In front of Pastor David Shrimpton lies an arid, expansive expanse of 225,000 square kilometers.
In Broken Hill, the 57-year-old clergyman wheeled his Cessna 182 out of the hangar to take his plane to the Pooncarie region.
Christmas is just around the corner and the "Flying Padre", as he is known to his parishioners, is happy to be able to meet people again this year before the holidays.
In 2020, the Australian government issued strict rules related to the corona pandemic, which is why Shrimpton had to suspend his visits for the time being.
Today, with restrictions relaxed, he's happy to be back in the air and meeting people.
They are farmers, students, churchgoers and non-believers, they are all on his agenda.
"Some of them thought I was retired, but no, I'm still here and want to see people live."
When one has as little company as in the Australian outback, many find it a blessing to talk to David.
And it's also about spending time together, not just talking about faith.
David Shrimpton came to his calling for two reasons.
He has always been fascinated by flying and his wife pushed him to become a pastor.
So he became a pastor and when he was called to a church next to an airfield.
Flight lessons were advertised there.
This is how a tradition that has lasted for 20 years came about and it became the “Flying Padre”.