Sydney is a magnificent city, no matter if it’s being viewed from the sky, sea, or land. However, if you really want to experience the most breathtaking way of seeing the urban sprawl and where the sea meets the skyline, nothing is better than a helicopter tour.
This cinematic adventure takes you right from the heart of the city, over its iconic harbor, showing off its architectural wonders with an expert pilot to lead the way. If it’s your first time in Sydney, it can’t be beat, offering a lay of the land that will give you a whole new appreciation for the metropolis.
Let me show you the top helicopter flights over Sydney that are well worth your time and money!
Best Helicopter Tours of Sydney
| Sydney Harbour Tour by Helicopter | Private Helicopter Flight Over Sydney & Beaches for 2 or 3 people - 20 Minutes | 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Value Tour | Best Private Tour | Best 30 Minute Tour |
|
 | |||
 |  |  |
|
| Location: | Sydney Airport, 472 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot NSW 2020 | 462 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot NSW 2020 | 682 Tower Rd, Bankstown Aerodrome NSW 2200 |
| Start: | Between 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM | Between 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Between 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Duration: | 20 minutes | 20 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Includes: | Commentary and interaction with pilot, Complimentary city center transfers (if required) | Photo opportunities with the helicopter, Pilot narration through headsets, Safety briefing | All taxes, fees and handling charges, Professional pilot |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Sydney Helicopter Rides For 2025
- Sydney Harbour Tour by Helicopter
- Private Helicopter Flight Over Sydney & Beaches for 2 or 3 people – 20 Minutes
- 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour
- Sydney Grand Tour by Helicopter
- Helicopter Flight Over Sydney and Beaches – 20 Minutes
Sydney Helicopter Tour Reviews
1. Sydney Harbour Tour by Helicopter
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Departure: Sydney Airport, 472 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot NSW 2020
- Departure Time: Between 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Includes: 20-minute helicopter tour, Commentary and interaction with pilot, Complimentary city center transfers (if required), Free parking for self-drive guests
I had to start things off with this first tour, as it was perfect in every way and I couldn’t imagine a better experience. The Sydney Harbour Tour by Helicopter is super easy to fit into even the busiest schedules, seeing as it’s only 20 minutes.
I know what you’re thinking though, and yes, 20 minutes may be short but when you’re up in the air, time seems to stand still.
I made my way to the helipad where we met the pilot for my helicopter flight experience, who gave us a rundown of what to expect and let us snap some photos before hopping inside.
The adventure began with a warm greeting and check-in from the friendly operations staff, offering a thorough safety briefing in the comfort of the modern and spacious guest lounge.
As I settled into my seat and put on the provided headset, we listened to the tales the pilot regaled us with about the architecture, geography, and history of the area.
For me, this was one of the best ways to see the gorgeous blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, along with the full 360 views of the Sydney Skyline, and even the historic Botany Bay.
Expand To See More
We then headed over to Maroubra Beach, Coogee, Clovelly, and the infamous Bondi Beach (do yourself a favor and check it out later on)!
It was unreal, and I felt like I had to practically pinch myself multiple times throughout the tour to remind myself that this was real life rather than some kind of VR experience!
You’ll get to see many other important landmarks like the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, the Sydney Football Stadium, Cricket Ground, and so much more.
Thanks to the headsets’ voice activation feature, we were able to chat with each other and the pilot the entire time, making it an incredible bonding experience! Afterward, I had a much better idea of where to go and the places I wanted to explore further – go check it out!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Private Helicopter Flight Over Sydney & Beaches for 2 or 3 people – 20 Minutes
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Departure: 462 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot NSW 2020
- Departure Time: Between 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Includes: Approx 20 minute private helicopter flight over Sydney and beaches, Photo opportunities with the helicopter, Pilot narration through headsets, Safety briefing
Something that I didn’t realize before first arriving in Sydney, was just how massive the city really was. This makes it a bit hard to see everything you want, unless you really have your planning dialed in.
Another way to see everything (in just a few minutes, at that) is by signing up for a tour like the Private Helicopter Flight Over Sydney & Beaches for 2 or 3 people Tour.
If you are traveling with kids at all, I can’t recommend this tour enough – I can’t say that all helicopters are kid-friendly, either. However, this one was so smooth and easy to participate in (and safe!) that I would say it’s even great for toddlers!
Plus, as it’s only 20 minutes, it’s not something that anyone has to commit for a very long time. We arrived on site and were greeted by the friendly staff and pilot, who provided us with a safety briefing and answered any questions we had about the experience.
Expand To See More
Before we hopped inside, he even offered to take photos of us, which was a nice touch. We were given headsets so we could hear everything our guide told us about the sites we were passing by and over, making it that much more convenient.
If you’ve never been on a helicopter before, this crew is so calm and kind that you will instantly feel comfortable throughout the entire time. The pilot was also very nice and obviously knowledgeable, as he knew exactly where to go to get the best views.
I highly recommend trying this tour at least once when you’re in Sydney – trust me, you won’t regret it!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Departure: 682 Tower Rd, Bankstown Aerodrome NSW 2200
- Departure Time: Between 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Includes: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Professional pilot
What I love about helicopter tours in Sydney is that you get to see the beautiful city, sitting against the gorgeous natural landscapes. This can be a bit difficult to do unless you’re on the beaches, which can get quite busy depending on the season.
The 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour is a fantastic way to celebrate a special occasion, or simply have a romantic date with a significant other!
This helicopter tour is just a bit longer than the other 2 I just covered, and those 10 minutes really do make a difference! I noticed that we got to see a lot more in those 10 minutes than on the other tours, which wasn’t necessary but a nice surprise.
Start off by meeting up at the Bankstown Aerodrome, where you’ll meet your pilot and the rest of the staff to ensure everything goes smoothly. I appreciated that there were a ton of different start times available, meaning I would be able to select the tour that fits my schedule perfectly. If you have the chance, I highly suggest picking up a sunset tour – it’s even more breathtaking if that’s possible!
Expand To See More
After a quick safety briefing, you’ll have time to head out to the helicopter and snap some photos in front of it before donning your included headsets.
Takeoff was very smooth, and it was immediately clear that the pilot was experienced and knew exactly what they were doing.
It was impressive how well they flew and navigated while telling us in real-time about the landmarks and different points of interest as we flew overhead. We got to see the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison, and so much more!
