Scenic Flights
Arkaroola's Cessna 207 - 6 passenger scenic flight aircraft
To experience Arkaroola from the ground is amazing, however, to see it from the air is something different again!
Soar above the famous Mt Painter country in Arkaroola's own 6-passenger (7-seat), high-wing Cessna 207 with pilot Doug Sprigg, who has 30 years experience flying Arkaroola's skies.
Advanced Ecotourism Accredited Scenic Flights Available: 
Scenic Flight 1:
This 35-minute Arkaroola Sanctuary Flight will take you from the ancient sedimentary seabed layers of southern Arkaroola to the unruly granite and quartzite outcrops of Mt Gee, the Mawson Plateau and the Freeling Heights.
While taking in the spectacular vistas, listen to Doug's commentary on your personal headphones and learn about Arkaroola's geology, Aboriginal Dreaming stories and mining history.
Scenic Flight 2:
A 45-minute Lake Frome Flight that takes you east across the flood plains to the whitest salt lake in Australia. Shade your eyes from the flat crystalline expanse of kilometres of salt glinting in the sun, flanked by 20,000 year old sand dunes trapped forever in the Lake's crusty grasp, a relic of the time when central Australia was once an inland sea.
Scenic Flight 3:
Combine Scenic Flights 1 and 2 for a remarkable 75-minute flight above an Australian landscape filled with rugged contrasts.
Please see our Rates page for full pricing of all our Scenic Flight and Charter Charges.
Lake Eyre Scenic Flights:
February 2011: With the flood waters from the Cooper Creek now crossing the Birdsville Track, (and expected to peak again shortly following the massive Queensland floods) and water expected to flow into the northern sections of Laker Eyre North from the most recent floods (Neales and Peak Rivers, northern SA in Feb, 2011), now is the time to see Lake Eyre - it's a once-in-a-generation sight to behold!
Speak with Reception for more details.
Please Note: Routes for Lake Eyre flights are subject to change depending on the best locations that are available at the time of your flight. This will be discussed with you prior to departure and will only be done to ensure you obtain the best possible value for your flight.
Lake Eyre Flight No. 1 - 3.5 hours flight time:
Departing Arkaroola for Madigan Gulf on the east side of Lake Eyre North, tracking over the Ridgetop Track area of Arkaroola, Strzesleki Desert and Strzesleki Track, Birdsville Track and Tirari Desert. From Madigan Gulf we fly over the Hunt Peninsula to Belt Bay, flying high enough to look up along the Warburton Groove to view the inflow of water as it makes its way into Belt Bay. From here, in the south western part of the North Lake, we then fly south over Lake Eyre South to the Marree Man and then track east, returning to Arkaroola.
Cost (no stop-overs):
Based on 2 people: $940.00 per person
Based on 3 or more people: $695.00 per person
Lake Eyre Flight No. 2 - 4.5 hours flight time:
Same flight as above, covering the same countryside but additional landing for lunch at William Creek (a small railway settlement on the Oodnadatta Track near Anna Creek Station, the world's largest cattle station. Before starting our return journey, we fly over the magnificent Painted Hills break-away country. Note that meals are at passengers' own cost.
Cost (lunch at your cost):
Based on 2 people: $1095.00 per person
Based on 3 or more people: $795.00 per person
Both flights fly over Lake Eyre South and North - additional time can be added to fly over the Warburton Inlet, at the edge of the Simpson Desert if required.
Cooper Creek and Innamincka Flight 3 - 5 hours:
Fly to the magnificent Cooper Creek and Innamincka areas to view the once-in-a-generation flood plains of this remote area. The flight takes you over the Strzelcki Track, Moomba, overhead the Dig Tree and a stopover at Innamincka for lunch (meals at passengers' cost).
The inland floods really do have to be seen to be believed!
Cost (lunch at your cost):
Based on 2 people: $1200.00 per person
Based on 3 or more people: $1000.00 per person
Lake Eyre Flight No. 4 - 5.5 hours flight time:
- Depart Arkaroola and fly over the Ridgetop Track and Mawson Plateau area
- Fly north-north-west to the Cooper Creek crossing with the Birdsville Track
- Fly west along Cooper Creek towards Lake Eyre - then to Eric Island on the central eastern coastline of Lake Eyre
- Then track west-south-west via Hunt Peninsula and Babbage Peninsular to Belt Bay and Silcrete Island
- Track west to William Creek for lunch
- Return to Arkaroola via the Oodnadatta Track and various mound springs along the old Ghan Railway Line.
Cost (lunch at your cost):
Based on 2 people: $1650.00 per person
Based on 3 or more people: $1272.00 per person
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(Photos of Lake Eyre flood-waters courtesy Geoff Bennett)
The following photographs were taken by Doug Sprigg of Lake Eyre in June 2009:
Scenic Flights Further Afield:
Arkaroola airstrip is also a great launching pad for Other Outback Destinations. Design your own aviation adventure to spots such as the Burke and Wills Dig Tree on the banks of the Cooper Creek; the famous outback town of Birdsville; Lake Eyre, Australia's largest salt lake; or the Opal fields of Andamooka or Coober Pedy - all within reach with your customised flight plan.
Charter Flights:
Arkroola Airservices' Cessna 207 operates under an Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and is able to provide aerial charter services throughout much of South Australia (or indeed throughout Australia). Please contact our Chief Pilot, Douglas Sprigg, for further information by email to admin@arkaroola.com.au.
Please click here for current prices of our scenic flights and charters.
Tours :: Astronomical Tours :: Echo Camp Back Track :: Ridgetop Tours :: Waterhole Tours
The Armchair
near Ridgetop track
Lake Frome - one of many small islands
Sillers Lookout with Freeling Heights in Background
