Air Safari | Australia

Queensland

Big Sky

Outback's big sky

Join us on our journey through Outback Queensland with big sky views of Channel Country with endless sand dunes. From the ancient artesian water at Charlotte Plains, to the pre-historic stories of the dinosaurs at the Age of Dinosaurs museum see Queensland like never before.

Experience travelling the Australian Outback in the safety and comfort of our own private aircraft. Your every need will be met by our experienced pilots. The Aircraft types we use are the Cessna Caravan, or Beechcraft King Air. Enjoy seeing Australia from an aerial perspective, with no security lines, boarding delays or crowded baggage carousels at airports. Maximum time spent in the air is two and a half hours per flight. Move fast with no time wasted. The aircraft type and seating configuration will be matched to the tour group size. A maximum of 12 passengers and two crew on all flights.

Air Safari - Queensland Big Sky

DAY 1 | SYDNEY - TIBOOBURRA | 1 night

Our crew welcome you at Bankstown Airport (Sydney) before departing on this exciting Outback adventure. Take in the aerial views from our private aircraft as we head west towards the bush town of Bourke, where we enjoy a welcome 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 at this iconic pub and enjoying the local hospitality. We are now 1,187km from Sydney.

Accommodation: Granite Suites Motel

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

DAY 2 | TIBOOBURRA - BIRDSVILLE | 1 NIGHT

An exciting day to witness more mesmerising images as our flight in our private aircraft takes us through Channel Country as we fly over edge of the Simpson Desert to the iconic Outback town of Birdsvillle. On arrival we can taxi right up to the front door of the pub, where else in the world can you do this? Experience the stunning sunset over “Big Red”, the tallest sand dune in The Simpson Desert, while enjoying a beer or wine.

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 - LONGREACH | 2 NIGHTS

This morning we board our private aircraft for Longreach – the town where Qantas commenced operations over 100 years ago. Enjoy lunch surrounded by aviation history at the world class Qantas Founders Museum followed by a visit to the legendary Stockman’s Hall Of Fame. Tonight we spend the evening amongst nature watching the sunset as we cruise the Thomson River. There are endless photo opportunities on this gentle sunset cruise before we go ashore for a traditional Outback dinner and show, under the stars – a night to remember.

Accommodation: Mitchell Grass Retreat, Longreach

Flight times: 2h00 – 1 flight – Flying from Birdsville to Longreach (2hrs).

DAY 4 | LONGREACH & WINTON

Today we swap our wings for wheels and set off in our private transport for a day of exploring. Enjoy Outback big sky scenery as we head to the Age of Dinosaurs experience, painting a picture of what this area looked like 90 million years ago.

Accommodation: Mitchell Grass Retreat, Longreach

DAY 5 | LONGREACH - CUNNAMULLA | 1 NIGHT

Take in the aerial views from our private aircraft as we head south towards Charlotte Plains, a working sheep and cattle station located 60km east of the town of Cunnamulla. We land at the property’s private airstrip to spend the afternoon relaxing. Take a bath in the picturesque bathtubs beside the river and enjoy the 42 degrees Celsius water, sourced from the Great Artesian Basin. After an afternoon unwinding, our host and current custodian of the property, Robyn Russell, will take us touring to learn about life on the station. Surrounded by the serenity of the bush, enjoy a hearty Outback dinner and take in the vivid night sky.

Accommodation: Charlotte Plains Station

Flight times: 2h18 – 2 flights Flying from Longreach to Cunnamulla (2h05) and then onto Charlotte Plains (13min).

DAY 6 | CUNNAMULLA to SYDNEY

We re-join our private aircraft, flying south towards Lightning Ridge for a quick fuel stop. Our journey continues with endless horizons filled rugged escarpments as we fly over the Warrumbungle Range. As our Outback adventure comes to a close sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as the Cessna takes you home to Sydney.

Flight times: 3h25 – 2 flights Flying from Charlotte Plains to Lightning Ridge (55min) and then onto Bankstown (2h30).

PLEASE NOTE:

The content of this itinerary is based on a set departure, however if it provides the perfect inspiration for your very own journey we can tailor the content to suit your preferred style and pace. Please get in touch with us to design a bespoke flying safari for you, your friends or family.

This set departure itinerary may vary slightly should factors beyond our control arise.

NEED TO KNOW
Queensland Big Sky Air Safari

5 nights/6 days

START: Bankstown, NSW | Finish: Bankstown, NSW

Destinations: Bourke, Tibooburra (Day 1), Birdsville (Day 2), Longreach (Day 3 and 4), Cunnamulla – Charlotte Plains (Day 5), Bankstown (Day 6)

PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR DATES AND PRICING

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 and beverages other than specified
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.

TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

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.

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Julia 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 family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The 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 family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An 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 Taylor

Thank 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 Cozzi

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything 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 Bradley

You 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 Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Their 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 Stevens

If 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 Harrison

Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.

Ron & Alison Guthrie

Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10

Di & Kingsley Yates

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

Annette Whiley

It 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 Mifsud

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An 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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