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Air Safari 2027

Darwin · Daly Waters · Cairns

Register Your Interest

Top End to Tropical North Air Safari

Expressions of interest are now open for the Ansett Aviation Air Safari 2027. The safari departs Emkaytee Airfield in Darwin, stops overnight at Daly Waters, then crosses the Gulf Country to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland.

Once in Cairns, members can join a deep sea fishing charter, go diving, take a reef tour or fly around Cairns.

Whether you're a newly licensed pilot building hours or a seasoned aviator keen to see the Outback alongside fellow pilots, this safari is made for you.

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Pilot and passenger in an Ansett Aviation helicopter cockpit

You Fly the Outback. They Fly Commercial.

Most pilots never get to fly across the top of Australia, and most families don't want to spend two days in a helicopter getting there. This trip suits both.

THE PILOTS

Fly the Outback legs with the group, from Emkaytee through Daly Waters to Cairns, in one of our aircraft or your own.

THE FAMILY

Partners and kids book a commercial flight to Cairns with no long day in the back seat. They can arrive ahead of you and settle in.

TOGETHER IN CAIRNS

When we land you meet up, and from then on the helicopter is part of the family holiday.

Choose Your Aircraft

Travelling members can choose from our range of R22s, R44s and a Cessna 172, or bring your own aircraft.

Robinson R22

2 seats

The classic two-seat trainer. Economical to fly and ideal for building hours.

Robinson R44

4 seats

More room for pilots to share the legs and the costs between them.

Cessna 172

4 seats · Fixed wing

Prefer fixed wing? Fly the safari in our four-seat Cessna 172.

Your Own Aircraft

Helicopter or aeroplane

Bring your own aircraft and fly with the group.

Share the Flying

Team up with fellow pilots and split the legs between you. It cuts down costs and you share the experience.

Fly It All Yourself

Fly every leg from Darwin to Cairns yourself and log valuable cross-country navigation hours.

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The Route

Air Safari 2027 route map: Emkaytee, Katherine, Daly Waters, Borroloola, Hells Gate, Burketown, Normanton, Georgetown, Mareeba, Cairns

Tap or click the map to enlarge. Map for illustration only, not for navigation. Outbound route to Cairns approx. 1,900 km; return routing to be confirmed.

Stage 1 · ~480 km

Emkaytee to Daly Waters

Depart our main base south of Darwin and fly south via Katherine into the Outback. We overnight at Daly Waters, one of the Territory's best-known Outback stops.

Emkaytee → Katherine → Daly Waters

Stage 2 · ~1,420 km

Daly Waters to Cairns

Head east across the Gulf Country and over the Great Dividing Range, then descend to the coast at Cairns.

Daly Waters → Borroloola → Hells Gate → Burketown → Normanton → Georgetown → Mareeba → Cairns

Stage 3 · Cairns

Reef & Local Flying

Take a charter boat out to the Great Barrier Reef and enjoy local flying around Cairns. Spend the time with your family or with the whole group.

Reef charter · Scenic flights · Family time

Stage 4 · Return

Return to Emkaytee

Fly back west to Emkaytee and log more valuable cross-country navigation hours on the way home.

Cairns → Emkaytee

Outback Overnight at Daly Waters

Daly Waters is roughly halfway between the Top End and the Gulf, and it's where we rest for the night. Expect a cold drink, a good feed and pilot stories under the stars before the big leg east.

CROSS-COUNTRY FLYING

This is a long-distance group flight across the top of Australia, the kind of flying most pilots only talk about.

Ansett Aviation R22 helicopter at sunset
Ansett Aviation R22 helicopter landed on a tropical beach

Meet Up in Cairns

Your family flies commercial and meets you in Cairns. From there the holiday is shared, with the helicopter as part of it.

Take the family up over the rainforest, beaches and reef, then spend the following days on the water.

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Safari Highlights

Deep Sea Fishing

Head offshore on a charter after the reef and bluewater species Cairns is famous for.

Diving

Dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, with options for first-timers and certified divers.

Reef Tours

Day trips to the outer reef and islands, a good option for the whole family, including non-divers.

Fly Around Cairns

Fly rainforest ranges, waterfalls, beaches and reef cays, and take the family up for the view.

Outback Overnight

A night at Daly Waters, with real Outback character and hospitality halfway across the Territory.

Cross-Country

Group flying from the Top End across the Gulf Country to the east coast.

How It Works

01

Register Interest

Send an EOI below. It's obligation-free and lets us gauge numbers.

02

We Confirm Details

Will contacts you with 2027 dates, aircraft, costs and requirements.

03

Book the Family

Your family books their own commercial flights and accommodation in Cairns.

04

Fly & Meet Up

You fly the safari with the group and the family meets you in Cairns.

Expression of Interest

Places are limited. Register your interest below and we'll send you the details first when dates are confirmed. Prefer to talk? Contact Will directly:

Will Richards
~ Chief Pilot & Grade 1 Helicopter Instructor ~

P: 0408 332 248    E: will@ansettaviation.com.au

An EOI is not a booking and doesn't commit you to anything. Dates, routing, aircraft and pricing are still to be confirmed.

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WILL RICHARDS
~ Chief Pilot & Grade 1 Helicopter Instructor ~

P:  0408 332 248
E:  will@ansettaviation.com.au


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