The Oaks (NSW) - Serpentine (WA)

[Geoff_H]

Outback  flying at 10,000ft can be bumpy.  I am told by a reliable source that over 11,000 is often required,  even in winter time.

[Love to fly]

Okay, probably a bit (lot)verbose.  But typed up for a friend after we got home last year.  We carry life jackets as fly over Bass Strait a couple of times a year.  Used them Aldinga to Port Pirie, and for a fairly brief low level flight along the Bunda Cliffs.  As before we use a Zoleo.  Love it!  Lets me message  a couple of reliable friends with my flight plan, fuel, pax, ETA's etc.  They can track me. I can send alerts, or actual messages.  I used to use a SPOT tracker but upgraded to the Zoleo awhile back as it lets me send/receive more info.  ie.  I've broken a nose wheel (never happened), rather than pressing an emergency button and not being able to say what the emergency is.  
 

8/2/2024  Departed and refuelled Warracknabeal.  Need to ring day prior.  Easy as. 
Warracknabeal – Aldinga.  Had arranged hangarage $15 per night.  Cafe at airport is good, but not open all day.  Stayed with friends for a few nights

Aldinga to Tumby Bay.  Stayed with friends 2 nights. Had planned 1 but wx at Ceduna meant we stayed over.  Drove around Port Lincoln & Coffin Bay.  Oysters in vending machines!

Tumby Bay to Ceduna.  2 nights because we wanted to do the Smoky Bay Oyster Farm Tour.  Hire car pre-arranged to pick up cat at Ceduna.  Local has tie downs & a phone call meant we could use these rather than put stakes in in the heat.  Much appreciated.  Oyster Farm Tour was awesome.

Ceduna to Nullarbor – refuel and lunch.  Then onto Caiguna for the night.  Rang both first to check runways okay and fuel available.

Caiguna to Myrup.  Met friends and got lift into town.  Really hard to find accommodation.  Friends dropped us back at plane the next morning.  Flew to Esperance & refuelled.  Then onto Albany. Had planned to spend a couple of days at Albany but weather was in 42 degrees there, and 49 degrees at Jurien Bay where we were heading.  Hung about sight seeing for 5 nights till the temperature was in the high 30s at Albany and around 43 at Jurien Bay.  Departed IFR due low cloud for a refuel at Northam, then on to Jurien Bay VFR.  Had pre-arranged fuel & hangarage at Jurien Bay.  Hangar really appreciated as it was HOT.  Sent a week with family.  Pinnacles worth seeing and flying over.

Then back via Northam to Albany where other friends were picking us up for a few days.  Left plane tied down on the Apron. Stayed at Nornalup/Walpole.  Absolutely beautiful area.  Different to everywhere else we’d been this trip, more like being back in East Gippsland.  The WoW boat tour is a must.  Best of its kind we’ve been on.  Informative and fun. https://wowwilderness.com.au/ecocruises/

Then tried online & on phone to get Esperance accommodation for the trip home.  One BnB 18 kms out of town had a room for $800. That was it.  Helfpul lady from the information centre said almost impossible, nil vacancy rate September through to May.  Also told me taxi from Esperance to Airport would be over a $100 each way.  Hmm.  Flew to Esperance, refuelled and headed to Kalgoorlie.  Great accommodation in modern hotel.  Large clean room $110 and short cheap taxi ride to and from the airport.  Had originally planned Esperance – Caiguna -Forrest.  But it had started raining at Caiguna and we were advised we may get in, but unlikely to get out so ….

Departed IFR next morning for Forrest.  Low clouds for about 20 minutes then cleared.  We’d prearranged accommodation  ages ago.  Definitely worth a night there.  Flew on to Ceduna the next morning.  Luckily we left early as front came through and Forrest was isolated for a couple of weeks with heavy rain.

Arrived in Ceduna.  Refuelled.  Had to put stakes in the ground, and it was really hot out there.  Marty gave us a lift to the Motel.  Motel dropped us back the next morning.

Flew Ceduna to Port Pirie.  I’d decided tie down cables/points were essential in the heat and Port Pirie has them!  Even better when I rang to check the ARO said he’d meet us there and we could put the plane in the hangar over night.   He then dropped us off to a motel.  Good place to visit!

Next day flew Port Pirie to home, via refuelling at Swan Hill

[Geoff_H]

Ceduna has lots of fish spotting cowboys.  A delta 3 landing strip's will have them landing in your missed approach area.  Not so comfortable.  They will make sure that they get to the bowser before you.

[facthunter]

Yes. it's a Popular place for Fishing. That's one of the reasons accommodation can be scarce, there. Nev

[FlyBoy1960]

Alright — based on your Sonex Legacy’s performance, your fuel preferences, and your desire for 2–3 hr legs with interesting stops, I’ve mapped out a suggested coastal-leaning route from The Oaks to Serpentine, WA, avoiding significant overwater except the short hop across northern Spencer Gulf.

I’ve also aimed for airfields with MOGAS (95–98 RON) availability or good nearby access, overnight options, and interesting stopovers.

---

Proposed Route — The Oaks to Serpentine (WA)

Leg 1: The Oaks (YSKC) → Temora (YTEM)

• Distance: ~165 NM

• Flight time: ~1 hr 20 min

• Fuel: MOGAS available on-field

• Why stop: Aviation museum, welcoming GA community

Leg 2: Temora → Mildura (YMIA)

• Distance: ~205 NM

• Flight time: ~1 hr 35 min

• Fuel: MOGAS available nearby (contact aero club)

• Why stop: Large regional hub, good overnight & meal options

Leg 3: Mildura → Renmark (YREN)

• Distance: ~115 NM

• Flight time: ~55 min

• Fuel: MOGAS available (check with Renmark Aero Club)

• Why stop: Murray River scenery, small friendly airfield

Leg 4: Renmark → Port Augusta (YPAG) (short Spencer Gulf hop)

• Distance: ~195 NM

• Flight time: ~1 hr 35 min

• Fuel: MOGAS nearby (requires jerry cans)

• Why stop: Gateway to the Eyre Peninsula, decent accommodation options

Leg 5: Port Augusta → Ceduna (YCDU)

• Distance: ~210 NM

• Flight time: ~1 hr 40 min

• Fuel: MOGAS availability can vary — call ahead

• Why stop: Coastal scenery, oysters & seafood

Leg 6: Ceduna → Nullarbor Roadhouse (YNULL)

• Distance: ~295 NM

• Flight time: ~2 hrs 20 min

• Fuel: Only AVGAS — likely your first unavoidable AVGas stop

• Why stop: Iconic Nullarbor location, cliffs nearby

Leg 7: Nullarbor Roadhouse → Caiguna (YCAG)

• Distance: ~280 NM

• Flight time: ~2 hrs 10 min

• Fuel: AVGAS only

• Why stop: Long straight Eyre Highway stretch, easy access to accommodation

Leg 8: Caiguna → Esperance (YESP)

• Distance: ~260 NM

• Flight time: ~2 hrs

• Fuel: MOGAS possible via local contacts

• Why stop: Stunning beaches, great for a rest day if weather’s good

Leg 9: Esperance → Albany (YABA)

• Distance: ~180 NM

• Flight time: ~1 hr 25 min

• Fuel: MOGAS possible through aero club

• Why stop: Coastal scenery, historic whaling station, good overnight

Leg 10: Albany → Serpentine (YSEN)

• Distance: ~160 NM

• Flight time: ~1 hr 20 min

• Fuel: MOGAS in Perth area

• Why stop: Destination! Serpentine Airfield is a big recreational flying hub

---

Route Summary

• Total Distance: ~2,065 NM (~3,825 km)

• Flight Days: 5–7 days comfortable pace

• MOGAS Stops: Temora, Mildura, Renmark, Esperance, Albany (plus possible others with jerry can use)

• AVGAS-only Stops: Nullarbor, Caiguna (unless fuel drops arranged in advance)

• Overnights Recommended: Mildura, Port Augusta, Ceduna, Caiguna, Esperance

 

 

Straight from Chat GPT.

 

Edited Monday at 01:01 AM by FlyBoy1960

[skippydiesel]

WOWEEE! !!!!

 

FlyBoy 1960 you have had fun with this. Great work, will take it all on board, along with the preceding comets by others.

 

Much 😈

 

 

[rgmwa]

Caiguna and Nullarbor Roadhouse have Mogas.

[rgmwa]

Serpentine has avgas and mogas bowsers on the field.

[Moneybox]

1 minute ago, rgmwa said:

Serpentine has avgas and mogas bowsers on the field.

And when I checked it out 12 months back Mogas was cheaper than the prices at the local service station.

[chrsq]

I have a strip on my farm, 10 mile to the NW of Katanning WA (OZMCA on Ozrunways). 

 

If needed, i can offer ULP95 and a vehicle to drive to Katanning for accommodation. My neighbor has a bed and breakfast which can be booked if available.

 

Happy to help with anything else you may need on your journey.

 

BTW, I did the Nullabor a couple of years ago with Will Owen when i purchase my Sportstar, he is currently in the UK.

[skippydiesel]

Hi Chrsq,

 

Sir you encapsulation all the characteristics I hope to find our Forum members.

 

Your generous offer is being added to my summary of this Thread.

 

😈

 

[rgmwa]

Is OZMCA correct? Could just be me but it seems to be in Qld close to the gulf according to Qzrunways.

[skippydiesel]

So using OzRunways I have drafted a plan. The draft is likly to be subject to many adjustments before settling on the final Plan.

 

I started by just putting in the start (definite point of departure) The Oaks, NSW  and the proposed termination, Serpentine, WA.

 

I then moved the magenta line to variose airfields, at a very rough  1-3 hr flight  interval Note: Many of these airfields will be fly over or fuel stop only. 

 

This is what I have now;

 

The Oaks -Griffith- Mildura-Renmark-Port Pirie-Streaky Bay-Ceduna-Coorabie-Nullarbour Motel-Border Village-Mundrabilla Hills-Madura-Cocklebiddy-Joh Eyre Motel-Myrup--Katanning- Ravensthorpe-Albany-Manjimup-Augusta- Margaret River- Busselton- Bunbury-Serpentine

 

Flyboys suggestion will be incorporated one way or another - I would ask pilots with knowledge of the variose locations to ;

• Comment Fuel (ULP) /Accommodation/ Points of interest
• Contact phone numbers for Clubs

After I finalise "The Plan", I will work on the return trip - if doable, via an inland rout.

 

The Oaks field currently waterlogged (taxi with 100mm tail wheel problematic) Long range forecast not looking so great - Gives me time to recover from COVID

😈

[coljones]

15 hours ago, chrsq said:

I have a strip on my farm, 10 mile to the NW of Katanning WA (OZMCA on Ozrunways). 

 

If needed, i can offer ULP95 and a vehicle to drive to Katanning for accommodation. My neighbor has a bed and breakfast which can be booked if available.

 

Happy to help with anything else you may need on your journey.

 

BTW, I did the Nullabor a couple of years ago with Will Owen when i purchase my Sportstar, he is currently in the UK.

OZMRC Marracoonda?

[chrsq]

2 hours ago, coljones said:

OZMRC Marracoonda?

Sorry, yes OZMRC is correct. My bad.

 

[chrsq]

5 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Hi Chrsq,

 

Sir you encapsulation all the characteristics I hope to find our Forum members.

 

Your generous offer is being added to my summary of this Thread.

 

😈

 

Thank you, this offer is open to everyone, even just to drop in and say hi or stretch you legs if passing by.

 

We are hoping to build some type of small accommodation in the near future for overnight stays and possibly provide some self cook/heat meals. 

[skippydiesel]

Anyone intersted in "Flying in Company" for whole or part,  trans Australia ????

[Moneybox]

4 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Anyone intersted in "Flying in Company" for whole or part,  trans Australia ????

 

Yeah but I'm a bit like an emu, got wings but can't fly 🙃

[facthunter]

Someone else you have to watch. Nev

[Love to fly]

17 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Anyone intersted in "Flying in Company" for whole or part,  trans Australia ????

When are you looking at going? 

[skippydiesel]

26 minutes ago, Love to fly said:

When are you looking at going? 

As soon as there is a reasonable weather window AND I have shaken off my COVID infection.😈

[skippydiesel]

OzRunways Planning Question

 

As stated above - have developed a whole of trip plan in OzRunways.

 

The questions;

• Is it better to break up the plan into one day segments?

OR

• Leave as is?

 

Whatever your answer please add rational - Thanks

😈

 

[turboplanner]

One day segments; long trips can be through multiple, and different, weather sequences, and sometimes different every 2 or 3 hours.

Edited yesterday at 12:22 AM by turboplanner

[facthunter]

Going East. you can often outrun the weather Pattern at 120 Kts but you must still secure the Plane when on the ground. High wind speeds at Low levels are becoming more common in the South West. Watch how the weather Patterns move from now till you start. The General Movement is From WNW to ESE. Precipitation will normally come from around Broome  when you are west of central SA.  once you are as far east as Kalgoorlie. approx.. Nev

[Love to fly]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

As soon as there is a reasonable weather window AND I have shaken off my COVID infection.😈

Get well and enjoy the trip. We've the Lockhart flyin, Tocumwal Airshow, Flinders Island trip in next 8 weeks so not this time.