Iconic Outback pubs by air
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.
You will love
- The exclusivity of private plane travel
- 6 days – short & sweet
- Good old fashioned Outback hospitality
- Vast, epic landscape
Air Safari - Cheers to the Outback
DAY 1 | SYDNEY - BROKEN HILL | 1 night
We look forward to welcoming you at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, as we prepare to depart on this unique flying safari exploring The Outback and its iconic pubs. We board our private aircraft and set course for the west to the small Outback town of Tilpa for lunch 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. After lunch we make our way to the Outback mining town of Broken Hill. We spend the evening in the Silver City of Broken Hill, which once boasted 70 pubs! Enjoy pre-dinner drinks surrounded by grandiose murals at the colourful Palace Hotel, famous from “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. We celebrate our last night in the Outback with dinner at the boutique Broken Hill Pub, built in 1886.
Accommodation: Royal Exchange Hotel
Flight times: 3h30 – 2 flights Flying from Bankstown to Griffith (1h40) to refuel, then onto Broken Hill (1h50).
DAY 2 | BROKEN HILL - WILLIAM CREEK | 2 NIGHTS
This morning after breakfast we visit the interactive Flying Doctors Museum in the Silver City before we fly to lunch at the magnificent heritage listed Marree Hotel, regarded as the most impressive in the Outback. Marvel at the spectacular scenery as we fly past famous landmarks including Lake Frome, The Flinders Ranges, the Marree Man and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre to the remote town of William Creek (population 10) on the famous Oodnadatta Track. Enjoy true Outback hospitality with drinks and dinner at The William Creek Hotel.
Accommodation: The William Creek Hotel
Flight times: 2h25 Flying from Broken Hill to William Creek (2h25).
Day 3 | WILLIAM CREEK
We spend the day in William Creek exploring the surrounding area and natural landscapes. Enjoy the epic night sky on our last night at this truly remote Outback location.
Accommodation: The William Creek Hotel
DAY 4 | WILLIAM CREEK - BIRDSVILLE | 1 NIGHT
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 Birdsville Hotel
Flight times: 1h40 Flying from William Creek to Birdsville (1h40).
DAY 5 | BIRDSVILLE TO TIBOOBURRA | 1 NIGHT
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.
Accommodation: The Granite Motel, Tibooburra
Flight times: 1h40 – 2 flights Flying from Birdsville to Innamincka (50 mins) to refuel and onto Tibooburra (50 mins).
DAY 6 | TIBOOBURRA to SYDNEY
After a leisurely start to the day we board our aircraft to fly to the bush town of Bourke, on the Darling River. We land out the ‘Back O’ Bourke’ (a well known colloquial term meaning a long way away) we are approximately 800kms away from home! We enjoy a hearty lunch at the Port of Bourke pub and a stroll along the river. Enjoy the scenery and relax as we cruise back to Sydney.
Flight times: 4h05 – 2 flights Flying from Tibooburra to Bourke (1h30) Bourke to Bankstown (2h35).
N.B. This itinerary may vary slightly should factors beyond our control arise.
NEED TO KNOW
Cheers to the Outback Air Safari
5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS
Departure in 2022 - 3 to 8 June
5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS
Departure in 2022 - 3 to 8 June
AUD $9,250 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AUD $810
AUD $9,250 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AUD $810
START: Bankstown Airport, Sydney | Finish: Bankstown Airport, Sydney
Destinations: Tilpa, Broken Hill (Day 1), Marree, William Creek- Painted Hills (Day 2 and 3), Oodnadatta, Birdsville (Day 4), Innamincka, Tibooburra (Day 5), Bourke, Bankstown (Day 6)
Inclusions
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Wine included with dinner (only)
- 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
CANCELLATION DUE TO COVID-19: If the air safari is cancelled due to Covid-19 Government imposed border restrictions, you have the option to receive a full refund or transfer your reservation to a future departure date. If you have to cancel your participation on an air safari due to your inability to enter NSW due to Government imposed travel restrictions, or you reside in a ‘locked down hotspot’, no refund is available; however 70% of the value of your confirmed air safari can be allocated toward a future air safari departure.
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.
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.
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip. The transfers went smoothly, the accommodation was excellent, the drivers were amazing as they manoeuvred through the traffic and every tour guide had a great deal of knowledge and information. Nothing was too much trouble for them. The contrast of poverty and riches of the country was striking, from the beggars in the street and struggles of the poor to the spectacular, impressive sights of the forts and monuments. There were so many highlights. A moment in time that will never happen again.
Jenny KiddExellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth MackintoshWe wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark TaylorJulia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford familyWe are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad BalanceThe trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree familyClassic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain JonesWe loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi CunninghamAn amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert TaylorThank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul CozziVery knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert HappellEverything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim BradleyYou can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham FamilyThe trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma JeffcoatAbsolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie AdamsClassic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros WheelerTheir experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip StevensIf you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph HarrisonClassic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison GuthrieClassic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley YatesThe Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette WhileyIt certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean MifsudWould do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan TribeAn absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
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