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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
|
|
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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
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
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.
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 201318th 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. |
This is the approximate route of the Qld Fly Away 2013