Whitsundays Scenic Flights, Australia

Fly to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef

Nov 18, 2009 Sharon Smallwood

Whitsunday seaplanes and helicopter flights provide transport to regional attractions and island resorts, giving passengers panoramic views over the islands and reef.

Scenic Flights offer visitors to the Whitsundays an alternative perspective on these spectacular surroundings. There is no better way to appreciate the sheer scale of the Great Barrier Reef than to see this natural wonder from above. Established Whitsunday tour operators supply a choice of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft for a range of excursions, from short joy-flights to day-trips on the outer reef.

Barrier Reef Adventure Tours

Popular fly/cruise packages typically feature a one-way scenic flight to the Whitsunday portion of the Great Barrier Reef and a fast catamaran transfer on return (or vice-versa). Passengers fly over the Whitsunday islands to pontoons at Knuckle Reef or Hardy Lagoon. Activities at the reef include snorkelling and diving (subject to certification or as part of a training course). There is also coral viewing from semi-submersibles and glass-bottom boats. Lunch is included in the price.

Passengers can opt to fly both ways if so desired. Some itineraries will accommodate a stop on world-famous Whitehaven Beach (usually on the return trip). Day-trippers on boat tours to the reef can take advantage of shorter flights, presenting photographic opportunities and the chance to experience another viewpoint. Joy-flights average around ten minutes and characteristically take in Heart Reef, a highly photographed coral reef shaped like a romantic love-heart.

Whitehaven Beach

With its endless kilometres of silica sand, Whitehaven Beach is a Whitsunday icon. Scenic flights manoeuvre around nearby Hill Inlet, affording passengers on both sides of the aircraft a postcard-perfect view. Some seaplane tours include a touch-and-go alongside Whitehaven Beach, with low-level flying through the Solway Passage. Picnic flights incorporate a stop on the beach with inclusive refreshments.

Island Day Trips and Transfers to Whitsunday Resorts

Seaplanes and helicopters provide fast transfers to the Whitsunday resorts at Hayman, Hamilton, Long, Daydream, South Molle and Lindeman islands. Day trips by air to Whitsunday island resorts generally allow passengers full use of resort facilities. Lunch is either fully or partly included, sometimes in the form of redeemable vouchers.

Whitsunday Aerial Photography

Whitsunday pilots ensure that passengers on both sides of the aircraft receive equal exposure to celebrated scenes. Polarising filters are useful for shooting through glass. Keeping the lens close to the window will also minimise reflections. SLR cameras should be set to shutter speed priority (commonly marked TV). Recommended shutter speeds are around 1/500 (sec). For professional photographic work a helicopter with removable doors is preferred.

Whitsunday Aviation - Facts for the Visitor

Tours and private charters from the Australian mainland depart the Whitsunday Airport, located between Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Departures can also be arranged from most island resorts. Seaplanes will meet private and charter yachts at selected island anchorages for a small additional surcharge (dependent on conditions of the day). The Whitsunday fleet contains well-known aircraft such as Cessna Caravans, De-Havilland Beavers and Robinson and Bell helicopters.

The copyright of the article Whitsundays Scenic Flights, Australia in Aus/NZ/Oceania Travel is owned by Sharon Smallwood. Permission to republish Whitsundays Scenic Flights, Australia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.