Sydney Seaplanes Spreads its Wings to the Hunter Valley
Sydney Seaplanes has launched direct charter flights from Rose Bay to the Hunter Valley with the introduction of a new long-range amphibious aircraft, bringing one of Australia’s finest wine regions within 30 minutes of Sydney Harbour.
The new flights revive the spirit of Rose Bay’s early role in Australian aviation history and introduce a new choice of fly-dine and fly-stay packages to the Sydney Seaplanes range of expeditions.
The Hunter Valley charters have been made possible by the purchase of a new turbo-prop Cessna Caravan, providing a faster, quieter flight and a longer range. The 12-passenger aircraft can operate from both land or water and will make use of Cessnock Airport in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine district.
Sydney Seaplanes Managing Director Aaron Shaw said the new aircraft represented a new chapter in the history of seaplane travel from Sydney Harbour.
“Sydney Seaplanes have become an iconic sight over Sydney Harbour and the scenic flights we operate to Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River are now high on the list of Sydney’s most unforgettable experiences,” Mr Shaw said. “With the new Cessna Caravan we can introduce new destinations further afield and aim to make our Hunter Valley flights another of Sydney’s great adventures.”
The new flights will depart Sydney Harbour each day from Rose Bay, providing breath-taking views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House before soaring north over Sydney’s spectacular sea cliffs and Northern Beaches. The flights then track past Palm Beach, Broken Bay and the Central Coast before turning inland at Lake Macquarie to land at Cessnock, avoiding two hours of road travel.
In the Hunter Valley, passengers will have the choice of fine dining in the region’s best restaurants, wine tasting at acclaimed vineyards, overnight stays in the valley’s luxury retreats, golf at some of the Hunter’s best courses or indulgent treatments at a day spa.
Sydney Seaplanes will offer a range of packages in conjunction with the Hunter Valley’s best tourism operators and can arrange hire car collection at Cessnock Airport. Packages include:
** Day visit including flights, three-course lunch and wine tour from $735 per person
** Day visit including flights, lunch and 18 holes at Vintage Golf Course, $715 per person
** Day visit including flights and treatment at the Golden Door Spa, $980 per person
** Overnight packages including flights and luxury accommodation from $680 per person.
The new Cessna Caravan joins Sydney Seaplanes’ existing fleet of three six-passenger de Havilland Beavers and a five-passenger Cessna 206.
The fleet is based at Rose Bay, Australia’s first international airport and home to the golden age of flying boats during the 1930s and 40s.
For information and bookings contact Sydney Seaplanes, 1300 732 752 (within Australia), +61 2 9388 1978 (international), [email protected] www.seaplanes.com.au
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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