The 6 BEST Helicopter Rides in Melbourne (2023)
The definitive guide to the BEST helicopter rides in Melbourne in 2023. We've compared every different helicopter ride, scenic flight and tour available in Melbourne to give you the best recommendation on which melbourne helicopter ride you should choose.
Helicopter tours are rated one of the best activities and things to do in Melbourne. With Melbourne's amazing city skyline, spectacular coastal views and being just a short helicopter flight from the Yarra Valley and Great Ocean Road, Melbourne is the perfect place for a helicopter experience for couples, families and groups.
What are the best helicopter rides in Melbourne?
The best Melbourne helicopter rides are:
- Melbourne City Scenic
- Melbourne City, Beaches & Coastal
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour
- Phillip Island Scenic Flight
- 12 Apostles (Great Ocean Road)
- Craig's Hut (Snowy Mountains)
You'll find a detailed overview of each helicopter tour below. Alternatively, see our collection of scenic flights, read about the top wineries to visit by helicopter from Melbourne, or compare every flight from all the different helicopter companies in Melbourne in our Ultimate Guide to Helicopter Rides in Melbourne.
1. Melbourne City Scenic Helicopter Ride
The best helicopter ride in Melbourne is this classic 20 minute tour over Melbourne CBD, Yarra River and the city's most popular landmarks. It's the perfect helicopter flight for amazing aerial photography and to experience Melbourne from a completely new perspective.
Summary: This classic tour is competitively priced for those on a budget and should be flown by everyone in Melbourne at least once in their life!
Who should fly: This tour is perfect for locals wanting to rediscover Melbourne and for anyone visiting Melbourne for the weekend who wants to see as many popular landmarks in as possible in the shortest time.
Best time to fly: All year round! Flights at sunrise are the most spectacular with Melbourne glowing orange in the morning light and the high chance of seeing Hot Air Balloons floating over the city on a clear day.
Where to book the best deal: Melbourne City Scenic Helicopter Ride on a private helicopter flight with Rotor One.
2. Melbourne City, Beach & Coastal Flight
This 30 minute helicopter tour follows a similar flight path to the classic Melbourne City tour above, but extend further to include Melbourne’s stunning coast and iconic beaches of Port Phillip Bay.
Offering more flight time and photo opportunities for your money, this helicopter ride will fly you low and slow down the coast for spectacular views of St Kilda Pier, Luna Park and the famous Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes (of which there are 82 in total in distinctive bright colours!).
Flying over Sandringham Marina you’ll even spot a sunken J7 submarine from World War 1 and at Half Moon Bay a 19th century shipwreck HMAS Cerberus (once used to defend Port Phillip Bay from naval attacks) for those who enjoy their history.
The coastal route over Port Phillip Bay also offers stunning aerial photo opportunities of the coast with the Melbourne City skyline in the background and you might even spot parachutes dropping from the skydiving plane over St Kilda on your way back!
Summary: All said and done, a helicopter ride over Melbourne's City and Beaches is definitely worth the extra money!
Who should fly: This tour is the perfect gift for special occasions such as a birthday or anniversary and is especially popular for wedding proposals with couples proposing in-flight or on the ground afterwards.
Best time to fly: All year round! Early morning flights offer the best light along the coast and a beautiful sparkle over the bay and afternoon flights cast long shadows over the city which look spectacular.
Where to book for the best deal: Melbourne City, Beaches & Coastal Tour on a private helicopter flight with Rotor One.
3. Yarra Valley Wine Tour by Helicopter
The ultimate indulgence, perfectly suited to a helicopter, would have to be a wine tour and winery lunch experience from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley by helicopter.
If the entrance wasn’t already amazing enough, you and your partner will then experience a wine tasting and lunch menu that will leave you feeling like royalty.
With no shortage of wineries and restaurants in the Yarra Valley, passengers rate Hubert Estate, Zonzo, and Levantine Hill Estate as the best 3 winery choices in the region.
Summary: Perfect for a special occasion such as an anniversary or a business meeting with a professional client, a helicopter wine tour to the Yarra Valley will not disappoint!
Who should fly: This romantic tour is perfect to celebrate a special occasion such as an anniversary with a loved once. Couples also find this flight and the backdrop of a winery perfect for an intimate proposal.
Best time to fly: All year round! Weekends are fabulous but booking a wine tour on a weekday makes your wine tour and lunch experience more intimate.
Where to book the best deal: Hubert Estate, Zonzo Estate or Levantine Hill Estate on a private helicopter flight with Rotor One. For more winery options, see our ultimate guide to Wine Tours by Helicopter in Yarra Valley.
4. Phillip Island Scenic Flight from Melbourne
Enjoy a helicopter ride to Phillip Island that showcases the very best of Melbourne CBD, Port Phillip Bay and Phillip Island from the air!
Experience the ultimate helicopter tour in Melbourne which covers all of the most popular landmarks in Melbourne. This tour gives you the chance to see Luna Park, Brighton Beach Boxes, MCG, Cowes, Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Seal Rocks and more from the air!
The helicopter flight path covers everything that Phillip Island has to offer. It includes flying over the largest little penguin colony in the world - Penguin Parade and even the location that hosts over 30 000 Australian Fur Seals every year - Seal Rocks.
Summary: An all-in-one helicopter ride from Melbourne to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Victoria.
Who should fly: The Phillip island helicopter ride is perfect for tourists or locals who want to enjoy breath-taking aerial views of popular landmarks in Melbourne CBD, Port Phillip Bay and Phillip Island.
Best time to fly: All year round but October-February is one of the best times to fly from Melbourne to Phillip Island. The warm weather and clear skies in the summer is the perfect setting for the most spectacular aerial views.
Where to book the best deal: Phillip Island Helicopter Tour from Melbourne with Rotor One.
5. Helicopter Tour to the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road from Melbourne
One of the most spectacular helicopter rides in Australia is along Victoria’s iconic Shipwreck Coast following the Great Ocean Road to the world famous 12 Apostles.
This scenic flight takes just over an hour from Melbourne flying over the Great Ocean Road with amazing coastal views from Torquay to the idyllic towns of Lorne, Apollo Bay and Cape Otway, where you’ll spot Australia's oldest lighthouse.The incredible limestone stacks that make up the 12 Apostles are awe-inspiring to see from a helicopter and with a two hour stopover you’ll also have plenty of time to take stunning photos on the ground.
Your flight will continue along Port Campbell National Park and over the natural wonders of the Arch, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Grotto and the Bay of Islands (a beautiful constellation of jagged rock formations) before heading back to Melbourne.
Summary: An essential bucket list experience, flying from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles by helicopter is a tour that you absolutely must do once in your life.
Who should fly: This tour is the ultimate gift and shared experience for a loved one and is often purchased as a once-in-a-lifetime gift to very lucky Mums & Dads!
Best time to fly: All year round but June - October is whale-spotting season! Early morning flights give the best light as the sun reflects off the ocean mist as it hits the 12 Apostles.
Where to book the best deal: Melbourne to 12 Apostles & Great Ocean Road by Helicopter - A private VIP experience with Rotor One.
6. Craig's Hut Snowy Mountain Helicopter Adventure
If you're looking to immerse yourself in a blend of Australian history and breathtaking natural vistas, a helicopter tour to Craig's Hut in the Snowy Mountains is your dream come true. This helicopter tour not only promises a real adventure but offers a rich insight into Australia’s settler history through a one-of-a-kind helicopter experience.
Embark on a spectacular half-day helicopter tour from Melbourne over Victoria's High Country of the Yarra Ranges, Lake Eildon and the Mt Buller snow fields, before making a private landing atop Mt Stirling and the historic grounds at Craig's Hut in Victoria's snowy mountains. Take a short hike or enjoy a gourmet picnic for an unparalleled combination of history and natural beauty. This is an adventure that's both exhilarating and steeped in tradition, echoing the spirit of "The Man from Snowy River."Summary: If you like the idea of combining history, gastronomy and stunning natural scenery, this tour is unmatched with anything else in Melbourne!
Who should fly: History buffs, adventurers, and anyone who hasn't experienced snowy mountains views from a helicopter. It’s an ideal choice for friends or loved ones looking to create special memories together.
Best time to fly: Experience the snowy mountains at their peak beauty during the winter season, however a spring or summer adventure is just as pleasant, albeit minus the snow!
Where to book for the best deal: Craig's Hut Snowy Mountain Helicopter Adventure with Rotor One.
Which helicopter ride will you choose?
For more information on the different helicopter tours available in Melbourne and their prices, visit Rotor One.
If you have any questions or want personalised advice to choose a flight, you can reach us at (03) 7065 1888 or concierge@rotor.one and we’d be happy to help.
Whether you're surprising your partner on their birthday or anniversary, gifting an experience to your children on their birthday or simply looking for a new adventure for yourself, choosing any of these amazing helicopter tours is going to be an amazing experience that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cheapest prices for helicopter rides in Melbourne?
Prices start from $279 per person for a helicopter ride over Melbourne CBD and $860 per person for a helicopter wine tour to the Yarra Valley.
Where can I find the best price on a helicopter ride in Melbourne?
We've reviewed 51+ helicopter experiences in Melbourne across all 7 helicopter companies to help you find the perfect flight and the cheapest price in our Ultimate Guide to Helicopter Rides in Melbourne.