Top sights: Reef lagoons, sand cays and coral formations
Rainforest highlights:Kuranda region, Barron River, Barron Gorge & Barron Falls
Best for: Bucket-list views, amazing photos, and “see it all” visitors 📸
What to bring: Sunglasses, camera/phone, and a light jumper on cooler days
Good to know: Routes can vary slightly with weather and operational conditions
Take off from Cairns and pack the best of Tropical North Queensland into one unforgettable flight on this Cairns Helicopter Tour. First, you’ll sweep out over the Coral Sea where the reef colours glow from above. Then, just when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll turn inland and trade turquoise water for the deep greens of the Wet Tropics rainforest — all within 60 spectacular minutes. ✨
Fly over the Great Barrier Reef 🌊🐠
As the helicopter tracks over the reef, you’ll spot vivid coral patterns, shallow lagoons and bright sand cays scattered across the water. Because you’re viewing it from above, you’ll also see the scale and detail that you simply can’t get from a boat. Keep your eyes peeled, too — on calm days, passengers sometimes spot marine life moving through the shallows. 📸
Then, glide into rainforest country 🌿🏞️
Next, the landscape shifts dramatically. You’ll head inland over dense rainforest and rugged ranges, following the Barron River as it winds through the canopy. After that, you’ll reach the impressive Barron Gorge and the famous Barron Falls — and during the wetter months the falls put on an especially powerful show. 💦
Iconic sights along the way 🚂
Along the route, you’ll also fly over the Kuranda region, and you may even spot the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail cutting through the rainforest. As a result, you’ll leave with a full “reef, rainforest and beyond” highlight reel — all from the best seat in the sky. 😍
If you want one experience that captures the heart of Cairns in a single hit, this Cairns Helicopter Tour delivers big views, bold colours and unforgettable moments from take-off to touchdown. 🚁📸
Highlights
Spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest.
Itinerary
60-minute scenic flight
Headsets fitted with voice activated microphones
Entertaining inflight commentary from your experienced local pilot
This flight departs from either the Pier Heliport or General Aviation. Please advise which location suits you best at time of booking.
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 the balance of the aircraft.
All flights are shared and not private unless the 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.
Cairns Helicopter Tour 60-minute Reef and Rainforest Scenic Flight
Cancellation Policy
A minimum of 48 hours' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any date change will incur a $20 administration fee.
We are required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to: [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 48 hours or more before departure
100% cancellation fee within 48 hours before departure and for "No Show"
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather, etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation, and medical cover.
Operator Cancelations:
Flights are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air-traffic control and availability.
The decision of the pilot in command is final with regards to cancelling a flight due to inclement weather and/or the refusal of the passenger/s if the passenger/s are deemed unfit for flight.
Nautilus strives to ensure your flight takes off as planned. However, unexpected circumstances like bad weather, staffing issues, or unscheduled maintenance may arise. In these instances, we will: Do our best to rebook you on another flight: If possible, we’ll happily reschedule your trip for a different date that works for you. Flight rebooking is subject to availability. Offer a full refund: If rebooking isn’t an option, you’ll receive a full refund for your cancelled flight. Please note the refund will be no greater than the flight amount.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
This booking is not yet confirmed. We will contact you to get all required information and provide the availability for your requested date. Should you wish to confirm the booking, payment will be required at that time.
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.
Due to pilot discretion, weather, air traffic control, and other operational considerations beyond our control, flight paths and flight times may vary at times. For these reasons, Nautilus Aviation cannot guarantee exact arrival and departure times and will therefore not be liable for additional expenses arising from, or incidental to, any delay in service as outlined in our *Conditions of Carriage.
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.
Neither this site, nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, loss of damage, delay or personal injury.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical or other expenses are the financial responsibility of that passenger.
Children policy:
Children 3 years and above are legally required to be seated in their own seat and are therefore required to pay the full ticket price.
Children aged 3 years to 13 years must be accompanied by an adult on all flights.
Children under the age of 3 are classified an infant and may travel free of charge.
At the time of booking, please advise if travelling with infants as additional seating regulations apply.
Under Australian regulations, an infant is a passenger who has not reached their 3rd birthday.
Routinely one (1) infant (under 3 years of age) is permitted per flight and may travel free of charge when seated on a parent’s/guardians lap with a company provided infant seat belt restraint.
