One week, one big country... where to go?

[WannaBeBiggles]

I've got about a week to 10 days in February that I've set aside to go and do a bit of exploring of this fair country starting and ending in YMMB, all with the aim to complete the final chunk of my CPL command time I need ~30 hours.

So if anyone has got some good places to visit, be they challenging, scenic or just one of those places that one has see (but many don't), I want to hear about them all, so get posting ladies and gents.

Cheers! :ok:

[Politically_Blonde]

What aircraft if i can ask?

[VH-XXX]

Coastal is good, eg Merimbula upwards, but you'll be prone to storms at this time of the year later in the day. If you'd be flying most days before lunch you'll probably have no dramas.

Inland is good if you like the outback and not really that far flying, eg. Broken Hill, Marree, Birdsville upwards if that interests you but very hot (less humid of course) and rather bumpy at most times of the day.

Perhaps over to Adelaide, back most of the way, over to King Island from Cape Otway, over to Tassie and back via Flinders Island, back up to Merimbula. Hopefully there might be some accommodation around at this time of year unless you are tenting it.

[cosmo21]

Go up tp Cairns, I did this 13 years ago in a Seminole, we went YMMB to Cooly on day one. Lotsa fun in Jupiters. Next Cooly to Airl Beach. Lotsa fun in backpacker bars... Then Airly to Cairns, even picked up a backpacker for a cost share to Cairns ie Box of beer ect.
Toured around FNQ for a week and flew back,Cairns to Archerfield, next day, inland for a bit then Bankstown, did a scenic jolly around Sydney city. Next day coastal back to Point Cook.
Trip of a lifetime, dont waste ya hours stooging around vic...Do it bro, good experience to.

Cosmo

[tmpffisch]

When I went hourbuilding, from Moorabbin over 6 days, at 28 hours or so I flew:
Moorabbin, Merimbula, Bankstown, Port Macquarie, Brisbane, Rockhampton, Emerald, Longreach, Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Adelaide, Mt Gambier, Moorabbin

It's dependent on your type of aircraft though.

[FRQ Charlie Bravo]

I've not done it but I always thought that it'd be fun to cross the Bass straight. As a Melb local maybe you've done this already.

~FRQ CB

[PyroTek]

Longreach - check out the Qantas museum. Good motel 200m from the airport
I would recommend longreach also, Our Motel was the 2 back seats of our C175, Never again, VERY uncomfortable!

A fellow hourbuilder and I did:
Caboolture, Dalby, Charleville, Windorah, Birdsville, Longreach, Charters Towers, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Caboolture. - in 4 days. (from memory). Good fun and great exposure to Controlled airspace down the coast!

:ok:Pyro

[Jabawocky]

Owen

CBP is a must do.....Once!

I have been there twice :ouch:.........mind you it was cheaper to fly from the lake and over night there with 185skywagon (great night out too) than it was to stay at Innaminka and buy a drum of fuel :eek:.

good trip in the Dash Ten one day :ok:

[Ando1Bar]

There's something eerie but wonderful about flying up the middle of Australia. A buzz around Lake Eyre is amazing, even if the lake is bone, white dry.

Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta are odd little places. If stopping at YOOD ask the man from the pink roadhouse to bring down some works burgers when he comes to pump your fuel. YOOD reminded me of the location of a horror film. All I could think was missing pilots made up the meat in the burgers. Mind the stones, or should I say rocks - major opportunity for prop damage.

Up to Uluru for a scenic and Alice Springs (some controlled airspace work for you). The landing fee at Uluru was $50 last time I landed, and there were no facilities apart from a toilet and drink machine at the airport (don't expect a cafe for lunch).

Head across the Simpson Desert to Birdsville for a night at the hotel. Don't fork out for the Aussie BBQ - a total rip off. Pay for a meal in the hotel instead. Unfortunately you cannot taxi up to the hotel anymore, but still a good experience. Fuel was $2.50 a litre a little while ago, and no carnet facilities.

If going to Windorah say hello to the lovely Bub.

Longreach is a good airport and the Jumbuck motel is just across the road. A bit of a walk in to the main bit of town for a meal after a long day of flying, but the RSL has cheap drinks and massive steaks (750 grams goes down well). The Qantas museum is a bit pricey, especially the tour of the fading 747.

Don't stop in Bourke if going that way. Got stuck there one night, that was enough for me. Unfortunately nothing but run down businesses and houses, and locals in hoodies yelling out 'faggot' on the walk home from the RSL.

If going west, drop in to Forrest for some fuel and a coffee. The names of the new operators escape me, but they were very welcoming. Their hut is full of photos and business cards from visiting pilots, and the toilet is graffitied with banter from defence force pilots.

[Goat Whisperer]

CBP is a hole. Wind the windows up and keep driving. Happy to help myself to avgas and keep going, and that's it.

I would recommend going to the places that you will be hitting up for a job when you've done the CPL. You never know, make the right contacts, buy the right guy a beer, and you could have helped yourself towards your first job.

[Jabawocky]

Goatie......CBP is a Million holes........

Should go once.........just to say you have. Not going to live there! :eek:

[Pin37]

Owen Stanley
Let me assure you that Adelaide is a lot more expensive than Parafield

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Gosh, threads like this make me happy that i have wiped my hands of GA

Gone back to the taxi, huh?

Dr :8

[Checkboard]

You want to go to CBP, just so that you too can say (with a knowing grimace) "CBP is a hole, don't go there." :} Fly out to the "dig tree" (you land at Nappamerrie on a small bush strip) and camp for a night for a bit of Australiana. :ok:

[j3pipercub]

Beat me to it Doc.

[Lodown]

Wish I could have done the same. Take a partner to share the experiences. You might ask in advance about facilities: barbecue, after-hours showers/toilet, etc., but if you take a tarp (ropes and stakes) to throw over the wing for light rains, a swag, mosquito repellant and an Esky with a few cold beers, it's nice to spend a night or two under the plane too. Makes it easy to meet people with a big, blue advertisement over the wing. Do clean up after yourself and it'll make it easier for the next person to get permission if it's needed.

Coastal routes will be more tolerable for temperature. My choices would include destinations for sightseeing: Snowy Mountains, Canberra (for the War Memorial and not far from the airport), coastal past Sydney (ask ATC for a scenic tour over downtown...you never know your luck if the traffic's light) to somewhere between Newcastle and Coffs. If you like wines, then somewhere in wine country Vic, NSW or SA would be nice. Byron Bay is good for an hour of joyflighting in the area. Dubbo for the zoo. If you're out that way, Lightning Ridge is "interesting" for the same reason as Coober Pedy. Same isolated character and the opals are spectacular. Armidale is a nice party town on a Friday night with the college. Pick out a few national parks on the way to fly over as well for the scenery.

In Qld, if you have saved the cash from a couple of overnights under the wing, the Hyatt Coolum is a nice stay and will impress the partner. If you get up that way, anywhere on the reef is an experience, but it's not a good time of the year for Nth Qld - prone to floods and very heavy rains/cyclones. So far, there hasn't been much of a challenge to your navigating skills. The coal mines are an interesting area to fly over. The channel country will test your visual navigation, particularly if you stay low. If I was doing the flight over outback areas, I'd plan on just one or two nights out there and then get back to the Gr8 Dividing Range rather than spend a series of nights in the outback. Plan on departing early and landing early rather than putting up with the heat in those areas. There are some wonderful places to visit in the outback, but there is a lot of nothingness with big, consistent turbulence in between and I'd want something more to look at during the flight to feel like I was getting the most for my money. Some of these places you'll never get back to, so make the most of it. Have fun.

[172driver]

Get yourself the book Pilot's Touring Guide by AOPA Oz. Loads of great places to visit in there! Depending a bit on your a/c, I'd do a mix of big(gish) places with controlled airspace and out-of-the way cattle stations like Carisbrooke (near Winton - itself a fab place to fly to). Above all - enjoy :ok::ok:

[Jabawocky]

Carisbrooke is a well worth stop over, I hope Charlie is still alive! he runs a great minibus tour and is a wealth of knowledge.

There is also a very famous monument on his strip just near the house......I think I have a pic of it..........

http://file052b.bebo.com/14/original/2010/01/22/23/4525920200a12129858608o.jpg

http://file052b.bebo.com/5/original/2010/01/22/23/4525920200a12129858549o.jpg

http://file052b.bebo.com/12/original/2010/01/22/23/4525920200a12129858581o.jpg

My apologies for the reflection....I did not realise it at the time, and funny enough 5 years later I am sitting here typing this post wearing that same shirt! :sad:

[WannaBeBiggles]

Some great advice there! Keep it coming!

I haven't decided on the aircraft yet, either an archer, arrow or possibly grab a 182. Endurance on all of those options shouldn't be a problem as it'll only be two of us.

I think CBP will be a definite go'er. I'm very keen on the idea of going off the beaten track. I've done costal flying in Vic, NSW (Coffs area) and SE QLD so that's not high on my list. The "remotest" place I've ever ventured to was Moree but finding it was quite easy with those massive silos/sheds that stand out like dogs balls, so something a bit more challenging would be awesome. :}

The idea of meeting and greeting some of the operators is a very good idea and an option I've contemplated, however aren't the majority further up north and out west?

[Howard Hughes]

The "remotest" place I've ever ventured to was Moree but finding it was quite easy with those massive silos/sheds that stand out like dogs balls, so something a bit more challenging would be awesome.

Always found navigating around the bush quite easy, with so few man made features, when you do finally see something, it is usually what you are looking for!:ok:

Can't believe we've got this far and no one has mentioned William Creek! Not a destination, but well worth seeing, 'Gosses Bluff' West of Alice and North of Uluru looks great from the air. Besides the regular places, Mt Dare and Old Andado stations are well off the track, Borroloola if you like fishing, even venture up into Kakadu.

[Ando1Bar]

Out of a PA28, PA28R or C182, I'd chose the 182 hands down for your trip.

Firstly, you'll have extra shade due to the high wing, which is a must this time of year.

Secondly, you'll have at least 100-150 litres of extra fuel you can carry, depending on the 182 you pick up. That will give you much more choice when it comes to refuelling, and help you avoid the places that cost $2.50-$3 a litre.

Finally, with the high wing you'll be able to get a better view and some great photos.

[Fantome]

Tassie is great, down the tamar to Launy!

I've not done it but I always thought that it'd be fun to cross the Bass straight.


FARK!


Arkaroola at the northern end of the Flinders Ranges is spectacular. Doug Spriggs has a Cessna and an Auster and an observatory where he gives a brilliant commentary on the night sky. The trip around the ridge tops in his cut down Troopy is also a must.

For even more authentic outback experience, drop into Dalhousie Springs for a swim and a cool off. Then ten minutes away to the north overnight at Mount Dare Station.

[172driver]

Carisbrooke is a well worth stop over, I hope Charlie is still alive! he runs a great minibus tour and is a wealth of knowledge.

Last time I saw him was in August 09 and he was very much alive ! Still doing the minibus tours, but lives in town now, his son runs the station.

As for choice of a/c - I'd say definitely the 182, especially if you intend to fly into strips like Carisbrooke. On a hot day (not really unknown out there :E ) an Archer might struggle. Fuel also being a consideration, as Ando1Bar says. If you can find a long-range 182 and can tanker fuel into places like Birdsville (think I paid 2,70 there last year :eek: ) you'll have more beer money :ok:

[WannaBeBiggles]

It's all slowly coming together, all based on all of your fantastic feedback.

So far I'm (roughly) thinking MMB, Broken Hill, Cooper Pedy, Alice Springs, Mt Isa, Longreach (quite possibly via Winton), Lightning Ridge, Canberra, MMB, though no where near set in stone, so if anyone has any further suggestions, please let me know.

A few quick questions for those of you who have been out there. Should one take a aircraft equipped with a HF radio?
Also, if I were to approach some potential employers on the way, would you recommend wearing a full uniform, or is just casual attire suitable in that particular circumstance given that I am not apply for a job as such? (I know this detracts from the general purpose of this thread, but thought it was worthwhile asking).

Cheers :ok:

WBB

[Line Driver]

WBB

If the plane you hires comes with a HF then that is an added bonus, but if it doesn't then I wouldn’t be too worried. From my experience flying in the outback even at 500feet there is usually at least one other plane monitoring centre who can relay a message if needed and most are listening on 121.5 if something really gets out of hand.

As for approaching employers i would be wearing neat casual, maybe a pair of jeans and neat shirt. I wouldn’t worry about a uniform (but that’s just me)

Ill put in another vote for a 182. There’s nothing better than knowing that you have heaps of fuel in the tanks when flying in the outback especially when its a pvt flight

Line Driver

[eocvictim]

Your flight plan sounds perfect! Plenty of both kinds of aus flying, eastcost and other.

I'm going to second the 182 as well. I've never flown one but Having flown A36 in the center, there is nothing worse than sitting in a glasshouse with no ventilation. Dont worry too much about the HF make sure you have an ELT and plenty of water/rations/first aid. If something does happen its going to be a long wait for help.

[172driver]

If you get an a/c with HF then all the better, but not a deal breaker if not. You could also rent/borrow a satphone, might be of even more help out there.

One trick to survival in seriously remote places is to have a note of the timetable of commercial traffic in the area you'll be flying in or overflying it. That way you can maximise the battery life of your handheld, making distress calls only when you've got a reasonable chance of someone listening.

The usual advice re loads of water (yes it's heavy, but you can't survive without it!), rations and emergency kit applies.

Sounds like a great trip, enjoy!

PS: One more thing. Be aware that there are very few maintenance facilities out there.

[Fantome]

A 182 hands down. Use your Phillips, prior to departure, so you can unscrew the little support arm so as to able to open the window fully. Anything that catches your eye, come round for a closer look. If you've
plenty of gas just poke around here and there and have the camera ready.
Never be afraid to go off track where warranted. Hire a sat phone is good, if you haven't HF. Then just have a friend carry your flight note and ring or text them of your progress. Works like a charm for peace of mind.

[Mainframe]

Hi Wannabe,

Have a great trip, and a safe one.

At the time of year you're going, avoid coastal areas north of lat 17 degrees south, November to March is "The Wet" season.

Yes, you can still get around ok up there, but you need to be flexible with schedules to work around nature doing her annual bit up there.

Even if you need to stay tied down somewhere for a few days, bad things can still happen.

Here's some shots during Cyclone Larry showing what happened to a properly tied down C150.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/mainframe_bucket/th_2003_larry17.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/mainframe_bucket/th_DSC01389.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/mainframe_bucket/th_DSC01391.jpg

[Fantome]

Perfect Landing C182
I can't seem to get my landings in the C182 up to a good standard. Was wondering if any seasoned 182 drivers could make any suggestions on what works for them. Most of my flying has mainly been on low wing cherokees.
I use 20 degrees of flap, 80 kts final for the 182P.

Search on proone for this and you can read pages and pages of advice on how to approach your landings. Perfect Landing C182

[jethrolx]

Hi all, just to add my two cents...
Schute Harbour is a fun approach, and you get to stay in Aerlie Beach which is tough ;)
Karumba is a cool little spot up in the gulf if you like barra fishing, and if you keep your eyes peeled turning base you might catch the ICE COLD BEER sign painted on the roof of the pub.
If anywhere near Bourke I recommend staying at Commeroo Camel Station, the people that run the place are great.
Just some advice on aircraft type, I put some K's under a Piper warrior a little while ago, and its probably not the best thing to doing long legs on hot days with someone else. unless you get along VERY well, id recommend maybe a 182.

[D-J]

easiest way to sort out your landings in a 182? go do some jump flying :ok:

although most of the 182's i've flown for the last few years have had bigger donks up front & hence run out of elevator around 60 kts, the best consistant landings are flapless to 10 degrees 65 kts short final touching at about 60 kts.

The key is to make sure your looking waaaayyyy down the runway!

[WannaBeBiggles]

Well guys and girls, it's all coming together. I'l be heading off in the next week or two and thanks to your awesome feedback have what should be a fantastic route.

If anyone has any specific prep pointers or last minute locations, let us know.

:ok:

[cap71n]

If you're still going to Alice, you must call in to Dalhousie Springs. Bit hot for a dip maybe but wow! Seeing the green in the middle of the desert is pretty cool.

[172driver]

Well guys and girls, it's all coming together. I'l be heading off in the next week or two and thanks to your awesome feedback have what should be a fantastic route.

Good on ya, mate :ok: Have a safe trip and let us know how it went !

Happy landings.