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Stylish and Enriching Travel Experiences to Inspiring Destinations in Private Aircraft*!
This tour combines the best of outback Australia with a taste of the tropics. From the remote majesty of Uluru to the wetland splendour of Kakadu, this is a journey of a life time!
Highlights
- Cruise the mighty chasms of Katherine Gorge
- Photograph steely-eyed crocodiles in Kakadu
- Experience spectacular aerial sightseeing of the ancient Bungle Bungle Range, remote Mitchell Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago on Australia’s far northwest coastline
- Watch the sun set on the Indian Ocean at Cable Beach, Broome
- In Kakadu National Park marvel at ancient rock art and cruise the Yellow Waters Lagoon
- Dine under the stars at Uluru
- Explore a collection of famed outback towns – Broome, Longreach, Darwin, Kununurra and Alice Springs
Additional Information
1. How long is spent on the aircraft?
On average only 2 hours a day is spent on the aircraft for Australian Aircruises and on average 1 hour 15 minutes in New Zealand. The advantage of private aircraft is that you minimise the travelling time between each destination and maximise the time on the ground to see the highlights and meet the locals.
2. What aircraft is used in Australia and New Zealand?
Depending on passenger numbers Bill Peach Journeys may use a 36 seater Dash 8, a 29 seater Saab 340B or a 19 seater Beechcraft 1900D. All aircraft are air-conditioned, have a toilet and 2 experienced pilots on-board.
3. How much do you see from the air?
All aircraft fly at an average of 13,000 feet which means you can always view the landscape below. Over areas of specific interest from the air our experienced pilots will bring the aircraft down to 1000 feet for a spectacular birdseye view of the area below – regions like Uluru, the Bungle Bungle Range and the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
4. What is the configuration of the plane?
Dash 8 – The aircraft holds a maximum of 36 people. There is a centre aisle with two seats either side. The aircraft has been reconfigured to ensure the window is perfectly positioned for aerial sightseeing.
Saab 340B – the aircraft holds a maximum of 29 people. There is a centre aisle with one seat on one side and two on the other side. The aircraft has been reconfigured to ensure the window is perfectly positioned for aerial sightseeing.
Beechcraft 1900D – the aircraft holds a maximum of 16 people. There is a centre aisle with two seats either side. The aircraft has been reconfigured to ensure the window is perfectly positioned for aerial sightseeing.
5. How many crew are onboard?
There are 2 pilots and 2 cabin crew. The cabin crew are also professional tour directors and will be your hosts throughout the journey.
6. How much luggage can I take?
The aircraft has a restricted cargo hold and hence luggage for each client is restricted to 10kg. Prior to departure of the aircruise you will be sent a suitcase and cabin bag with our compliments to be used throughout the journey.
7. What should I pack?
Althought the accommodation is the very best available, formal attire is not necessary. There are laundry facilities throughout the journey. Smart casual attire is appropriate. We recommend you include the following when packing:
- Easy care lightweight and comfortable clothes such as shorts, light slacks, skirts, cotton shorts / blouses and T-shirts
- Comfortable closed in walking shoes (essential!)
- Pants / trousers
- Sun hat
- Sweater / Jumper / Spray Jacket / Parka
- Please make sure you take something warm for the Sounds of Silence Dinner (Great Australian Aircruise and Gems of the Kimberley & Pilbara Aircruise)
- Swimwear
- For the Captains Dinner – Smart Casual (Dinner jackets are not required)
Please note that temperatures can vary dramatically. It is advisable to bring items of clothing that you can layer when you need to.
Don’t forget:
- Sun lotion
- Personal insect repellent
- A camera / video
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sydney / Longreach
Leaving the city behind the journey begins in the heart of the outback at Longreach. A frontier township which centuries ago offered hope to the pioneers and drovers and still today embodies the true characters of the Australian outback. On arrival visit the acclaimed Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Longreach is also the birthplace of Qantas. Visit the Qantas museum depicting its history constructed in one of the original hangars.
Accommodation: Longreach Motor Inn or similar
Day 2 – Katherine
This morning visit the Champion family, who welcome you to the property and share their experiences in these harsh landscapes before reboarding the aircraft. The journey continues to the Northern Territory and the township of Katherine. This evening enjoy a delightful barbecue on the banks of the Katherine River in true Australian style.
Accommodation: Knotts Crossing Resort or similar
Day 3 – Katherine Gorge / Cooinda
Cruise two of the thirteen gorges that form Katherine Gorge. Join the aircraft this afternoon for a spectacular flight along the Arnhem Land escarpment to view the magnificent waterfalls and wildlife that make up this world heritage reserve. Cruise at sunset along the Yellow Waters Lagoon to view the incredible beauty and abundant wildlife of this remarkable World Heritage region.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Gagadju Crocodile Hotel or similar
Day 4 – Kakadu / Darwin
Kakadu National Park is home to the most outstanding concentration of Aboriginal art and history in Australia. This morning, cruise the East Alligator River. Examine some of the finest examples of Aboriginal art at Ubirr Rock. Take a short flight this afternoon to Australia’s most northern capital – Darwin. Accommodation: Mantra on the Esplanade or similar
Day 5 – Darwin
Darwin’s distance from the other major Australian capitals has enabled it to create a unique relaxed lifestyle of its own. Whilst not a large commercial centre its situation as the gateway to Asia means that its port facilities are enormously important to the rest of the country. Explore the tropical city of Darwin at your leisure. This evening enjoy a delightful suset cruise on Darwin Harbour.
Accommodation: Mantra on the Esplanade or similar
Day 6 – The Kimberley Region
Today the aircraft will take you deep into the rugged Kimberley providing unsurpassed aerial views of the ancient Bungle Bungle Range before landing at Kununurra.
Accommodation: Kimberley Grande or similar
Day 7 – Buccaneer Archipelago / Broome
Today experience the breathtaking scenery as the red untamed landscape of the Kimberley meets the rugged far northwest coastline. This unforgettable flight concludes in Broome, the pearling port of the west. Accommodation: Cable Beach Club Resort or similar
Day 8 – Broome
Explore the township of Broome, established in the romantic days of the flourishing pearling industry at the turn of the century.
Accommodation: Cable Beach Club Resort or similar
Day 9 – Gibson Desert / Uluru
The private aircraft awaits to transport you across the country to the “Red Centre”, the magnitude of this vast country is highlighted by the unending red desert plains that occupy most of Australia. These vast plains are only broken by the sight of the massive monolith – Uluru as it encroaches on the horizon. On landing you will be taken to the rock to hear your guides interpretation of the Aboriginal myths and legends that have surrounded this area for thousands of years. This evening a dining experience to surpass all others, firstly enjoy the visual spectacle as the sun set creates an ever changing array of colours on the rock, followed by a dining experience under the starlit southern skies.
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert*
Day 10 – Kata Tjuta / Alice Springs
This morning there is the opportunity to view the rock at sunrise and undertake a relaxed walk around its base followed by a visit to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which are thirty-six conglomerate sandstone domes again steeped in Aboriginal folklore. Rejoining the aircraft, we head north to Alice Springs, probably the most famous of all Australian outback towns.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs
Day 11 – Macdonnell Ranges / Alice Springs
This morning we visit the institutions that have provided Alice Spings with its prominence over the years including the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the historic Telegraph Station which touches on the history of the lost generation.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Day 12 – Birdsville / Sydney
Today your private aircraft returns to Sydney, but not without landing first to visit Australia’s most famed outback pub. Situated on the historic Birdsville Track, since 1885 the Birdsville Hotel has been a meeting point and customs station for all the drovers passing through. Sadly this will be a farewell drink at the end of a memorable adventure!
Departures & Rates
Cost Per Person: $13,295 twin share, including gst, all inclusive*
Single supplement: $1,629, not required on the journeys below with (S) Aircruise Codes
| Aircruise Code | Departs Sydney | Concludes Sydney |
| GA100 (S) | 04May11 | 15May11 |
| GA101 | 18May11 | 29May11 |
| GA103 | 15Jun11 | 26Jun11 |
| GA104 (S) | 29Jun11 | 10Jul11 |
| GA105 | 13Jul11 | 24Jul11 |
| GA106 | 27Jul11 | 07Aug11 |
| GA108 | 24Aug11 | 04Sep11 |
| GA109 (S) | 07Sep11 | 18Sep1 |
* Notes:
Prices are per person based on a twin share, including $500 pp savings for bookings by 30Apr.
The price is fully inclusive: all travel by private aircraft, accommodation, meals, sightseeing, entry fees, porterage and the service of professional Aircruise Directors.
Special Transfer Fare of AUD$460 per person (including GST) is available to clients joining a Sydney departure from Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The transfer fare includes return economy airfares on commercial services to Sydney from either Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane or the Gold Coast on the day prior to Aircruise departure, for the specific purpose of joining Aircruise, overnight accommodation and breakfast at a Sydney airport hotel the evening prior to the Aircruise, plus transfers from the domestic terminal to the hotel and from the hotel to the Execujet Terminal for your departure on the Aircruise.
This tour runs every year between May and September.
Departures for 2011 will either be on a Dash 8 or Beechcraft 1900. The group size is usually 28. There is a maximum of 34 places on this tour.
For more details, please call us on 02 9299 0088 (or +6129299008 from overseas)
or email travel@luxuryaustraliatravel.com.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
