Cairns is the closest mainland city to the outer Great Barrier Reef and the gateway to the Daintree, Cape Tribulation and the Atherton Tablelands. The combination makes it one of Australia's best scenic-flight bases.
Reef helicopters launch from Cairns Airport's GA apron and Port Douglas. Fixed-wing scenic flights and reef-and-island combos run from Cairns and from grass strips at Port Douglas and Mareeba. Most reef flights pair with snorkelling at a pontoon or cay.
All major helicopter and fixed-wing scenic operators. Reef and rainforest access.
Closer to Agincourt and the outer ribbon reefs.
Atherton Tablelands and skydiving scenic flights.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,300 km along the Queensland coast. A scenic flight is the only way to grasp its scale — from the air you …
Read destination guide →DestinationHeart ReefGreat Barrier Reef, QLDHeart Reef is a naturally occurring coral formation in Hardy Reef, sitting roughly 70 km off the coast of Airlie Beach. It can only be seen …
Read destination guide →Cairns Airport (CNS), Port Douglas, Horn Island
Tropical North Queensland's largest helicopter operator. The pick for outer reef cay landings, pontoon transfers and combined reef-and-rainforest day trips.
Cairns Airport (CNS) & Port Douglas
Long-running Cairns operator with exclusive sandbar landing rights at Vlasoff Cay. Strong on reef pontoon transfers via Quicksilver and Sunlover.
Cairns Airport (CNS)
Specialist in remote day trips from Cairns — Cooktown, Cape York, Lizard Island and the reef. Fly there, lunch, fly back.
Cairns Airport (CNS)
Combined reef and Daintree rainforest helicopter flights — the easiest way to see both the World Heritage reef and rainforest from the air in one trip.
Mareeba Airfield
Best known for skydiving — also operates scenic-only flights over the Atherton Tablelands and Mission Beach without the jump.