Outback Mail Service

[Brian Noldt]

Interesting article from the ABC about The Great Australian Outback Flying Mail Service here:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-0...ervice/9701182

[Ryan Hothersall]

Heard this on ABC radio a while back, but good to see the photos.

I have been on a couple of the flights operating in Queensland that make stops at outback communities.

[Mick F]

I used to do mail runs in various aircraft types (C210, Baron, Chieftain, C402) back in my GA days around both the NT and North West QLD. The biggest was an 18 stop marathon out of Alice Springs. Enjoyable, with a variety of levels of airstrip complexity and preparedness.

Mick

[Glennm]

I have done 2 outback mail runs. The first one was in the mid nineties I think. It was with Augusta Airways from Port Augusta South Australia over two days. In an Aero Commander 500 we left Saturday morning up the Strzelecki Track I think stopping at maybe a dozen properties. Their mailbox usually situated near the strip. We overnighted in Boulia Qld and returned down the Birdsville track the next day once again stopping at various properties.
It was one the best trips I have ever done. i remember flying from Newcastle Harbour to Rose Bay on an Aquatic Airways Beaver then transferring to Sydney to fly to Adelaide on an Ansett A320 then up tp Port Augusta on an Augusta Airways Navajo. I would do it again if it existed but sadly I dont think so. Augusta Airways has shut down.
The 2nd trip was a day flight out of Broken Hill on a Cessna 206 flying north to various properties before stopping for lunch at White Cliffs and heading back south again. I cant remember the operator of this mail plane.. I have some old photos somewhere.
Glenn