Robin and Barbara
They have owned their land here since '83, built in '89 and have lived permanently on our Island for the last 11 years, after they retired here from the Goulburn Valley.
Both have always been keen on flying and Robin built the Jabiru J 160 himself. Robin tells us that it took him about 1000 man hours to do so. (12 months, working on it most days)
They have owned their land here since '83, built in '89 and have lived permanently on our Island for the last 11 years, after they retired here from the Goulburn Valley.
Both have always been keen on flying and Robin built the Jabiru J 160 himself. Robin tells us that it took him about 1000 man hours to do so. (12 months, working on it most days)
Once again Robin and Barbara Collins are entertaining us with photos of their air travel
Enjoy
Flying from Bairnsdale aerodrome, where our Jabiru is hangered, to track north, we overfly the spectacular Victoria High Country between Mt Hotham and Mt Bogong, and arrive in Yarrawonga 2 hours later.
Flying further north, we see that the cotton dams around Bourke are full and the creek and river courses are ever so green. All the result of the floods this year.
East of Tibooburra, from 3500 feet above, in the middle of the red stony landscape, fresh water from the Bulloo River Overflow forms a huge lake which stretches to the north further than we can see.
Approaching Innamincka from the south, a wide line of green vegetation indicates the Cooper Creek and the many water holes and lakes are filled to overflowing. The roads in this area are impassable so Innamincka is missing its usual flood of tourists for this year. Turning south, we follow the Strzelecki Creek [it feeds off the Cooper at Innamincka} and see its water emptying into Lake Blanche.
The Northern Flinders Ranges are ahead and the early morning sun highlights the spectacular rugged mountains and gullies. After a 2 hour flight, we land at Arkaroola, the wildness sanctuary resort, in the Northern Flinders. We reflect on 12 months previous, when the drought ravaged far west Queensland.
Staying at the remote Kilcowera Station [where they were pushing over mulga to feed their few cattle], the outback Noccundra Pub, and many very small towns including Thargeminda and Quilpie, and the larger centres of Longreach and Roma, etc, it has given us special memories of station stays, outback pub stays and spending time with people living in the outback.
We have had the opportunity to see Australian history, oil and gas drilling sites from the air, the mines, the never ending mulga, channel country and deserts. After these wonderful experiences it is our own Lakes and Raymond Island we look forward to seeing from the air as we track south towards Bairnsdale.
Oct. 2010
The slide show is large. We have divided it into two for easier viewing. It takes some time to load
Flying further north, we see that the cotton dams around Bourke are full and the creek and river courses are ever so green. All the result of the floods this year.
East of Tibooburra, from 3500 feet above, in the middle of the red stony landscape, fresh water from the Bulloo River Overflow forms a huge lake which stretches to the north further than we can see.
Approaching Innamincka from the south, a wide line of green vegetation indicates the Cooper Creek and the many water holes and lakes are filled to overflowing. The roads in this area are impassable so Innamincka is missing its usual flood of tourists for this year. Turning south, we follow the Strzelecki Creek [it feeds off the Cooper at Innamincka} and see its water emptying into Lake Blanche.
The Northern Flinders Ranges are ahead and the early morning sun highlights the spectacular rugged mountains and gullies. After a 2 hour flight, we land at Arkaroola, the wildness sanctuary resort, in the Northern Flinders. We reflect on 12 months previous, when the drought ravaged far west Queensland.
Staying at the remote Kilcowera Station [where they were pushing over mulga to feed their few cattle], the outback Noccundra Pub, and many very small towns including Thargeminda and Quilpie, and the larger centres of Longreach and Roma, etc, it has given us special memories of station stays, outback pub stays and spending time with people living in the outback.
We have had the opportunity to see Australian history, oil and gas drilling sites from the air, the mines, the never ending mulga, channel country and deserts. After these wonderful experiences it is our own Lakes and Raymond Island we look forward to seeing from the air as we track south towards Bairnsdale.
Oct. 2010
The slide show is large. We have divided it into two for easier viewing. It takes some time to load
Here is the story of another trip.
We thank Robin and Barbara for sharing their trip with us
We thank Robin and Barbara for sharing their trip with us
" With the news that Lake Eyre was filling with water, we decided to fly there " and they did in their ultralight aircraft, a Jabiru J 160, to see this amazing sight.
Our track took us via Broken Hill, over Lake Frome to the Northern Flinders Ranges. Early, on a clear May morning, after refueling at Arkaroola, we set our track to Hughes Island in Lake Eyre North.
Below us we watched the ever-changing scenery, from the dramatic Flinders Ranges, to the dry flat outback, over the Strezlecki and Birdsville Tracks, dry river courses and the occasional homestead.
The line of Lake Eyre appeared on the horizon and gradually emerged into an enormous expanse of water, approx.80 km wide and 150km long. Below us were various shades of blue, changing to pink near the edge, where it was surrounded by a white salt rim. All this was set in a harsh area of stony rises and an arid landscape.
Below us we watched the ever-changing scenery, from the dramatic Flinders Ranges, to the dry flat outback, over the Strezlecki and Birdsville Tracks, dry river courses and the occasional homestead.
The line of Lake Eyre appeared on the horizon and gradually emerged into an enormous expanse of water, approx.80 km wide and 150km long. Below us were various shades of blue, changing to pink near the edge, where it was surrounded by a white salt rim. All this was set in a harsh area of stony rises and an arid landscape.
Lake Eyre
Our track took us on to William Creek ( flight time was 1 hr 36 min.).Then after a short break, we continued on to Coober Pedy, overflying Anna Creek Station which is the largest cattle station in the world.
Several days later we returned over Lake Eyre South, passing above a large area of water and seeing a flock of pelicans in flight. ( Coober Pedy to Marree flight time - 3hrs.)
On landing at Marree we were amazed at the number of tourists. Tourist flights by General Aviation aircraft were both single and twin engine, high or low winged.
An Air Van, built at Traralgon was one of the larger aircraft, carrying 8 persons. Flights out of Coober Pedy, Marree and William Creek were in operation continuously all day with a waiting list of up to 48 hours.
Accommodation was at a premium with beds in the hallway of the pub.
On our homeward flight we passed by Yarra Glen where the hot air balloons were aloft - what a great end to our trip. "
June 09
To see their 2011 trip to
LARK QUARRY DINOSAUR TRACKWAYS
LARK QUARRY DINOSAUR TRACKWAYS
