Zoom Helicopters Taste of the Tablelands

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A two-and-a-half-hour helicopter trip from Cairns over the Bellenden Ker Range and the volcanic crater lakes of the Atherton Tablelands, landing at Skybury Coffee plantation for about an hour over lunch before flying home past Kuranda and Barron Gorge.

Days

2.5 hours

Age

All ages; under 2 on a parent's lap

Group size

Shared flight

Start / finish

Cairns Airport / Skybury Coffee plantation / Cairns Airport

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Helicopter from Cairns Airport

Meals

Reserved lunch table at Skybury, lunch paid on the day

Route

Map of Zoom Helicopters Taste of the Tablelands

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Included experiences

Bellenden Ker Range — fly over the rainforest of the Goldsborough Valley
Wooroonooran National Park — follow the Mulgrave River waterfalls
Volcanic lakes — see Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Crater Lake and Lake Tinaroo
Skybury Coffee plantation — land for about an hour over lunch
Barron Gorge — fly past Kuranda and the gorge on the way home

Zoom Helicopters Taste of the Tablelands

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN: CAIRNS AIRPORT

Your trip starts at Zoom's base on the general aviation side of Cairns Airport, where you check in about 20 minutes before take-off. You and your bag are weighed, the pilot sets the seating for balance, and you get a safety briefing. Then it's a short walk to the helicopter. As you lift off, Cairns spreads out below, a city founded in 1876 as a port for the goldfields inland, with the Coral Sea on one side and green ranges on the other.

OUTBOUND: THE BELLENDEN KER RANGE AND THE WET TROPICS

The flight heads south towards the Bellenden Ker Range, home to Mount Bartle Frere, at 1,622 metres the highest peak in Queensland. These mountains catch some of the heaviest rain in Australia, and you can see why when the cloud clings to the ridges. Below, the Goldsborough Valley holds lowland rainforest along the Mulgrave River, and the pilot traces its waterfalls through Wooroonooran National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area listed in 1988. It is some of the oldest continuous rainforest on earth. Then the helicopter climbs over the escarpment onto the tablelands.

OVER THE TABLELANDS: CRATER LAKES AND FARM TOWNS

Up on the Atherton Tablelands the country changes to rolling farmland on old volcanic soil. Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham are maars, round lakes blasted out when rising magma hit groundwater and exploded, many thousands of years ago, then filled with rain. Crater Lake is on the route too. Near Yungaburra stands the Curtain Fig Tree, whose aerial roots hang about 15 metres to the ground. Atherton sits about 750 metres above sea level, and past Tolga you reach Lake Tinaroo, formed when the Tinaroo Falls Dam was finished in 1958 to water the farms below. Walkamin and Mareeba, the heart of north Queensland's coffee and mango growing, follow.

LUNCH AT SKYBURY, THEN HOME OVER KURANDA AND BARRON GORGE

You land at Skybury Coffee plantation at Paddys Green, just west of Mareeba, where a table is booked for you. Allow about an hour for lunch on the deck, paid on the day, with mountain air and views over the plantation. The flight home crosses dry, open savannah, the edge of the outback, before the rainforest returns around Kuranda, the mountain village at the top of the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Below it, the railway clings to Barron Gorge, built between 1886 and 1891 with 15 hand-dug tunnels. A last sweep over the Cairns coastline brings you back to the airport.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Zoom Helicopters, Building 21, Bush Pilots Avenue, General Aviation, Cairns Airport (Aeroglen). Transfers are not included, so make your own way there; spare bags can be left at the office.
Departure time: Set when you book. Check in at least 20 minutes before your flight for weighing and the safety briefing.
Duration: About 2.5 hours in total, including about an hour on the ground for lunch. The flying covers about 300 km at 500 to 3,000 feet.
Minimum age: No minimum. Under-2s fly on a parent's lap with an infant belt (one per helicopter); from age 2 every child needs their own seat, and children up to 13 must fly with an adult. Prams, capsules and child seats cannot go in the helicopter.
Please note: Every passenger and their bag is weighed at check-in, so give accurate weights when you book. The heaviest a single seat can take is 130 kg, and being more than 10% over the weight you gave can mean extra charges, less luggage or not flying. Each flight needs at least two passengers, and the pilot sets seating for balance. Pregnant passengers fly at their own discretion. If you need help getting in, say so when you book, as staff cannot lift passengers.

What to bring

Sunglasses and sunscreen
Camera
One small soft bag per person at most
Money or a card for lunch at Skybury

What is included

Helicopter flight Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands and back
Landing at Skybury Coffee plantation with a reserved table
Pilot commentary
Safety briefing
Fuel surcharge

Not included

Lunch at Skybury (paid on the day)
Transfers to and from the airport

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

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.

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.

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.