The Red Centre - Outback Australia

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Robin
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The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Hello

Whilst Jane was working in Whyalla I had the opportunity to do some work in Alice Springs.

It was an opportunity to fly my DA 40 XLS on a long trip through some very remote areas of central Australia. So remote that is classified as a Designated Remote Area. You have to lodge a flight plan, nominate a SARTIME or SAR WATCH, and carry 10 litres of water per person, emergency rations and an ELT.

Stopped for fuel at Oodnadatta. Population 150 people. The train line closed about 20 years ago, so now a tourist stop for 4 wheel drivers doing the famous Oodnadatta track.

As expected the DA 40 performed beautifully. Its too easy to fly with the GPS, so I kept a close visual navigational fixes with the WAC chart. There is not much to see out there.

Approaching Alice Springs the visability quickly dropped due to smoke haze from bush fires. I upgraded to IFR as I was now in radio range again with ATC.

Some photos are attached.

Regards

Robin
Attachments
The old terminal building at YOOD.  Now derelict
The old terminal building at YOOD. Now derelict
DSC02915.JPG (144.85 KiB) Viewed 3421 times
The refuelling truck at YOOD - Oodnadatta.  You call in by radio, no mobile or cell service for at least 400 kms around here
The refuelling truck at YOOD - Oodnadatta. You call in by radio, no mobile or cell service for at least 400 kms around here
DSC02913.JPG (159.44 KiB) Viewed 3421 times
The outback
The outback
DSC02910.JPG (105.43 KiB) Viewed 3421 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Some more photos
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The airstrip at YOOD
The airstrip at YOOD
DSC02940.JPG (145.17 KiB) Viewed 3421 times
The township of Oodnadatta, population of 150
The township of Oodnadatta, population of 150
DSC02933.JPG (147.08 KiB) Viewed 3421 times
The Oodnadatta Track.  Quite a famous outback track.  Originally for livestock - cattle transport
The Oodnadatta Track. Quite a famous outback track. Originally for livestock - cattle transport
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Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Flying into Alice Springs
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My MFD with the map page opened with a large zoom.  Note Australia upside down heading south from Alice Springs to Oodnadatta
My MFD with the map page opened with a large zoom. Note Australia upside down heading south from Alice Springs to Oodnadatta
DSC02929.JPG (140.56 KiB) Viewed 3422 times
The Todd River that flows through Alice Springs.
The Todd River that flows through Alice Springs.
DSC02922.JPG (143.95 KiB) Viewed 3422 times
Short Final Runway 30 Alice Springs. Note the numerous bugs, lots around because of the unseasonal high rainfall.
Short Final Runway 30 Alice Springs. Note the numerous bugs, lots around because of the unseasonal high rainfall.
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Robin
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Some more photos
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The salt lakes still have some water from the unseasonal rainfall that has broken the long term drought in the outback.
The salt lakes still have some water from the unseasonal rainfall that has broken the long term drought in the outback.
DSC02949.JPG (140.81 KiB) Viewed 3422 times
A huge  freight train, I think this must have been at least a kilometre long.
A huge freight train, I think this must have been at least a kilometre long.
DSC02948.JPG (152.98 KiB) Viewed 3422 times
As I was leaving Alice Springs, about 10 Cessna 210s departed at the same time, flying out to various regions of the outback.  This one came south with me to Oodnadatta.
As I was leaving Alice Springs, about 10 Cessna 210s departed at the same time, flying out to various regions of the outback. This one came south with me to Oodnadatta.
DSC02939.JPG (144.78 KiB) Viewed 3422 times
Robin
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Some photos from around Alice Springs
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The Todd River
The Todd River
Alice Todd 2.jpg (116.14 KiB) Viewed 3415 times
The Gap in the MacDonnell Ranges.  Looking South from Anzac Hill.
The Gap in the MacDonnell Ranges. Looking South from Anzac Hill.
Alice the gap 2.jpg (74.92 KiB) Viewed 3415 times
Sunset looking out from Anzac Hill
Sunset looking out from Anzac Hill
Alice 1.jpg (107.03 KiB) Viewed 3415 times
Robin
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

The Todd River rarely flows. However there is an Alice Springs Yacht club. Each year there is the Henley on Todd Regatta. Because there is no water, the "boats" are open bottomed and are raced by foot down the river. Any excuse for a beer!!
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Alice Todd4.jpg
Alice Todd4.jpg (167.84 KiB) Viewed 3414 times
Alice todd.jpg
Alice todd.jpg (146.53 KiB) Viewed 3414 times
Robin
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Alice Springs airport has a lot of security as USAF planes regularly fly in to service Pine Gap - a communications base nearby.

It was a busy airport as lots of aircraft were departing to various cattle stations around Alice Springs.
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The choppers are used for cattle mustering..
The choppers are used for cattle mustering..
Sunrise 4.jpg (67.07 KiB) Viewed 3414 times
The tarmac awakening...
The tarmac awakening...
Sunrise3.jpg (64.72 KiB) Viewed 3414 times
Sunrise at YBAS - Alice Springs
Sunrise at YBAS - Alice Springs
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Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
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Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Just to give you an idea how far away we are down under in Australia
Attachments
So far away.
So far away.
Alice 4.jpg (208.11 KiB) Viewed 3414 times
Alice.jpg
Alice.jpg (217.88 KiB) Viewed 3414 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
User avatar
Robin
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Re: The Red Centre - Outback Australia

Post by Robin »

Unfortunately I did not have time to fly out to Uluru - Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta - The Olgas. Some mates of mine plan to take my DA 40, Darren's Cessna 172, and Darryn's Piper Archer out to Uluru next year.

I was fortunate to go to a conference there earlier this year, and here are some photos from the previous trip.

Regards


Robin
Attachments
Sunset at Kata Tjuta.
Sunset at Kata Tjuta.
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Kata Tjuta - the Olgas.
Kata Tjuta - the Olgas.
DSC02596.JPG (146.44 KiB) Viewed 3413 times
Uluru - Ayers Rock
Uluru - Ayers Rock
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Robin
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Robin
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Another Outback Trip Planned

Post by Robin »

Some mates of mine and I plan to escape the winter chills of Melbourne by flying up to White Cliffs, see my previous post on White Cliffs

Based in White Cliffs we plan to so some day trips...

Day Trip 1 to the Burke and Wills Dig Tree - http://bluegumpictures.com.au/collectio ... rve073.php
Lunch on the way back at Noccundra Hotel - here you taxi your plane right up to the front of teh hotel, you need to obey the right roads! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noccundra,_Queensland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noccundra,_Queensland

Day Trip 2 to Cameron Corner – the junction of 3 states: South Australia, New South Wales & Queensland http://visitoutbacknsw.com/cameron-corner-nsw.htmlhttp://visitoutbacknsw.com/cameron-corner-nsw.html
Lunch at Tibooburra ; http://visitoutbacknsw.com/tibooburra-outback-nsw.html
Attachments
Screen Shot of the WAC - world aeronautical chart - for the trip from White cliffs to the Dig tree and then lunch at the Noccundra Hotel
Screen Shot of the WAC - world aeronautical chart - for the trip from White cliffs to the Dig tree and then lunch at the Noccundra Hotel
Trip White cliffs to dig tree to Noccundra Hotel.png (346.11 KiB) Viewed 3112 times
Screen shot for the flight plan for this trip from White Cliffs to Cameron Corner then to Tibooburra
Screen shot for the flight plan for this trip from White Cliffs to Cameron Corner then to Tibooburra
Cameron Corner Flight Plan.png (44.98 KiB) Viewed 3112 times
Screen Shot of the WAC for the trip to Cameron Corner and Tibooburra.
Screen Shot of the WAC for the trip to Cameron Corner and Tibooburra.
Trip Cameron Corner.png (348.31 KiB) Viewed 3112 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
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