Day 3 – Desert, Salt Lake, Desert, More Salt Lakes, Desert, Mountains
Birdsville Hotel Car slogan “We may be rough, but at least we’re expensive”. So is the AvGas! |
Woke up in Birdsville after finally getting a decent night’s sleep. I had felt shattered from only three hours sleep the night before.
There was a glorious blue sky and again, strong gusty winds. Brian and Linda left our party to head up to Bundeberg, Queensland. While our much reduced crew flew out over the arid Simpson Desert towards Lake Eyre in South Australia. The lake was rumoured to be full of water and brimming with birds. While it was great to cruise over Australia’s lowest point and largest lake, the rumours may have been exaggerated… There was a bit of water in North Lake Eyre and we did scare a few ducks.
Mouth of the Warburton River at Lake Eyre |
Pink algae blooms in the Lake Eyre salt crust |
Me and Tommy the refueler at Marree |
It was great to leave the cloud and strong winds behind. Although Pauly and I had radio chat for quite a while trying to work out where each other was flying. After constantly scanning the horizon we realised that he was flying about 1000 feet directly below me.
The scenery changed dramatically from desert to the spectacular Flinders Ranges. Approaching Wilpena Pound was an awesome sight, standing up like a monolith against all the other mountains. You really get an appreciation of the two mountain ranges that join to form a natural amphitheatre seeing them from the air.
Flying over the Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound |
Inside the amphitheatre of the Pound |
18 nautical miles from the pound to Hawker, we set up the plane on its glide slope and aimed for the airfield. I always love flying into these remote towns, some of which have the best airstrips – long and bitumen like Hawker.
Tomorrow we head to Mungo National Park to stay at the Mungo Eco Lodge, which has been recommended by some flying friends.
Over and Out