2weeks up north in a 172 - suggestions please
 

I have holidays in the first two weeks in July and a C172 booked, leaving from Moorabbin. Would appreciate suggestions from ppruner's as to where would be good places to head for, interesting people to meet and good places to stay, some a bit off the beaten track (we'll have the tent and the avgas stove in the back). Have flown to Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and Flinders Ranges in the past so looking to plan a trip to WA/NT/Kimberley where I've never flown to before. Any suggestions and helpful hints would be appreciated (but no rude comments about how long it's going to get there in a 172 - at least there'll be 2 pilots to share the flying!)

I did the reverse trip in a Landcruiser was probably faster than you will do it.
Avoid Coober Pedy and Tennant Creek.
Otherwise you're in for a beaut trip with the dry just starting.

Ok I know it won't be supersonic!
 

Thanks Captain Vegemite for the first and probably not last crack at how slow it will be! At least we'll get a good look around. Forgot to say have also been to Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre and Olympic Dam/Andamooka on previous trips so don't need to visit there again. Need to be in Renmark on the last weekend though.

There's always a cold beer to be had in Kunna's, especially on a Friday evening. ;)

The places to go...

Elquestro,
Far Away Bay,
Smith Point,
Gove,
Kununurra,
Bellburn,
Daly River for a Barra,
Horizontal falls,
Broome,
That joint north of broome near the beach where the cabins are.
Halls Creek - wolf creek crater,
Swears Island,
etc...

Just depends how much $$$ ya got to spend on the ground!

Whatever you do, don't miss a night or two in Doomadgee..... !

Can't miss the untouched wonder that is Elcho Island.

Seriously though check out maybe Dundee Beach or Smith Point where there is cabins close to the strip, and awesome fishing. Both are close to YPDN.

Max range,

Got a couple for you, not beautiful, but different!

Dalhousie Springs in Witjira National Park (SA).
-hot springs in the middle of no where great on a cold day in the middle of winter. Tent sites, no power, showers and toilets but very spartan. Two runways check the condition sometimes flooded.

Ross River Homestead (NT).
-Old homestead with cheap accomodation and they'll pick you up from the strip in a camel cart. One runway.

Cape Don, Vashon Head, Smith Point all on the Cobourg Peninsula (NT).
-All in national park so check for permissions required. Smith Point has cabins right on the beach. Seven Spirit Bay at Vashon Head quite exy but worth it if you want to be spoilt in the wilderness.
Cape don has ruins and a lighthouse not sure about the accomodation as I did'nt stay.

Hope these are what you are looking for there are many more in northern SA/NT. Most can be found in the ALA guides available commercially.

Cheers, HH.

PS: Happy Flying and dont forget those performance charts! Just remember aircraft dont leap off the ground up north like they do in good old Vic.

Mt Hart station is a nice place to drop into. I was there about 10 years ago on an army adventure training ex.

Mt Hart Homestead

At this time of year up here (the run off) you can't miss a good old sight seeing tour of Kakadu and its beautiful waterfalls. They are not open to road traffic last I looked (2 weeks ago) but I hear a flight over them is spectacular. Nice paved airfield at Jabiru too with food, fuel etc. Have a super time and make sure you spend at least a night in beautiful Darwin - Thursdays are Mindil Beach Market nights (if you like doing the crowded tourist thing) or Saturday morning is Parap market day - gotta have a seafood laksa!:)

Cheers, NFR.

Rabbitflat roadhouse just past granites mine in Tanami Desert. Great Hamburgers and cold beer.

Is it Nig,or is it Nog?
I hear the wimmin are worth fitin for at rabbit flat!Not that they would be after you bin through mate!;) :cool:
BTW,dont forget William Creek for a few hundred coldies!;)

Mataranka Springs, S/SE of Katherine/Tindal: Hot/warm spring pools. Airstrip there.

Katherine Gorge - E. of Katherine/Tindal: Spectacular gorge with the Katherine River running through it. Can go for cruises up it. Take at least the 1/2 day or full day cruise. The 2 hr one doesn't go far enough to see the really spectacular parts of the gorge. You can also swim in it/hire canoes etc.

Tindal is about 20 km S. of Katherine. The gorge is something similar E. of Katherine.

Kakadu National Park. The eastern escarpment is nice - expecially with the sun on it - and Jim Jim Falls & Twin Falls.

Depending on time of year you can go on tours to the falls. To get to Twin falls involves swimming up the creek on air mattresses. Nice sandy beach area etc.

Tours offerred from most tourist places within Kakadu.

Cooinda (within Kakadu) has a dirt strip + accommodation + outdoor bar + pool. You can go for floating tours ('Yellow Water cruise') to see crocs & birdlife.

Nourlangie Rock is worth visiting for the rock art.

Mattarankas good but get some one to check the strip
as the long grass and termite mounds could ruin your
prop and trip.Accomodation in cabins or tent
Daly waters is interesting to visit with the historic pub only a short walk from the strip
Borroloola pubs close by the sealed strip .
and fuel avalable but used to be expensive.
Hells gate has a road house accross form the dirt strip
its between Doomage and Borroloola. Couldn't recomend
Doomage (Doom City)

Places in The Kimberley worth checking out -

Bungles (obviously)
King George Falls and the coastline up that way
Mitchell Falls
Emma Gorge/El Questro

Haven't been there myself, but the Buchaneer Archipelago (Horizontal Falls etc) and Cape Leveque north of Broome look awesome in photos and haven't heard a bad thing said about them. Broome itself is a top spot and you should spot a few white pointers while on downwind/base for RWY10. ;)

Give Wolfe Creek Crater a miss...really not worth the hassle.

Mataranka Springs are incredible, wouldn't know what the strip is like though.

Daly Waters Pub is a funny place - I can guarantee you will get s**tfaced there. Sealed strip there is huge (ex WW2) and an old hangar still remains there.

Have an awesome time and keep us all posted about what you decide on.

Cheers,
TL

Most of the above suggestions are excellent.

Recommend spending a night at Timber Creek - fly up the river from around Bradshaw station late in the arvo and watch the crocs jump out of the river chasing the Kangaroos that jump away as you fly past. My record was 34 crocs in 5 minutes flying...


Ring the Vic River roadhouse as well for its strip condition (west of Katherine just on the edge of R247). The gorge upriver of it is absolutley insane to fly along/in (yes it's more than 1200m wide and 500 feet deep).

Keep river NP (just east of KU) is well worth a look - it's a mini bungles.


Further down the coast definitely stop at Exmouth for a spot of diving. If you are there before the end of July do the whale shark dive.

I have a fairly large dossier of things to see in the east Kimberley, email me if you want GPS co-ords etc and more info.

THANKS EVERYONE
 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions as to places to go up north in July. Now to get the WACS out and start planning.
:D

I hear Balgo Hill is quite nice this time of year. Beautiful people, beautiful flying. Do bring a gas mask though if your planning to venture in to town. Surgical gloves for extra hygeine and to avoid scabbies are a must.

For that mediteranean feel try the close by Mulan or "Milan" as the locals call it. Beautiful sunsets with the lake in the background.

If you visit such places you will have a very memorable trip.:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

In all seriousness though Oates, a visit to the Art centre at Balgo is not a bad little investment. The western desert art is fantastic and it goes from Balgo straight to the galleries. You can pick up a beautful piece of artwork for $4-500, that would fetch double or more in the galleries of Syd or Melb. Try Balgo Hills communtiy art centre or somthing in the directory.

I know that's a lot of $$ for a painting, but word up the folks....get them to pay for it and put it in their house.

:D :D

If you fly out of Halls to Wolfe creek Crater then it may be worthwhile. No fuel there though...and yes, I fully agree with everything you say re the township. :cool:

You obviously won't have a car at most of your destinations so here's a few spots in the West Kimberley where its only a short walk to see all the sights/camping.

Mt Hart - Good bed and breakfast with fuel available. Not a lot to do but it puts you in the centre of all the sights.

Windjana Gorge - Only 20mins from Mt Hart or 30mins from Derby. Short walk takes you to see one of the best gorges in the Kimberley.

Cape Leveque - Right on the tip of the Dampier Pen. Nice swimming beaches and great fishing. Cheap accom. available too.

Alot of these sights are on the Boome Aviation website which you can checkout at [url]www.broomeaviation.com

Have fun - you'll probably need 2 months to see it all not 2 weeks.