Melbourne to 12 Apostles & Great Ocean Road by Helicopter — The Bucket List Tour
Overview - Helicopter Ride to the 12 Apostles & Great Ocean Road
The helicopter ride offering the most spectacular views of Victoria's famous Shipwreck Coast and takes just 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach by helicopter from Melbourne (as opposed to 4.5 hours in the car).
As you arrive at Victoria's rugged coastline you’ll have breath-taking views of the 12 Apostles as they rise from the sea, just in time for a private landing at the 12 Apostles Helipad and your opportunity to take in these magnificent rock formations, formed over millions of years, on the ground.
A short walk from the 12 Apostles Helipad will lead you to lookouts with some of the best panoramic views along the coast including the spectacular Castle Rock lookout. For the more adventurous, take the long walk down the Gibson Steps (a 40 minute walk with 89 steps in each direction) to access the beach where you can see the 12 Apostles up close at sea level.
After your 2 hour stopover your helicopter ride continues over a number of additional natural wonders north of the 12 Apostles including Loch Ard Gorge, the Sentinel, the Arch, London Bridge, The Grotto, Schomberg Reef and the Bay of Islands — all understated but equally beautiful constellation of jagged rock formations which make up the shipwreck coast.
In the months from June to October it is not uncommon to spot whales, manta rays and schools of sharks as you wind your way along the coast, so be sure to keep a sharp eye out of your window seat!
Your scenic flight experience includes:
- A spectacular 1 hour 15 minute private flight flying you directly to the 12 Apostles
- A private helicopter reserved exclusively for you and up to 2 guests (your flight will not be shared)
- A luxury helicopter with leather seats and air-conditioning for your comfort
- As many photos as you can take both on the ground and during the flight
- An courteous and experienced pilot who loves making people smile
- A guaranteed window seat for uninterrupted views over Melbourne
- Premium noise-cancelling headsets from Bose to speak amongst yourselves and with your pilot
Example Itinerary — Melbourne to 12 Apostles Scenic Helicopter Flight
Your 12 Apostles & Great Ocean Road Bucket List tour will take off from the Helipad at Essendon Airport. An example itinerary would look like:
- 09:00 - Depart Essendon Airport on your private helicopter tour flying over Avalon, Geelong and Colac on the way to Port Campbell National Park
- 10:15 - Upon arriving at the Shipwreck Coast, your helicopter will fly a scenic tour over the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch, London Bridge and the Bay of Islands before turning around and doing the same route in the other direction.
- 10:45 - Land at 12 Apostles Helipad and spend up to 2 hours viewing the 12 Apostles on the ground. Take a short walk to the lookouts or a long walk down the Gibson Steps to see the 12 Apostles at sea level
- 12:45 - Depart 12 Apostles Helipad
- 14:00 - Arrive back to Essendon Airport
Optional — Day Trip Itinerary with Lunch at a Winery
To make your experience truly unforgettable, we can arrange a visit to either of the peninsula's best wineries — Clyde Park Vineyard, Jack Rabbit Restaurant or Terindah Estate — for a wine tour and winery lunch on your return flight to Melbourne.
13:30 - Private landing at Clyde Park, Jack Rabbit Winery or Terindah Estate for a winery lunch (priced separately)
15:30 - Depart the winery on your scenic flight back to Melbourne
16:00 - Arrive back on the Helipad at Essendon Airport
What do people say about scenic Helicopter Flights with Rotor One?
Why people choose Helicopter Rides in Melbourne with Rotor One
✅ No-hassle booking policy: Reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before your flight if your plans change - no questions asked.
✅ Weather guarantee: We'll reschedule your flight free of charge or provide a full refund if your flight is delayed due to the weather.
✅ Private flights: We reserve the entire Helicopter just for you.
✅ Photoshoot included: We reserve time before and after your flight to take photos of you in and around the helicopter.
✅ Noise-cancelling headsets from Bose: Amazing sound quality designed to protect your hearing during the flight.
✅ Fly with our owner: Our owner Ed runs the company and often flies guests personally to ensure our experiences are truly special.
⛰️ Looking for a different helicopter tour in Melbourne?
See our exciting Melbourne scenic flights collection showing off the very best parts of Melbourne by helicopter including:
- a 30 minute ride over Melbourne's City & Beaches
- a 45 minute scenic flight around Mornington Peninsula
- a 1 hour and 30 minute helicopter ride around Phillip Island
- a 2 hour and 30 minute helicopter tour over Wilsons Prom or,
- a 3 hour helicopter tour over the Grampians
Where are you located?
Rotor One is located at Essendon Airport which is 15 from Melbourne CBD. Our address is Hangar 7 Wirraway Rd, Essendon Fields and we have off-street parking next to our building. When you arrive look for the red door that says 'Melbourne Heli'.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive 10 minutes before your booking begins for a relaxed experience.
Do you depart from other locations, like the City Helipad?
We depart from Essendon Airport as you have an amazing view of the Melbourne City skyline from the moment you step onto the tarmac. We do not offer flights from the City Helipad on the Yarra River.
What is the minimum age requirement for children?
Children aged 3 years and older can fly. Our pilots will give them special attention to ensure they have an amazing time. All children will have their own window seat and pay the same seat price (we don't offer discounts for children as we make sure they have even more fun than the adults 😁)
I'm just one person. Can I fly by myself?
All our flights are private and require a minimum of two people. Book two seats if you'd like the helicopter to yourself, or you can book a single seat on our shared fight over Melbourne City, Beaches & Coast.
Can bad weather prevent us from flying?
Yes, adverse weather conditions such as low cloud, fog, heavy rain or high winds may require your flight to be delayed or rescheduled. If this is the case, your pilot will contact you at least 2 hours prior to your booking time to reschedule your flight to another day/time or provide a full refund.
Google says there's will be bad weather on the day. Should I reschedule?
There's no need to contact us to reschedule based on a weather forecast as they're often inaccurate, especially in Melbourne! We use live weather data on the day of your flight to determine if flights can be conducted safely. We'll contact you at least 2 hours prior to your flight if bad weather could delay your flight.
Why do I need to provide my weight?
We use this to calculate the weight and balance of the helicopter prior to flight. If you have any guests weighing over 120kg or a combined passenger weight of more than 240kg, please contact us prior to booking.
Can I use my camera or phone during flight?
Yes, we encourage you to take as many photos and videos on the ground, and in the air, as possible.
What should I wear?
Please bring a pair of sunglasses and you're welcome to wear clothing appropriate to the weather. We do recommend a wind-breaker jacket for any sunrise / doors-off flights and also when flying on our 12 Apostles tour as both experiences can be windy.
Can I bring any luggage?
Handbags, small backpacks or duffel bags weighing less than 10kg and less than 60cm in length can be carried. Its essential all baggage is soft and compact as it must fit in a small
Can I fly if I'm pregnant?
Yes, however we recommend flying prior to your third trimester.
Can I fly if I'm in a wheelchair?
Yes, our hangar is wheelchair-accessible and we warmly welcome passengers with special needs. Our team will gladly assist in lifting any passengers into the aircraft for their flight. We can also arrange to transport foldable wheelchairs when flying 4 or more passengers, as we use larger helicopters with cargo holds for these flights.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please see our cancellation policy below for more information.
What safety standards do you have in place?
Please see our flight safety guidelines below for more information.
Contact us anytime on (03) 7065 1888 or concierge@rotor.one if you'd like to make changes to your booking or have any questions.
Can I reschedule my flight?
Yes, up to 72 hours before your departure time and on one occasion. We unfortunately cannot accomodate any reschedule requests with less than 72 hours notice as we make commitments to ensure your Pilot and Helicopter are reserved exclusively for you on the day.
Can I get a refund on my flight if my plans change?
Yes, up to 72 hours before your departure time. Please note there is a 10% cancellation fee for any bookings cancelled at your request.
What happens if the helicopter cannot fly due to bad weather?
Our team will call you up to 2 hours before your departure to reschedule your flight or provide a full refund.
Can I get a refund on a Gift Voucher I bought for someone?
Gift Vouchers are unfortunately non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash. However, vouchers are transferable and their value can be used towards any helicopter experience on Rotor One.
Pre-Flight Safety Briefings
- Each of our guests receive a pre-flight safety briefing from your Pilot on the planned flight path, what to expect during the flight and how to operate emergency exits.
Qualified & Experienced Flight Crews
- All our crew are qualified Commercially Licensed Pilots and Flights Instructors with detailed knowledge of Melbourne airspace and several hundred to several thousand hours of flight experience each.
Detailed Monitoring of Weather Data
- All flights are subject to favourable weather conditions on the day and your Pilot may delay or cancel your flight if they believe the weather may impact the safety margins or comfort of your flight.
Use of Position Broadcasting Technology (ADS-B)
- Our helicopters are equipped with the newest position broadcasting technology (ADS-B) which tracks our position in real-time and gives automated warnings of other aircraft flying nearby.
Routine Mandatory Maintenance Inspections
- Our helicopters are inspected every day prior to the first flight and receive a detailed inspection every 50 hours by licensed aircraft engineers (LAME) with critical components being replaced every 100 and 400 hours of flight time.
Flight Planning & Monitoring with Air & Rescue Services
- All flights to destinations outside Melbourne have detailed flight plans that are submitted to Airservices Australia and include deadlines for time that search action may be required (SARTIME) as a strict precautionary measure.
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J
Ed and the entire Rotor One team were so lovely and professional throughout the entire time.
Expectations were definitely exceeded, my partner and I had an experience that we will cherish for a lifetime.
Thanks Rotor One for providing both of us with some amazing memories.
I highly recommend Rotor One to everyone out there. 👍
R
We had an amazing flight from Melbourne to 12 Apostles. Ed is a very competent and friendly pilot. We had a very safe flight. I think the best way to view the 12 apostles is from a helicopter. The tour is really worth it.
D
Had a wonderful trip with Ed. Met all our expectations. Had plenty of time at the 12 Apostles along with lunch at a local winery. Would highly recommend Rotor One with Ed.
L
We can highly recommend rotor 1 for the perfect way to visit the 12 apostles and lunch at a winery on the way back. Michael and Ed made us feel very secure and explained so much about what we were seeing from the air. They are one of only 3 Melbourne companies with permission to land at 12 apostles visitor centre. Whole experience very professional and relaxed. Whilst it’s not for everyone’s budget I felt as a once in a lifetime experience it was worth every dollar. It’s the only way to avoid a 12-13 hour day trip by mini bus. Lunch booked at Jack rabbit vineyard with private helipad was also excellent and good value for money. We will be thinking about this perfect day for a long time to come. It was really beyond our budget but not as bad as in Europe for a such a long distance. Weather was perfect for us I don’t think they can fix the weather every time!
A
Our flight was wonderful, the scenery beautiful and Ed our pilot a terrific host. We were booked for a Wednesday, however as the weather (in true Melbourne style) was forecast to be awful- Ed contacted us on Monday and offered to bring the flight forward to Tuesday and we enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day flight. The reschedule meant we couldn’t go to the winery, however Ed put together a gourmet picnic hamper for us and we enjoyed that on the beach instead which was really lovely . A great way to mark my 50th birthday and tick off a bucket list item.
E
The whole experience was amazing, we loved flying,
the view of Melbourne city, Flemington, Bay of islands,
London bridge, the arch and 12 apostles! Our pilot
Edward was fun, informative and went above and
beyond. It was for our honeymoon so we added landing
at a winery for lunch. The food at Terindah Estate was
so good.
Would definitely recommend to everyone such a
memorable experience!!
Explore more helicopter rides in Melbourne
About Us
Rotor One is a helicopter tour company specialising in helicopter rides, scenic flights, winery tours and helicopter charter in Melbourne.
Hire a helicopter to see all of Melbourne's famous landmarks on a 20 minute helicopter ride or take a sunrise flight and spot Hot Air Balloons over the city!
Fly to the Yarra Valley for lunch at Hubert Estate, wine tasting at Levantine Hill or gin tasting at Four Pillars Distillery.
Celebrate your anniversary with a 30 minute helicopter tour of the city and beaches or explore the natural wonders of the 12 Apostles by helicopter from Melbourne.
Have a question? Call us on (03) 7065 1888
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