10 Helicopter and Boat Tours in Australia Worth the Flight

1.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

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

Spend a full day aboard Evolution, a 35-meter superyacht, visiting Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef. Snorkel, add a scuba session, and take a 10-minute helicopter flight over the reef. The crew provides gear, stinger suits, lunch, and return-journey wine with cheese and biscuits.

“The trip was exceptional and we were all made to feel individually special. Smashing BBQ lunch with steak and prawns, hilarious and down to earth staff who make safety briefings fun and a jam packed day with reef snorkelling (away from any other boat and crowd) and helicopter ride. Will recommend this trip to anyone visiting Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef! The wine on the return journey and sun cream being provided were great touches. The staff couldn’t do more to help!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard Down Under Cruise and Dive’s Evolution, visiting two outer reef sites near Cairns. Snorkel, swim, or choose an introductory or certified scuba experience, then see the reef from a helicopter. Expect a large, professional operation with a BBQ buffet, helpful crew, and a maximum of 36 people.

“This was a great trip. Great crew, helpful and informative and so much to offer!! Helicopter added to our booking was excellent. Such an awesome way to see the reef!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Jet Boat Ride and Scenic Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 127 reviews · 1h 30m · from $148Best value

You get a 55-minute jet boat ride with sharp turns and 360-degree spins, followed by a 10-minute helicopter flight over Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Q1, SeaWorld, and South Stradbroke Island. Guides such as Toby and Jake have been praised for lively commentary. The helicopter ends at Marina Mirage, so plan your own return.

“Fantastic view from tour, very professional and friendly pilot”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Gold Coast Helicopter 10 min Flight and Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · from $212Top rated

Start near Surfers Paradise with a 55-minute jet boat ride across the Broadwater, including power slides and 360-degree spins. Then transfer to the Sheraton Mirage Heliport for a 10-minute flight over Q1, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Sea World, and South Stradbroke Island. Bring a change of clothes and allow time for transfers.

“The boat ride was great fun. Although, we did get wet even with the rain coats on, we did not mind it one bit. It was exhilarating.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.From Darwin: Top End Helicopter Ride & BBQ Cruise Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 4 - 7 hours · from $421

From Darwin or Bynoe, combine a short scenic helicopter flight, Finniss River airboat ride, BBQ brunch on a pontoon boat, and a close crocodile encounter. Guides such as Josh, Jack, Matt, and Jake bring local knowledge and practical safety skills. Expect wildlife, wetland views, refreshments, and a busy 4 to 7 hour day.

“great value for money, the tour guides were amazing. we went as a party of 4 and had the best time. 100% recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kakadu Yellow Waters Cruise & Katherine Gorge Helicopter Scenic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $1,506

You’ll leave Darwin at 6:30 am in a private fixed-wing plane, fly over Nitmiluk National Park, take a scenic helicopter ride above Katherine Gorge, then continue to Kakadu for the Yellow Water cruise. Pilots such as Steve and Dan provide commentary, and your small private group returns to Darwin by about 4 pm.

“Flying out at sunrise was so picturesque. The amazing vastness of the NT. Pilot Steve was just lovely. Takeoffs and landings smooth as. Helicopter ride over Katherine Gorge was stunning. Yellow Water river cruise so pretty. Being able to view all of this in such a succinct way and enjoy the landscape from the air was a bucket list moment.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 7 hours · from $332

Take a seven-hour Great Adventures catamaran trip from Cairns to an outer-reef platform. Snorkel, ride a semi-submarine, enjoy lunch, and see the reef from above on a 10-minute helicopter flight. Pilot John has earned special praise for his friendly approach and excellent aerial views.

“The price point for this activity was great! We enjoyed the boat ride out to pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef. We booked the 10 Min Helicopter ride and highly recommend it! Our pilot, John, was exceptional. He was friendly and fun - the sights of the reef above were stunning. On the pontoon, you could snorkel or dive with the fish into the Great Barrier Reef. Highly recommend doing the semi submersible as well. The lunch buffet was decent, though if you don’t time it right, the food will be gone quickly. I just wish we had more time on the excursion!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Port Douglas: Outer Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Min Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 7 hours · from $348

Board Quicksilver’s air-conditioned catamaran in Port Douglas and spend 3.5 hours at Agincourt Reef, where you can snorkel, ride a semi-submersible, or use the underwater observatory. A marine biologist presents the reef, lunch and equipment are included, and a 10-minute helicopter flight adds a spectacular view from above.

“We didn’t see anything particularly different while snorkelling but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We thought it was very well organised and put together. Lunch was poor.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Katherine Gorge Flight from Darwin, with Cruise and Heli Scenic

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $1,362

You’ll fly from Darwin with Kookaburra Air, cruise for two hours through Nitmiluk National Park, then take a 20-minute helicopter flight over Katherine Gorge. Pilot Jake has earned praise for his clear commentary and local insight. The small group, window seat, and air-and-water format give you three strong views of the Outback.

“From the moment you board the light plane, to cruising down the Katherine Gorge, to the helicopter flight over the gorge it is exhilarating made all the better by Jake our pilot from Kookaburra Air.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.1 Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise and 10 Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $336

Take Great Adventures’ fast catamaran from Cairns to an Outer Reef platform for snorkeling, semi-submersible viewing, an underwater observatory, buffet lunch, and a 10-minute helicopter flight. You can add Green Island, scuba sessions, or the Scuba-Doo underwater scooter for extra cost. Crew member Paul is noted for friendly, practical help.

“Bring water bottle, towel, sun screen, and maybe a hat. All in a backpack. Really didn't need anything else. Water provided to top off bottles. Other beverages available to buy. Our time was packed. We did the sub, chopper, lunch, snorkeling. Barely had time to rest. Just the right amount of time as we didn't want to do Green Island.”

Check availability →Read our full review