What do you get someone like EB who has everything (including the spirit for adventure)? A flight in a glider of course.
Boonah Gliding Club. (Photos: Louise Ralph)
So this weekend, we’re an hour west of Brisbane in the Scenic Rim in south east Queensland for EB’s glider flight, a taste test of the boutique wines grown in the region and camping at Lake Moogerah. First stop, Boonah Gliding Club for an experience that comes close to the flight of a bird…
This is how it’s done… Peter gives EB the pre-flight lowdown
The members of club are serious glider enthusiasts, spending most weekends flying or volunteering there.
Peter, EB’s pilot, tells us gliding is a great way to start learning to fly because your focus is on what’s going on outside the plane rather than mostly monitoring instruments inside the cockpit.
Glider pilots are switched on to everything around and below them – the shadows of clouds on the ground, the changing colours that indicate different heating intensities, and even the soaring raptors and pelicans. These are all clues guiding them to the best thermals…
Like Peter, many of the members have impressive military and commercial flying backgrounds. That’s their job, this is their passion.
EB is clearly in safe hands…
But first, a ‘push your own glider’ moment…
And they’re off, with EB doing an impression of Captain Planet…
A different perspective (Photo: EB)
Coming in for a smooth landing…
Flying (and being grounded, camera in hand) is thirsty work, so we make a bee-line for Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm. The building is amazing and clearly timeless. It won awards twelve years ago but looks as fresh as today. And the wine is equally as fabulous.
We stay for lunch and vino with a view – and tomorrow we’ll be back for their French music and food festival. As if we could resist.
Vino with a view at Kooroomba Vineyards
Flight path 