Cairns Helicopter Tours 🚁🌊🌴
- Scenic helicopter flights departing from Cairns
- Flight options: 30, 45 or 60 minutes
- Aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest and waterfalls
- Fly over reefs, islands, coastline and mountain ranges
- Excellent marine life spotting from the air
- Perfect for sightseeing, special occasions and photography
Cairns helicopter tours deliver a true bird’s-eye view of Tropical North Queensland. From the moment you lift off, the landscape unfolds beneath you, revealing reef colours, winding rivers and ancient rainforest in one unforgettable flight.
Whether you choose a short scenic loop or a longer adventure, these helicopter flights showcase just how vast and spectacular the region really is. Even better, each option offers something unique, so you can match the experience to your time and budget ✨
30-Minute Reef Scenic Flight 🌊🐢
To begin with, the 30-minute flight is the most popular choice. It focuses entirely on the Great Barrier Reef and nearby coral cays.
As you glide above the water, you’ll see vibrant blues and greens surrounding Green Island, Arlington Reef and Upolu Cay. Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled below, as turtles, reef sharks, dolphins and manta rays are often visible from the air. During whale season (July to September), you may even spot humpback whales on their annual migration 🐋
45-Minute Reef & Rainforest Scenic Flight 🌴💦
Next, the 45-minute Cairns helicopter tour combines two UNESCO World Heritage areas in one seamless flight.
After sweeping over the reef, you’ll follow the coastline past Palm Cove and Double Island before climbing into the lush mountain ranges. Soon after, the scenery shifts dramatically as waterfalls, deep gorges and dense rainforest come into view.
You’ll fly over Barron Gorge National Park, spot the village of Kuranda from above and descend alongside the dramatic Barron Falls. During the wet season, the waterfall is especially powerful, creating an unforgettable, camera-worthy moment 📸
Along the way, look closely and you may see the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail gondolas weaving through the treetops. Finally, the flight follows the Barron River back toward Cairns for a smooth return to the helipad.
60-Minute Reef, Rainforest & Waterfalls Flight 🌄🚁
On the other hand, if you want the most complete experience, the 60-minute flight goes even further.
In addition to everything included in the 45-minute option, this extended scenic flight explores the Lamb Range, Crystal Cascades and Lake Morris. With more time in the air, you’ll enjoy wider perspectives, quieter landscapes and even more photo opportunities.
Simply put, this is the ultimate way to experience Cairns helicopter tours from every angle.
Upgrade Your Experience ✨
Finally, why stop at sightseeing? You can take your adventure further with a Great Barrier Reef helicopter getaway, including a landing on a secluded sand cay for snorkelling and lunch before flying back again 🏝️
With so many Cairns helicopter tour options available, the only question is — which flight will you choose?
Highlights
The best parts of your Cairns helicopter tours:
- Bird’s eye view of the Great Barrier Reef
- Green Island
- Arlington Reef
- Double Island
- Barron River National Park
- Kuranda Village
- Barron Falls
Itinerary
- Check-in at the flight office, 45 minutes prior departure.
- Join the safety briefing and don your life jacket.
- Follow your guide to the Helipad and get ready for lift-off!
- Enjoy your 30, 45, or 60 Minute Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest.
- Return back to the helipad.
Included
Included with your Cairns helicopter tours
- Scenic Flight – Your choice of 30, 45 or 60 Minutes.
- Head-sets fitted with voice-activated microphones
- In-flight commentary
- Modern Fleet of air-conditioned helicopters
*Some hotels are within walking distance of the Heli-pad. Please check at the time of booking.
Optional Extras
Touchdown on Vlasoff Cay!
Upgrade your Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest to include a 20-minute landing on Vlasoff Cay. A perfect option to snap a stunning holiday selfie!
This upgrade can be added on at check-in and you pay for it after your flight. Vlasoff Cay is open to the general public. In the event that there are already guests on it when we fly over, unfortunately we won’t be able to land.
What to bring
What will I need to bring?
- Sunglasses – Polarized are the best!
- Your Camera
- A Bottle of water
You can bring your items in a soft-sided bag that does not exceed 10kg.
How to get there
Pier Heliport Departures: Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870.
Transfers: Pax to make own way to departure point – transfers not included nor offered.
Important Information
The important stuff you need to know!
- You will need to provide all passenger names and individual body weights at the time of booking.
- The maximum weight for a single seat is 130kg. However, if you exceed this, please contact our team to discuss the available options.
- All flights will require a minimum of 2 people to operate.
- Your seating on the flight will be allocated based on passenger weights and balance of the aircraft.
- All flights are on a shared basis and are not on a private basis unless machine has been chartered. This product requires a minimum number of passengers to proceed.
- All prices are based on seat occupation. Children under the age of 3 are classed as Infants, and will travel free of charge. They will be seated on the parents lap and an infant seat belt restraint will be provided. Only 1 Infant per flight is permitted.
- Flights are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air-traffic control and availability. With this in mind, flight paths may be altered to accommodate the above.
