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 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.
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