scenic helicopter ride port douglas
There are quite a few options in Port Douglas if you are interested in helicopter rides and charters.
You can take a helicopter to or from the Great Barrier Reef, some reef charter boats let you book short helicopter rides from the reef pontoon. You can even be dropped on a sand bar and have yourselves a very private picnic out there.
Helicopter Rides Free With Every Sausage
For us, the locals, they are expensive, a real luxury, but on one day of the year, father’s day, you can get a free helicopter ride with every sausage you buy. OK, so the sausages are expensive at $80 each, but it looked like fun, so I took the kids.
We had a short flight out over the Mowbray River, along the coast to Dickinson Inlet and back to the landing pad in the middle of Port Douglas. It was just beautiful, we could pick out our house, the swimming pools and big hotels and we were blessed with a crystal clear sea that day , we didn’t see any sharks or crocodiles but I now understand how they use helicopters to spot them.
The children weren’t scared at all and thought it was all great fun, little Boo couldn’t believe that Mum’s voice was coming through those great big ear muffs. He was only 3, D was 4 or 5.
This one is all about the photos, so here we go!
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Clear waters at Four Mile Beach
Rex Smeal Park and the Sugar Wharf
The Marina Mirage Port Douglas
It was a pretty special flight, one I’d love to do again. Flying over the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest itself must be breathtaking.
So, the moral of my story, if you are thinking of heading up to Port Douglas and fancy a helicopter ride at a more reasonable price, come on father’s day.
Fathers Day in in early September in Australia.
Helicopter rides and charters in Port Douglas and Cairns can be arranged through SkySafari and Quicksilver Helicopters.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
Monday 12th of May 2014
What a wonderful experience. It's even more special if you're from the area and can spot things like your own home. I came very close to buying my husband a helicopter ride for Christmas when we were visiting Cairns, but the price put me off. Too bad I didn't know about the sausage special on Father's Day.
Tracy
Saturday 6th of October 2012
That's one expensive sausage sizzle! But totally worth it! When I was a kid my father worked on Daydream Island for a few years. We went to visit him once and he surprised us with a helicopter flight over the islands around there and the reef. It was amazing although so noisy!
Leanna @ Alldonemonkey
Tuesday 2nd of October 2012
What breathtaking photos and what an amazing experience to share with your kids! Btw did you say sausages are $80 each?? Please tell me that is a lot less than US$80!
Thanks for linking up at the Culture Swapper!
alyson@worldtravelfamily
Wednesday 3rd of October 2012
US$ and AU$ are almost 1 for 1 at the moment Leanna, yes, it's an expensive sausage, but the free helicopter ride was worth it! Alyson
Sonja
Sunday 30th of September 2012
I always like to search out the freebies! This is a really good one. My kids would love a helicopter ride - me, I'd probably get airsick.
Anna at LoveBaby LoveTravel
Saturday 29th of September 2012
Wow, what a cool things to do with your kids! I have taken a trip in a very small aircraft (with my husband at the controls!) and it was thrilling. One day we'll take our boys up...
alyson@worldtravelfamily
Saturday 29th of September 2012
I'd recommend waiting 'ti they are a bit older Anna, my little one really doesn't remember it. What a good excuse to do it again! Thanks so much for visiting.