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Are you visiting the Outback and looking for the best Kings Canyon helicopter tours? We are here to help!
Kings Canyon is one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in Australia and while most people focus on Uluru (which you should visit for sure), a lot of them also miss out on the beauty of Kings Canyon.
This is a mistake you won’t be making! While in Kings Canyon, I highly recommend going hiking. You can find here some of the best hikes in Australia including the Kings Canyon Rim Walk and Kings Creek Walk.
The national park of Watarrka covers 710 square km which is huge, even for Australia, and there are so many beautiful places to see. Kings Canyon itself is about 1km long and because it’s so big, seeing it from a sky is even more impressive than from the ground.
For this reason, opting for one of the scenic helicopter tours of Kings Canyon is a great idea. You will get to see breathtaking views and it will for sure, be a highlight of your trip to Australia.
So, are you ready to discover all the best Kings Canyon helicopter flights? Let’s get started.
1. Kings Canyon 15-minute Scenic Helicopter Tour
⏰Duration: 15 minutes
⭐Reviews: 4. 7 / 5. See all reviews here.
This 15-minutes scenic helicopter tour of Kings Canyon is the most popular option. It lasts 15 minutes which we know doesn’t sound like much but you actually get to see so much in 15 minutes.
Especially since Kings Canyon is located in the desert and therefore the rest of the landscape is quite plain and flat so 15 minutes is a good amount of time to truly soak up the beauty of Kings Canyon.
You will meet your pilot at the helipad of Kings Canyon Resort. When you arrive at the resort, head towards the reception and it’s on your left. There are signs that indicated the helipad so you can’t get it wrong.
You will then board the helicopter (there is air con by the way so don’t worry, it won’t be too hot).
You will fly to Kings Canyon and discover wonderful views of Lost City, the Garden of Eden, Kings Creek and Carmichael Crag. It’s absolutely stunning!
The pilot will point everything out so you look at the right place.
On the way back, you will fly above the Watarkka National Park which is also stunning.
The team is very accommodating and the pilot gives you plenty of information about Kings Canyon and the area, making this helicopter tour as interesting as breathtaking.
Please note that this helicopter flight over Kings Canyon is provided by Professional Helicopter Services which is one of the best scenic flight company in the red centre.
What are the reviews like?
❤️ “The flight was fantastic, lots of information given and the views were spectacular. Highly recommend it.”
What is included?
- Helicopter flight
- Pilot (with commentary)
2. Petermann: Kings Canyon Helicopter Flyover
⏰Duration: 8 minutes
⭐Reviews: 5 / 5. See all reviews here.
If you have a smaller budget but still want to experience a helicopter scenic flight over Kings Canyon, this one’s for you!
It is offered by the same company and is much cheaper, mainly because it’s also shorter.
The flight is 8 minutes long but as previously mentioned, you still get to see a lot and don’t forget, a helicopter goes fast so it covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
You will also meet at the helipad of Kings Canyon Resort and board the helicopter there.
During the flight, the pilot will go above Kings Canyon and the Garden of Eden (don’t forget your camera because you’ll want to use it!) and you will also get to see the domes of the Lost City on the way back.
As usual, the pilot will point out where all the points of interest are.
Also, you can take a photo with the helicopter when you come back! Perfect for your Instagram.
What are the reviews like?
❤️ “Was well worth doing. Great pilot. Enjoyed flying over Kings Canyon would recommend it to everyone who is visiting Kings Canyon.”
What is included?
- 8-minute helicopter flight
- Pilot and commentary
3. Helicopter Scenic Flight, 30 Minutes – Kings Canyon and George Gill Range
⏰Duration: 30 minutes
⭐Reviews: 5 / 5. See all reviews here.
If you’d like to discover more from the sky, this extended scenic helicopter flight above Kings Canyon is for you!
It lasts 30 minutes which is much longer than the others (it also means it’s more expensive though but you get to see a lot more so it’s worth it).
As for the others, you will leave from Kings Canyon Resort.
The good thing about this tour is that you will fly over a larger area meaning that you get to see Kings Canyon of course but also the surrounding plains and the George Gill Range.
Here are some of the landmarks you’ll get to see: the Watarrka Lookout, Kings Creek, the George Gill Range to Carmichael Crag and the Hidden Valley.
The pilot will also give a live commentary as you go along. This means that s/he will point out where all the landmarks are so you can look at the right place (and take your camera on time) and will also give more information about the area.
Kings Canyon is a cherished place for the aboriginal communities and there are a lot of interesting facts and legends to know about it.
PRO TIP: Make sure to take sunglasses as the sky can be quite bright and it can be a bit uncomfortable for the eyes.
What are the reviews like?
❤️ “Fantastic way to see Kings Canyon. The great pilot made the event!”
What is included?
- 30-minute helicopter flight
- Pilot and commentary
4. Scenic Plane Flight: Desert Explorer
⏰Duration: 2 hours
⭐Reviews: 5 / 5. See all reviews here.
If you were looking for helicopter flights from Uluru to Kings Canyon, this one’s for you!
This is the most comprehensive tour available and it’s an adventure of a lifetime. You will love it!
Firstly, it’s important to note that it’s not actually a helicopter tour but a scenic flight. However, it’s so good that we could simply not not mention it.
This tour starts from Yulara (near Uluru) and lasts 2 hours which is much longer than all the others mentioned.
You can go to the meeting point in Yulara or at the airport or choose one of the pick up points (which are basically all the main accommodations near Uluru).
From there, you will board the aircraft and fly over the stunning Uluru before heading to Kata Tjuta.
Kata Tjuta is less famous but actually even more beautiful than Uluru and from the sky you get to really see all the domes. It’s absolutely gorgeous!
PRO TIP: While you are in the area, make sure to go hiking in Kata Tjuta. It’s stunning and it was one of my favourite hikes in Australia.
You will then head to Lake Amadeus and fly over the remains of the ancient coral reef.
Finally, you will go further into the Outback until you reach the George Gill Range and Kings Canyon.
The pilot on this tour is truly exceptional. Not only will they give you a live commentary and point out all the important landmarks but they will also perform some orbits so you can see the patterns on the surface of Lake Amadeus (how cool is that?!).
Finally, it’s important to note that you can either do the flight in the afternoon or, if you don’t mind getting up early, in the morning for sunrise.
This is truly the most comprehensive scenic flight with both Uluru and Kings Canyon.
What are the reviews like?
❤️ “Our pilot was fantastic . Sunrise flight was great . The best way to see the vastness of the Outback”
What is included?
- 2-hour scenic flight
- Pilot and commentary
- Headsets
- Hotel pickup and drop off
Best Kings Canyon Helicopter Flights: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are all the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the helicopter flights above Kings Canyon in Australia.
How far is Uluru to Kings Canyon?
Kings Canyon is located 324 km from Uluru. The drive takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Is Kings Canyon Australia worth it?
Visiting Kings Canyon in Australia is definitely worth it. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the red centre. The canyon is 1km long, making it one of the largest in the country.
There are many hiking opportunities and the scenic flights are simply exceptional. While it is quite a bit of a detour and it may seem like something better skipping, it would be a mistake.
It’s a magical place that will leave you in awe.
How many days do you need in Kings Canyon Australia?
We recommend spending 2 or 3 days in Kings Canyon. There are a lot of hiking opportunities as well as helicopter flights and ATV tours available.
If you are really short on time, you could consider joining a day tour from Uluru but it will be a bit rushed. An overnight trip would be much better.
Can you do a day trip to Kings Canyon from Uluru?
Yes you can. If you are driving, it will be too long of a day since you’ll be driving for about 7 hours but you can opt for a day tour from Uluru to Kings Canyon. While it is a long day, this means you can rest in the bus.
Alternatively, you can also opt for the scenic flight from Uluru to Kings Canyon. It lasts 2 hours and is the best of both worlds.
What should I wear during a helicopter tour in Kings Canyon?
We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes. A pair of sunglasses will also come in handy since the sky can be very bright and the glare can strain your eyes.
Finally, make sure to take your camera since you’ll want to take a lot of photos.
How long is a helicopter tour around Kings Canyon?
Helicopter tours in Kings Canyon lasts from 8 to 30 minutes depending on the package you book. The scenic flight from Uluru lasts 2 hours.
What is the best month to visit Kings Canyon?
Kings Canyon is a great destination all-year-round however, the best time to visit is between May and September.
Since it is very hot here in summer, it’s better to go in winter, spring or autumn to enjoy the warm and sunny days but not too hot either.
Please note that it does get quite chilly at night though.
How many nights do you need at Kings Canyon?
Ideally you need to stay one or two nights at Kings Canyon. This will be the ideal amount of time to try some of the hikes and truly explore the area.
Is the road between Uluru and Kings Canyon sealed?
Most of the road between Uluru and Kings Canyon is sealed but you will have to go through a bit of dirt road as well. You do not need a 4WD though, a normal car is enough.
How far is Kings Canyon from Alice Springs?
Kings Canyon is located 332 km from Alice Springs. It takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to get there by car.
Now that you know everything about the best Kings Canyon helicopter rides, the only thing left to do is to book one and have fun!
This is truly an amazing place and I can’t recommend it enough!
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