The 15 Best Scenic Flights & Helicopter Tours in Australia

1.Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,912 reviews · 40 min · from $169Our pick

Take a 40-minute fixed-wing flight from Cairns with a window seat, headset, and live English commentary. You’ll fly over Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Upolo Reef, Pixie Reef, Arlington Reef, and more. Pilots such as Sean, Cameron, and Ethan have been praised for smooth flying and clear explanations. Hotel transfers, food, and drinks are not included.

“Nothing it was amazing. I was totally out of my comfort zone on this small plane and was dreading it but the views are amazing and flight was smooth. Sean was our pilot he gave us commentary on the area. Could not fault it. One helpful tip if you have earrings in take the. out as the headphones are so padded it squashes them into side of yourhead.”

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2.Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,810 reviews · 1h 10m · from $211

Fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport over Conway National Park, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, the islands, and Heart Reef. You get a guaranteed window seat, live English commentary, and a small group of up to seven people. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Airlie Beach are included, though the airport transfer can take 30 to 40 minutes each way.

“I was obsessed with the scenic flight over the Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef. 10/10 recommend.”

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3.Whitsundays & Heart Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,426 reviews · 1 hour · from $237

Fly from Whitsunday Airport with Ocean Rafting for one hour over the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and Heart Reef. You get a guaranteed window seat, pilot commentary, hotel pickup, lounge access, and a short transfer from Airlie Beach. Pilots such as Josh, Katie, Lewis, and Joey are praised for clear explanations and calm service.

“The most AMAZING experience! Perfect from start to finish, couldn’t recommend enough!”

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4.Whitsunday Islands & Heart Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,188 reviews · 1h 5m · from $274

Take a 65-minute flight from Airlie Beach over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, the Whitsunday Islands, and Heart Reef. You get a window seat, large panoramic windows, live commentary in English or Chinese, and return transfers from central pickup points. Pilots such as Chris, Alex, and Bilal are praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“This really was the icing on the cake for our stay at Airlie beach. Words cannot describe how stunning this trip was and how beautiful the reef is. Great information from the pilot and a magical trip to remember.”

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5.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,003 reviews · 8h 30m · from $279

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard the 35-meter Evolution, visiting Saxon and Hastings reefs for snorkeling or an optional scuba session. You’ll get around five hours on the reef, a BBQ lunch, and a 10-minute helicopter flight from Hastings Reef. Crew members such as Luca and Mike are noted for helping nervous swimmers and first-time scuba participants.

“Awesome ship, great crew, excellent lunch. diving on the reef was like an Attenborough documentary. loved the helicopter ride which gave you an idea of how big the reef is *****”

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6.Fly Raft Package w Scenic Flight & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 788 reviews · 1 day · from $378

Fly over Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach, then join Ocean Rafting for a fast, wet ride to Hill Inlet, two snorkel sites, lunch, and beach time. You get a guaranteed plane window seat, guides such as Heath, Jenna, Tori, and Brad on recent trips, and a small group capped at 12 people.

“Both parts of the tour absolutely amazing!! Take note that December is rainseason in Airlie Beach. My flight was scheduled for Friday but had to be canceled due to difficult weather conditions on that day, but the team did an amazing effort in rebooking it for the next day. For the rafting part (still happened on the original day), skipper Ben and guide Georgia on boat Black Betty did a great job in keeping our mood high - we had so much fun on the boat and during the tour, they put the music up and it was a real party - were even rewarded with sunshine at Whitsunday Coast,…”

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7.1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 746 reviews Top rated

Fly from Airlie Beach over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef on a 60-minute flight with a guaranteed window seat. Your pilot points out Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and marine life below. Pickup is available, groups are capped at 13, and the full experience takes about 90 minutes.

“Amazing experience and journey, pilot was amazing and very informative. Real bucket list journey. Scenery and reef stunning.”

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8.Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 649 reviews · from $179

Fly from Sydney Airport over Botany Bay, Maroubra, Coogee, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House. Your pilot provides live commentary through a headset, and shared flights carry up to six people. Hotel pickup is available from two central hotels, with a shuttle back to Circular Quay after the flight.

“We loved the helicopter experience. We were able to take beautiful pictures of Sydney harbor and Bondi beach. Would highly recommend. Based on our experience, the right side had a better view than the left side. Perhaps, in the future, they could find a way to alternate so there is a better viewing experience.”

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9.Uluru 15-Minute Helicopter Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 548 reviews · 15 min · from $145Best value

Ride from your Ayers Rock Resort hotel to the airport, complete a safety briefing, then fly beside Uluru in a helicopter with bubble windows. Your English-speaking pilot points out the rock and desert beyond it. The flight does not pass directly over or fully around Uluru, and each passenger needs to manage helicopter steps.

“Great crew, very professional and friendly. 15 mins is a bit short, maybe 29 mins would be better”

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10.Uluru & Kata Tjuta 25-Minute Helicopter Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 536 reviews · 1 hour · from $237

From Yulara, you’ll ride an air-conditioned bus to the helipad for a 25-minute helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Your English-speaking pilot points out features of the red centre while turning for views on both sides. The route respects cultural restrictions, so it does not fly directly over or fully around either formation.

“Excellent flight and full time advertised in the air. Wonderful to see it all from the sky.”

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11.Full Day Reef Cruise and 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 340 reviews · from $283

Cruise from Cairns aboard Evolution, spend about five hours at two outer reef sites, snorkel or choose an introductory or certified scuba session, then take a 10-minute helicopter flight over Hastings Reef. A BBQ lunch, equipment, afternoon wine, cheese, and crackers are included.

“Great experience. Everything was well organized and was over the top. Instructors and whole team are professionals.”

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12.20-Minute Shared Helicopter Ride over Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 226 reviews · 20 min · from $176

Take a 20-minute shared helicopter flight from Sydney Airport over Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo, Watson’s Bay, Rose Bay and Manly Cove. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary through a headset. Hotel transfers from selected CBD meeting points, pre-flight photos, refreshments and free parking are included.

“Super activity must do to kinda activity, you will get the local vibes, people , history , how sydney is and where it is coming from, harbour area old buildings from 1800 , what was the use of sydney in those days and where it is now . All the stuff. Then roaming in sydney is worth while.”

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13.Great Barrier Reef 40 Minute Scenic Flight from Cairns – Reef Hopper

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $185

Take a 40-minute high-wing flight from Cairns over Green Island, Double Island, Palm Cove, Arlington Reef, and Upolu Reef. Your pilot provides commentary, and every seat is beside a window. Central Cairns pickup and return are included, with a maximum of seven people aboard.

“Worth every penny. Guaranteed a window seat plus the perfect video/photo shots. Would definitely do it again.”

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14.Colours of Broome: Stunning 30-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · from $307

Take a 30-minute helicopter flight over Broome with an English-speaking pilot, hotel pickup and a maximum of three passengers. Fly above Cable Beach, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Gantheaume Point, Town Beach and Roebuck Bay. Pilots such as Rob, Abby, Hilary and Mitch have been praised for clear commentary and calm, friendly service.

“Well worth the money! Fantastic Pilot very knowledgeable and pointed out many points of interest. KAS Helicopters are so professional too. He even brought out a step ladder to help my 88 year old Mum get up into the helicopter.”

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15.Sydney Grand Tour by Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $258

Fly along Sydney’s coast from Maroubra and Bondi to Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why, and Long Reef, then return over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. A pilot provides live commentary through a two-way headset. Hotel pickup is available from two central hotels, with a shuttle back to Circular Quay.

“Fantastic trip and a great pilot guide. Loved every moment and came away thrilled from the experience, with a phone full of brilliant pics.”

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