There are quite a few options in Port Douglas if you are interested in helicopter rides and charters. We live in Port Douglas, but tourists are just as likely to take a helicopter ride here in Queensland too.
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.
scenic helicopter ride Port Douglas
Port Douglas 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.
Maybe one of the 7 natural wonders of the world or the 7 wonders of Australia.
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.
Helicopter rides and charters in Port Douglas and Cairns can be arranged through SkySafari and Quicksilver Helicopters. Visit our full Port Douglas coverage, here. We’ve lived and worked in Port Douglas since the early 2000s, we’re one of the best sources for Port Douglas information in the travel blogging world. We are professional travel bloggers, have visited 50+ countries (usually with kids), but Port Douglas and Far North Queensland are home.
We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance.
Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!
About the author
Alyson Long
Alyson Long is a British medical scientist who jumped ship to chase dreams. A former Chief Biomedical Scientist at London's West Middlesex Hospital she started in website creation and travel writing in 2011.
Alyson is a full-time blogger and travel writer, a published author, and owns several websites. World Travel Family is the biggest.
A lifetime of wanderlust and over 6 years of full-time travel, plus a separate 12 month gap year, has given Alyson and the family some travel expert smarts to share with you on this world travel site.
Today Alyson still travels extensively to update this site and continue her mission to visit every country, but she's often at home on her farm in Australia.
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.
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!
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!
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…
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.
The view is definitely amazing! I have never been on a helicoptor ride and I think that I would be a wee bit afraid but I’d do it if my kids wanted me to!
Hi Lisa,the things we do for our kids! I was talked into going on the big water ride at Sea World, I really didn’t need that! One of the joys of motherhood.
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.
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!
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$80!
Thanks for linking up at the Culture Swapper!
US$ 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
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.
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…
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.
The view is definitely amazing! I have never been on a helicoptor ride and I think that I would be a wee bit afraid but I’d do it if my kids wanted me to!
Hi Lisa,the things we do for our kids! I was talked into going on the big water ride at Sea World, I really didn’t need that! One of the joys of motherhood.
No thank you far too scary for a cowardy custard like me! But the photos are marvellous!
How beautiful! Have never taken a helicopter ride, but it’s definitely on the life list. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by Tara. I highly recommend helicopter travel, such fun!