Great Ocean Road Scenic Flights
From the air the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch make sense — you see the limestone cliffs in plan, the ocean turning teal over the reefs, and the scale of the Shipwreck Coast as a single sweep instead of a series of car-park lookouts.
Why fly over Great Ocean Road
Helicopter operators run short scenics directly from the Twelve Apostles helipad — no driving back required. Fixed-wing scenic flights depart Apollo Bay, Warrnambool and Moorabbin (Melbourne) and cover the full coastline.
Trip times
The classic — Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell. From the on-site helipad.
Adds the Bay of Islands and the Arch.
Half day — fly Moorabbin to Apollo Bay, helicopter scenic, fly back.
30–60 min fixed-wing, often combined with whale-watching season.
Aircraft available
Bell 206 and AS350. Doors-off available on some operators for photographers.
Cessna 182 and 210 from Apollo Bay and Moorabbin. Best for long stretches of coast.
Best time of year
Warmer, longer days, calmer winds. Settled flying weather.
Best light and visibility. Book ahead — this is high season.
Southern Right Whale season at Logans Beach (Warrnambool). Cold and often windy — flights cancel more often.
What to expect
- 01Helicopter flights from the Twelve Apostles helipad are short but extremely well positioned — no transit time wasted.
- 02Sea breeze typically builds after midday — book morning flights for calmer air.
- 03Helicopter doors-off flights are noticeably colder; bring a jacket even in summer.
- 04Fixed-wing from Melbourne is a long day but a great way to see the whole drive without driving.
Where to fly to Great Ocean Road from
FAQs
Where do you take off for a Twelve Apostles helicopter flight?
From the dedicated helipad next to the Twelve Apostles visitor centre on the Great Ocean Road — about a 3 minute walk from the main lookout.
How much is a Twelve Apostles helicopter flight?
Short 16-minute flights start around $145 per person. 25-minute extended coast flights run $230–$280.