ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
NORTHERN AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST OPERATOR
Nautilus Aviation is a privately owned and operated, proven helicopter specialist and has grown to become one of Australia’s premier helicopter operators. Today our network of bases spans Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Darwin, Kakadu (Jabiru), Nhulunbuy (Gove) and Torres Strait (Horn Island).
Nautilus Aviation has built an outstanding reputation based on the quality and diversity of our fleet of helicopters and our commitment to the safety of all passengers and personnel at all times.
We pride ourselves on our customer service from the delivery of commercial air work, pilot training and chartered flights all while working in partnership with a number of top tourism operators to deliver leisure experiences over some of the iconic natural landscapes of Northern Australia.
OUR KEY BASES
As the leaders in heli-transfers throughout North Queensland and the Northern Territory, our vast
knowledge of Australia’s top end ensures all trips are safe, enjoyable and convenient
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FLYING IN SAFETY, AND STYLE
Nautilus Aviation has a modern, luxuriously fitted helicopter fleet and expert crew with a commitment to the safety of all passengers at all times.
This approach includes but not limited to:
- Adhering to strict industry safety guidelines determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Occupational Health and Safety legislation, relevant ISO (Australian) standards and stringent Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Familiarising guests and clients with our procedures
- Providing regularly serviced life jackets
- All of our helicopters being fitted with emergency first aid kits and Spidertracks – a real time tracking device showing aircraft location, height and speed.
OUR FLEET
Nautilus Aviation boasts a fleet of 40+ top-of-the-range piston and turbine powered helicopters across our 7 operating bases. Aircraft are expertly maintained, diverse and versatile and include: R44, Bell 206, Bell 505X, Bell 206L, Bell 407, Bell 407GXI Airbus H125, H130 & EC130 aircraft. Our fleet also includes a Bell 412EP allocated to Emergency Services and Search and Rescue operations.
COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY
An advocate of sustainable practices, Nautilus Aviation is committed to the development of the communities and economies in which we operate, and the delivery of experiences that practice environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. We take our responsibility to the environment very seriously, and follow a ‘tread lightly’ approach our tourism, leisure and air work practices.
Nautilus Aviation’s parent company, Morris Group, support a range of initiatives focussed on improving ocean and reef health in the areas in which we operate in northern Queensland via the Group’s charitable arm, Morris Family Foundation. Supported initiatives include Great Barrier Reef Legacy, The Australian Marine Conservation Society, JCU’s Orpheus Island Research Centre and Tangaroa Blue, an organisation focussed on removing marine debris.
Find out more [link to https://www.morrisgroup.com.au/foundation/]
A Sustainable Future: In 2021 Nautilus Aviation announced a partnership with Eve Air Mobility, part of the Embraer group to introduce an initial fleet of 10 new zero-emission aircraft with flights taking off over the Great Barrier Reef by 2026 which will greatly change our environmental footprint to benefit surrounding communities.
In 2022, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry collaboration platform, Greenbird, added Nautilus Aviation to the platform as a founding ecosystem partner. Greenbird is a team of world-leading aviation organisations and incredible Australian businesses, working together to support the establishment of AAM in Australia.
ACCESSIBILITY & SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
Accessible Tourism is the ongoing endeavour to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people and Nautilus Aviation is committed to being as accessible as possible for visitors that are here to see the natural wonders that Northern Australia has to offer including the Great Barrier Reef.
Nautilus Aviation encourages our guests to contact us with any questions pertaining to accessibility and we can assist in answering your questions or for those booking, please advise our reservations team if you, your travel companions or your passengers require special assistance.
Some of the remote landing locations including Sand Cays and Waterfalls can be inaccessible for those with mobility restrictions.
Please note that collapsible wheelchairs can only be carried on select aircraft and due to WHS requirements and our team are unable to lift any passengers. All passengers must be able to load and unload the Helicopter or have assistance by companions.
Nautilus Aviation is pleased to welcome Companion Card holders (Terms & Conditions apply).
Nautilus Aviation welcomed Braeden and his family on a Reef Scenic Flight and this was their experience: https://havewheelchairwilltravel.net/cairns-helicopter-tour-nautilus-aviation
A PROUD HISTORY
Nautilus Aviation commenced operations in Townsville with a single Cessna 208 floatplane in 1993. Based in a WWII Hangar at Townsville airport, the purpose of the floatplane was to transfer guests over the pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef to secluded Island Resorts.
In 2010, the floatplane was replaced with the company’s first helicopter and so started one of the largest and most versatile fleets in the northern regions of Australia.
Decades later, the Townsville base is now one of 10 bases located across Northern Australia and continues to service tourism guests as well as a dedicated commercial and emergency services offering.
