30-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight

Hervey Bay: 30 Minute Ultimate Scenic Helicopter Flight runs through Great Ocean Helicopters. Rated 5.0 across 1 review. Runs 30 minutes. From A$340.

Overview

This 30-minute helicopter flight with Great Ocean Helicopters lifts off from Hervey Bay Airport and crosses the Great Sandy Strait toward World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. In the air, the route takes in Lake McKenzie's clear water, the long stretch of 75 Mile Beach, Eli Creek and the historic Maheno Shipwreck. The return leg follows the island's west coast past Moon Point, then crosses back over Pelican Banks, Big Woody Island and the shifting sandbars of the strait before finishing with views of Hervey Bay Marina, Urangan Pier and Torquay Beach.

Along the way there is a real chance of spotting marine life from above: turtles, dugongs, dolphins and, in season, whales. The listing notes whale spotting is seasonal, running August to November.

The tour covers the island's most iconic sights from above in a single flight. Note that hotel pickup is not included, so you make your own way to the meeting point at 1 Don Adams Dr, Urangan, and food and drinks are not part of the package.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Hervey Bay AirportMake your own way to 1 Don Adams Dr, Urangan, the departure base. Hotel pickup is not included.
2. Cross the Great Sandy StraitThe helicopter heads out over the blue waters of the strait toward Fraser Island.
3. Lake McKenzie and 75 Mile BeachYou see the turquoise lake from above, then the long run of 75 Mile Beach along the island's east coast.
4. Eli Creek and Maheno ShipwreckThe route passes two of the island's best-known sights, the creek and the historic wreck.
5. West coast and Moon PointThe return leg tracks along the island's west coast with views toward Moon Point.
6. Pelican Banks and Big Woody IslandCrossing back over the strait, you fly over Pelican Banks, Big Woody Island and the changing sandbars below.
7. Hervey Bay flyover and landingThe flight finishes over the marina, Urangan Pier, Torquay Beach and the township before returning to base. Total flight time is approximately 30 minutes.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this short flight.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, so plan your own transport to 1 Don Adams Dr in Urangan.
• What to bring. The listing recommends sunglasses, a camera and sunscreen. A camera is the obvious one here, since the route packs in Lake McKenzie, the Maheno Shipwreck and the sandbars of the strait.
• Flight length. Flight time is approximately 30 minutes. It moves quickly, so it helps to have an idea of which sights you most want to photograph before you board.
• Whale season. Whale spotting is seasonal, running August to November. Outside those months you may still see turtles, dugongs and dolphins, but whales are not expected.
• No drones. Drones are not allowed on this tour. If you want aerial footage, the flight itself is the way to get it.
• Food and drink. Nothing is provided to eat or drink, and the listing lists food and drinks as not included. Eat before you arrive, as the outing is short.

Common issues. The main limits are practical ones from the listing. Hotel pickup is not included, and neither is food or drink, so the price covers the flight itself. Whale sightings only happen between August and November, so travellers booking outside that window should not expect them. Drones cannot be brought along.

Before You Book Anything