Aussie Pub Crawl
by private plane
Iconic Outback pubs by air
Nothing captures the spirit of Australia like a single pub in a lonesome one horse town. When the red dust shimmers, what could be more welcome than a shady verandah and beer taps running icy cold? Historically these far flung outposts were a lifeline for weary travellers and isolated locals alike, united in tales of hardship. More than just a watering hole, they became a lifeline and the humble Aussie pub still embodies the frontier spirit of resilience, mateship and the lure of the open road.
This iconic yet completely unique Great Aussie Pub Crawl will see you travelling more than 4000km by air and visiting 8 Outback pubs in just five days. Taking off from Bankstown Airport, Sydney you’ll head first to Bourke. Continuing to Tibooburra, Innamincka, the Simpson Desert and Lake Eyre you’ll witness some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes, taking in the Marree Man and ‘Big Red’ (sand dune) en route. You’ll stop off at iconic watering holes including the famous Birdsville Hotel where your plane will taxi you right to the front door!
Through the safari you’ll enjoy the top class service of a proudly Australian outfit, along with the comfort of a private aircraft with no security lines, boarding delays or baggage carousels at airports. Travelling this way you can maximise your holiday time, seeing what might take up to a month in a car in just five days.
See Australia from a whole new aerial perspective and drink in the proud nostalgia of the Outback’s true blue Australiana.
You will love
- The exclusivity of private plane travel
- 5 days – short & sweet
- Good old fashioned Outback hospitality
- Vast, epic landscapes
- Your operated & host, aviator Phil Hines
- Only available through The Classic Safari Company
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
5 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
Day 1 | SYDNEY TO BOURKE & TIBOOBURRA
Arrive at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, and prepare to depart on this unique flying safari. Board your private aircraft flying west to Dubbo to briefly refuel and stretch your legs. Back in the air, fly to the Outback town of Bourke, the former inland port where wool was exported from the area on paddle steamers down the Darling River. Enjoy drinks and lunch at the Port Of Bourke Pub.
Next stop is Tibooburra in Corner Country, surrounded by an arid landscape and remarkable granite rocky outcrops. You cannot miss the extraordinary Clifton Pugh mural in the bar of the popular watering hole of The Family Hotel. This evening we are dining across the road in the sandstone Tibooburra Hotel, dating back to the gold rush era of 1882.
Accommodation: The Granites Motel
(Please note that sadly our original accommodation – The Tibooburra Hotel – was recently destroyed by fire so we have had to find an alternative)
Flight times: 3h40 – 2 flights – Flying from Bankstown to Dubbo (1h05) to refuel, then onto Louth (1h25) and finally Tibooburra (1h10).
Day 2 | TIBOOBURRA TO INNAMINKA & BIRDSVILLE
After breakfast board your private plane flying to Innamincka, a surprising oasis in South Australia’s rugged Outback, and stop at the pub for lunch. Back in the air unwind and enjoy infinite skies as you fly towards the historic town of Birdsville. Upon landing, the plane will taxi right up to the front door of the famous Birdsville Hotel! Where else in the world can you do this?! Enjoy a beer and the view from the verandah until you climb into a four wheel drive to see “Big Red” – the Simpson Desert’s largest sand dune. Share the experience of a stunning golden sunset from the top of the dune with drinks and nibbles. This evening enjoy traditional Outback hospitality back at the pub.
Accommodation: The Birdsville Hotel
Flight times: 1h45 – 2 flights – Flying from Tibooburra to Innamincka (50 mins) and then onto Birdsville (55 mins).
Day 3 | BIRDSVILLE TO OODNADATTA & WILLIAM CREEK
Sweep across the magnificent Simpson Desert, flying at an altitude where we have a bird’s eye view of more than 1100 sand dunes. Witness this spectacular landscape before landing “in the middle of nowhere” at the licenced Pink Roadhouse in Ooodnadatta, for a well earned beer and lunch. Back in the air the plane will follow the famous Oodnadatta Track to the remote Outback post of William Creek. This evening you will dine at the authentic bush pub, The William Creek Hotel. This pub is loved by travellers from all around the world, with a front bar decorated by hundreds of notes, memorabilia and mementos.
Accommodation: The William Creek Hotel
Flight times: 2h40 – 1 flight – Flying from Birdsville to William Creek with a Lake Eyre fly-over.
Day 4 | WILLIAM CREEK TO BROKEN HILL WITH LAKE EYRE & FLINDERS FLY-OVER
Begin the day with a hearty pub breaky before a day of exploration. This morning we have a chance to explore William Creek and its surrounding natural beauty. Back in the air we have the unique opportunity to view Australia’s largest salt lake, the wondrous Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, to understand just how large this landmark is. You’ll then fly over the modern geoglyph of Marree Man on your way into Marree, where you’ll stop for lunch at the magnificent heritage listed Marree Hotel. Enjoy the stunning Flinders Ranges from the air as the private aircraft next takes you to the mining town of Broken Hill. In the evening you will dine at the town’s oldest pub still operating, The Broken Hill Pub and have pre-dinner drinks surrounded by grandiose murals at the colourful Palace Hotel.
Accommodation: The Astra Hotel (or similar)
Flight times: 2h24 – 2 flights – Flying from William Creek to Maree (44m) for lunch, then Broken Hill (1h40m) with a Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges fly-over.
Day 5 | BROKEN HILL TO TILPA AND ONTO SYDNEY
Visit the interactive Flying Doctors Museum in the Silver City before flying to The Tilpa Hotel. Established in 1894 to service the river boat trade, the pub is a classic, character-filled Outback pub made of corrugated iron and timber. The perfect place to enjoy a farewell lunch in the Outback. Enjoy the scenery and relax as you cruise back to Sydney.
Flight times: 4h – 3 flights – Flying from Broken Hill to Tilpa (1h10) to refuel, then onto Cobar (35m) before the final leg into Bankstown (2h15).
N.B. This itinerary may vary slightly should factors beyond our control arise.
Please note:
This itinerary is based on the 5 day set departure and provides the perfect inspiration for a spectacular journey that can be tailored to suit your preferred style and pace. Contact us to design a bespoke flying safari for you, your friends and family.
NEED TO KNOW
Outback Aussie Pub Crawl by Air
Start: Bankstown Airport, Sydney
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Finish: Bankstown Airport, Sydney
Bourke, Tibooburra (Day 1), Innamincka, Birdsville (Day 2) Oodnadatta, William Creek (Day 3) Marree, Broken Hill (Day 4) Tilpa, Bankstown (Day 5)
PRIVATE DEPARTURES ONLY. Please contact us to request a quote.
Inclusions
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Private chartered aircraft transportation, fuel & airport fees throughout
- Services of a qualified pilot/s and tour director
- All accommodation as listed in the itinerary – in twin share rooms (double beds on request and en suite is usually available, however cannot be guaranteed in all rooms in all properties)
- Excursions & activities as per the itinerary (and as detailed below)
- Services of qualified and/or indigenous guides on all excursions
- Private transportation provided to and from daily excursions & accommodation
- National Park Fees & Permits for daily excursions
- Bottled water onboard the aircraft
Exclusions
- Transport to and from Bankstown Airport
- Additional food other than specified
- All alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation upgrades
- Any additional or optional excursions and/or transfers other than specified
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Items and/or purchases of a personal nature
- Any item not specified
Minimum – 10 travellers
Maximum – 11 travellers
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED IN YOUR ITINERARY :
SPECIAL DINNERS : Welcome Dinner at The Family Hotel, lunch date at the Innamincka Hotel, 2 course authentic Outback pub dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel, a lunch to remember at the licensed Pink Roadhouse on the famous Oodnadatta Track, drinks and dining with the locals at the William Creek Hotel, lunch at the heritage-listed sandstone Marree Hotel, dinner at the oldest pub in Broken Hill – the Broken Hill Pub – and lunch on the Darling River at the Tilpa Hotel.
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES : Fly across the Simpson Desert at an altitude providing the best views, and fastest way of seeing the thousands of sand dunes, Private tour of William Creek, Fly over Lake Eyre and the Marree Man in the comfort of your private air conditioned aircraft, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service base and museum at Broken Hill, after having flown over the Flinders Ranges and Lake Frome.
YOUR AIRCRAFT :
Travel is in a privately chartered Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop aircraft. Capable of landing on gravel and remote airfields, where other aircraft cannot, the Cessna Grand Caravan is a fast, reliable machine ideal for flying in the Australian Outback. The aircraft is operated by our trusted partners Outback by Air who hold an Air Operators Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). All highly experienced Outback by Air pilots carry a Commercial Pilots License. The Cessna Grand Caravan is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and impressive safety features. The interior is comfortable, climate controlled and has large windows, making inflight viewing a joy.
YOUR PILOTS & GUIDES
The Owners - Phil Hines & Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath (Partner) - Former international cricketer star and McGrath Foundation co-founder and president, Glenn McGrath is born and bred in country NSW and has always had a passion for the Australian Outback. By joining the team at Outback by Air, Glenn can combine his passion for flying and travel throughout The Australian Outback. He believes the iconic destinations we offer on our trips should be on everyone’s bucket list.
The Crew
The team includes Phil Hines, Andrew Hines, Natalie Tierney, James Branch and Joseph Hallam. The crew have a combined total of over 50,000 flying hours and extensive experience flying throughout the Outback and across the globe, having flown a large range of aircraft and worked at major Airlines. They pride themselves on providing a professional, safe and enjoyable experience for the guests.
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
