Sky Safari Helicopters with Ron Kandelaars in the Outback / Flinders Ranges region of South Australia
There are many ways to experience the magnificent Flinders Ranges but we reckon nothing beats taking it in from the air.
We climbed aboard one of Skysafari's helicopters, and left the Beltana Racecourse to make our way towards the impressive ramparts that hug the highway from Hawker through to Leigh Creek.
And along the way the creek lines fan out like dry veins in the outback.
Owner of Skysafari, Mark Peart, first saw the Flinders while working on the Bounceback Program. It’s a project run by the Department of Environment designed to help the yellow-footed rock wallabies get a foothold in this majestic terrain. It meant hours and hours of ridgetop flying for Mark, which gave the Queenslander a greater appreciation of one of South Australia's biggest drawcards.
“I was in awe of the landscape and I just saw the potential that with our product people could get to these locations where they could never get to,” said Mark.
Skisafari provide air tours in places like Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory and a host of spectacular locations in Central and Northern Queensland. They pride themselves on getting you to the remotest of destinations - in our case it was Mount Samuel.
Within minutes the Robinson R-44 Chopper eased down amid the porcupine grass and we got out to marvel at one of the ultimate 360 degree views.
In the distance was Mount Patawarta, a peak captured on canvas numerous times by the great landscape artist and lover of the Flinders, Sir Hans Heysen.
Without doubt vistas like this are likely to bring out the romantic in us all.
“Where we're sitting here is very popular. We've had people propose to each other up here and we've even got some weddings planned for later in the year up here,” said Mark.
Back on board for our next destination Lake Torrens and within minutes we're on our way skirting the knife-like spine of the Flinders.
Soon we're cruising over the flat again beyond Parachilna and on towards the second-largest salt lake in Australia.
Within a matter of minutes we've come from one of the highest points in State to one of the lowest on a half-hour joy flight that will live long in the memory.
For the Ultimate Access to the Ultimate Destination contact Skysafari. The Prairie Hotel at Parachilna takes bookings.
Skysafari Ultimate Access Ultimate Destinations
Ph (08) 8648 4709Prairie Hotel
Parachilna Ph (08) 8648 4814
