A Long Weekend in the Outback by Private Plane

We board our private aircraft in Brisbane and set off on our special long weekend. Our plane soon touches down in Birdsville, and we take a short walk to the iconic Birdsville Hotel. Following a relaxed lunch, and an accompanying beer or two, we continue on our way. Our plane crosses the vast Simpson Desert, a seemingly endless expanse of uninhabited landscape, alternating between rich, red dunes and swathes of barren, brown terrain. 

Upon touching down, we are escorted to our accommodation, Sails in the Desert, which features views of Uluru. We take the rest of the afternoon at leisure to acquaint ourselves with our spectacular surroundings. As dusk approaches, we adjourn to a reserved location atop a dune that overlooks Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Here, we sample canapes and sparkling wine, before dining on an exquisite meal during a private Field of Light dinner. The space around Uluru gradually illuminates, courtesy of thousands of tiny, coloured globes, while the sounds of a didgeridoo firmly ground us in this magical outback setting. Afterwards, our host directs our eyes toward the night sky and reveals the relationship between the various stars, planets and galaxies before a perfectly clear sky.

Before the heat of the day sets in, spend the morning exploring the rugged Outback on foot. Take the Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge. Along the way, visit caves where the Mala people once camped and admire their rock art. We then join our Indigenous guide to delve into Anangu culture. Learn about the symbols and painting styles employed by local artists, then further your introduction to the form as you create your very own piece of art during a Maruku Arts dot-painting workshop. Our guide also shares traditional stories of the Anangu people, highlighting their connection to this ancient and extraordinary land. 

After lunch, take the rest of the day at leisure or follow trails through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to admire the 36 colossal domes of Kata Tjuta. At Walpa Gorge, the towering walls of the two largest domes provide a sheltered haven for rare plants. 

This evening, dine within Ilkari Restaurant at our accommodation. Enjoy international cuisine, augmented by Indigenous flavours, courtesy of our talented chef.

We begin our gradual journey east this morning, as our private plane soars over the desert once more. On arrival in Longreach, we take in the sights of this iconic town. Dive into the history of our flag carrier at the Qantas Founders Museum, where aviation enthusiasts will appreciate its historic collection of planes. While here, we celebrate our journey during lunch, within view of some of the airline’s landmark aircraft. Rejoining our private plane, our final leg sees us returning to Brisbane, where our journey concludes.