Top Australia In the Air

The rainforest-clad islands, white-sand beaches, and vast coral reefs of the Whitsundays are even more impressive when viewed from above. With this tour, take off on a scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and admire the views from the panoramic windows. Fly over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and the Heart Reef, and enjoy a magnificent bird’s eye view of the Great Barrier Reef. Live commentary is available in English, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Enjoy sweeping views of Sydney Harbour during a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight over Sydney. If you’re short on time in the city or just want to see a lot in one go, take to the skies for a quick flight with stunning panoramic views. Check off Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge without having to walk anywhere or struggle through the crowds.

Enjoy aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic flight from Cairns. With window seats guaranteed, this flight features informative commentary from your pilot as you fly over the city of Cairns, then head out over the turquoise sea to Green Island and Palm Cove. Pass over Arlington Reef, Upolu Reef, Double Island and North Queensland’s coast before heading back to the mainland. Your flight also includes a free transfer courtesy bus from your centrally located accommodations in Cairns.

Sometimes driving through a small part of the Australian Outback isn’t enough. See the desert from above on a morning hot-air balloon ride. This tour from Alice Springs gets you up in the air near dawn for a scenic ride. Spot wildlife, including the elusive Red Kangaroo, from above, take in views of the landscape, and enjoy sparkling wine afterward.

Combine two popular Australia destinations in one day: the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Following a scenic flight by fixed-wing aircraft, embark on an ocean rafting adventure to Whitehaven Beach. The bird’s-eye views, including Heart Reef, are unparalleled. A buffet lunch and snorkeling on the coral reef are included. Opt for more beach time with the Southern Lights tour or extra snorkeling with the Northern Exposure itinerary.

Experience the thrills of parasailing while on the Gold Coast of Australia. First, you’ll receive a short safety training before being outfitted with a harness. Then, soar high above the Gold Coast, up to 400 feet (122 meters) high, and take in aerial views of the coastline. This is available for solo travelers or with one or two partners. Allow approximately 90 minutes for the full experience including briefing and flight time.

Get into the air and view the Yarra Valley like a bird on this hot air balloon adventure. Look at the countryside below you, and pose for photos that your pilot will take and email you after the ride. You’ll also receive a flight certificate, emailed to you afterwards. Choose to add breakfast to this experience, or alternatively book a spot at one of the nearby restaurants for a champagne breakfast.

Looking for an unforgettable morning that fits into your schedule and your dreams? Ballooning, Bubbles & Go is your premium express escape into the skies. Operated by Australia’s most experienced balloon operator Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast, this early morning express adventure brings you the thrill of hot air ballooning with a touch of elegance. Start your morning with convenient hotel pickup before floating high above the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland. Take in sweeping views of rolling hills, stunning countryside and spot wildlife from the serenity of your hot air balloon basket. It’s a moment of peace, beauty, and exhilaration that will stay with you forever. After landing, celebrate in style with a sparkling wine toast and receive a commemorative flight certificate to mark the experience. Plus, you’ll take home a Premium Digital Photo Pack valued at $130, capturing your airborne adventure in high resolution.

Take off on a flight over the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, and see sights including Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet. Catch a bird’s-eye view of many of the Whitsunday Islands and fly over Whitehaven Beach and picturesque Hill Inlet before heading toward the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll see one of the most photographed reef locations, Heart Reef. The comfortable fixed wing aircraft offers big window viewing, plus enjoy pilot commentary.

Get an enchanting new perspective on Melbourne aboard a hot-air balloon flight over the city at sunrise. Soar over modern skyscrapers, urban parks, famous sporting arenas, and the Yarra River as early morning light bathes the skyline in a rosy glow. After your unforgettable flight, toast the new day with an optional buffet breakfast.

Take a scenic flight by helicopter over the iconic sandstone formation known as Uluru as you sit back and relax taking in the incredible birds-eye views on offer. Views of Kata Tjuta while flying by Uluru.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is widely considered among Australia’s most impressive natural attractions—but it’s difficult to feel its size and scale from ground level. On this tour, begin with pickup at your Ayers Rock Resort hotel and take to the skies by helicopter with your guide. Soar high over Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuta, and capture uninterrupted views over the 500 million year-old formations on camera.

Experience the sights of Brisbane from a vantage point few are lucky to experience on this private helicopter tour. Follow the Brisbane River to Suncorp Stadium and circle the spectacular towering skyline of the central business district. Get a bird’s-eye view of the Story Bridge and Gabba Stadium. Then, head back toward Archerfield airport, flying over the inner city suburbs.

Enjoy unbeatable aerial views of Kakadu National park—Australia’s largest national park—on this scenic flight. Take off from Jabiru for a thrilling flight on a light aircraft and soar over natural wonders including The Archway, the Arnhem Land escarpments, East Alligator Valley, the Mikinj Valley Billabongs, and the Magela flood plains. With a guaranteed window seat, you are assured a spectacular view, and live commentary from your pilot will make sure you don’t miss anything.

The forested valleys and vine-clad hills of Brisbane’s Scenic Rim area are even more magnificent when viewed from above. With this tour, make an early start to catch the sunrise and float over the picturesque landscapes in a hot air balloon. After admiring the views, celebrate your flight with a glass of sparkling wine and a scrumptious hot buffet breakfast at a local vineyard.

The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks—but much of it remains hidden to visitors without tickets to a performance. This guided walking tour offers a closer look inside the UNESCO World Heritage–listed building, with access to spaces typically reserved for showgoers. As you explore, your guide shares entertaining stories about the venue’s design, history, and the productions that bring it to life.

Combine two thrilling activities in one seamless booking on this parasailing and jetboat tour. Join a small group and soar upwards of 400 feet (122 meters) in the air over Gold Coast’s Broadwater. Then, zip around the blue waters in a jetboat where to experience 360-degree spins, fishtailing, and more.

If you’re short on time in Sydney and won’t be able to visit all of its glorious beaches, admire them from the air instead. This scenic half-hour helicopter flight takes you over the beaches at Coogee, Bondi, Manly, and more. You may even see dolphins or whales (in season), and you’ll definitely get great views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.

Fly over Uluru (Ayers Rock) to take in the iconic landmark of Australia's Red Center from the air. Hear expert commentary from your pilot during the 20-minute scenic flight, and soak in unobstructed views from the guaranteed window seat.

Experience more from your wine tour of the Hunter Valley by taking to the skies with this helicopter tour from Pokolbin. Add luxury and romance to your visit by taking off in a private helicopter and flying over the valley’s scenic vineyard landscape to pop into two of its acclaimed wineries for a wine-tasting session. Note that places on this tour are limited to three people.

The scale of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit is hard to grasp from the ground, where the edges of the open-cut mine run out of sight. See it from the air instead on a scenic flight, taking in the full sweep of the working goldmine from above. The route also passes over Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the surrounding Goldfields, giving you the lay of the land in a way the ground can't.

Get up close to the beauty of the Horizontal Falls and pristine scenery of the Kimberley (the most northern region of Western Australia) on this small-group, half-day tour. Experience the thrill of a seaplane ride over Buccaneer Archipelago and Cape Leveque before landing in the calm waters of Talbot Bay. Next, take an exciting boat ride through the Horizontal Falls, followed by a more relaxed cruise around the surrounding bays and creeks. Enjoy a cooked breakfast or lunch onboard (depending on your chosen departure time) and then relax on a scenic flight back to Broome.

Discover the natural beauty of the Bungle Bungle Range as you explore West Kimberley in a small airplane on a full-day tour from Broome. Fly to Purnululu National Park and land there to see the Beehive Domes and Cathedral Gorge up close. You'll also pass over vast plains, Halls Creek, and the Windjana Gorge on a tour that includes breakfast and lunch, flights and ground transfers, and hotel pickup and drop-off.