Cardwell Air Charters obviously based in Cardwell, run scenic flights to Hinchinbrook Island, Great Barrier Reef, Herbert River Gorges, Wallerman Falls and Undara Lava Tubes. Several flights are available, but here are a few:
Around Hinchinbrook
This flight passes the Goold and Garden Islands on our way to Missionary Bay and Marcushla. Mangroves stretch almost across to miles of secluded sandy beach at Ramsay Bay. Then it's down the rugged and beautiful east coast of Hinchinbrook, past Nina and Zoe Bays to Hillock Point.
The Palm group with magical Orpheus Island is easily visible as we cross to Lucinda Pier... the world's longest jetty.
We pass Goold and Garden Islands and cross the mangrove everglades of Hinchinbrook Island to Ramsay Bay. Then it's out to the fabulous Great Barrier Reef at Britomart Reef.
Heading back across to the Brook Islands, we round the Family Isles with the resort islands of Bedarra and Dunk before returning to the airstrip via the Edmund Kennedy National Park.
Next we branch off to visit Wallaman Falls, Australia's highest single drop waterfall. Across the southern end of Hinchinbrook Channel, we'll see the longest jetty in the world at Lucinda.
Early morning departure over the fertile Kennedy Valley and up over the mountains to the Blencoe and Herbert River Falls as we track westward. After passing isolated station properties we begin to see numerous craters dotting the countryside. Our pilot points out the Undara volcano and we follow the telltale green pockets of rain forest marking the roof collapses along the line of the lava tubes.
Landing at the Undara airstrip we embark on a half day ground tour encompassing sections of the tube, each showing a different aspect of their creation. Our Savannah Guide gives us a fascinating insight into vulcanology, botany and ecology as we marvel at this natural phenomenon. Lunch is at the unusual and attractive Lava Lodge railway carriages before returning to Cardwell by about 2.30 pm.
