SPA AND STATION AND RUNWAY DINNER FLY AWAY

I have been busy trying to put this small flyaway together but I ran into a series of issues with my original plans. However, I’ve finally have come up with a trip that has everything from soaking in hot natural springs and investigating Lightning Ridge to a few nights stay on Ray Station, exploring this vast historic station and dinner around the campfires. Owned by a descendant of the Durack Family, the station has its own airstrip so you land and taxi up to the campfire and have two nights there. This is followed by a night at Winton staying at the famous North Gregory Hotel and can experience the Dinosaur tour or a Sunset tour and drinks at one of the jump-ups that surround the channel country. The best end to a trip for aviation lovers will be a Runway Dinner in the Whitsundays with music and a full sit-down dinner under the stars at Shute Harbour in the middle of the runway.

It is truly a trip that has everything for the complete aviation enthusiast - flying remote over channel country, landing on an outback station and then flying to the beautiful Whitsundays to meet the blue seas.

I have put together the trip schedule below and a few costs that will give everybody an idea of what to expect and also a few ideas of flying distances. But I have thought about most aircraft ranges and speeds, so the maximum is a 400nm leg from Winton to Shute Harbour.

I suggest that it will be “first in best dressed” as I would like to keep it to a maximum of 10 -12 aircraft because of logistics issues the higher the numbers get. I have had two couples place their names for the original trip from the Newsletter and they are yet to see this new itinerary but I suggest they will not drop out when I take out a camel farm and give you a Runway Dinner in the Whitsundays. So read on and have a look at the trip below and the websites and give me a call if you need to know more. I ask that persons wanting to definitely come along email me with your names of those coming along, aircraft type and contact details so I have a formal acceptance and date received if the trip fills quickly. A $200.00 deposit will be required to lock your spots in. Vicki and myself look forward to meeting up with all who come along and transporting you through our beautiful country to the sea.

Day one Sunday 17th June 2018

Arrive Lightning Ridge 2-3 pm and transport to the accommodation and have a walk along the main street followed by a Meet and Greet Dinner at the Lightning Ridge RSL.

Day 2 Monday 18th June 2018

Breakfast in the main street café followed by being transported to the Hot Springs and soaking for a couple of hours to remove all the aches and pains. In the afternoon we have a tour of the Lightning Ridge fields followed by sunset drinks in the opal fields or at “The Castle”.

Dinner this night will be at Bruno’s Italian Restaurant.

Day 3 Tuesday 19th June (Lightning Ridge >Charleville 225nm>Ray station 137nm)

Depart for Ray Station and I suggest we go via Charleville and have a look at the Observatory which is near the airport, have some light refreshment at the airport’s Feuler’s Kiosk and then head off to Ray Station to arrive there by 3pm.

Once at Rays Station we have afternoon tea provided and can then settle into our rooms. A three-course meal will be provided and beforehand we get to sit around the campfire with guitar and poetry, and maybe some piano. After all this I reckon you’ll be ready for bed.

Bring your own alcohol and soft drinks for the duration of visit.

Accommodation and meals $300pp for the two nights

All meals are hand made by Sandra & her husband Mark. Certain dietary requirements aren’t possible to be catered for due to the station’s location and availability of special food.

Day 4 Wednesday 20th June

Today is a very full day. After a fully cooked breakfast, ‘The Tully-Durack story’ will commence at the homestead. After a sit-down lunch in the dining room we visit the family cemetery, some rock holes, and even have time for some fossicking. Afternoon tea is out in the bush camp that has been set up. After returning we get to relax, shower and get ready for another three-course dinner. After dinner, we will get to see a film that Mark will talk us through to cement the Durack story from this morning.

The next morning we get to enjoy another hot breakfast before departure.

All meals, tours and entertainment are conducted by Mark & Sandra Tully, the owners of Ray Station.

Day 5 Thursday 21st (Winton 225nm)

We depart for Winton, trying to make sure we are all in at Winton at the North Gregory Hotel by 12pm so we can take our tour of the Dinosaur country/sunset tour.

We will return back to the hotel after the tour for a few drinks and dinner.

Accommodation $100.00 a night

Tour $85.00p

Day 6 Friday 22nd June (Shute Harbour 341nm)

Depart Winton and fly into Whitsunday Airport and get settled at the Heart Hotel in the main street of Airlie beach.

Dinner this night will be a free night to investigate the millions of options that are within walking distance of our hotel.

Accommodation $250.00 per night

Runway dinner $95.00pp

Saturday 23rd June

This is a free day to perhaps spend on Hamilton island or join in on the airport fly-out over the barrier reef islands.

After your day in the sun or flying get dressed and head out for the Giant Runway Dinner that is a sit down three-course meal. You can buy your drinks out there and I will do my best to book some transport for the night.

Sunday 24th June

Time to go home or enjoy the barrier reef or head up to the tip and extend your tour, planning your route home through places you have never been before like Bundaberg for the Rum Factory tour or Frazer Island. Whatever you do it will be a lot of fun after our flyaway and the experiences will stay with you. Then you can get ready to come along again to Longreach for our AGM.

So come and join me on this fabulous flyaway and I look forward to booking all those that choose to come along.

Dave Ind

0417887010