Private outback adventure with only 8 guests, tour leader & pilot.

Experience the ultimate outback adventure where aviation, remote destinations, and unique experiences come together. Over nine days, you’ll explore Australia’s most spectacular and hard-to-reach locations, from iconic outback towns to ancient fossil sites, all while travelling by private aircraft. Along the way, enjoy immersive tours, thrilling flights, and unforgettable sights, from historic aviation museums and wing-walk experiences to towering sand dunes and rugged gorges, all designed to give you a front-row seat to the adventure of a lifetime.

More than just a journey, Wings is about connection — with the land, with history, and with fellow travellers. 

Share sunsets at legendary outback pubs, meet passionate pilots and experts, and create memories with new friends as you uncover experiences unavailable to most visitors. The adventure culminates at one of Australia’s premier airshows, where the excitement of flight and the thrill of discovery come together, leaving you with lasting memories of a truly extraordinary outback adventure.

An authentically Australian holiday that will be remembered for a lifetime.

When we say all inclusive, we mean it:

• All private charter flights in the immaculate Air Adventure Outback Jet (Pilatus PC-12) crewed by a highly experienced Commercial Captain
• All accommodation (deluxe through to basic but comfortable)
• All meals except breakfast day one & dinner on final day (unless adding pre and post accommodation in which case these are also included)
• All trips, tours, entries, transfers outlined in itinerary
• Qualified local guides along the way
• Wine with dinner each night

Pre and post tour packages will be quoted as required.

Your Wings adventure begins bright and early as you meet your fellow travellers and Tour Leader at Essendon Airport. With anticipation in the air, we take off at 8:00am, leaving the city behind and soaring towards the outback.

Our first stop is Broken Hill, where we stretch our legs over morning tea before visiting the iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service. A short guided tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the incredible work of this life-saving organisation, followed by free time to explore the centre at your own pace.

Back on board our private aircraft, we continue northwards to Parachilna, touching down on its newly opened airstrip, the gateway to the Flinders Ranges. This tiny town — little more than a railway siding on the edge of the Flinders Ranges — is the kind of place most people only ever read about, but for the next two nights it’s your base.

This afternoon we delve deep into deep time itself, with a guided tour of the Ediacara Hills, home to the world’s earliest known complex life forms. Standing among ancient fossil beds that tell a story hundreds of millions of years old.

As the day winds down, we return to the legendary Prairie Hotel. With its blend of rustic charm and contemporary comfort, the Prairie is an outback icon renowned for its character and cuisine. Enjoy a relaxed sundowner drink, before gathering for a memorable dinner featuring the Prairie’s celebrated menu — an artful showcase of local produce and outback flavours.

Flight Time:
Essendon - Broken Hill, 1hr 50mins
Broken Hill - Parachilna, 50mins

Staying at : Prairie Hotel (2 nights)
Type: Deluxe Room
More about The Prairie Hotel click here...

After breakfast at the Prairie, we set out with our expert local guide to explore the western Flinders Ranges. The day takes us through the historic town of Blinman, as we wind through the spectacular landscapes of Brachina Gorge and Parachilna Gorge. These rugged corridors reveal layers of geological history and are home to iconic wildlife — from soaring wedge-tailed eagles to the rare yellow-footed rock wallaby.

We’ll also visit Angorichina Station’s outback airstrip, a reminder of the remoteness and resilience of life in this country.

By late afternoon we return to the Prairie Hotel, set on the wide plains with the Flinders as a dramatic backdrop.  Dinner tonight is once again at the Prairie, where every meal is an experience in itself — from outback produce to the famous “feral food” the pub is known for.

Flight Time:
No flights today.

Staying at : Prairie Hotel

This morning we farewell the Prairie and board our aircraft for a short flight to William Creek, Australia’s smallest town. Here we enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Wrights Air, meeting the team who make flying in these remote regions possible.

Next is a highlight — a 2-hour Painted Hills and Landing tour. These vibrant, otherworldly formations rise out of the desert like a hidden masterpiece, and landing among them offers a rare chance to experience their scale and colour up close.

Back in town, we refuel with lunch at the William Creek Pub, an outback institution filled with character and stories.

In the afternoon we continue our journey to Birdsville, perched on the edge of the Simpson Desert. On arrival, we take a short tour of the town, before heading out to the towering Big Red sand dune. Here we’ll enjoy a classic outback sundowner drink and nibbles, watching the colours shift across the desert as the sun sets. The evening wraps up back at the iconic Birdsville Hotel, where dinner and a true outback welcome await.

Flight Time:
Parachilna - William Creek, 1hr
William Creek - Birdsville, 1hr 15mins

William Creek scenic:
Anna Creek Painted Hills & Landing, 1h flight and 1h landing time

Staying at : Birdsville Hotel (1 night)
Type: Standard rooms
More about The Birdsville Hotel click here...

After breakfast we take to the skies once more, flying east to the heart of Queensland’s outback — Longreach. On arrival we head straight to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame to explore this iconic centre that celebrates the history and heritage of rural Australia.

We enjoy lunch at the Hall of Fame café, before heading out on a 1-hour Longreach town tour to gain a sense of the community and its pioneering past.

This evening we check into the Stables at Saltbush Retreat, where rustic style meets modern comfort.

Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, offering a relaxed end to the day before settling in for the night in Longreach.

Flight Time:
Birdsville - Longreach, 1hr 30mins

Staying at : Saltbush Retreat (1 night)
Type: Stables
More about The Saltbush Retreat click here...

After breakfast we check out of Saltbush Retreat and take a short stroll across the road to the Qantas Founders Museum. With a Platinum Pass, we enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s extensive collection of aircraft and aviation history, topped off with the unforgettable wing walk experience — a hands-on chance to feel the thrill of aviation in the place where it all began for one of the world's major airlines.

Lunch is served at the museum café, giving time to reflect on the incredible stories of pioneering pilots and early Qantas adventures.

In the early afternoon we fly to Rolleston, a remote outback town with deep aviation connections. On arrival, we have the rare opportunity to meet Ross Smith himself and tour his private aircraft collection, hearing firsthand the stories behind each plane. Proud owner Ross shared that his passion for aviation was inspired by his father, who served in the Royal Air Force. After his first flight at 16, he said he never looked back — a lifelong love of flying that is palpable as he recounts his experiences and shows us around his collection that includes a Lockheed Electra Jnr.

We check in for the night at the Rolleston Motel.  The evening continues with dinner at the pub, joined by stories and insights from Ross himself. Facilities here are basic, offering a genuine frontier outback experience — a place to relax, enjoy a cold drink, and soak in the remote landscape.

Flight Time:
Longreach - Rolleston, 1hr 15mins

Staying at : Rolleston Motel, QLD (1 night)
Type: Standard rooms (please note rooms here are quite basic, some rooms have a shared bathroom)

Rolleston to Scone

After breakfast, we board our aircraft for a morning flight to Scone. On arrival, we head straight to Hunter Warbirds for a private Premium Tour with either Paul Bennett or Ross Pay. Over the course of an hour, you’ll get an insider’s look at these meticulously restored aircraft, learning the history, mechanics, and stories behind each plane.

Following the guided tour, there’s free time to explore the collection at your own pace, take photos, or chat further with the team. Lunch is served in the onsite café before the afternoon brings optional experiences for those seeking extra adrenaline — simulator sessions or joy flights (available at additional cost) offer a taste of aviation thrills in the skies above the Hunter Valley.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, giving you a chance to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Dinner is at a local restaurant, where you can reflect on the journey so far and share stories with fellow travellers.

Flights:
Rolleston > Scone, 2hrs 10mins

Optional experiences (not included in package price), subject to availability:

Simulators - POA

Joy Flights - POA

Staying at : Airlie House Motor Inn, Scone (1 night)
Type: Queen rooms
More about Airlie House Motor in click here...

After breakfast in Scone, we take a short morning flight to Parkes, arriving in time to explore some of the town’s key attractions. First, we visit the HARS Aviation Museum, Parkes, spending time discovering the collection and learning about the aircraft and their histories. Aircraft on display include Lockheed AP3-C Orion, Neptune, Electra Junior 12a, Huey Cobra helicopter gunship, Bell Sioux, Wessex, Convair 340, Iskra and Macchi jet trainers, Caribou, de Havilland Heron, Grumman Tracker.

Next, we head to the Parkes Observatory, where we will have an introductory talk followed by the 3D theatre presentation. You will then have time to explore this iconic facility at your own pace. Lunch is provided at the Observatory café, giving a chance to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

In the afternoon, we check in to the Station Motel, conveniently located near the Henry Parkes Centre complex incorporating 4 museums and the Parkes Visitor Information Centre. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore this centre or town itself.

Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant, a relaxed evening in preparation for the final two days of aviation adventures!

Flights:
Scone - Parkes, 50mins

Staying at : Station Motel, Parks (1 night)
Type: Queen rooms
More about Station Motel click here...

After breakfast, we board our aircraft for the flight to Temora, where we explore the displays of military aircraft with historical significance to Australia.

The lineup includes Australia’s only two flying Spitfires, and the oldest Tiger Moth still flying in the country.

The museum’s Wirraway was the first ex-military aircraft permitted to fly on the Civil Aircraft Register, while its World War II Hudson is the only one still flying in the world.

‘Halestorm’ is the only flying Gloster Meteor F.8 in the world, while the museum is also home to the only flying Canberra in Australia and the only Australian built Vampire flying in Australia. Lunch will be at the Guardhouse Café.

An exciting addition to the aviation museum is their full motion Warbird Simulators. The simulators will allow you to feel what it was like to pilot the iconic Supermarine Spitfire MkXVI, The mighty P-51 Mustang, or the reliable P-40 Kittyhawk aircraft. A 30-minute sim experience is included for you.

Later this afternoon, we board our aircraft for the journey home to Essendon arriving around 6pm, reflecting on a remarkable trip filled with discovery, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments.

We hope you have had a wonderful time away, and that the spirit of the outback and the thrill of flight stay with you long after the final landing.

Flights:
Parkes - Temora, 35mins

Your tour ends at Essenden airport. You may wish to stay another night at the Hyatt Place Hotel at your own cost or make you own onward arrangements.

We are happy to help with these arrangements.

CLICK HERE for map

CLICK HERE for printable itinerary including map

Tour begins 10^th Oct at Essendon Airport Melbourne, ends 17^th October, also at Essendon.

The 8-day tour Includes:

Private charter flights on board the immaculate Air Adventure Outback Jet (Pilatus PC-12).

Route - Essendon > Broken Hill > Parachilna > William Creek > Birdsville > Longreach > Rolleston > Scone > Parkes > Temora > Essendon

Crewed by a highly experienced Commercial Captain

All accommodation (deluxe through to basic but comfortable)

All meals (except breakfast day one and dinner on final day)

All trips, tours, entries, transfers outlined in itinerary

Tour escort & qualified local guides along the way

Wine with dinner each night.

Australian GST

Transfers to/from Melbourne International airport if staying at Hyatt Place, Essendon, pre and post tour.

The 8-Day Fully Inclusive Tour, priced in NZD

$15570 per person, double/twin share 

$16285 per person guaranteed own room 

Flights are additional from your home town to/from Melbourne.

A 20% deposit is due at the time of booking and the balance 90 days from travel.

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Or get in touch if you have any questions.

email melanie(at)aviationtoursnz.com or call +64 21 076 8308

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Feedback from previous tours

click here

Blog from previous tour

Wings over the Outback 2019 Blog - click here