Nautilus Aviation: Reef and Rainforest Flight

Departure Times
Pricing Options
Fly sky-high over the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns’ ancient rainforests on Nautilus Aviation’s 45-minute and 60-minute scenic flights!
- See worlds collide with a bird’s-eye view of where the rainforest meets the reef
- Breathtaking 45-minute and 60-minute flights over Greater Cairns region
- Fly over the Great Barrier Reef, Palm Cove, Barron Gorge
- Add on an extra 15 minutes of scenic flying over Lamb Range’s Crystal Cascades and Lake Morris
Take to the sky with Nautilus Aviation’s scenic chopper flight over the reef and rainforest. See the world’s largest living organism and coral reef system from above — including the iconic Heart reef! Get lucky in whale season and see those big flippers flop and frolic on the water’s surface, or watch huge stingrays and manta rays glide through the ocean like birds.
After you’ve gotten scored the best aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef, turn westward and fly over the luscious seaside paradise of Palm Cove to the endless rainforest canopies of Barron Gorge National Park. Barron Gorge National Park makes up almost 900,000 hectares of World Heritage Wet Tropics area and belongs to the Djabugandji Bama people, who have traversed these lands for upwards of 60,000 years. If you look carefully you’ll be able to see the ancient mountain tracks forged by the Bama people that are still used by rainforest guests today! If you’re flying during the wet season (autumn and summer) you can score the best-uninterrupted views of the 265,000 megalitres of water that plunge down Barron Falls’ mammoth granite boulders daily.
Passengers who upgrade to the 60-minute flight will be treated to an extra 15 minutes swooping over Lamb Range’s beloved Crystal Cascades — Cairns’ hottest and most favoured swimming hole — and the deep blue waters of serene Lake Morris.
Highlights and Features
- Fly sky-high on 45-minute and 60-minute joyrides over scenes of unparalleled Australian beauty
- See the world’s oldest living rainforest and the largest reef structure from above
- Swoop over tropical islands, sandy cays and the pristine shores of Palm Cove
- 360 panoramic views of turquoise reefs and towering forests
- In-flight commentary and mesmerising photo opportunities
Sample Itinerary
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Get to the Chopper
Board your luxury Nautilus Aviation chopper and strap in for a scenic adventure! Feel the hum of the engine and watch the propeller slice through the air as it lifts you and your fellow pleasure seekers into soaring heights with fabulous views. Be sure to don your headphones for expert commentary from your pilot! And don't forget to take a few snaps for the gram.
Exclusive ...
Read More
Get to the Chopper
Board your luxury Nautilus Aviation chopper and strap in for a scenic adventure! Feel the hum of the engine and watch the propeller slice through the air as it lifts you and your fellow pleasure seekers into soaring heights with fabulous views. Be sure to don your headphones for expert commentary from your pilot! And don't forget to take a few snaps for the gram.
Exclusive Aerial Views of the Great Barrier Reef
Emerge into the airspace above the world-famous Great Barrier Reef for exclusive sky-high views of the largest living structure in the world, as well as whales, dolphins, turtles and huge manta rays. Pass over the iconic Heart Reef (famously featured in every tourism ad for Queensland) and a surplus of sandy cays and tropical islands.
Fly With the Birds Over Rainforest Canopies
Soar over the giant palms of Palm Cove swaying over the pristine white sand and see where the reef meets the rainforest. See the bigger picture of the multitude of terrains and forests that make up Barron Gorge National Park, from dense tropical rainforests to eucalyptus forests, rocky granite mountains gushing with waterfalls and rugged mountain outcrops.
Upgrade to 60-Minute Deal!
If you never want this scenic flight to end add on an extra 15 minutes to fly deeper into Queensland's legendary rainforests. Circle over Lamb's Range and dip past the forever idyllic Crystal Cascades and the placid waters of Lake Morris.
More Information
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What To Bring
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Camera
What's Included
- 45 to 60 minutes of scenic flight (depending on your chosen length)
- Modern air-conditioned helicopter
- Expert commentary from your pilot
- Headsets with voice-activated microphones
- Unparalleled and unique views of national treasures: the Great Barrier Reef and Barron Gorge National Park
What's Extra
Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanyin...
Read More
What To Bring
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Camera
What's Included
- 45 to 60 minutes of scenic flight (depending on your chosen length)
- Modern air-conditioned helicopter
- Expert commentary from your pilot
- Headsets with voice-activated microphones
- Unparalleled and unique views of national treasures: the Great Barrier Reef and Barron Gorge National Park
What's Extra
Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carry-on luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single-seat payload of 110kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 110kg are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of the ticket price - this is non-commissionable and payable to Nautilus Aviation on the day of travel.
Terms and Conditions
2 person minumum booking.
Tours and aircraft substitutions are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air traffic control and availability. All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Tour Operator. It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to actions of our clients that are beyond our control. We recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1.5% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.
Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:
Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value.
E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.
You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.
Cancellations
Tours and aircraft substitutions are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air traffic control and availability.
Once a reservation has been made a cancellation fee of 100% will be charged if cancelled within 72 hours prior to departure. All cancellations outside of 72hrs will forfeit up to 30% of the total ticket price. If the company has to cancel the trip (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season. Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 2.5% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.
Thank you for booking with Mr Travel/Cairns Tours. If you would like any advice or assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours, please do not hesitate to contact us.