Lake Eyre Flights 2012
Come and discover Lake Eyre in 2012 with Phillip Island Helicopters.
Below is a list of our current flights.
For more information on lake Eyre Flights please visit our Marree operation, Marree Helicopters. Click here to visit Marree Helicopters.
Lake Flight
Lake Eyre is the lowest point in Australia at 15m below sea level and is the largest lake in Australia when it fills, covering a staggering surface area of 9500 square kilometres! The 2011 season sees the lake filled to approximately 95 percent surface coverage. The only way to see that shear mass of water is by air. Phillip Island Helicopters has a base located in the outback town of Marree, located 90km south east of Lake Eyre.Our Lake Eyre flights depart Marree township daily. During the flight you will discover the remoteness of the Lake Eyre region before reaching the pure white salt crusted Lake Eyre South. The flight then continues onto Lake Eyre North, tracking up the shoreline of Madigan Gulf, world famous for the land speed records of Sir Donald Campbell. Now for the best part, experience flying over the water of Lake Eyre, the driest region of Australia. During the return leg you will over-fly Jackboot bay en-route to Marree.
Whilst our flights are more expensive than that of the plane flights that are available, the visibility and comfort of our helicopters far outweighs the cost. We pride ourselves on our hospitality and compared to plane flights in the area, you are not just a number to us. Not only do our helicopter flights offer you better views and photo opportunities, your flight of Lake Eyre will be more personalised. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, so go ahead and see it the best way possible.
Unlike fixed wing aircraft that suffer in the afternoon turbulent conditions, the helicopter is a smooth ride all day!
There is no best time to view the area.. it is entirely up to yourself.
* Min 2 passengers, weight restrictions may apply
Cost – $595.00 Per Person - conditions Apply*
Cooper Creek Flight
For an unforgetable Lake Eyre Flight, we depart Marree then track direct to the Madigan Gulf for a look at one of the worlds largest salt lakes. Travelling north along the coastline of the Lake we then head east to intercept Coopers Creek where water is flowing for the first time in 20 years… quite amazing! The area is surrounded by lakes and bird sightings are common!
Continuing along the creek, we fly over the water logged Birdsville Track then onto Lake Killamperpunna and the site of the punt and ferry being used to cross the Coopers Creek. From here we head back towards Marree intercepting the famous Birdsville Track along the way, also sighting some of the stations that are established alongside the track.
* Min 2 passengers, weight restrictions may apply
Cost – $995.00 Per Person – conditions Apply*
Discovery Tour
Departing Marree, we head the Cooper Creek crossing on the world famous Birdsville Track before catching up with Phil and Pam at Mungeraine Roadhouse for morning tea. Heading East mostly along the Cooper in flood we arrive at Innamincka for lunch. After a tasty lunch and maybe a cool drink, we head for Birdsville. Staying the night in this legendary outback pub will be one of those memories that lasts a lifetime, long after the price is forgotten.
After breakfast the next day we will overfly the Goyder Lagoon with magical arteries of bright greens and yellows and carpet grasslands stemming out from the Diamantina River. From here it is onto Cowrie Station, where you will meet the locals who run this million acre cattle station, before heading off with the station owner to discover the magic of the Warburton Creek and the surrounding dunes. Boarding your private helicopter again, it’s time to follow the Warburton to where it enters Lake Eyre.
We will track the entire length of the Lake before departing Lake Eyre North via Belt Bay and then onto Lake Eyre South, before returning to Marree. Total flight time will be around 7 hrs. The price which includes 2 x lunches with breakfast and diner at The Birdsville Hotel.
* Min 2 passengers, weight restrictions may apply
Cost – $3950.00 per person based on a minimum of 2 passengers - conditions Apply*
Ultimate Tour
Day 1
Meeting your pilot and your helicopter in Melbourne, depart in the morning over the city watching the rat race. First stop is Mildura then it’s onto Broken Hill for refuelling and stretching of the legs. Refuelled it’s time to overfly the colourful and majestic sights of the Flinders Ranges before arriving in the outback town of Marree for a overnight stop in the historical Marree Hotel.
Day 2
After a night’s sleep in the Marree Hotel, it’s time to see the flood waters of Lake Eyre from above. Departing town, you will fly over Lake Eyre South and North. Overflying Madigan Gulf, Jackboot Bay, Belt Bay, Warburton Groove to the Warburton River system into Cowarie Station you will witness the shear volume of flood waters. On the ground at Cowarie Station you will meet legendry outback station owner, Sharon Oldfield. Sharon will take you both to see the mighty Warburton Creek in full flow and then settle for a cup of tea or coffee. Then it’s back onboard for
the next leg of your unforgettable journey to Birdsville up the amazing finger river systems of the Goyder Lagoon, then for a refuel and lunch stop at the famous Birdsville Hotel. Airborne again, it’s en-route to Innamincka for an overnight stop at the Innamincka Hotel along side the Coopers Creek.
Day 3
The flight then continues up the Coopers Creek, with extensive rain throughout the Channel Country this year, it’s an extremely rare opportunity to see one of nature’s most spectacular events. With the abundance of wildlife and vegetation, it’s almost impossible to believe you’re in the middle of one of Earth’s harshest deserts. Landing at the punt location on the Birdsville track become apart of history and take a ride on the punt after two decades of dry creek beds. Departing the punt site the flight will continue to Marree for lunch then onto Hawker for an overnight stay.
After a hearty, but early breakfast, we will depart Hawker for a few pit stops on your return to Melbourne. Along the way you will see why they believe the drought is over!
* Min 2 passengers, weight restrictions may apply
Cost – $12500.00 Per Person - conditions Apply*
Olympic Dam Transfers
Too much hassle getting to Marree? Why not live like a celebrity and get a helicopter transfer direct from Olympic Dam! Fly into Olympic Dam (via Adelaide) with Qantas-link, and be picked up and ferried direct to the Marree Airport via helicopter. Your trip to Marree will take you over some of Australia’s most interesting landscape, including the Marree Bungles. Then spend the night in the historical township of Marree. Use the afternoon to explore the old rail station, Australia’s first mosque or just enjoy a drink at the Marree Pub. After staying the night at the Marree Hotel, you then head off on the scenic flight of a lifetime.
During the flight you will discover the remoteness of the Lake Eyre region before reaching the pure white salt crusted Lake Eyre South. The flight then continues onto Lake Eyre North, tracking up the shoreline of Madigan Gulf, world famous for the land speed records of Sir Donald Campbell. Now for the best part, experience flying over the water of Lake Eyre in the driest region of Australia.
* Min 2 passengers, weight restrictions may apply
Cost – $2250.00 Per Person – Conditions Apply*
The cost of this package includes heli-transfers, accommodation and scenic flight
Bookings can be made at www.qantaslink.com.au
