Professional Helicopter Services Kings Canyon & George Gill Range Helicopter

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A helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and along the George Gill Range to Petermann Pound, where you may spot wild camels and brumbies, returning via Back Canyon.

Days

50 minutes, 30 minutes flying

Group size

Max 4

Start / finish

Kings Canyon Resort / Kings Canyon Resort

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Helicopter, with van transfer from Kings Canyon Resort

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Professional Helicopter Services Kings Canyon & George Gill Range Helicopter

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Included experiences

Kings Canyon — flight over the canyon
George Gill Range — scenic flight along the range
Petermann Pound — wild camels and brumbies
Back Canyon — return flight

Professional Helicopter Services Kings Canyon & George Gill Range Helicopter

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Itinerary

Map

THE TRANSFER AND LIFT-OFF

Flights go from 8:30am right through to sunset, so pick the hour that suits you. An air-conditioned van collects you from reception at Kings Canyon Resort, inside Watarrka National Park, whose name is the Luritja word for the umbrella bush, and runs you to the helipad, or you can walk over from the campground. There are no more than four of you on board, so everyone gets a window. Your pilot gives a short safety talk, you climb the steps and buckle in, and the red country drops away under the skids within moments.

OVER KINGS CANYON

First comes the canyon itself. Kings Canyon is Luritja country, and its sheer sandstone walls rise about 100 metres above Kings Creek. From the air you see what walkers on the rim only glimpse: the Lost City, a maze of beehive domes weathered out of the sandstone, and the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole ringed by cycads that have survived here since the region was far wetter. Your pilot points out the best angles for photos as you go, and you look straight down into corners of the gorge that no walking track reaches.

ALONG THE GEORGE GILL RANGE TO PETERMANN POUND

Then the helicopter turns along the George Gill Range, the long sandstone ridge that holds Kings Canyon, named by the explorer Ernest Giles in 1872. Below its wall lies Kathleen Springs, a spring-fed waterhole that is a sacred place for the Luritja people. Beyond it opens Petermann Pound. In the outback a pound is a wide basin closed in by hills, and this one is where wild camels and brumbies graze. The camels came from the 1840s to haul freight across the inland and were set free when trucks took over. Australia now has the largest wild herd in the world.

HOME ALONG DRY CREEK

The way home follows the line of Dry Creek, a sandy watercourse that runs only after rain, towards Carmichael Crag, which Giles named after Samuel Carmichael, a young companion on his 1872 expedition. The flight brings you back past Back Canyon to the helipad after about half an hour in the air. Before you leave, there's time for a photo in front of the helicopter, then the van takes anyone who came from the resort back to reception, about 50 minutes after you set off.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Kings Canyon Resort reception (courtesy pick-up), or meet at the helipad — choose when booking. From the camp ground, the helipad is a 2 minute drive or 8 minute walk. There are no pick-ups from within the camp ground or the service station.
Departure time: From 8:30am until sunset, 365 days a year, weather permitting.
Duration: About 50 minutes in all, with around 30 minutes of flying.
Fitness: Passengers need a moderate to high level of mobility to load and unload the helicopter without help, including steps and platforms.
Please note: All flights are subject to minimum numbers. Guests weighing 125 kg or more need to buy a comfort seat.

What to bring

Enclosed, non-slip footwear
Long sleeves, where temperatures allow

What is included

Helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and the George Gill Range (about 30 minutes)
Courtesy pick-up from Kings Canyon Resort reception
Pilot commentary
A photo opportunity in front of the helicopter

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We had a fabulous 30 minute flight over Kings Canyon and the surrounding country. The staff were very flexible when bad weather cancelled our first flight.

Martin Gardiner Verified· Travelled 19th August 2026

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