt Bay is, still exhibits incredible panoramas of the dry becoming wet! The Coopers Creek system is flooding and this in turn flows south to Lake Eyre.

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, Flinders Ranges and much more!

ABOUT AIRCRUISING

This 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, seat allocation changes 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.