Visiting Queensland

[flymate]

Hello all,

my wife and I will be visiting Queensland for 2 weeks before Christmas. I would love to see it from above and seeking some occasions.

we will be driving from Port Douglas to Brisbane and looking for the “microlight places”…..  

That’s my very first time in Australia, and don’t know much about the best locations…..

A home, I fly a Savannah VG, that I bought last year. Also have a Zenair 601 HDS taildragger which is ‘in the shop’ for some upgrade.

I just ‘ rediscovered’ the “new” forum’s name…

thanks in advance

Jacques     Google  CST7 airport    To see where I live  

[Blueadventures]

15 minutes ago, flymate said:

Hello all,

my wife and I will be visiting Queensland for 2 weeks before Christmas. I would love to see it from above and seeking some occasions.

we will be driving from Port Douglas to Brisbane and looking for the “microlight places”…..  

That’s my very first time in Australia, and don’t know much about the best locations…..

A home, I fly a Savannah VG, that I bought last year. Also have a Zenair 601 HDS taildragger which is ‘in the shop’ for some upgrade.

I just ‘ rediscovered’ the “new” forum’s name…

thanks in advance

Jacques     Google  CST7 airport    To see where I live  

PM your phone contact when arrived, I'm in Mackay (9 hours south of Port Douglas)  also check on facebook Burdekin Flyers (6 hours south of Port Douglas) and Whitsunday Flyers (8 hours drive south of Port Douglas)  That will get some connections for you.  Image of recent catchup two weekends ago.

 

Enjoyed an overnighter in the Nynja with Sandy at our favourite bbq beach site catching up pre Xmas with flying friends then an early start back to Palmyra for the Mackay Aero Club bbq event. Hazy skies due to our bush fire season.  Evening was cool due to 16 Knot ESE breeze and that was welcome after the warm day.

IMG_7439.mov80.26 MB · 2 downloads

Edited December 5, 2025 by Blueadventures

[440032]

I cannot help with the aero aspect Jacques, some Queensland locals will know more.

You 100% absolutely MUST spend a day at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, just north of Brisbane.

A whole day - not a few hours after lunch. Lots of international visitors there the other week when we were there again.

Another must see on your drive is Paronella Park, south of Cairns. It's hard to explain what it is, but it's worth seeing. Maybe 3 hours there.

When in Australia, watch out for the wild drop bears, (carnivorous Koala) do not stand under any huge gum trees for too long - keep moving.

Welcome - have a great time.

[facthunter]

Beware AUSTRALIA has a few tellers of Whopper Yarns. Standing under gum trees is a Risk. The Branches fall off and kill you. That's if the crocodiles don't kill you or the sharks, Taipans and the Portuguese Man O WAR stingers in QLD. are also there. QLD is Like Florida. Hot and Humid and some of it Has a WET season. Everyone here drives on the wrong  side of the road. and Most Live near the Coast. NOW is approaching mid summer. A big change from Canada. Shorts are worn at Half mast in Cairns when you sit in an airconditioned  PUB. getting Pissed  and talking crap where Gecko's walk Upside down on the  ceiling. They are Harmless. There are rainforests in North Qld and lovely islands and a Coral reef.  Jabiru's are created in Bundaberg where RUM is also Made. BRISBANE Is NOW the Most expensive of the  Capital cities for Houses. Most people HERE live is the Cities, About 6 of them. Bienvenue and good luck, Nev

[flymate]

Thanks for the info guys,,will check that out for sure.. and Nev, as for driving on ‘the other side’..am used to it..presently in NZ for the week.

and used to be on the right seat as a CFI 🙂   blueadventures..sure will PM you my phone # ..thanks 

[IBob]

Ah, you're a week early, flymate: next week end 13/14 Dec is the monthly fly of the Vintage Aviator machines at Hood airfield, Masterton. They wheel out about 20 WW1 aircraft, crank them up and fly them.......

[flymate]

Well, IBob,, it’s too bad…. I will catch up later with NZ…as I will be in Rangiora until mid March…that’s where I am ‘based’ and did my licence conversion to Microlight Certificate some years ago…  I really need more than 3 months ‘down under’ but for now, I take what I can 

[BrendAn]

On 05/12/2025 at 6:03 PM, Blueadventures said:

PM your phone contact when arrived, I'm in Mackay (9 hours south of Port Douglas)  also check on facebook Burdekin Flyers (6 hours south of Port Douglas) and Whitsunday Flyers (8 hours drive south of Port Douglas)  That will get some connections for you.  Image of recent catchup two weekends ago.

 

Enjoyed an overnighter in the Nynja with Sandy at our favourite bbq beach site catching up pre Xmas with flying friends then an early start back to Palmyra for the Mackay Aero Club bbq event. Hazy skies due to our bush fire season.  Evening was cool due to 16 Knot ESE breeze and that was welcome after the warm day.

IMG_7439.mov80.26 MB · 2 downloads

that bloody skyranger doing another fantastic trip to make me jealous. your just rubbing it in now.😁

[Blueadventures]

10 minutes ago, BrendAn said:

that bloody skyranger doing another fantastic trip to make me jealous. your just rubbing it in now.😁

Haven't flown since then, reckon you have had some nice flights in your Jaffa (Xair)🙃  Just showing the different aircraft up this way.  Cheers.

[BrendAn]

8 minutes ago, Blueadventures said:

Haven't flown since then, reckon you have had some nice flights in your Jaffa (Xair)🙃  Just showing the different aircraft up this way.  Cheers.

At least I don't have to wash the sand off my tyres after landing on pristine beaches in the tropics, I feel for you.😁. Looking forward to next lot of photos.

[pmccarthy]

Skyrangers have been making some interesting trips!

 

[flymate]

On 5/12/2025 at 5:03 PM, Blueadventures said:

PM your phone contact when arrived, I'm in Mackay (9 hours south of Port Douglas)  also check on facebook Burdekin Flyers (6 hours south of Port Douglas) and Whitsunday Flyers (8 hours drive south of Port Douglas)  That will get some connections for you.  Image of recent catchup two weekends ago.

 

Enjoyed an overnighter in the Nynja with Sandy at our favourite bbq beach site catching up pre Xmas with flying friends then an early start back to Palmyra for the Mackay Aero Club bbq event. Hazy skies due to our bush fire season.  Evening was cool due to 16 Knot ESE breeze and that was welcome after the warm day.

IMG_7439.mov80.26 MB · 2 downloads

Blueadventures…sent you a PM   Thanks ,Jacques

On 5/12/2025 at 5:03 PM, Blueadventures said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Blueadventures]

Caught up with Jacques and Francoise at my hangar today. They were time limited so did not do a fly around the area, next time when they have more time.  I took a packet of ‘TimTam’ biscuits and they liked them so have a couple of leftovers for later. Great to meet them and look forward to another visit another time.

Jacques is an E-props dealer in Canada so was keen to hear my positive comments about the propeller I have fitted.

Edited December 18, 2025 by Blueadventures

[flymate]

Thanks you so much for your time and kindness…..it was great meeting you… as French speaking tourists, we still battle to catch the Aussie accent, but we’re getting there..😄