Wings Over the Outback 2021 (subject to confirmation)
Private outback adventure with only 8 guests, tour leader & pilot.
In your private aircraft, fly away to outback Australia to experience first hand how vital aviation is to remote Australia.
A few highlights......
Visit the spectacular Western Flinders Ranges and stay at the stylish Prairie Hotel, hosted by owner and 4th generation pastoralist, Ross Fargher.
Call in at Longreach, the birthplace of Qantas and the home to the Qantas Founders Museum that is filled with aviation history. Access all areas on a Platinum Pass.
Gain exclusive access to some unique private collections, talk one-on-one with the owners and lovers of these unique aircraft. One of which is a Lockheed Electra Jnr.
Experience the magnificent iconic Australian outback landscapes in the Flinders Ranges and the Simpson Desert at Birdsville.
Visit HARS at Albion Park during Wings Over Illawarra on a Gold Pass, Pays Warbird Restorations in Scone and the Temora Aviation Museum.
An experience above all others and an Australian holiday that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Own arrangements
If joining internationally you will need to fly to Melbourne at least one day early on 30th April. Most of the group are departing together from Auckland so we can make arrangements for you to join us.
We suggest staying at the Hyatt Place Hotel, Essendon airport, as the tour departs from Essendon. There will be an afternoon tour of the Airways Museum for those arriving early enough.
You may wish to arrive a day or two earlier. We will help organise your pre and post tour arrangements once the tour is guaranteed to depart.
Temora Aviation Museum
Board Air Adventure’s Outback Jet this morning bound for the outback and beyond. Spend a morning at the impressive and extensive Temora Aviation Museum. After lunch a visit to the old railway station and some time at leisure. Your accommodation is conveniently located right beside the runway here.
What you'll love today : Temora is on of the most beautifully presented and informative museums we go to.
Hotel : Sky Lodge, Temora, 1 night
Included : Lunch/Dinner
Wings Over Illawarra Airshow
Today it is a quick flight across to Wollongong for the Wings Over Illawarra Airshow. Land on the runway and you are at the event, on a Gold Pass with privileged access. A combination of historic and modern aircraft on static and flying display. Once the day is done, continue to Scone.
What you''ll love today : Flying in to the airshow and some breathtaking aerobatics.
Hotel : Scone Motor Inn, 1 night
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Pays Warbird Restorations & Paddock to Plate Experience
This morning you will be able to explore Pays Warbird Restoration
What you'll love today : The insider information on the current restorations and a hearty cattle station lunch.
Hotel : Overlander Motel, Roma, 1 night
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Roma Cattleyards & Ross Smith's Private Collection
A unique opportunity to visit the largest cattle saleyards in Australia, on sale day and guided by some local retired farmers. If you prefer, you may spend some time in town. Then, remove the dust from your boots and board the flight further into the outback to the tiny town of Rolleston to meet a passionate aviator and private collector, Ross Smith. Ross has numerous aircraft in his hangar, amongst them is a 1937 Lockheed Electra Jnr - it is a rare and beautiful machine that Ross has restored to flying condition. Spend one on one time with Ross and his toys. Tonight enjoy a meal with him at the local hotel (basic).
What you'll love today : Seeing the sheer scale of the cattle saleyards and the very personal and relaxed time with Ross and the Electra. Or maybe you'd love some time on your own?
Hotel : Rolleston Hotel, 1 night
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
QANTAS Founders Museum & Leisure Time
Farewell Ross (his backyard backs onto the airfield), and fly north-west to Longreach, one of the birthplaces of QANTAS. Here you have ‘access all areas’ on the Platinum Pass at QANTAS Founders Museum so you can experience all this extensive museum has to offer, including private tours of the 707 and 747 and walking out on the wing. Alternatively you can spend time relaxing in town.
What you'll love today : Climbing out onto the wing of the 747 for the wingwalk, or if that sends a shiver up you spine you can just watch!
Hotel : Albert Park Motor Inn, 1 night
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Stockman's Hall of Fame & "Big Red" Dune Trip
This morning visit the Stockman’s Hall of Fame that pays tribute to the pioneers of the Australian outback. After lunch depart to Birdsville for a 4WD trip out through the desert to ‘Big Red’, the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert. Return to the iconic Birdsville Pub for dinner.
What you'll love today : Seeing and hearing how the pioneers survived in the outback, and standing on top of Big Red watching the sun set with a glass of wine (Mother Nature permitting)
Hotel : Birdsville Hotel, 1 night
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Lake Eyre & Wrights Air & Painted Hills
Fly across the Tirari Desert and Lake Eyre to the remote outpost of William Creek (pop. 6), meet Trevor Wright for a guided tour of his outback aviation operation. Board his smaller aircraft for a trip out to the Painted Hills, an area that only Trevor has access to. Another quick hop and you will land amongst the rugged hills of the Flinders Ranges.
Here you will be met by Ross Fargher, your host while in the region. Drive south between the Flinders Ranges and the desert to Parachilna and the Prairie Hotel (pop. 2), your home for the next two nights.
What you'll love today : The awe inspiring landscape of the Desert Hills and the fact that you will be one of the very few to have walked here.
Hotel : Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, 2 nights
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Brachina Gorge & Angorichina Station
Today Ross will take you on a private tour to explore the western Flinders Ranges’ truly spectacular gorges. Spotyellow-footed rock wallabies and the watchful wedge tailed eagles circling above. Up in the hills you will also meet Ross’s brother and bush aviator, Ian. Ian operates out of a number of bush strips on his station, one is an RFDS strip, his personal one can best described as a ‘goat track’! Return to the Prairie for another night at this iconic outback pub.
What you'll love today : So much! The geology of the Flinders Ranges is amazing, some personal time with Ross and Ian at their stations hearing how they are coping with changing conditions, the unusual airstrips, and the wonderful hospitality at the Prairie Hotel
Hotel : Prairie Hotel, Parachilna
Included : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Nilpena Station, Fossil Fields & Broken Hill RFDS
Call in at ‘Nilpena’ cattle station on your way back to your aircraft. This is Ross and Jane’s 200,000 acre home which is also home to the ‘Ediacara Hills’ one of the worlds most significant fossil grounds, to which you will have
exclusive access - a favourite region for none other than Sir David Attenborough. Stop in at Broken Hill to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base - an essential aviation service in the outback.
What you'll love today : Standing in the fossil fields where Sir David filmed his show, and seeing in perspective the vast area covered by the RFDS.
Tour ends late afternoon at Essendon Airport
Included : Breakfast/Lunch
Own arrangements
Your onward arrangements are flexible and we can help with these.
If joining from NZ we suggest staying one night at Hyatt Place Hotel, Essendon Airport before flying home the following day. Most of the group will be doing this.
Alternatively, you may wish to extend your stay in Melbourne
On behalf of all pilots, tour leaders and guides - we warmly invite you to join us.
AUD 8,940 per person, twin share, truly all inclusive, Melbourne - Melbourne
Single accommodation please add AUD 600 (single accommodation is limited).
Price all inclusive of:
- All private charter flights
- All accommodation (varied standard from basic to deluxe)
- All meals (except breakfast on day one & dinner on final day. Morning tea on some occasions)
- All drinks (daytime tea/coffee & wine with dinner)
- Water bottle provided
- All entries, permits, admissions, gratuities/tipping
- All trips, tours, tastings, transfers and excursions as outlined in itinerary
- Tour escorted by an experienced Tour Leader
- Tour flown by a highly experienced, friendly and helpful Commercially Licensed Pilot
- Qualified local guides and industry experts along the way
Flights as required and pre and post tour arrangements are additional and we will help with these once the tour is guaranteed to depart .
10% deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Balance is due 60 days prior to departure date. Places are limited.
Book now
To book - please email or call 021 076 8308
Feedback from last year
Wings over the Outback 2019 testimonials - click here
Blog from last year
Wings over the Outback 2019 Blog - click here