Melbourne Helicopter Tour: Brighton Beach Boxes & CBD

See Melbourne's landmarks and coastline from the air in one flight

A 30-minute private helicopter tour departing from Essendon Airport that flies over Melbourne's CBD, St Kilda, the Brighton Beach Boxes, and the sunken J7 submarine at Sandringham Marina, then returns past Luna Park, Albert Park's Formula 1 circuit, the MCG, and the Shrine of Remembrance. You book for your group size (2 to 6 people), each passenger gets a guaranteed window seat and Bose noise-cancelling headsets, and the flight is private to your party.

Step-by-step itinerary

Melbourne aerial sightseeing tour

• Lift off from Essendon Airport helipad
• Fly over Melbourne CBD skyscrapers
• View Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
• Fly over St Kilda beach
• Cruise along Port Phillip Bay coast
• Fly over Luna Park Melbourne
• See Brighton Bathing Boxes from above
• Spot sunken J7 Submarine at Sandringham Marina
• Fly over Albert Park Lake and F1 Circuit
• View Shrine of Remembrance and Royal Botanic Gardens
• See Flinders Street Station from above
• Fly over Melbourne Sports Precinct and MCG
• View Rod Laver Arena
• Fly over Melbourne Zoo spotting animals

The experience

The helicopter lifts off from Essendon Airport and heads straight over Melbourne's CBD, where you see the skyscrapers and the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel from above. The route then follows the coast down Port Phillip Bay, passing St Kilda beach and cruising low over the row of colourful Brighton Beach Boxes: the shot most people come for. From there the pilot flies over Sandringham Marina to show you the sunken J7 submarine, a World War 1 wreck visible from the air.

On the return leg, you pass Luna Park, then fly over Albert Park Lake where the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit sits, and cross the Melbourne Sports Precinct to see the MCG, Melbourne Park and AAMI Park from directly overhead. The final stretch takes you past Flinders Street Station, Federation Square and the Yarra River in the CBD, then over the Shrine of Remembrance with views across the Royal Botanic Gardens. The whole flight runs 30 minutes.

Every seat is a window seat and you get Bose noise-cancelling headsets so you can hear the pilot's commentary. You can add an in-flight video recording of the flight, book time for photos in front of the helicopter before takeoff, or arrange a surprise proposal package by contacting the operator. The helicopter is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• 30-minute private helicopter flight from Essendon Airport.
• guaranteed window seat for every passenger.
• Bose noise-cancelling headsets.
• time for photos in front of the helicopter before takeoff.

Options for this experience

5 options

Private ride for three peopleUp to 3 per booking · 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 16:0030-minute Melbourne City and beaches flight

Private ride for five peopleUp to 5 per booking · 09:00 and 10:0030-minute Melbourne City and beaches flight

Private ride for six peopleUp to 6 per booking · 09:00 and 10:0030-minute Melbourne City and beaches flight

See 2 more options

Private ride for two peopleUp to 2 per booking · 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 16:0030-minute Melbourne City and beaches flight

Private ride for four peopleUp to 4 per booking · 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 16:0030-minute Melbourne City and beaches flight

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 16:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Rotor One - Melbourne Helicopter Rides

Is this one for you?Book the group size that matches your party. The operator offers private flights for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 people so you're never sharing the helicopter with strangers, and everyone travels together on the same route.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How many people can fly on this helicopter tour?

You book for your group size: the operator offers private flights for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 people. Everyone in your party flies together in the same helicopter.

What is the Brighton Beach Boxes and why do people want to see them from the air?

The Brighton Beach Boxes are a row of colourful Victorian bathing boxes lined up along Brighton Beach on Port Phillip Bay. They're one of Melbourne's most photographed landmarks, and the helicopter flies low over them so you get a clear aerial view of the whole row.

Can I record video or take photos during the flight?

You can add an in-flight video recording as an optional extra at checkout. You also get time to take photos in front of the helicopter before takeoff. During the flight you're free to photograph from your window seat.

What landmarks do I see on the return flight?

On the way back to Essendon, you fly over Luna Park, then Albert Park Lake and the Formula 1 circuit, the MCG and Melbourne's sports precinct, Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and the Shrine of Remembrance with views over the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. The helicopter is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces at Essendon Airport are wheelchair accessible. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.