Melbourne's scenic flight scene is shaped by what's nearby — the Twelve Apostles to the west, Phillip Island to the south, the Yarra Valley to the east and the You Yangs / Werribee plains in between.
Most scenic operators fly from Moorabbin Airport (general aviation hub, 25 min south of the CBD), Essendon Fields (for helicopter charters), or directly from Tyabb on the Mornington Peninsula. Helicopter day trips to the Apostles take you the whole way without the 3-hour drive.
Melbourne's primary GA airport. Most fixed-wing and helicopter scenic operators.
Helicopter charters and corporate flights — closest to the CBD.
Mornington Peninsula base — Phillip Island and coastal scenics.
Moorabbin Airport (MBW) & Yarra River Helipad
Melbourne's largest tourism helicopter operator. Operates the Yarra River helipad in the CBD and runs the helicopter day trip to the Twelve Apostles.
Yarra River Helipad & Moorabbin
Short CBD-helipad scenics from $99 — the cheapest way to fly over Melbourne. Also runs longer Yarra Valley and Phillip Island trips.
Tyabb Airport, Mornington Peninsula
Member-run club open to the public — the best-value scenic flights in greater Melbourne, plus open-cockpit Tiger Moth flights.
Yarra Valley & Melbourne CBD
Sunrise balloon flights over Melbourne CBD and the Yarra Valley vineyards — the only operator permitted to fly directly over the city.
Moorabbin Airport (MBW)
Trial introductory flights and bay scenics from Moorabbin — you get to take the controls for part of the flight with an instructor onboard.