Northwestern Australia’s Kimberley Coast is a realm of incredible pristine beauty seen by few. Here, the harsh desert meets the waters of the Indian Ocean along a shoreline of cliffs, vast numbers of islands, and beaches that disappear into the distance.
In this bush trip, you’ll be treated to aerial views of the very best of this region. Beginning at Beagle Bay Airport, the journey winds along landscapes and seascapes of the coast, allowing intimate views of natural detail as well as broad, grand vistas of sea, land, and sky.
The flight ends on the Mitchell Plateau, a feature surrounded by low mountains and hills that is one of the least populated areas not just in Australia, but on the planet.
Assistance on the trip will be available in the form of a ‘Back on Track’ button on the VFR Map — however, be advised that using this will disable achievements tied to the activity.
Total Legs: 3 Total Distance: 277 Total Time(125kts): 2 hours 12 minutes
Leg 1
Beagle Bay Airport to Cape Leveque
Leg Distance: 54.7 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.
Beagle Bay Airport(YBGB) to Beagle Bay Community(POI1)
Distance: 2.28NM Bearing: 26° 1 minutes
After taking to the sky from Beagle Bay Airport, head to the northeast to Beagle Bay Community, an Aboriginal community established by Trappist monks in the late 1800s.
Beagle Bay Community(POI1) to Beagle Bay(POI2)
Distance: 8.07NM Bearing: 297° 4 minutes
Fly to the northwest, into the heart of Beagle Bay, which opens to the Indian Ocean.
Beagle Bay(POI2) to Middle Lagoon(POI3)
Distance: 8.5NM Bearing: 11° 4 minutes
Skirt the coast of the Indian Ocean to Middle Lagoon, renowned as one of the most beautiful locations on the Dampier Peninsula.
Middle Lagoon(POI3) to Mercedes Cove(POI4)
Distance: 1.48NM Bearing: 44° 1 minutes
Northeast of Middle Lagoon lies Mercedes Cove, one of the most remote coastal locations in all of Australia.
Mercedes Cove(POI4) to Pender Bay(POI5)
Distance: 6.99NM Bearing: 76° 3 minutes
Turn onto an east-northeast heading to visit Pender Bay, a coastal wilderness that is known for wildlife viewing, notably, whale watching.
Pender Bay(POI5) to Gurrbalgun Community(POI6)
Distance: 4.48NM Bearing: 83° 2 minutes
Maintain an east-northeast heading to Gurrbalgun Community, a small village on the shore of Pender Bay.
Gurrbalgun Community(POI6) to Lombadina Community(POI7)
Distance: 14.34NM Bearing: 24° 7 minutes
Fly to the east of the coastline to Lombadina Community, an Aboriginal community on Cape Leveque.
Lombadina Community(POI7) to Cape Leveque(POI8)
Distance: 7.83NM Bearing: 12° 4 minutes
From Lombadina Community, fly to the north-northeast to visit the shoreline of Cape Leveque, the northernmost extremity of the Dampier Peninsula, a historic camping area for nomadic people in the region.
Cape Leveque(POI8) to Cape Leveque(YCLQ)
Distance: 0.73NM Bearing: 152° 0 minutes
Turn to the southeast at Cape Leveque and land at Cape Leveque Airport (YCLQ).
Leg 2
Cape Leveque to Cockatoo Island Airport
Leg Distance: 55.9 Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.
Cape Leveque(YCLQ) to Swan Island(POI9)
Distance: 7.25NM Bearing: 64° 3 minutes
Once back in the air, head northeast along a long, beautiful stretch of beach that leads to Swan Island, which lies just offshore.
Swan Island(POI9) to Sunday Island(POI10)
Distance: 9.48NM Bearing: 111° 5 minutes
From Swan Island, turn southeast, flying over open water to Sunday Island, which is located at the opening of King Sound and is home to a number of species of terns and other animals.
Sunday Island(POI10) to Cone Bay(POI11)
Distance: 15.47NM Bearing: 94° 7 minutes
Turn into an east-southeast heading, flying over open water to pass above the heart of Cone Bay.
Cone Bay(POI11) to Hidden Island(POI12)
Distance: 11.86NM Bearing: 3° 6 minutes
Fly to the north from Cone Bay to reach Hidden Island, the largest of the Buccaneer Archipelago, with an area of roughly 4,700 acres.
Hidden Island(POI12) to Gibbings Island(POI13)
Distance: 5.53NM Bearing: 22° 3 minutes
Fly away from Hidden Island on a north-northeast heading to Gibbings Island, one of the smaller of the Buccaneer Archipelago islands.
Gibbings Island(POI13) to Cockatoo Island Airport(YCTI)
Distance: 6.31NM Bearing: 55° 3 minutes
From Gibbings Island, fly to the northeast over open water and land at Cockatoo Island Airport (YCTI).
Leg 3
Cockatoo Island Airport to Mitchell Plateau Airport
Leg Distance: 166.85 Approximate time at 125kts: 80 minutes.
Cockatoo Island Airport(YCTI) to Koolan Island(POI14)
Distance: 8.3NM Bearing: 103° 4 minutes
Take to the skies again and head east-southeast to visit the long, narrow Koolan Island, a rugged island known for its bountiful iron ore deposits.
Koolan Island(POI14) to Wood Island(POI15)
Distance: 19.02NM Bearing: 83° 9 minutes
From Koolan Island, change course to east-northeast, and fly over open water to arrive at Wood Island.
Wood Island(POI15) to Yawajaba Island(POI16)
Distance: 12.15NM Bearing: 38° 6 minutes
Northeast of Wood Island lies Yawajaba Island, which is actually composed of three closely-spaced islands and is surrounded by the Montgomery Reef.
Yawajaba Island(POI16) to Storr Island(POI17)
Distance: 20.08NM Bearing: 89° 10 minutes
Head to the east, passing over open water and a small peninsula to reach Storr Island, which lies between Doubtful Bay and George Water and is home to a number of bird species, including the silver-crowned friarbird, the leaden flycatcher, and the great bowerbird.
Storr Island(POI17) to Mangrove Point(POI18)
Distance: 10.44NM Bearing: 27° 5 minutes
Turn to the northeast, tracking up the centerline of George Water, to reach Mangrove Point.
Mangrove Point(POI18) to Mount Grey(POI19)
Distance: 5.86NM Bearing: 35° 3 minutes
Continue on a heading to the northeast, flying jut to the west of the northern extremity of George Water, to Mount Grey, which stands 708 feet above sea level.
Mount Grey(POI19) to Prince Regent River(POI20)
Distance: 8.52NM Bearing: 59° 4 minutes
Stay in a northeastern heading and fly up the course of the Prince Regent River, which follows an unusually straight course for much of its length due to it following a geologic fault line.
Prince Regent River(POI20) to Mount Lyell(POI21)
Distance: 8.2NM Bearing: 58° 4 minutes
Maintain a northeast course to Mount Lyell, one of a number of small peaks in the area.
Mount Lyell(POI21) to St. Andrew Island(POI22)
Distance: 13.23NM Bearing: 11° 6 minutes
From Mount Lyell, fly to the north, passing over Saint George Basin, to St. Andrew Island, much of which is barren and inhabited only by some species of bats, birds, reptiles, and a few mammals.
St. Andrew Island(POI22) to Prince Frederick Harbour(POI23)
Distance: 27.56NM Bearing: 36° 13 minutes
Northeast of St. Andrew Island lies Prince Frederick Harbour, into which the Roe and Hunter Rivers empty.
Prince Frederick Harbour(POI23) to Donkins Hill(POI24)
Distance: 12.53NM Bearing: 76° 6 minutes
Turn to the east-northeast at Prince Frederick Harbour to reach Donkins Hill, at 1,361 feet above sea level, one of the most prominent landmarks in the region.
Donkins Hill(POI24) to Mitchell River(POI25)
Distance: 13.08NM Bearing: 55° 6 minutes
Change course to the northeast and cross Mitchell River, notable for its staggered waterfalls along its length.
Mitchell River(POI25) to Mitchell Plateau Airport(YMIP)
Distance: 7.88NM Bearing: 67° 4 minutes
Continue flying toward the east-northeast and then land at Mitchell Plateau Aerodrome (YMIP), bringing this wonderful outback aerial adventure to a close.
