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Fly-Aways Gallery
Tooraweenah 3rd, 4th and 5th May 2019
A group of 17 of us flew into Tooraweenah for a weekend.
We visited the Wurrumbungles National Park for a look at the siding springs observatory
Lunch at the tubic cafe and very looked after at the Mountain View Hotel.
Accommodation at the pub and the caravan parks.
Tooraweenah was the home base for Butler Airways and the original terminal building has a lot of history re Butler Airways.
Well worth a visit.

Maralinga South Australia June 2018

In June 2018 a small group from Deniliquin and Benalla visited the Maralinga Atomic Test Site.
Group comprised Bruce Scott, Lauren Scott, John and Jan MacKnight, Rob Evans and Shane Edwards.
Departed Deniliquin and flew across to Port Augusta via Renmark, Clare and Port Pirie because of a bit of low cloud going direct.
We had a bus pick us up courtesy of Graham and we spent 2 nights in Quorn.
Took a train trip on the Pichi Richi railway and had a look around the railway museum. The volunteers do a great job.  Photo below of a little train called the coffee pot, it takes people on a lunch trip.
Departed Port Augusta and flew to William Creek via the Flinders Ranges, Leigh Creek, Marree Man and Lake Eyre.
Overnight in William Creek, few beers and meal at the pub.
Next day to Coober Pedy via The Painted Hills and the Prominent Hill Copper Mine, a very large hole in the ground from what we could see as we flew around the side of the mine.
Spent 2 nights in Coober Pedy and went for a tour around the surrounding area, saw some really nice scenery plus had a look at a section of the dog fence.

Early start the next day from Coober Pedy to Maralinga Atomic Test Site.
After flying in what seemed the middle of nowhere for 2 hours this massive airfield appeared, runway is 2500 metres long and 50 odd wide. We met up with some other visitors and took a tour of the airfield, the old village and then out to some of the test sites.
Our tour guide Robin gave us a very informative talk on how it all started and then the massive clean-up in the 90's

After the tour we departed Maralinga and flew to the Nullarbor Roadhouse for fuel and accommodation. Next day onto Ceduna to top up with fuel and then we overnighted in Elliston, really nice pub and the airfield has a sealed runway and tie down cables, well worth a visit.
After Elliston we started for home flying to Renmark via Port Augusta for an overnight stay.
Had breakfast at the Aero Club the next morning and then home to Deniliquin.
A great trip over 9 days







4th - 11th July 2015
Deniliquin to Hervey Bay
Sat 4th July Deniliquin to Louth - overnight stay.

Sun 5th July Louth to Mitchell - overnight stay.

Mon 6th July Mitchell to Gladstone - Overnight stay.

Tue 7th July Gladstone to Hervey Bay - 2 night stay.

Wed 8th July Hervey Bay - Fraser Island Tour.

Thur 9th July Hervey Bay to Surat - overnight stay.

Fri 10th July Surat to Lightning Ridge - overnight stay.

Sat 11th July Lightning Ridge to Deniliquin.


Below are the details about the trip written by Ian McAtamney

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Day 1 Deniliquin To Louth

Being a frosty clear on Saturday 4th July we were in no great hurry to leave. At about 10am John Macknight  Flight design 7569,  Des Ramsey VH_NED and friends Brendon, Rob and Mick and myself and Anne in Sirius 7511 headed north to Louth. Ivanhoe seemed a fair distance for a stop for a cup of tea and sandwich and for some to check the pub just to see the new renovations! It was perfect flying weather clear and no turbulence so we take off and pressed on to Louth. David the publican had his ear out for our arrival and was there to meet us and to transport those who did not want to walk and our luggage into town. A group of young locals shared stories with Des’s city  mates. Pizzas and fish and chips for dinner help soak up the beers. The accommodation was comfortable in cabins-the snorers were in together.

Day 2 Louth To Mitchell

Today after a proper country  breakfast we headed to Bourke for fuel. It seemed everyone headed in together with some from races over near Engonnia helped to make for a busy circuit.

 We then headed for Mitchell in southern Queensland, which can only be described as quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Some went to check out the pubs  while  others went for soak in the artesian pool that has been very well developed, not sure we looked 10 years younger but we felt that way. A great pub meal $20 for 3 courses with a very good pork roast for the main, left us pretty satisfied.

Day 3 Mitchell To Gladstone

Today in perfect weather we headed to Gladstone. Des and his group went via Rolleston to have an aerial view of Canarvon Gorge. John Mac and Anne and I stopped at Theodore for tea and pee then flew to Gladstone. Gladstone may not strike all as a Queensland destination but from the air, the harbour, aluminum industry, rail yard and coal loader are very impressive. Again it was a busy circuit this time sharing with an  inbound Qantas Link  made it more like we were in controlled airspace than a country airport-some of us could have landed side on, the strip was so wide. We pitched in and organized a taxi to take us around for the afternoon to see the sites. The industry is huge however Gladstone is tidy town and there are plenty of services. (for all needs!!!)

Day 4 Gladstone To Hervey Bay

Tuesday, off again in perfect weather We all took slightly different tracks. We tracked  to  Agnes waters then slightly out to sea to Hervey Bay to get the best view of the coast, it was quite a contrast to flying around the outback.

 Hervey bay was our base to go out to Fraser Island. The Ramada motel was very comfortable, the Boat Club that was recommended was ok for lunch but we decided dinner would be better at the motel. There was a desire to have a good seafood dinner or platter-why else would you fly to the coast and while not on the menu the motel said they would organize one for the next night when put them to the challenge.

Day 5 Hervey Bay

On Wednesday we took a bus tour  to Fraser Island. The ferry arrived at the island at low tide and we thought for a moment we would have to get out and push up the remnant of the creek to the ramp. ( It cannot be dredged because of World Heritage status) With a bus driver that must have missed a go in the Dakar Rally we charged over the sandy tracks then up the beach. At the stop where they sprooked  the tourist flight (why pay when you can DIY) the whales put on a show a few hundred metres off the beach.

After “doing” Fraser we returned to cleanup and sit down at our table for our seafood platters. It would be cruel to tell the full list of seafood or how good it was- all there is to say we were all satisfied.

Day 6 Hervey Bay to Surat

Thursday. After a bit of rain on our Fraser island tour we were greeted by perfect weather to fly over Fraser Island then swing around and head for Surat, a small country town south of Roma. Anne and I stopped at Miles a centre for the gas extraction. I thought we had stumbled into a military base when at the 10mile inbound I was asked “what is the purpose of your visit”. Fortunately stopping for a pee was accepted however we were directed where to park and then escorted to and from the facilities all in a friendly manner but we thought it was Miles Queensland not Melbourne International.

Surat  has a good strip right on the edge of town and even though it was only 2 blocks to the Cobb and Co Motel, Doug the owner was there to pick us up on hearing our planes arrive-a couple of groups bought their kids out because “there were three planes at the airport”. Surat has a good little museum with a Cobb and Co coach and some interesting bits and pieces. It has a well set out river walk that has largely been done by the community.  The motel had a well set up outdoor BBQ   and with some prior knowledge of  great little butcher we fended for ourselves and enjoyed the best steaks ever-apart from Mokangers of course .

Day 7 Surat to Lightning Ridge

Friday-Some of us were wilting as far as a cooked breakfast, the rest manned up for bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato and toast and off we headed this time with the threat of storms.  These storms centered south of  St George on our track to Lightning Ridge so it was decided to put down for coffee. In about a 15 knot cross wind one of us decided they would go around a couple of times just for the practice! On our walk in to town country hospitality showed again with a local machinery agent coming over and running us in to town. He also contacted a local flying identity to share coffee with us who then ran us back to the airport.
With a dark sky we went off towards a break in between the storms to Lightning Ridge. As seemed always the case even though we were in different performing planes we arrived at the circuit together for one reason or another but were now practiced at sorting things out.
The  Wallangulla  Motel had a car to pick us up. Lightning Ridge is somewhat gentrified these days with tourists as much opals keeping it going. Some headed for the Club while some of us did the right thing by their wives and stood around in jewelry stores.   

Day 8 Lightning Ridge to Deniliquin (Home)

Saturday after waiting the fog to lift we all departed Lightning Ridge and made our own way home.   

A big thankyou to Ian McAtamney for organising this great trip and also supplying the photos and daily details.

May 2014 SA Trip

Sat 17th May Deniliquin to Port Pirie Overnight Travel Way Motel
Sun 18th May Port Pirie to Streaky Bay Overnight Streaky Bay Hotel
Mon 19th May Lay Day Streaky Bay or optional trip to Nullarbor Cliffs Overnight Streaky Bay Hotel
Tue 20th May Streaky Bay to Copley (Leigh Creek) Overnight Leigh Creek Hotel Copley
Wed 21st May Copley to Marree or optional lunch William Creek to Marree Overnight Marree Hotel
Thur 22nd May Marree to Renmark 2 Nights Renmark Hotel Motel
Fri 23rd May Renmark Hotel Motel
Sat 24th May Renmark to Deniliquin
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Click on photos below to view in a larger format

2013 Fly-Aways

Wentworth Fly In 2nd and 3rd November 2013

This years annual multi club fly-away to Wentworth was again a great success.
We had a total of 35 people from Deniliquin, Corowa, Tocumwal, Goolwa, Murray Bridge and Adelaide join us for this years trip.
Again we went down the Darling and into the Murray for a short trip and then back up the Darling further than last year while we enjoyed a lovely BBQ meals with baked potatoes, salads and sweets.
An ample amount of refreshments were consumed as well.
Thoroughly recommend this trip to any clubs interested in doing something similar.
Darling Junction Motor will supply rooms with cooked breakfast for a very reasonable rate as well pick you up and deliver you back to the airport.
Wentworth River Cruises supply a very good 3 - 4 hour river cruise as well.

Their details are in our links page.

Deniliquin Longreach 18th - 25th May 2013

18th May Depart Deni - Fuel Bourke - Over Night Eulo
19th May Depart Eulo - Fuel Charleville - Over Night Longreach
20th and 21st May Over Night Longreach sight seeing
22nd May Depart Longreach - Boulia (Lunch fuel) - Over Night Bedourie
23rd May Depart Bedourie - Birdsville Fuel Smoko Birdsville Bakery - Over Night Noccundra
24th Depart Noccundra - Tibboburra Fuel Lunch then onto White Cliffs Over Night
25th Depart White Cliffs to Deniliqun
Need numbers by 15th March so accommodation can be booked.
Limited Accommodation in some locations so first in best dressed.
This may change depending on planes going and their range.
Longreach Trip Details
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This is the approximate route of the Qld Fly Away 2013
Site Last Updated 24th Sept 2022