12 Apostles Adventure Flight

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The 12 Apostles – Victoria’s premier tourist destination just a 1.5 hour flight from Melbourne. Only a handful of people have experienced the natural beauty of the Apostles and the Victorian surf coast from above. Are you in Melbourne for only a short time? Enjoy the thrill of travelling by helicopter save over 6 hours of driving by opting to fly. Flying to the Apostles by helicopter will provide you ample time to explore the cliffs and scenic lookouts available whilst knowing you’ll be able to continue your busy itinerary in Melbourne later that afternoon. You can even venture down Gibson’s steps to the base of the looming apostles and dip your toes in the Southern Ocean!

Your flight from Essendon Fields will head south towards Melbourne’s CBD where you can enjoy the city skyline passing by your window. From Avalon, it’s a direct flight to the 12 Apostles’ Heliport which will take you overhead the picturesque foothills of the Great Otway National Park. Melbourne’s modern metropolis will give way to the Southeastern farms of Victoria which in turn surrender to the ancient gumtree forests of the Otways. After just under an hour of sprawling countryside views, the wild Southern Ocean will appear in all its glory while you catch your first glimpses of the 12 Apostles.

We typically like to treat our customers with an overhead fly-by of the magnificent limestone stacks which continue all the way up the coast to Port-Campbell and beyond. This of course is your flight, and your pilot will happily oblige if you would prefer to save the aerial experience for the second leg of your journey. The aircraft will set down at the 12 Apostles Heliport within a 2-minute walk from the main information centre, a 10 minute stroll of the Castle Rock lookout and 30 minutes from the steps leading you down towards Gibson Beach.

Once you are ready to say goodbye to the coastal air and stunning views, the real treat begins. Your pilot will take you along the coast, hugging the shoreline all the way back along the great Ocean Road. The only thing that beats driving this famous meandering route is flying it! You’ll witness the rugged coastal cliffs littered with sea caves, secluded bays and the occasional waving hiker.

Rounding the southern tip of Cape Otway and its lonely lighthouse, you will soon come across Apollo Bay and the beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Many iconic seaside towns will pass beneath including Wye River, Lorne, Airey’s Inlet and Anglesea. The coastal vistas will accompany you all the way back to Essendon, perhaps via a Bellarine Winery for a lunch stopover if you are looking to squeeze all you can out of your helicopter trip.

Hover or click on the locations to find out more…

12 Apostles Helicopter flight map
Essendon Airport Moorabbin Airport Melbourne CBD Point Cook Aerodrome Melbourne Star Avalon Airport Geelong Waterfront Westgate Bridge Point Lonsdale WWII Armaments Albert Park Lake & F1 GP circuit South Melbourne Beach Mt Duneed Estate Mornington Peninsular Red Hill French Island Portsea Jack Rabbit Terindah Estate Torquay Anglesea Lorne Great Otway National Park Apollo Bay Cape Otway Lighthouse The Gables The 12 Apostles The 12 Apostles Colac Loch Ard Gorge Port Campbell 12 Apostles Lookout 12 Apostles Heliport Gibson Beach Penguin Parade Brighton Beach Boxes Clyde Park

Essendon Airport

heli hangar

Melbourne's main airport from 1921 to 1970. Now a thriving commercial hub, and home to the air ambulance, police helicopters, and of course us!

Moorabbin Airport

Moorabbin

A busy training airport, and home to the Australia National Aviation Museum.

Melbourne CBD

City helicopter ride

The vibrant heart of Melbourne, packed with shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.

Point Cook Aerodrome

Home to the Royal Australian Air Force Museum, it is the birthplace of military aviation in Australia.

Melbourne Star

Melbourne Star

Offering stunning 360-degree views of Melbourne from its giant observation wheel in Docklands.

Avalon Airport

Flying overhead Avalon Airport in a Helicopter

Named after the mythical island of Arthurian legend, Avalon hosts the Australian International Airshow.

Geelong Waterfront

The Geelong Waterfront, redeveloped from a disused port in the 1990s, is now a vibrant tourist and recreation area featuring attractions like the Baywalk Bollards, Deakin University's campus, and the historic Carousel Pavilion.

Westgate Bridge

Westgate Bridge

Spanning the Yarra River, this vital transport link connects Melbourne's western suburbs to the city.

Point Lonsdale WWII Armaments

At the historic "old" end of Point Lonsdale near the lighthouse, several WWII bomb shelters and armaments are still visible. These include a concrete cell that formerly housed a laser detection system for enemy ships, and a series of shelters with features like artillery cannons, machine gun mounts, and obscure steps.

Albert Park Lake & F1 GP circuit

Albert Park Lake

The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, set around Albert Park Lake, hosts the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix annually.

South Melbourne Beach

South Melbourne Beach

A family-friendly beach offering calm waters, sandy shores, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Mt Duneed Estate

Arriving by Helicopter

Mt Duneed Estate offers a serene escape from the city, with wide-open country views, a tranquil atmosphere, a delightful olive grove and local wines. All to be lapped up from the comfort of your helicopter.

Mornington Peninsular

Carrum

The Mornington Peninsula is famed for its stunning beaches, which offer diverse recreational activities. Its coastline features both sheltered bays and rugged surf beaches, attracting visitors for swimming, surfing, and relaxing.

Red Hill

Red Hill

Red Hill, named for its rich red soil, spans land in the Kangerong, Wannaeue, and Balnarring parishes. One of three mountainous regions during the flight, you'll watch this elevated town drift pass at the same level as the helicopter.

French Island

French Island

French Island National Park, located in Western Port off the Mornington Peninsula, features a diverse landscape of rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and wetlands, supporting a range of wildlife including Victoria’s largest koala population and critically endangered Eastern-barred Bandicoots.

Portsea

Portsea

As Melbourne expanded in the late 1830s, the demand for lime for construction grew, leading to the establishment of several kilns on the limestone-rich Mornington Peninsula. In the early 1850s, a typhus outbreak among passengers arriving at Port Phillip prompted the creation of a quarantine station near Portsea in 1852, and the first Portsea pier was built in the 1860s.

Jack Rabbit

Entry to the restaurant at Jack Rabbit.

Jack Rabbit Restaurant on the Bellarine Peninsula is renowned for its innovative and experimental cuisine, earning accolades such as Best Menu of Local Produce and Best Customer Service at the Golden Plate Awards 2022.

Terindah Estate

Terindah estate

Featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls, The Shed Restaurant at Terindah Estate offers breathtaking panoramic views of the vineyard and sweeping vistas of the bay.Dine indoors or al fresco from their à la carte menu. Add a winery lunch stopover to your flight for $500 to give yourself and your fellow passengers a chance to enjoy the best of Victoria's culinary offerings.

Torquay

Torquay Lighthouse

The Torquay area is renowned for its surf beaches, including Jan Juc, Bells Beach, Point Impossible Beach, and Southside Beach. It was once the site of the Offshore Festival and is home to major surf brands like Rip Curl and Quiksilver, with attractions such as Surf Coast Plaza and Surf World Museum.

Anglesea

Anglesea

Anglesea is a popular tourist destination with attractions like Point Roadknight, Coogoorah Park, and the Surf Coast Walk, drawing visitors especially during the peak summer months.

Lorne

Wye River inlet

Lorne, situated on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, has a rich history that includes being named after the Marquess of Lorne and becoming accessible via the Great Ocean Road extension in 1922. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic views, beach activities, and major events like the Pier to Pub swim and Falls Festival.

Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park, declared in 2004 features diverse landscapes including rainforests, waterfalls, and rugged coastlines, spanning over 100,000 hectares. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including ancient forests, unique wildlife, and popular attractions like the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk and the Twelve Apostles.

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay Airport

Originally named "Krambruk" by the local Aboriginal people, the town was renamed Apollo Bay in 1859 in honour of the ship Apollo, and has since become a key gateway to the Great Otway National Park and Great ocean Walk.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Cape Otway Lighthouse, Victoria's oldest working lighthouse, was first lit in 1848 and served as a crucial navigational aid until its decommissioning in 1994. Located on a dramatic coastal site, it offers whale watching during migration seasons and has a historical connection to maritime tragedies and wartime radar installations.

The Gables

The Gables is part of the Great Otway National Park's diverse ecosystem, which includes lush rainforests, waterfalls, and extensive wildlife habitats.

The 12 Apostles

12 Apostles lookout

The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, known for their dramatic and picturesque appearance against the Southern Ocean. These iconic formations, originally twelve but now reduced to eight, are a major tourist attraction offering stunning coastal views and scenic walking trails.

The 12 Apostles

12 Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, known for their dramatic and picturesque appearance against the Southern Ocean. These iconic formations, originally twelve but now reduced to eight, are a major tourist attraction offering stunning coastal views and scenic walking trails.

Colac

Colac

Colac is a rural town known for its dairy and agricultural industries. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Colac and features a busy regional airport often used for aeroplane pilot training.

Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge
The stunning Loch Ard Gorge is named after the clipper Loch Ard, which was shipwrecked on June 1, 1878, after a three-month journey from England to Melbourne. The gorge is known for its smooth, pearlescent bay and clear, blue water.

Port Campbell

This seaside town features a charming main street with cafes, shops, and accommodations, and serves as a gateway to the natural attractions of the surrounding region, including the nearby Port Campbell National Park.

12 Apostles Lookout

12 apostles lookout

This lookout is located within a 10 minute walk from the heliport and provides the famous vantage point across the remaining 8 limestone pillars of the 12 Apostles.

12 Apostles Heliport

Conveniently located directly next to the 12 Apostles information and tourist centre, the 12 Apostles Heliport will provide you immediate access to Gibson's beach walk (30 minutes) and the 12 apostles lookout (10 minutes).

Gibson Beach

Be awed by the towering 70-meter-high cliffs and the giant limestone stacks known as Gog and Magog. When the weather is favourable, descend the 86 steps carved by local settler Hugh Gibson, which follow an ancient path used by the Kirrae Whurrong people, to reach the beach below. Treat yourself to a quick dip in the Southern ocean, all within a quick 30 minute walk from the heliport.

Penguin Parade

Penguin Parade

Experience the world-famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, where you can watch little penguins return to their burrows at dusk and explore boardwalks to observe them and other local wildlife. Your visit supports vital conservation efforts, and you can choose between a guided tour with a ranger or self-guided viewing with interactive displays at the visitor centre.

Brighton Beach Boxes

Helicopter Ride over Brighton Beach boxes

Brighton Beach is famous for its colorful beach boxes, which have been a Melbourne landmark since the late 19th century. These iconic structures, once built for privacy, now represent a cherished piece of the city’s coastal heritage.

Clyde Park

Winery Tour Clyde Park

Venturing to Melbourne's south-west for wine might not seem like the obvious choice for but we can guarantee that this hidden gem will win you over. Tucked away in the heart of Moorabool valley, Clyde Park Vineyard stretches over 35 acres of stunning landscapes.

The 12 Apostles helicopter experience with Melbourne Heli grants you your very own helicopter and pilot for the day. As such, why not make the trip your own with the following optional add-ons?

 

  1. A winery stopover at one of the following destinations: Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Terindah Estate or Mt Duneed Estate. If you’d like to hang onto the coastal views featured throughout your flight, Jack Rabbit or Terindah Estate would be the best options, both offering superb outlooks over Corio Bay and a local, refined gastronomy. Otherwise, if you are in search of a venue which earnestly reflects the candid Australian experience, look no further than Mt Duneed Estate or Clyde Park.
  2. Turn your helicopter adventure into the ultimate bucket-list item by adding on a drop-off at the world famous Penguin Parade. Your pilot will fly you from the 12 Apostles to Phillip Island Heliport where you will be greeted by your own private driver and chauffeured to the nightly waddle of the fairy penguins as they return to their nests. The helicopter will need to return to base but rest assured your driver will return you back to Melbourne. There’s no better or faster way to see Victoria’s two most famous destinations.
  3. If it’s the city skyline views that you are keen to enjoy, why not add on an extra lap of the city? You can add the city lap at the start or end of your flight to extend that wonderful feeling of zipping by Melbourne’s buildings in your helicopter.
  4. Need a way to get to and from Essendon? Don’t worry, we have you covered. We can organise a private shuttle service to and from your door to take the hassle of the commute off your hands.

Airports

  • Essendon
  • Tullamarine
  • Avalon
  • Point Cook military training base
  • Apollo bay aerodrome

Essendon

  • Moonee Valley and Flemington racecourses
  • Maribyrnong River

(Available with the Add-On city lap)

  • Melbourne Zoo
  • Melbourne Museum and Exhibition building

City sights

  • The Yarra River
  • The Eureka tower and Australia 108 skyscrapers
  • Docklands
  • Marvel stadium
  • Bolte and Westgate Bridges
  • Melbourne Star Ferris Wheel

(Available with the Add-On city lap)

  • Melbourne Cricket ground (MCG)
  • Rod Laver area and the home of the Australian Open
  • The shrine of Remembrance
  • Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens
  • The National Gallery of Victoria and the Arts Centre spire
  • Albert Park lake and formula 1 grand prix circuit
  • St Kilda Foreshore and Luna Park

Coastal Sights

  • The Internationally famous 12 Apostles (of course) including:
    • Broken Head
    • Gibson Beach
    • London Bridge
    • Loch Ard Gorge
    • Port Campbell Township
  • The Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road
    • Torquay and the world-famous Bell’s Beach
    • Anglesea
    • Airey’s Inlet
    • Lorne
    • Wye River
    • Apollo Pay
    • The Great Otway National Park and mountain range
    • The Great Ocean Walking track
  • Lighthouses
    • Cape Otway Lighthouse (Australia’s oldest working lighthouse)
    • Split Point lighthouse (As featured in the Australian classic “Around the Twist”)
  • Bellarine salt flats
  • Geelong foreshore
  • Corio Bay
  • Williamstown Beach

Our departure lounge at Essendon Airport, just 20 minutes from Melbourne’s city center, offers a convenient start to your 12 Apostles flight. You have the option to arrange a private shuttle service by calling us at +61 3 9118 8841 or sending a message , otherwise you can easily drive to Essendon Fields Airport. We provide free on-site parking right next to the hangar for your convenience. Additionally, a local tram and bus stop are within a 10-minute walk of Hangar 7.

If you’re arriving in Melbourne or heading out, we can securely store any large luggage items while you enjoy your flight.

Upon arrival, relax in our exclusive private passenger lounge and enjoy a selection of complimentary beverages. When it’s time to board, you’ll receive a safety briefing from your pilot and have the opportunity to capture memorable photos in front of your helicopter. Once on board, sit back, relax, and savor the stunning journey to the 12 Apostles.

Whatever you are comfortable in for the weather on the day. Pack a towel if you are considering going for a quick dip on Gibson’s Beach. Your helicopter is protected from the elements and has a collection of air vents to keep you cool. There is also a heater which will keep you warm in the chillier Melbourne months.

We can fit small luggage inside the aircraft, however you will really only need a phone to take pictures with. If you would like to avoid the hassle of snapping pics, we offer a full HD video recording of the flight for $60. The video will be emailed to you after the flight and available for you to download. You are very welcome to bring a packed lunch and drink on the aircraft however consumption of food or drink during the flight is prohibited. The kiosk at the 12 Apostles offers some simple lunch options however if you would like to enjoy the full peninsular experience, we would highly recommend opting for a winery lunch stopover at any of the four destinations outlined above.

Book Your Flight

1 passenger – $4890

2 passengers –  $4990

3 passengers –  $5890

4 passengers –  $5990

Optional Extras

Winery Lunch Stopover – $500

City Loop Add-On –  $120

Go-Pro HD Footage – $60

Please call on +61 3 9118 8841 or send a message if you would like us to arrange a Private Shuttle or any Optional Extras.