25 fish up to 30kg were caught yesterday, 22 the day before in perfect conditions from Coffin Bay aboard GT Fishing Charters as well as a few prized Kingfish as an added bonus to the day. As the boat limit is set to 6 tuna, of course the remainder were released back to the waters of the Southern Ocean to see another day!

Whilst many think that fishing is a mans ideas of a great day out ( and correct on the subject), but there are plenty of women who also love the challenge to get out and also muscle a few of these blue rockets on board. One of these keen fisher- women, Calalou, starred yesterday after jumping on at late notice and showed the boat what she can do & did it very well indeed! Calalou is shown in the images below with a sample of her catch.

It seems most speacies are on song in the local waters with large snapper, nannagai and strangely enough we got onto a few nice gummy sharks to get the day going just last week.

So fishing action a plenty here in Coffins Bay and there’s no time like the present to get on down here to sample some of the best sports-fishing going around. For $310 per person gets you a great day on the tuna, $250pp will have you bottom bouncing for Snapper, Nannagai, Blue Morwong, big Trevally and KG Whiting, Salmon and hopefully a few more of those sharks with in shore fishing for your popular table fish priced at $220 or $160pp for half a day.

For more details, fishing options and availabilities whilst on the Eyre Peninsula, contact us at Goin’ Off Safaris.

Tight lines guys and girls!

The water was glassy calm as we steamed out to Greenly Anchorage. It was just short of a 2 hour journey, but the trip flew by as we sat back and watched the sun come up- a view many of us are rarely awake early enough to witness!

As soon as the lines hit the water the tuna were biting, and we’d caught our quota of these gigantic fish within about 20 minutes. But the catch itself is the challenge, so we continued on with a bit of catch and release for another few hours, often struggling to haul these massive fish onto the deck.

Settling for a catch of 23 tuna- most weighing over 20kgs- we decided to move on and try our luck with some other fish commonly caught in the area.

Throwing the lines in again in shallower water, we found a nice little patch of Nannygai, Sweep and a few Leatherjackets just for luck.

All in all a successful trip, with the boys taking home a 150L esky FULL of fish! And this is only the beginning of the season. If this sounds like your cup of tea, see our website for more information

After starting here on Monday, I have already had a very busy week booking in new trips and playing with the new iMac and today was no exception! This morning I jumped aboard the Coffin Bay Explorer for their 3 hour round trip of Coffin Bay.

Departing the Coffin Bay boat ramp at 9.30am, our guide Darian took us past some of the most pristine parts of the Coffin Bay National Park- some beaches that are only accessible by boat! The running commentary about the earliest visitors to the bay made for easy listening, as we all soaked up a bit of sun.

Our adventure around the bay continued on past two tiny islands known as ‘The Brothers’. The story behind them is truly fascinating, but I won’t spoil the tale before you get a chance to see them yourself.

Living on the Brothers are a wide variety of birds- including Cormorants, Silver Gulls, Crested Terns and Antarctic Skua’s- large, brown birds that journey here to nest on the islands. Also residing on the island are a pair of male Australian Sea Lions, as well as a spattering of smaller New Zealand Fur Seals.

Darian also has an Oyster lease, so part of the tour included a stop at the racks for a brief history about the oyster industry in Coffin Bay- and for those so inclined- a taste test of the freshest oysters you will ever taste! Delicious!!

Now as if the tour couldn’t get any better- a pod of almost 20 Bottlenose Dolphins made an appearance. As we slowly cruised by, they swam all around and under the boat in the crystal clear water- almost as though they were inviting us to come and play with them. Unfortunately Darian is not running swims with the dolphins this year due to the late breeding season of these magnificent animals last year. So instead we admired them from the boat.

We left the dolphins (reluctantly) and began the journey back home. In 3 hours we learnt amazing things about the history of the bay, tasted some of the freshest seafood you can get and saw a huge variety of land based and marine animals! And that’s all in a day’s work for the Coffin Bay Explorer!

This is only one of the many options we offer as part of our amazing tour packages around the Eyre Peninsula. For more information see our website

And I thought it would rank higher with our unique adventure activities such as Great White shark cage diving, swimming with sealions and tuna, sensational sports fishing either on a charter or off a secluded beach. Speaking of beaches, these are to die for wether it would be for surfing, swimming, snorkeling, body surfing or just lazing about watching the kids build sandcastles and having fun.

You dont get seafood any fresher or plentiful and there are award winning wineries, picturesque National Parks full of wild life and birdlife, 4WD tracks, the Great Australian Bight Treks, resteraunts, pubs and standout accommodation.

A few people reckon the distance is too far or it costs too much. Rubbish! Check out Regional Express (REX) or Qantas Link for cheap flights that only take 40 minutes to get here from Adelaide. Goin’ Off Safaris will pick you up if required and give you 2-6 days of a action packed itinerary like no other or we can organise your agenda and drive yourself! What are you waiting for…..??

As with the weather, day trips and charters are warming up with plenty of bookings, but lots of availabilities as well, so please contact us for more information! Below are some images from a recent trip.

Interestingly enough, I only have just got the chance to check out the award winning film, The Bucket List with famous actors Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson. Very coincidentally, one of passengers from our last trip commented that flying in and around the outback and Lake Eyre, should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list! Funnily enough, on Australian Travellers 100 Things To Do Before You Die 2011 Index, seeing Lake Eyre in flood comes in at No. 3. Clearly, Morgan & Jack didn’t have enough time in their own lists!

We had our last 2 trips in late October with more fantastic people on board to see the the amazing countryside going full steam. Even though there is still plenty of water in the Coongie Lakes, the Diamantina River around Birdsville and  Lake Eyre, our season has now closed until April 2012 when the when the outback temperature starts to cool down again!

Here is what our last guests had to say about their experinece with Goin’ Off Safaris;

” Jetting around these remote locations with a great bunch of people is the only way to go! Factor in pilots who are fabulous to hang out with & so approachable, was an unexpected bonus. The social side of our trip was so much fun. I would go on a trip anywhere organised by David Doudle and his company, Goin’ Off Safaris….” Deb, Geraldton WA

“Thankyou for a wonderful 3 days (it seemed much longer as we fitted so much into it). The food & accommodation was terrific. Special thanks to our 2 “perfect pilots and to David for your enthusiasm, which added to the trip immensely. And of course, our destinations were amazing……! Jenny, Melbourne Vic

” The most enjoyable trip that I have done in a long time! A beautiful birthday present from my lovely wife. Very well organised with pilots P1 & P2 fantastic. I will never forget Lake Eyre & the vastness of the water volume. Highly recommended to all……” Steve, Melbourne Vic

” I’d like to say a big  thank you for a wonderfully relaxed & safe Outback Experience.With all the great people onboard it was so much fun especially with those 2 “handsome”, capable & fun pilots P1 & P2! Thanks to David as well for his tremendous organisational skills…….” Nanda, Melbourne Vic

” I had a great time, enjoyed the company & the relaxed mood of it all. It would be great to include some Aboriginal history into the itinerary if possible. Thanks to all involved……” John, Melbourne Vic

“I had a great time, great adventure & really enjoyed the company. We would be interested in a a frequent user type system & sound like David & his Goin’ Off Safaris has a few adventures that we would be interested in! Thanks very much to the pilots & crew……..” Kevin, Brisbane Qld

” A fun time with an interesting & diverse group of people including all crew on board. The pilots were very experienced & inspired confidence given the extensive flying involved in this safari & varied conditions. A great way to see key Outback landmarks in comfort. Well chosen accommodation & meals were tremendous. Informative & interesting commentary from some of the “local characters” from local tours added to the experience……” Sylvia, Melbourne Vic

“Great food & people. Overall, a bloody good time……! Karen, Pt. Macquarie NSW

“Dear David…. Thank you for the most wonderful fun filled days…on the Lake Eyre & Supreme  3 day scenic safari.  When we have described the trip to friends we called it the ‘ lazy mans’ Outback adventure. To be fair the people on board were all short of time rather than lazy,  everyone had a really busy life with businesses and farms etc. The timing suited us and the amount of days was all we could give up as well.We just loved every minute… the flying part was much better than I thought and that was a pleasant surprise. The weather was kind too!Loved all the food and the accommodation and the places we visited were a dream come true for Steve and I.P1 and P2 were just lovely and thank God so skillful. We all loved the two bus tours too..Birdsville and Coober Pedy, what characters!You, also very relaxed and I never saw you get frustrated and annoyed…. Well done to you too David.Our Best wishes and we will certainly recommend your company to our friends… The trip was all we wanted it to be and more!   Lucky Us!!

“Our Lake Eyre & Outback Adventure was just a dream! We cannot thank you enough for organizing such a wonderful trip & we really could not fault a thing. It quickly became obvious that you go to a lot of trouble to make the trip a memroable in every way from the wonderful pilots P1 & P2, the local tours, accommodation, excellent hearty meals & the lovely characters at all our destinations. We had such a diverse fun group of people on the trip too (including yourself) which added to the great experience.Thanks again for such a great trip we will stay in touch……” Leigh, Brisbane Qld.

” A fabulous itinerary & thoroughly enjoyable. So pleased to have done this trip……” Heather, Melbourne Vic

” Excellent trip, especially the flight over the Coongie Lakes! Loved the Birdsville Hotel & cannot wait to come back for the races……” Evelyn, Adelaide SA

“As Australians, we should have done this trip before. It was all amazing!Put this one on your “Bucket List”……..!Lynda & Ken, Sydney NSW

Thats all folks until 2012. We will still take all inquiries & keep everyone posted on what is happening!

After completing our last 3 Day Supreme Scenic safari just last weekend, we again had a fantastic trip weather wise and whats better is that there are none of our local icons, those bloody black flies to give us the heebie jeebies! The countryside is just so vast, it is incredible. The volume of water in Lake Eyre is decreasing, especially in the northern part of the Lake, but our highly skilled pilots of Chris Pfitzner & Tony Schwertz ,can still show you the very best that the Lake Eyre has to offer by superb low level flying so that you capture some amazing scenes!

Here is what our latest guests have said about their experiences;

“A unique way to see the fabulous inland scenery, towns & characters- something that I never thought I’d get to do…..” Karenne, Sydney

“The highlight for me was the high standard of accommodation & services provided in the different towns we visited which far exceeded my expectations…..” Warwick, Sydney

“An unforgettable 3 day experience with everything of an impeccable standard…..” Paul, Perth

“Precisely as good as this trip had been described to me by a previous traveller, plus it must be said that the hosts (& pilots) are up there with the best in the business…..” Lori, Perth

“A wonderful experience to be able to see & be apart of a great Australian adventure, with friendly pilots & host – will always sing your praises! Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the past 3 days…” Roger & Coral, Pt.Macquarie

” A great 3 day adventure! Tony & Chris are excellent pilots & great blokes with Fish an excellent tour guide. Enjoyed our trip & accommodation was first class with great meals. Would not hesitate to recommend this trip to our friends…..” Viv & Di, Brisbane

“Perfect in every aspect instilled with confidence by pilots Tony & Chris who were great company along with “Fish”, who could not have done any better. A thoroughly wonderful experience way beyond my expectations…..” Maureen, Sydney

“The Dig Tree & Birdsville Pub were stopover highlights.The vastness of the Goyder Lagoon & Lake Eyre were amazing & could not ask for a more friendly or obliging crew….” Kenny, Elliston, SA

“Really enjoyed the trip. Wonderful lot of people on the plane with us and the crew first class….” Lori, Denniliquan, Vic

“Well organised trip , for not one day but two.Then on the Metro liner climbed away we flew.The nights we saw, we’d not seen before. To us they were all new. Marree & Innamincka & lake & lakes & creeks not few. But of all the wonderous nights that we saw; none outshone the crew! Harvey & Nola, Perth ( very clever guys!)

“The colours, the company & the crew- all combined to make a very special trip for us all. And I’ll be back to the Birdsville Pub! Thanks……” Narelle, Melbourne

“The acrobatics in the air caused by “mother nature”, complemented the majesty of the scenery below & it was capped off by the crew & fellow “safarians”! Great stuff…..” Brenda, Melbourne

“Excellent trip! So much included in the one trip. The Dig Tree lunch stop was definately a highlight……” Pat, Denniliquan, Victoria

“Really enjoyed the Birdsville Pub & the tour by John Menzies at the Working Museum was a great experience. Innamincka Pub was very nice as well.Fish, Tony & Pfitzy were excellent tour guides & pilots…..” Ross, Elliston, SA

“I really enjoyed the museum at Birdsville & also liked flying over Lake Eyre. Thank you to Fish, Tony & Pfitzy who made the trip really enjoyable & educational!…….Tasha, Elliston, SA

“It was all that I had hoped for & more! To see Lake Eyre with so much water in it, probably wont happen again in our life time again! The South Australian hospitality was terrific, the service by the crew & fish was tops, the places we stopped at were amazing (as was the service) & a great lot of fellow travellers. Thanks so much!…….” Athene & Rob, Perth

” A very good, enjoyable trip. Service was terrific & food was of high standard. Enjoyed the company of everyone! Thanks……” Ingrid, Elliston, SA

” We could never have seen as much or appreciated the whole experience so much at ground level. Spectacular scenery, hospitable, helpful & knowledgeable crew & great people in the tour group. The perfect package & well done to Goin’ Off Safaris…..” Bob, Perth

“A great trip & great comedians for guides! Coober Pedy -GREAT…..” Eril & Gordon, Nhill, Victoria

“Met some wonderful people, experienced some magnificent outback characters & places & ate some wonderful food in surprising places; all with fish….!” Robert, Cummins, SA

“A wonderful trip, excellent itinerary. Tour guide Fish at his impeccable best! Lovely people on the tour & the pilots professional, approachable & good company. Overall thoroughly enjoyable & well done….! Fox, Cockaleechie, SA

“For South Australains, you did OK!( they are joking arnt they..?) A most informative, comprehensive, effecient & very friendly trip & thanks so much…..! David & Susie, Riddles Creek, Victoria

” A fantastic trip; all & more than we expected. The pilots were very professional & skillful. Tour guide(Fish) was multi skilled & entertaining with his humour……! Jan & Fred, Perth

A well thought out & interesting 3 day experience supported by experienced & professional people enabling me to appreciate more of the vastness, beauty & great contrasts of our Australia. Very interesting, informative trip covering this area of our magnificent country. Entertaining & great fun….! Joanne & Geoff, Maryborough, Qld

” So thrilled that we did not limit ourselves to only considering cost. The value is in the range of experiences we had, the people we met, the careful attention to details, the sense of fun & camaraderie of the guide & pilots and the hosts wherever we visited and the wonderful opportunity the trip provided to appreciate the beauty & vastness of this part of Australia. Well done & thanks….” Wendy, Cockaleechie, SA

If anyone is interested, we are looking at putting on another 3 day trip on October 28-30th, 2011. This will be our last trip for 2011!

We are now offering you the chance to interact with and get up close and personal with Great White sharks, the powerful Southern Bluefin Tuna, Australian Sealions, Bottlenose Dolphins and when in season, the Southern Right Whales. Over 2 sensational days packed full of adrenalin pumping adventure aboard the spectacular & fully kitted out 78ft Strictly Business, for $1300.00 per person this includes the following;

• Multiple Great White shark cage dives including night diving at Shark Bay, Neptune Islands
• Swim with and feed the mighty Southern Bluefin Tuna off Boston Bay Island
• Swim with the puppies of the ocean, the Australian Sealions at Seal Cove
• Close up viewing of Bottlenose dolphins and Southern Right Whales (when is season)
• Deep sea fishing targeting Tuna, Snapper, Trevally, Nannagai, Shark, Blue Morwong, King George Whiting and what ever takes the bait!
• Fully catered meals and after dinner drinks
• All of your fishing and diving equipment
• Your own bunk for overnight stay and a
• Bloody fantastic experience!

The boat is aptly named Strictly Business and she has been superbly renovated to cater for charters like this one, with the passenger in mind. Limited to 9 lucky guests, the boat is fully equipped with air conditioning,  heaps of room on the rear deck and fly bridge, a large and comfortable saloon with flat screen TV, a superb sound system and the latest in ocean software and technology. There is even a camera hooked up to the shark cage so that you can see the underwater vision from the large flat-screen on the deck! Did I mention the cold beer on tap…? Well that’s included as well.

As this is limited to 9 passengers, this adventure is perfect for a group of friends, corporate  or team bonding retreat, special occassions or we can also make sure the sole traveller is looked after as well. We can also organize group charter flights ex Adelaide for your group.

With only limited dates to fill over the summer months, seats on this pearler of a trip will go quick. For a detailed itinerary, availabilities, dates and contact details, please visit our Shark Cage Diving page.

Its unbelievable how just a few months ago, we couldnt drag the canoes out at Innamincka as the 6m water levels made this task slightly above the our “safety threshold” of management and now the water has flowed that quickly into Lake Eyre, that now there is insufficient amount of water to paddle in! To make up for this though is Gus and his friendly Blue Heeler dogs are all part of the act when we land at the Dig Tree for lunch. The wildflowers are a picture as is the Flinders Ranges and with the fantastic meals along the way at the Innamincka & Birdsville Pubs and the award winning Johns Pizza Bar in Coober Pedy, our guests are always well fed.

Here are our passengers thoughts from a recent trip which saw the crew arrive into Birdsville after the towns famous horse races!

“The 4 month wait was worth it. The trip was everything we had hoped for & more. Tony & Chris were fantastic with Coober Pedy a real highlight & really enjoyed the morning land based tour. Great accommodation & meals…..” Robert & Margeret, Brisbane

“Really enjoyed the tour! Chris & Tony were a great team & combined well. I like the idea of all the food & accommodation included…” Graeme, Brisbane

“A fantastic 3 days, extremely interesting, excellent organisation & accommodation great! A big thankyou to Tony & Chris for looking after us so well & making it all so enjoyable & fun….” Dorothy & Bob, Perth

“We had a truly remarkable experience & even though we have only been away a few days, we felt like it was much longer – due to what we have seen & the wonderful adventure! Neither of us has been on a flying trip before but we thouraly enjoyed our journey. Chris & Tony were wonderful & nothing to much trouble. All the places we stayed at offered us a wonderful taste of the outback & a unique experience of Australia. It was great having a small friendly group to share the experience with & we would highly reccommend this experience to all….” Jim & Marina, Melbourne

” Altogether a fantastic 3 days! I have thourougly enjoyed the company of fellow travellers, pilots & hosts. Would love to have spent more time in Coober Pedy as there is so much of interest there! Very enjoyable & very well organised trip. The program, the routes & the arrangements were all first class & worked like clockwork. The aircraft was an ideal size & was flown by very experienced & great blokes! A wonderful trip….” Patty & Jim, Melbourne

“Thankyou Tony, Chris & Goin Off Safaris for a wonderful, wonderful experience. We were so lucky to have 2 such talented, knowledgable & social pilots. Tony’s ability to manouvre the plane over Lake Eyre, Coongie Lakes to see the birds & Cooper Creek made it possible for everyone on board to view everything was outstanding. We have travelled all this area by 4WD, but could not compare with seeing it by the air. Birdsville was fabulous with the post race atmosphere as last time that we were there, we saw very few people! Great atmosphere with accommodation at Innamincka & Coober Pedy fascinating. Thankyou for the total experience…….! Sue & Rob, Brisbane

“Many thanks for a great 3 days….! Terry, Perth