Sydney scenic flights: Helicopter rides and seaplane tours
Sydney scenic flights are available as both a helicopter ride from Bankstown Airport and seaplane tour from Rose Bay.
In all honesty, any flight landing at Kingsford Smith Airport can be regarded as a scenic flight over Sydney. It’s one of the most spectacularly-sited cities in the world. The splintering arms of Sydney Harbour are a marvel even out of a cramped jet plane window.
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But if you really want to get the best views of Australia’s biggest city, then you want to take a Sydney scenic flight designed for showing off the best views.
Sydney Scenic flights: Rose Bay seaplanes
Perhaps the most romantic way of seeing Sydney is taking a seaplane flight from Rose Bay, near the Hermitage Foreshore Walk and Point Piper. In Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, Rose Bay was home to the city’s first ever international airport. Lavishly appointed ‘flying boats’ would make multi-stop journeys around the world from the UK and land by the beach.
Now, Rose Bay caters strictly for scenic flights, with Sydney Seaplanes maintaining a base next to swanky seafood restaurant Catalina.
Sydney Seaplane flight prices
The Sydney Highlights flight with Sydney Seaplanes costs $230, and lasts about 15 minutes. This is enough time to fly along the rugged sandstone cliffs towards the glorious surfer-friendly Bondi Beach and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. The plane then turns round and flits above the harbour. You’re low enough to take in the detail, including the yachts, the multi-million dollar mansions, the national parkland and the islands.
And, of course, there are prime views of both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. If all you want is top drawer harbour views, rather than the whole climbing experience, this is arguably better value than the fabled Bridgeclimb.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
Sydney scenic flights: Helicopter tour from Bankstown Airport
The other way to enjoy a scenic flight over Sydney is a helicopter ride. Sydney Helicopters offers a $230 Sydney Harbour and Beaches tour. This Sydney scenic flighttakes in some of the Northern Beaches – Manly, Freshwater and Curl Curl. It also follows the Parramatta River, flying at a height of 150 metres above the water, until the river becomes the harbour.
There’s more air time for your money – these Sydney scenic flights last 25 minutes to half an hour. The departure point is the major downside, however. The scenic helicopter flights leave from Bankstown Airport, 34km from Sydney CBD.
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