SEE IT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE

Only from the air can you truly appreciate the beauty, variety and sheer scale of the stunning natural landscapes that comprise the greater Townsville region.  

Witness a vast panorama of tropical islands scattered through the strikingly turquoise waters of the coral sea, rugged rocky coastlines, long stretches of isolated sandy beaches and uninhabited tropical islands, mangrove estuaries, saltpans and coastal swamps, rivers, creeks and even seasonal waterfalls flowing from sheer, forest covered mountains (Hinchinbrook Island).   

These pristine waters form a very special part of the of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and are home to a myriad of aquatic life. Many larger marine species are most easily spotted from the air.  Inflight sightings have included Sea Turtles, Sharks, Manta Rays, Dolphins and even majestic Humpback Whales (Jul-Sep) during their annual migration from Antarctica, stopping by briefly to give birth and raise their calves in these warm tropical waters. 

From Townsville, Cape Cleveland and Magnetic Island, to the Palm Island Group, Hinchinbrook Island and anywhere in between, Nautilus Aviation can take you there in style and comfort. 

Choose from one of our existing flight packages below or speak to us about tailoring your very own charter flight experience! 

THE NAUTILUS AVIATION DIFFERENCE

Unlike fixed wing aircraft, our helicopters have enhanced maneuverability and are fitted with oversized viewing windows creating a premium scenic flight experience.  Your pilot can easily adjust speed, altitude and direction of travel in response to wildlife sightings or other points of interest while ensuring passengers on both sides of the aircraft receive equal chance to capture that perfect photo opportunity.   

With an average 320 sunny days a year the picturesque greater Townsville region is a reliable scenic flight destination any time of the year. 

45 MINUTE SCENIC FLIGHT

MAGNETIC ISLAND & CAPE CLEVELAND LIGHTHOUSE 

This diverse 45 minute flight combines the major highlights of our 30 minute Magnetic Island scenic with an extension to the heritage-listed Cape Cleveland Lighthouse (circa 1879).  

From the southern entrance to Cleveland Bay we hug a 40km stretch of biologically diverse low lying coastal plain with numerous rivers, creeks, freshwater wetlands, beaches, mangrove estuaries, saltpans and coastal swamps.  Your eagle eyed pilot will be on the lookout for any wildlife along the way including the infamous Saltwater Crocodile! 

Tracking back to base, we fly past the mouth of the Ross River as it flows down from the foothills of the Hervey and Mount Stuarts ranges, past the Quayside Terminal, the Strand and the Townsville city skyline, dominated by the landmark 286 metre (928ft) pink Granite monolith known as Castle Hill (Cootharinga).  

Refer flight path map below.

60 MINUTE SCENIC FLIGHT

PALM ISLAND GROUP

Situated just off the coastline northwest of Townsville, The Palm Island group is a visually spectacular archipelago of 13 individual tropical islands that deliver one of the most photogenic scenic flight experiences in the region.   

Only one island in the group, Great Palm Island, has a significant population of permanent residents, the rest apart from a luxury tourist resort on Orpheus Island, are uninhabited.

Standing out like gems in the strikingly turquoise waters of the Coral Sea each island is uniquely different with small bays and sandy beaches, surrounded by a network of spectacular coral reefs showcasing every hue of blue and green imaginable. 

As we return to base, enjoy sweeping views over Magnetic Island and the city of Townsville.  

Refer to flight path map below.

90 MINUTE SCENIC FLIGHT

HINCHINBROOK ISLAND

The most comprehensive scenic flight experience in the region, combining all the incredible highlights of our 60 minute Palm Island Group Scenic Flight  plus a circuit of Australia’s largest Island National Park, Hinchinbrook Island. 

Visible from afar, the islands mountainous backbone has weathered into spectacular jagged peaks, reaching 1142m (3746ft) at their highest point, being the often mist-covered summit of Mount Bowen.  

From here, seasonal creeks descend into stunning waterfalls (Mulligan and Zoe Falls) or in other areas through the islands rainforest and open woodland forming abundant estuaries flowing out to sea.  

The views around Hinchinbrook are spectacularly punctuated by abrupt headlands giving way to countless secluded coves and pristine sandy beaches which stretch along much of the islands eastern shoreline. 

The extensive Mangrove habitat at Mission Bay, on the northern end of the island, plus that which lines the lush Hinchinbrook Channel on the west, combine to form one of the largest and most ecologically significant mangrove areas on the Australian continent.

In addition to the immense natural beauty of Hinchinbrook you may be able to spot the remains of an American B-42 Liberator Bomber known as the Texas-Terror which crashed at the islands most southern point during a violent storm back in December, 1942.  A total of 5 shipwrecks also surround the island, and if the tides are right, the remains of the brigantine Belle, lost here 130 years ago, can be seen resting in Ramsey Bay.

Refer to flight path map below.