The Classic Safari Company Outback Air Race leaves Brisbane Sunday August 19 on its way to Western Australia via North West Queensland.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Held every three years the race raises funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
This year’s race, which will see teams travel 4000km westward over 12 days, is especially significant as the RFDS celebrates the 90th anniversary of its first flight out of Cloncurry in 1928.
In 2018 around 100 competitors in 40 aircraft take part leaving Archerfield airport on Sunday. They arrive in Mount Isa on Wednesday and then fly to Adels Grove on Thursday before heading on to the Territory on Saturday after a rest day enjoying Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.
Ending in Broome, the event pays tribute to WA stockman Jimmy Darcy whose untimely death on a remote Kimberley cattle station in 1917 inspired Reverend John Flynn’s vision for an outback aeromedical service.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
