New Editions Newsletter May 2009

Air Wilpena offers scenic flights over Lake Eyre

Air Wilpena is giving people the opportunity to view one of nature’s rare moments from the best vantage point – 1,000 feet in the air - as Lake Eyre fills with water.

Air Wilpena has just celebrated its 50th anniversary and prides itself on in-depth local knowledge of flora, fauna, geography and history providing visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in one of Australia’s iconic locations. The airline is offering three different experiences, designed by the pilots to take advantage of this extraordinarily rare natural phenomenon.

Wilpena Pound Flights

Located approximately 700kms north of Adelaide, Lake Eyre - the world’s largest salt lake - has only filled to the brim with water three times in the last 160 years although periodic smaller fills have been recorded – the last one in 2000 when it filled to half way. Scientists can’t predict how full it will get this year but the floodwaters coming down the Georgina and Diamantina rivers are already bringing with them new fish life and as a result a teeming bird population of pelicans, silver gulls and gull-billed terns which form up to 2000km away.

Air Wilpena’s “Flood Flights” include views of Lake Eyre and the surrounding spectacular outback expanses of South Australia. They vary in length and route to cater for a range of visitors.

“Flood Flight 1” is a six hour day trip – around four hours in the air. It begins with a scenic flight over the iconic Wilpena Pound and Brachina Gorge landscapes and then tracks north to the Marree Man. The Marree Man, also best appreciated from the air is a figure carved into the rock which appears to depict an indigenous Australian man, most likely of the Pitjantjatjara tribe, hunting with a throwing stick. The figure is 4.2 km tall with a circumference of 15–28 km. The flight progresses north over the Lake Eyre floodwaters and lands at William Creek – population 10 at last count - for lunch at the local pub. The return flight passes Andamooka and Lake Torrens.

“Flood Flight 2” is for those with less time to spare. It is a half day option - around 3.5 hours of flight time. The first leg remains the same up to Lake Eyre but returns over Marree where the Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks start. The flight then heads south over the Leigh Creek coal fields, landing at Leigh Creek for a refreshment stop.

The flight finishes with a bird’s eye view of the majestic Northern Flinders Ranges before returning to Wilpena Pound.

“Flood Flight 3” is for visitors wanting to truly immerse themselves in the landscape and is two days in length. After leaving Wilpena Pound, the flight stops at Andamooka where the first opals were discovered in the early 1920s. From there it heads to William Creek for a pub lunch and then over the flood waters of Lake Eyre North and the Simpson Desert. The first nights stay is at the legendary Birdsville Pub, still isolated by the recent floodwaters. After a look around town, the flight heads off to Burke and Wills country around Innamincka and takes guests over the Coongee Lakes and the famous “Dig Tree” on the banks of the swollen Coopers Creek. After lunch at Innamincka, the flight heads back over the Strzlecki track, Arkaroola and the Northern Flinders Ranges.

All flights start and finish at Wilpena Pound and can be combined with accommodation at the resort starting at $195 per room per night. Flight prices start at $750pp for the full day flight including lunch, $600pp for the half day scenic flight - and $1735pp for the two day scenic flight and outback stay. All prices quoted are for three passengers or more on the trip.

Flights from Adelaide are available on Air Wilpena for an additional $2250 per person.

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