Cooktown to Noosa

Cooktown - Cairns, 14/5/97.

Since we only had an hours flight we took the time to look around Cooktown and Graeme went for a hike to the top of Mount Cook. The flight from Cooktown to Cairns made for some nice views from the air. The temperature is getting colder as well as we head south, but we are still carrying and drink alot of water in flight. The approach and landing at Cairns went well, it was good to be back at civilisation for a change. We were all running a bit short of cash as well, we hadnt been able to get any cash since Katherine. We all looked forward to a couple of days rest in Cairns.

Cairns - Shute Harbour, 17/5/97.

The flight from Cairns to Townsville was in average weather conditions most of

the way. A couple of times we turned back only to find it cleared up soon after. At Townsville we expected to see heaps of RAAF Blackhawks, but were surprised to also see a couple of Hornets and PC-9's as well. We had lunch, what little we could get because some flight was delayed and the food was running out.

Light rain constantly made life a little difficult most the way to Shute Harbour airport. This place is a little funny as there is a little hill right in your approach path from one direction, no major drama though. If your going to Shute Harbour/Whitsunday Airport, call ahead and get all the information first.

Shute Harbour - Rockhampton, 18/5/97.

A wet and partially closed strip made for an interesting takeoff as we left Shute Harbour. At least the weather was better today, it had rained all night but we awoke to a blue sky. We stopped in at Mackay for fuel and the people at the Aeroclub made us feel welcome with a feed. We went on to Rockhampton only to find the place was dead. The controller here must have been either bored or had a share in the fuel company as he organised fuel for us at the drop of a hat, good on him.

Rockhampton - Noosa, 19/5/97.

As we approached Bundaberg we heard Sunstate 2523 broadcast their intentions on arrival at Bundy. We made a broadcast call to advise that we were in the area and flight service asked us to swawk ident to get a fix. They were about 10 miles behind us, descended to go below us and landed at Bundaberg. We overflew Bundy and continued coastal towards Fraser Island around an active restricted area and onto Noosa. There were F111's in the area, broadcasting their intentions, but we never saw them. At Noosa we met an ultralight instructor who gave us a lift into town, he helped us with some accomodation and told us he was about to leave to fly his ultralight around Australia.