Queensland V

We continue our tour along the coast of Queensland, Australia.

We depart from Bundaberg (YBUD) and follow the coast to land at Hervey Bay (YHBA). Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Butchulla Aboriginal tribe inhabited the area around Hervey Bay. James Cook reached the area in 1770 and named the bay Hervey's Bay after the British naval officer Augustus Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol. Matthew Flinders mapped a large part of the coast during his visit in 1802. In 1863, the first Europeans settled in what would later become the town of Hervey Bay. In 1913, Hervey Bay was connected to the railroad. In the 1920s, the population increased significantly as agriculture (sugar, citrus fruit) and cattle farming expanded rapidly. Regular flights to Brisbane were introduced in 1930. Also in the 1930s, the road connection to Maryborough, about 30 km away, was asphalted. After the Second World War, South Australians discovered the consistently warm climate of these latitudes and over the years Hervey Bay developed into a popular tourist center.

We turn inland and reach Maryborough (YMYB). The city is served by the Bruce Highway. It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is approximately 30 kilometres (20 mi) northeast. Together they form part of the area known as the Fraser Coast. Back at the coast, we land at Rainbow Beach Airport (YRBB). The town takes its name from the rainbow-colored dunes that surround it. According to Kabi legends, the dunes were colored when Yiningie, a spirit represented by a rainbow, plunged into the cliffs after a battle with an evil tribesman. Much of the sand's color comes from its rich mineral content, including rutile, ilmenite, zircon, and monazite. A black dune of ilmenite sand, overgrown with dune vegetation, can be found northwest of the main town. This is currently being removed for sale in China and is expected to take two years to complete.

Now we head south and arrive at Maroochydore Sunshine Coast (YBSU). The city’s name comes from the Yuggera language word Muru-Kutchi, meaning red-bill and referring to the black swan, which is commonly seen in the area. Maroochydore is a major commercial area of the Sunshine Coast with most shopping precincts located in the central business district. It is home to the Sunshine Plaza shopping center and the Sunshine Coast's major bus interchange for Translink services. Maroochydore is also a venue of major surf sport carnivals and is a popular holiday point from which to travel the rest of Queensland.

Only 12 miles south we land at Caloundra (YCDR). During World War II, the area became key to Australian defense due to defensive positions along the beaches. Radar stations and machine gun pits were mounted, and Australian and US armed forces came to the area. From the early 1950s onwards, Caloundra experienced a boom in development and population, and by 1968, it had come to dominate the Shire of Landsborough so completely that the council chambers were relocated to Caloundra. We head southwest and reach Caboolture (YCAB). Our next stop is Brisbane International (YBBN).

Time permitting we switch into helicopters and overfly the city of Brisbane to finish the flight at Archerfield (YBAF). Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of over 2.7 million. Brisbane is a global center for research and innovation and is a transportation hub, being served by large rail, bus, and ferry networks, as well as Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane, Australia's third-busiest airport and seaport. A diverse city with over 36% of its metropolitan population being foreign-born, Brisbane is frequently ranked highly in lists of the most liveable cities. Brisbane is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations and is Australia's most biodiverse and greenest city. The city is also known for its extensive parks and outdoor attractions including the City Botanic Gardens, Victoria Park, Roma Street Parkland, New Farm Park, the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, the Brisbane Riverwalk, Moreton Bay, Moreton Island, and D'Aguilar National Park.  

The flight has a length of 189 miles and 7 landings. I will be in the BN-2 Islander in the Sunstate Livery. Any aircraft cruising at about 140 knots is suitable, as always, please fly what you like.

The flight plans are here.

Recommended scenery:

https://flightsim.to/file/16950/bundaberg-ybud

https://flightsim.to/file/21322/yhba-hervey-bay-airport 

https://flightsim.to/file/19760/maryborough-ymyb

https://flightsim.to/file/61791/maroochydore-sunshine-coast-airport

https://flightsim.to/file/21328/caboolture-airfield-queensland-australia-tag21

https://flightsim.to/file/13119/archerfield-airport-brisbane-australia-ybaf

Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Caloundra, Brisbane City Pack, and Brisbane International are available as Payware from ORBX.

We try real weather. Please set your simulator for a 9 am local departure

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Sunday, September 13, 2024. 1800 UTC
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: United States East server.
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