5 Best Helicopter Rides in Melbourne by Rotor One

The 6 BEST Helicopter Rides in Melbourne (2024)

The definitive guide to the BEST helicopter rides in Melbourne in 2024. 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:

  1. Melbourne City Scenic
  2. Melbourne City, Beaches & Coastal
  3. Yarra Valley Wine Tour
  4. Phillip Island Scenic Flight
  5. 12 Apostles (Great Ocean Road)
  6. Craig's Hut (Snowy Mountains)

You'll find a detailed overview of each helicopter tour below. Alternatively, see our collection of Melbourne scenic flights for a complete list of our helicopter rides.

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.

    Melbourne City Scenic Flight with Rotor One
    Enjoy panoramic views of Melbourne’s city skyline as you fly past Docklands, the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel and Eureka Tower, hovering just a few hundred metres off the ground.
    With beautiful views out to the Spirit of Tasmania and Port Melbourne, you’ll also quickly recognise the Formula 1 Circuit with a bird’s eye view of Albert Park.
    To finish your helicopter ride around the city, you’ll fly over the Royal Botanic Gardens, Rod Laver Arena (home of the Australian Open) and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where you might be lucky enough to see a footy game in play!

    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.

      Melbourne City and Beaches Tour with Rotor One

      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.

        Helicopter Wine Tour and Lunch in the Yarra Valley by Rotor One
        Helicopter rides from Melbourne to Yarra Valley take just 25 minutes and are guaranteed to make any trip to the the Yarra extra special. You'll land directly at your winery of choice, often right in front of the entrance and on-lookers in the restaurant!

        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 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!

        Helicopter Tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island

        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.

          Helicopter Tour to the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road by Rotor One 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 Mountain 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.

          Craig's Hut Helicopter from Melbourne with Rotor One

          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 Mountain Picnic Adventure with Rotor One.

           

          Which Melbourne helicopter ride will you choose?

          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.

          Rotor One - Melbourne Helicopter Rides - Helicopter Interior

          Frequently Asked Questions

          What are the cheapest prices for helicopter rides in Melbourne?

          Prices start from $299 per person for a helicopter ride over Melbourne CBD and $840 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.

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          • Luke K.

            "Our pilot Ed was a consummate professional, communication with the company was great and our day trip couldn’t have been better. We'll be back.”

          • Shell H.

            "Steve our pilot was extremely friendly, caring and chatty. Ensured safety and allowed time for pictures to be taken of my partner and I. It's a BIG YES FROM US!”

          • Liz R.

            "What a beautiful day we had. Thank you so much to Ed, our knowledgeable and kind pilot. You made this day one that we'll never forget. The day trip of a lifetime.”

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          About The Author

          Edward Taylor - Owner & Commercial Pilot at Rotor One

          Edward Taylor is a Helicopter Pilot based in Melbourne, Australia. He holds a Commercial Pilot's License (CPL-H) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is the Owner and a Commercial Pilot at Rotor One (Australia). Edward is a local expert in helicopter tours across Australia and has had the pleasure of flying helicopters in England, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the USA and Israel. Edward also loves flying with his Golden Retriever, Leo.

          ✉️ Send Edward an Email

          About Us

          Rotor One - Melbourne Helicopter Rides 🚁

          We're proud to be Melbourne's #1 rated helicopter company with an exclusive selection of helicopter rides, wine tours and charter destinations in Melbourne.

          Experience Melbourne's iconic sights on a spectacular flight over Melbourne CBD, indulge in one of Yarra Valley's famed vineyards, or witness the breathtaking 12 Apostles from the sky.

          Mark your anniversary with our Couples Only Experience, or surprise your children with our Kid's Co-Pilot Experience — the best birthday gift they'll ever receive.

          We believe a helicopter ride is more than a flight — it's a breathtaking adventure that you'll remember for a lifetime.

          Have a question?

          📞 Call us on (03) 7065 1888