Wollongong helicopter rides: Cost of Illawarra scenic flights

Wollongong helicopter rides cost from $160 for 15 minutes. But you’re better off booking the 30 minute Touchdown helicopters flight over the Illawarra coastline and Sea Cliff Bridge.

Wollongong on the south coast of New South Wales is one of many places in Australia where you can take a scenic flight in a helicopter. It’s one of the best, too, as the Illawarra coastline is spectacular.

Touchdown Helicopters at Shellharbour Airport

Touchdown Helicopters offers a series of scenic helicopter flights over the Illawarra region, departing from Shellharbour Airport in Albion Park. The quickest of these is a 15 minute flight over the local Illawarra area. This helicopter flight from Shellharbour Airport costs $160.

Wollongong helicopter rides: Sea Cliff Bridge helicopter tours

Regard that as a snack, and if you want a proper meal, go for one of the half hour flights. The 30 minute Sea Cliff Bridge helicopter flight takes in the increasingly famous Sea Cliff Bridge, which winds around the Illawarra clifftops.

This costs $295, as does the half hour waterfalls helicopter tour. This covers the Illawarra Escarpment, Jamberoo Valley, Gerringong Falls and Carrington Falls.

6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive

Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.

Booking an Illawarra helicopter flight

Bookings should be made via the Touchdown Helicopters website. There are also longer, more expensive tours available for those wanting a more in-depth Wollongong helicopter tour experience.

Other helicopter tours in New South Wales cover Sydney Harbour (BOOK HERE), the vineyards of the Hunter Valley (BOOK HERE) and the coastline around Newcastle (BOOK HERE).

Other things to do in Wollongong include skydiving onto North Wollongong Beach, a half day deep sea fishing charter and tandem hang gliding from the Bald Hill Lookout.

Wollongong accommodation picks include the Adina apartments, the chunky Novotel Northbeach and the golf-focused Best Western City Sands.

Wollongong beaches in the Australian Beaches Guide include Thirroul Beach, Austinmer Beach, Corrimal Beach, Stanwell Park Beach and Windang Beach.