The southern reef from a helicopter

A helicopter lifts off from Gladstone Airport on one of three routes: 15 minutes over Tannum Sands and the islands, 30 minutes to the dunes of Yellow Patch, or a full hour out over the reefs to circle Heron Island. Every route is a scenic flight that returns to the airport without landing on an island.

Gladstone Scenic Flight over Islands and Reefs

About this experience

You choose the length when you book. The 15-minute Tannum Discovery flies over Tondoon Botanic Gardens and Boyne Island to Tannum Sands, with views across Curtis and Facing Islands, and comes back past Gladstone's industrial side: the aluminium refinery, Clinton Coal Terminal, the power station and the Calliope River. The 30-minute Yellow Patch flight crosses the harbour to Curtis Island, where golden sand dunes meet clear water at Yellow Patch, and circles past the Curtis Island lighthouse.

The 60-minute Ultimate Reef Experience is the one for reef lovers. It passes Yellow Patch and Facing Island, then leaves the coast behind for Polmaise Reef and Mast Head Reef, continues past Wistari Reef and makes a full aerial circuit of Heron Island before returning over the reefs and Gladstone Harbour. Heron is a resort island about 72 km from Gladstone, reached by a ferry of about 2.5 hours, so this is a rare way to see it without staying there. Lady Musgrave is not on any of the routes the listing describes; for that, there is the Lady Musgrave Island day cruise from 1770.

Read the price carefully. The from-price is listed per flight for one participant (the listing says "per group up to 1"), and a flight takes up to 4 people. Choose the route and the number of passengers on the booking page to see the price for your group. This is a new listing with no reviews yet. Flights depend on the weather: if the weather may prevent your flight, the listing says you are offered a refund, and free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before.

Three routes: 15, 30 or 60 minutes
A full aerial circuit of Heron Island on the 60-minute flight
Polmaise, Mast Head and Wistari reefs from the air
Curtis Island and the Yellow Patch dunes
Small group: up to 4 people per flight

How the day runs

BeforeChoose your route
Pick 15, 30 or 60 minutes and the number of passengers. Only the 60-minute flight reaches the reef and Heron Island.
Check-inGladstone Airport
Meet at Gladstone Airport; the exact spot is on your booking confirmation. Flights go ahead only if the weather allows.
15 minTannum Discovery
Tondoon Botanic Gardens, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands, Curtis and Facing Islands, then back past the refinery and the coal terminal.
30 minYellow Patch
Across the harbour to the golden dunes of Yellow Patch on Curtis Island and its lighthouse, then back along the coast.
60 minUltimate Reef Experience
Out over Polmaise, Mast Head and Wistari reefs to circle Heron Island, then back over the reefs and Gladstone Harbour.

What's included

Included

Helicopter flight over the Gladstone region
Your choice of a 15, 30 or 60-minute route
Views of Tondoon Botanic Gardens, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands
Views of Yellow Patch, Curtis and Facing Islands
The southern Great Barrier Reef and an aerial circuit of Heron Island (60-minute flight)

Not included

Food and drinks
A landing on Heron Island or any other island
Transport to Gladstone Airport

Who it suits

Book it if

You want to see the shape of the reefs from above, not just from a boat
You get seasick and would rather fly than cross open water
You're passing through Gladstone or staying nearby
You're a couple or a small group of up to four

Skip it if

You want to land on an island and swim
Your heart is set on Lady Musgrave: the routes don't include it
There are more than four of you on one flight
Your schedule can't flex if the weather turns

Tips before you book

Book the 60-minute flight if the reef is the point. The 15 and 30-minute routes stay over the coast, the harbour and Curtis Island.
Check the price for your exact group on the booking page: the from-price is for one participant on one flight.
Leave a spare day in your plans. Flights depend on the weather, and the listing offers a refund if the weather may prevent yours.
Agnes Water to Gladstone is about 124 km, roughly 1 h 30 by road, according to the local tourism organisation.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the Gladstone helicopter flight land on Heron Island?

No. The 60-minute flight makes a full aerial circuit of Heron Island and returns to Gladstone Airport. Heron is a resort island, normally reached by a ferry of about 2.5 hours from Gladstone.

Is the helicopter price per person or per flight?

The from-price is listed per flight for one participant, and a flight takes up to 4 people. Select your route and the number of passengers on the booking page to see what your group pays.

Are there reviews of the Gladstone scenic flight?

Not yet: it is a new listing. Weather refunds and free cancellation up to 24 hours before make it a low-risk booking.

Can I see Lady Musgrave Island from the helicopter?

Lady Musgrave is not on the routes the listing describes, which head for Heron Island and the reefs around it. To visit Lady Musgrave, the day cruise from 1770 lands you on the island, and our island comparison guide covers Heron Island too.

Ready to book

Book Gladstone reef helicopter flight

The southern reef and islands from a helicopter, 15 minutes to an hour from Gladstone Airport.

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