The Outback

Aussie Pub Crawl

by private plane

Iconic Outback pubs by air

Nothing captures the spirit of Australia like a single pub in a lonesome one horse town. When the red dust shimmers, what could be more welcome than a shady verandah and beer taps running icy cold? Historically these far flung outposts were a lifeline for weary travellers and isolated locals alike, united in tales of hardship. More than just a watering hole, they became a lifeline and the humble Aussie pub still embodies the frontier spirit of resilience, mateship and the lure of the open road.

This iconic yet completely unique Great Aussie Pub Crawl will see you travelling more than 4000km by air and visiting 8 Outback pubs in just five days. Taking off from Bankstown Airport, Sydney you’ll head first to Bourke. Continuing to Tibooburra, Innamincka, the Simpson Desert and Lake Eyre you’ll witness some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes, taking in the Marree Man and ‘Big Red’ (sand dune) en route. You’ll stop off at iconic watering holes including the famous Birdsville Hotel where your plane will taxi you right to the front door!

Through the safari you’ll enjoy the top class service of a proudly Australian outfit, along with the comfort of a private aircraft with no security lines, boarding delays or baggage carousels at airports. Travelling this way you can maximise your holiday time, seeing what might take up to a month in a car in just five days.

See Australia from a whole new aerial perspective and drink in the proud nostalgia of the Outback’s true blue Australiana.

Please note: This itinerary is exclusive to The Classic Safari Company – you won’t find it anywhere else!

Places are strictly limited and we expect high levels of interest. Enquire today.

5 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

Day 1 | SYDNEY TO BOURKE & TIBOOBURRA

Arrive at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, and prepare to depart on this unique flying safari. Board your private aircraft flying west to Dubbo to briefly refuel and stretch your legs. Back in the air, fly to the Outback town of Bourke, the former inland port where wool was exported from the area on paddle steamers down the Darling River. Enjoy drinks and lunch at the Port Of Bourke Pub.
Next stop is Tibooburra in Corner Country, surrounded by an arid landscape and remarkable granite rocky outcrops. You cannot miss the extraordinary Clifton Pugh mural in the bar of the popular watering hole of The Family Hotel. This evening we are dining across the road in the sandstone Tibooburra Hotel, dating back to the gold rush era of 1882.

Accommodation: The Granites Motel

(Please note that sadly our original accommodation – The Tibooburra Hotel – was recently destroyed by fire so we have had to find an alternative)

Flight times: 3h40 – 2 flights – Flying from Bankstown to Dubbo (1h05) to refuel, then onto Louth (1h25) and finally Tibooburra (1h10).

Day 2 | TIBOOBURRA TO INNAMINKA & BIRDSVILLE

After breakfast board your private plane flying to Innamincka, a surprising oasis in South Australia’s rugged Outback, and stop at the pub for lunch. Back in the air unwind and enjoy infinite skies as you fly towards the historic town of Birdsville. Upon landing, the plane will taxi right up to the front door of the famous Birdsville Hotel! Where else in the world can you do this?! Enjoy a beer and the view from the verandah until you climb into a four wheel drive to see “Big Red” – the Simpson Desert’s largest sand dune. Share the experience of a stunning golden sunset from the top of the dune with drinks and nibbles. This evening enjoy traditional Outback hospitality back at the pub.

Accommodation: The Birdsville Hotel

Flight times: 1h45 – 2 flights – Flying from Tibooburra to Innamincka (50 mins) and then onto Birdsville (55 mins).

Day 3 | BIRDSVILLE TO OODNADATTA & WILLIAM CREEK

Sweep across the magnificent Simpson Desert, flying at an altitude where we have a bird’s eye view of more than 1100 sand dunes. Witness this spectacular landscape before landing “in the middle of nowhere” at the licenced Pink Roadhouse in Ooodnadatta, for a well earned beer and lunch. Back in the air the plane will follow the famous Oodnadatta Track to the remote Outback post of William Creek. This evening you will dine at the authentic bush pub, The William Creek Hotel. This pub is loved by travellers from all around the world, with a front bar decorated by hundreds of notes, memorabilia and mementos.

Accommodation: The William Creek Hotel

Flight times: 2h40 – 1 flight – Flying from Birdsville to William Creek with a Lake Eyre fly-over.

Day 4 | WILLIAM CREEK TO BROKEN HILL WITH LAKE EYRE & FLINDERS FLY-OVER

Begin the day with a hearty pub breaky before a day of exploration. This morning we have a chance to explore William Creek and its surrounding natural beauty. Back in the air we have the unique opportunity to view Australia’s largest salt lake, the wondrous Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, to understand just how large this landmark is. You’ll then fly over the modern geoglyph of Marree Man on your way into Marree, where you’ll stop for lunch at the magnificent heritage listed Marree Hotel. Enjoy the stunning Flinders Ranges from the air as the private aircraft next takes you to the mining town of Broken Hill. In the evening you will dine at the town’s oldest pub still operating, The Broken Hill Pub and have pre-dinner drinks surrounded by grandiose murals at the colourful Palace Hotel.

Accommodation: The Astra Hotel (or similar)

Flight times: 2h24 – 2 flights – Flying from William Creek to Maree (44m) for lunch, then Broken Hill (1h40m) with a Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges fly-over.

Day 5 | BROKEN HILL TO TILPA AND ONTO SYDNEY

Visit the interactive Flying Doctors Museum in the Silver City before flying to The Tilpa Hotel. Established in 1894 to service the river boat trade, the pub is a classic, character-filled Outback pub made of corrugated iron and timber. The perfect place to enjoy a farewell lunch in the Outback. Enjoy the scenery and relax as you cruise back to Sydney.

Flight times: 4h – 3 flights – Flying from Broken Hill to Tilpa (1h10) to refuel, then onto Cobar (35m) before the final leg into Bankstown (2h15).

N.B. This itinerary may vary slightly should factors beyond our control arise.

Please note:

This itinerary is based on the 5 day set departure and provides the perfect inspiration for a spectacular journey that can be tailored to suit your preferred style and pace. Contact us to design a bespoke flying safari for you, your friends and family.

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NEED TO KNOW
Outback Aussie Pub Crawl by Air

4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS

START: Bankstown Airport, Sydney | Finish: Bankstown Airport, Sydney

Bourke, Tibooburra (Day 1), Innamincka, Birdsville (Day 2) Oodnadatta, William Creek (Day 3) Marree, Broken Hill (Day 4) Tilpa, Bankstown (Day 5)

PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR DATES AND PRICING

Inclusions

Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
Private chartered aircraft transportation, fuel & airport fees throughout
Services of a qualified pilot/s and tour director
All accommodation as listed in the itinerary – in twin share rooms (double beds on request and en suite is usually available, however cannot be guaranteed in all rooms in all properties)
Excursions & activities as per the itinerary (and as detailed below)
Services of qualified and/or indigenous guides on all excursions
Private transportation provided to and from daily excursions & accommodation
National Park Fees & Permits for daily excursions
Bottled water onboard the aircraft

Exclusions

Transport to and from Bankstown Airport
Additional food other than specified
All alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
Accommodation upgrades
Any additional or optional excursions and/or transfers other than specified
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Items and/or purchases of a personal nature
Any item not specified

Minimum – 10 travellers

Maximum – 11 travellers

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED IN YOUR ITINERARY :

SPECIAL DINNERS : Welcome Dinner at The Family Hotel, lunch date at the Innamincka Hotel, 2 course authentic Outback pub dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel, a lunch to remember at the licensed Pink Roadhouse on the famous Oodnadatta Track, drinks and dining with the locals at the William Creek Hotel, lunch at the heritage-listed sandstone Marree Hotel, dinner at the oldest pub in Broken Hill – the Broken Hill Pub – and lunch on the Darling River at the Tilpa Hotel.

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES : Fly across the Simpson Desert at an altitude providing the best views, and fastest way of seeing the thousands of sand dunes, Private tour of William Creek, Fly over Lake Eyre and the Marree Man in the comfort of your private air conditioned aircraft, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service base and museum at Broken Hill, after having flown over the Flinders Ranges and Lake Frome.

YOUR AIRCRAFT :

Travel is in a privately chartered Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop aircraft. Capable of landing on gravel and remote airfields, where other aircraft cannot, the Cessna Grand Caravan is a fast, reliable machine ideal for flying in the Australian Outback. The aircraft is operated by our trusted partners Outback by Air who hold an Air Operators Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). All highly experienced Outback by Air pilots carry a Commercial Pilots License. The Cessna Grand Caravan is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and impressive safety features. The interior is comfortable, climate controlled and has large windows, making inflight viewing a joy.

TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

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YOUR PILOTS & GUIDES

The Owners - Phil Hines & Glenn McGrath

Phil Hines (Founder & director) - Phil has been flying since 1990 and holds licences for both fixed wing and rotary aircraft as well as a commercial helicopter licence. He has flown multi engine charters, scheduled Regular Public Transport flights, and also has agricultural ratings in both aero plane and helicopters. Outback and bush flying has been a big part of his aviation history and he has placed second in the Royal Flying Doctor Service Outback Air Race - twice! There’s barely a patch of our great land he hasn’t seen from the air. Safe to say he knows his stuff. On top of all that he’s just a bloody good bloke – a cheerful ‘salt of the Earth’ type from a farming background with plenty of tales to tell. A great host!

Glenn McGrath (Partner) - Former international cricketer star and McGrath Foundation co-founder and president, Glenn McGrath is born and bred in country NSW and has always had a passion for the Australian Outback. By joining the team at Outback by Air, Glenn can combine his passion for flying and travel throughout The Australian Outback. He believes the iconic destinations we offer on our trips should be on everyone’s bucket list.

The Crew

Outback By Air tours are operated by two experienced pilots who are there to take care of your entire journey through the Outback. From flying you to your destinations, to providing commentary, to taking you on ground tours, the crew provide the highest level of safety and customer service.

The team includes Phil Hines, Andrew Hines, Natalie Tierney, James Branch and Joseph Hallam. The crew have a combined total of over 50,000 flying hours and extensive experience flying throughout the Outback and across the globe, having flown a large range of aircraft and worked at major Airlines. They pride themselves on providing a professional, safe and enjoyable experience for the guests.

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Milford family

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The McGowan Tribe

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