Scenic Flights - Birdsville Qld
Big Red & Diamantina
Depart from Birdsville
from $175* per person
A short flight great for those that want to get a taste of how the vast Australian outback looks from the air. A truly different perspective.
From Birdsville, we make our way over the township and racecourse before tracking west over the Diamantina River and the Simpson Desert for Big Red, one of the tallest sand dunes in the desert and home to the Big Red Bash. From Big Red we return to Birdsville.
A high impact flight for those not looking to bust the budget!
* Council Airport Surcharge additional $20 per person during Birdsville Races Week.
Photo 2: below courtesy of Gary Cranitch
Channel Country - Goyder Lagoon
Departs from Birdsville
$350* per person / 1hr 20mins
A great flight for those that want to get an appreciation for the contrast the Simpson Desert has in store. This flight will show you two of the major river/creek systems that flood into Lake Eyre. Along with vast flood plains and the Simpson and Sturt Stony Desert.
From Birdsville, we track west over Adria Downs station to Big Red (the home of the BIG RED BASH). From Big Red, we follow the QAA Line to the Eyre Creek. You will then follow the Eyre Creek south as it weaves its way through the Simpson Desert to Goyder Lagoon. Goyder Lagoon is the meeting point for the Eyre Creek and Diamantina River and the start of the Warburton Creek which floods into Lake Eyre. At Goyder Lagoon you'll fly over the Inside Track, the original Birdsville track, and then follow the Diamantina north over Lake Uloowaranie, past Pandie Pandie Station, through the State Border and over the Birdsville township before landing.
This flight allows you to see two of the three main rivers that flow into Lake Eyre, the Georgina (Eyre Creek), and Diamantina. Goyder Lagoon is the catchment for these two rivers prior to them reaching Lake Eyre. Goyder Lagoon is a spectacular sight as there is usually plenty of water to promote the wild flowers and grasses to grow. Where there is grass there is also life - station cattle, wild horses (Brumbies), camels and plenty of birds.
Lodged between the Simpson and Sturt Stony Deserts, provides you with the most amazing contrast when you see such an abundance of wildlife between such arid deserts. Pack your Camera! Flight approx 1hr 20mins.
* Council Airport Surcharge additional $20 per person during Birdsville Races Week.
Highlights
- Big Red, Eyre Creek, Simpson Desert
- Diamantina River, Warburton Creek
- Goyder Lagoon
- Birdsville Township & racecourse
Coongie Lakes
Depart from Birdsville
from $495* per person
Building off the flight route for the Channel Country flight (above), this flight will allow you to cover a large area and see how much the land can change, its like turning a page in a book.
Departing from Birdsville, we initially follow the same flight path as the Channel Country flight which takes you west to Big Red and south to Goyder Lagoon following the Eyre Creek system but rather than follow the Diamantina home from Goyder Lagoon, we instead continue to fly south east to the Coongie Lakes.
The Coongie Lakes are a great series of waterholes fed by the Cooper Creek system. They are an extensive freshwater wetland system in north-eastern South Australia which includes channels, billabongs, shallow floodplains, deltas, and inter-dune swamps. The majority of the lakes are fresh water and home to an abundance of bird life and 100ft tall gum trees. These wetlands have been recognised as being of international importance and have been listed as a World Heritage Site.
Being part of the Innamincka Regional Reserve which is approx. 100km north west of Innamincka they are also classified as an Important Bird Area as when in flood become a large breeding ground for Pelicans.
On the banks of the lakes you will see River Red Gums standing 100ft tall and plenty of Coolibah trees. The patterns in the shallow lakes are stunning and give a great change for you to see a massive contrast from the surrounding areas. Flight approx. 2 hrs
Photo below courtesy of Gary Cranitch
Warburton Inlet - Tip of Lake Eyre Nth
Departs from Birdsville, Qld
from $695 per person
Depart Birdsville and track our way to the south following the Diamantina River over Pandi Pandi Station and Lake Uloowaraine. We then follow the Diamantina as it begins to branch out and form the amazing Goyder Lagoon. The northern waters flow through this natural delta system for miles, leaving behind a massive oasis located between the Simpson Desert and the Great Stony Desert. Lush grasses and wildlife of all forms migrate to this wonderland.
As we reach the southern end of Goyder Lagoon the Warburton river now begins to form, directing the water to Australia’s largest Salt Lake, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. We follow the Warburton river over Clifton Hills (SA second largest cattle station nestled on the edge of Goyder Lagoon). At the southern end of the Warburton River we arrive at what is known as the Warburton Inlet, the mouth to Lake Eyre. From here the water now follows down Lake Eyre through a natural channel called the Warburton Groove right to the bottom of the lake and then begins to fill belt Bay.
After a high viewing of Lake Eyre from the Warburton Inlet, we turn and track north over the vast Simpson Desert, with views of Lake Umaroona and the many salt lakes located between the sand dunes. You won’t be disappointed with the view. We track towards the QAA line, cross the Eyre Creek, up and over Big Red and arrive back in Birdsville after a spectacular flight that has to be experienced to believe.
This flight has a little bit of everything from Channel country, to Deserts and everything in between. Flight 2.8hrs approx.
Highlights
- Birdsville Town, Racecourse and Big Red
- Diamantina, Goyder Lagoon, Lake Uloowaraine
- Warburton River, Warburton Inlet
- The start of the Warburton Groove at the tip of Lake Eyre North
- Simpson Desert, Eyre Creek
Lake Eyre (stopover at Etadunna Station or William Creek)
Departs from Birdsville, Qld
from $995 per person
Departing Birdsville we track our way to the west for Big Red. From Big Red we fly across the QAA Line to the south over the Eyre Creek and the mighty Simpson Desert all the while keeping a good eye out for Camels and other wildlife. Then along the winding Kallakoopah Creek, which fills numerous salt lakes along the way. We follow the Kallakoopah for some distance continueing over the vast and majestic Simpson Desert until we hit the Warburton River. At the southern end of the Warburton River we arrive at the Warburton Inlet, known as the mouth to Lake Eyre.
From here the water now follows down Lake Eyre through a natural channel called the Warburton Groove right to the bottom of the lake and then begins to fill belt Bay viewing Delahunty Island along the way.
At the southern end of Lake Eyre we now have the option to head west to William Creek Hotel or East and follow the Cooper Creek system to Etadunna Station airstrip which is located along the Birdsville track approximately 80kms south of Mungaranie. We land here for a short break, (coffee & morning tea supplied) before departing Etadunna (pronounced Etha-dinna) over the old Bethedsa Mission site, tracking over the Great Stony Desert & Artisan Bores and follow the Warburton River North to where it begins life at the southern end of the Goyder Lagoon on Australia’s second largest Cattle Station Clifton Hills. Tracking north through the amazing Goyder Lagoon. The northern waters flow through this natural delta system for miles, leaving behind a massive oasis located between the Simpson Desert and the Great Stony Desert. Birds and wildlife of all forms migrate to this wonderland.
As we reach the northern end of Goyder Lagoon the Diamantina river now begins to form, the Diamantina directs the northern waters to Goyder Lagoon. We follow the Diamantina river all the way back to Birdsville, with views of permanent massive waterholes, Lake Uloowaraine and much more.
This flight allows you to see one of the most iconic features of Australia and the outback. On rare occasions when the lake floods, the landscape goes through a massive transformation, and as the water starts to evaporate the famous salt lake forms and so begins another transformation returning the lake to its natural, dry, state. A spectacular sight to see with or without water! But especially this year, with the huge flooding we are now experiencing, which was last seen in 1974. (Flight path may vary without notice, subject to Pilot in command, weather and other factors)
Flight 3.8hr + 45 mins ground time (approx. times)
What's included
- Birdsville Town, Big Red & Racecourse
- Simpson Desert, Eyre Creek
- Warburton River, Warburton Inlet
- Lake Eyre North, following the Warburton Groove down to Belt Bay
- Diamantina, Goyder Lagoon, Lake Uloowaraine
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