Tom Forrest: Soaring Above Isolation in the Kimberley, But Fuel Costs Ground Him

Tom Forrest, a resident of Wyndham in Western Australia's Kimberley region, acquired a private plane to address the challenges of living in an isolated area. The aircraft has significantly reduced travel times for essential services and enabled him to provide aid to isolated Indigenous communities. However, rising fuel costs are now limiting its usage to essential travel only.

Conquering Kimberley Isolation

The Challenges of Remote Living

Wyndham, a remote town with a population of approximately 940 residents in Western Australia's Kimberley region, presents significant travel challenges due to its limited local amenities. Residents previously faced an hour-long drive to Kununurra, the nearest major supermarket, and a 10-hour drive to Darwin, the closest major city. Regional flights from Kununurra were also noted as prohibitively expensive.

A Private Plane: Bridging Distances

From Training to Takeoff

Inspired by other outback pilots, Forrest undertook an 11-month pilot training program. This intensive training involved fortnightly 1000km trips to Darwin. Upon obtaining his pilot's license, he purchased a private plane.

Drastically Reduced Travel Times

The acquisition of the aircraft significantly reduced travel times for Forrest, transforming arduous journeys into quick trips.

A 10-hour drive to Darwin became a 1.5-hour flight.
A one-hour drive to the nearest major supermarket in Kununurra was shortened to a 15-minute flight.

Accessibility to various remote Kimberley locations, including Broome and the Bungle Bungles, also greatly improved. Journeys that once took a full day can now be completed in approximately two hours.

Flying for Community Aid

Forrest utilized his plane to assist the remote Indigenous community of Amanbidji, located near the Northern Territory border. Following cyclone-induced flooding, the community was cut off for weeks, leading to a shortage of fresh produce. Forrest transported 100kg of groceries to Amanbidji, providing much-needed relief.

He has also received requests via social media to assist with transporting individuals between other remote Indigenous communities across Western Australia.

The High Cost of Flying

Rising fuel prices have impacted Forrest's ability to use his plane frequently. Fuel costs are reported to be exceeding $3 per litre, with some reports specifying approximately $3.64 per litre. The aircraft consumes 54 litres of fuel per hour, resulting in an approximate hourly flying cost of $200.

These increasing costs have compelled Forrest to limit the plane's usage to essential travel only.