Flying the Outback

06/12/2025

Good luck, Graeme. You’ve earnt a rest. What a classic, special pub this one was. A stopover night in Hungerford has been a staple on our trips for 20 years. Always fun, great outback hospitality. Can’t believe I even got used to having a shower with 25 frogs. Come on, publicans, bring the old girl back to life.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1306156558194316&set=a.369030855240229&type=3

🍺📢 PUB CLOSURE 🍺📢

A historic pub on the Qld-NSW border has closed its doors until a new owner is found. 🗝️

The Royal Mail Hotel in Hungerford was established in 1873 and was a staging post for Cobb & Co Coaches, quenching travellers, stockmen and the local community's thirst for more than 150 years.

While owner Graham Finch and his partner are moving on, there are still caretakers living on the premise and accommodation can still be booked.

Owner Graham Finch said it's time for a change of lifestyle.

"Pub wise we've called it quits, we're mid seventies and that getting too old and we've been there 15 years now," Mr Finch said.

He's optimistic the pub will sell but wants to find the right kind of owner.

"You've got to have hands on people...it can't be run from a distance that doesn't work."

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26/04/2025

Well, that’s Day 1 of our safari - done and dusted. Mother Nature kept things interesting for us … plenty of weather forecasting to pick apart before we took off in clear skies from the beautiful wine country of Mudgee.

As predicted, we copped the southern corner of that pesky frontal system, and layers of cloud soon stole our sunshine. We took advantage of a seamless IFR route across NSW, and were finally greeted with great views of the Murray as we passed Mildura. Overnight tonight at Wentworth meant we got to pay a visit to one of Australia’s coolest little waterways - the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers. Hope you enjoy the pics.

25/04/2025

Who’s ready for a fly? Come along for the ride as we take off tomorrow morning to knock off 3,650 miles of pretty remote Australia. This one’s a girl’s trip as we head over to Busselton, near Perth, for the Australian Women Pilot’s Conference. 4 overnight stays to get there, 4 days of muckin up with about 150 other pilots, then the home run. Let’s see how we go!

13/04/2025

At long last … the Prairie pub at Parachilna has just announced their airstrip (literally across the road!) is finally open for business. Give them a ring and get on out there!

Here's a pub in the outback that's a fantastic blend of grit and gourmet, is easy to fly to, and adds a new reverence to social sundowners. In my books, if you're going to be flying around our outback, it's my solemn duty to offer some valuable respite from those parched miles in the cockpit. Lord k...

30/03/2025

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-31/floodwater-outback-qld-helicopters-drop-supplies/105114730?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

Graziers say more aviation fuel is desperately needed as helicopters play a key role in evacuations, supply drops, and mustering.