Senior Line Pilots Iain and Henri join the Heli Experiences Melbourne team. (Seen above with rookie Pilot Cameron Barnes) With great customer feedback already the guys have now been offered full time positions. Congratulations to both for their hard work and obvious work ethic. Special mention also goes out to David Saul (Santa Hat near the jet Ranger pic) for his tireless efforts with the tour down under

and our No1 Ground Staff mainstay Dave James. (Lhs below Pictured with Cameron also both in Santa Hats below)

and while we are on Santa hats, this blog would not be complete with our chef pilot wearing one as well

All the team at Heli Experiences are proud to announce the imminent opening of our 3rd permanent base at Brisbanes Archerfield Airport. With a private facility, private air side lounge and private hangar complimented by a superb air conditioned helicopter. Helicopter rides and scenic flights will start 1st February. The Heli experiences team will bring to Brisbane their renowned customer service and tourism focus products. Committed to the long term development of the base, one of our senior line pilots from Melbourne will move to Brisbane to head up the team. For all enquiries about Brisbane City Helicopters ring our Head Offcie on 1300 771 916 and stay tuned for more product launches in the coming months.

One of our Pilots posted in these shots form The Koala Orchard near Yarck. Yes that’s a real town name and these are some of the best cherries around. Fresh of the trees, get them at Coles. Heli Experiences is offering a huge range of helicopter gift vouchers this Christmas, simply browse the relevant product from the links below and then purchase at helishopper.

Then while you are eating your fresh Cherries, give the gift that the Boys like best. Yep, this is an unashamed plug for our Christmas Helicopter Gift Vouchers. Valid for 12 Months and starting from only $145 per person with helicopter flights available from Sydney Airport and Essendon Airport Melbourne. For all things helicopters this christmas shop at www.helishopper.com.au.

Looking for the perfect Christmas Present for Dad. Sick of buying him a pair of socks or a hanky? Then this Helicopter Ride Gift Voucher is for your. With helicopter rides available in Sydney and Melbourne, a handy 12 Months Expiry Date and gift vouchers starting at $145, we have got it all. You can check out the flights at the below links for Sydney (Bondi Helicopters) and Melbourne (Melbourne Joy Flights) and then make a secure credit card purchase at our dedicated helicopter gift voucher online store (helishopper). For the ultimate gift you could buy him a thrilling night time helicopter ride over Sydney.(Night Flights) . When you are ready to purchase simply select the helishopper icon.

An Australian First! Helicopter Night Flights over Sydney. This flight takes you above the world’s most beautiful harbour city at night.  With the heliport at Sydney Airport lit up for night ops you will board a multi-million dollar sophisticated night operational helicopter. The twin engine helicopter will be piloted by an elite group of helicopter pilots approved by CASA to fly commercial passengers at Night. Feel the excitement as the twin jet engines power up as you ready for takeoff. Then sit back and take in the breathtaking view as the multitude of lights from below illuminate the magnificent city and its surrounds with the reflections on the water defining the harbours’ outline.

This flight tracks over Sydney Harbour towards the heads with the night time glow of Manly and the northern beaches stretching off into the distance.  The Opera house shines like a beacon and the city comes alive as pillars of light rise into the night sky as you return to the airport.  Join one of the very select cities around the world to offer this unique and memorable experience to see Sydney by helicopter at night. Seats are limited for this very special night flight helicopter experience.

I am just writing to thank-you for the amazing tour my husband and I took on Saturday.  Luke was very surprised, and excited when the time came that I told him how we would celebrate his birthday and the experience was as sensational, if not more so, than what we had envisioned.

I would like also to compliment you on your staff  – David was lovely, very gentelmanly (opening and closing doors for me – very polite – Hahahaha), engaging and easy to talk to. Josh was an excellent guide and pilot, pointing out all of the landmarks of Melbourne as we flew above.  It was ABSOLUTELY EXCEPTIONAL!  A definite highlight, though maybe not for others, was seeing the Cerberus shipwreck.  Neither Luke or I had ever seen a shipwreck, and to have seen one for the first time from that view was wonderful.

I am actually quite affraid of heights, pathologically so, and was quite nervous boarding the helicopter, but I found Josh’s verbalising any changes, turns, shifts, etc, and confidence in operating the helicopter a tremendous help in easing my anxieties.  It was great to be able to actually enjoy the flight, rather than fearing for my life for the time we were flying. Hahahaha…

My husband absolutely loved the tour, as did I and I have found not only your help, but the service of your entire company, your staff, and your contacts with Eureka Skydeck, absolutely fantastic. I really can not express to you just how outstanding I fell everyone has been in helping me organise this surprise for my husband.  We will most definitely recommend your services to all and any of our friends interesting in touring Melbourne by helicopter.

If there is anywhere (website, blog, online listing, etc) that you would like me to post a review on, please let me know – I would love to be able to something to repay all of your help and commend your service.

Thank-you again Darcy.  I will DEFINIETLY be utelising your services again.

With regards,

TENILLE ELLIS

With market leading rates, I guess our model is more like other low cost carriers like Virgin Blue etc, so it’s up to you to organise, book and pay for activities on the ground. The staff at Dominque Portet Winery, Chateau Yering and De Bortoli Winery are very helpful, we also have a local guide who can come up with some affordable ground activity options for you. For more details visit destinations tab at our Yarra Valley Helicopter Website

Destination 1, Dominique Portet Winery for barrel tastings, wine tastings and light lunches or a 1 minute car ride/10 minute walk to lunch next door at Bella Vedere. (ph 59626161) is a fantastic unpretentious restaurant within Badgers Brook winery. Using local produce and run by Gary Cooper. (former Eleanore’s Restaurant founder and Chefs hat) You do need to book in early with Bella Vedere, it’s worth the effort, we receive awesome feedback from our clients about this restaurant.

But of course completely up to you and there are many other dining options in the valley. Dominique Portets wine tastings are recommended and they have very good sparkling wines. Their lunches are light and great for casual snacks.

If you wanted some more wine touring activities on the ground you can depart earlier and return later. We recommend private Local Guide Brian Ingleson, (photo above with pilot and guest) his ph no is 0405249030, he can come up with a ground itinerary to suit or just provide transfers in the valley.

Destination 2, De Bortoli Winery, where you can enjoy fantastic rustic Italian cuisine in the “Locale” restaurant, which has been recently refurbished. Home of the Nobel One Sticky wine and perfect for those who want a long luxurious lunch with great wine.

Destination 3, Chateau Yering is a member of the association of Relais and Chateaux, This unites 426 independently owned hotels and restaurants of charm and prestige in 43 countries around the world. Relais & Chateaux represents the highest quality and offer the perfect balance among exceptional service, food, comfort, and surroundings.

The fine dining Eleonore’s Restaurant, with its emphasis on regional produce matched with local wine from our historic stone cellar. Executive Chef Mathew Macartney produces a menu that reflects the seasons and his dishes often surprise with his imaginative use of unusual ingredients.The conservatory style Sweetwater Café with its casual ambience is open from 7.30am daily and serves gourmet breakfasts, lunch and morning and afternoon teas .It is also an easy stroll to winery Yering Station next door.

After departing Essendon, given the early morning fog we were VFR on top for the trip over Melbourne and cleared up to 2500 feet by the Essendon controllers, before experiencing perfect weather for the remainder of the trip. We snuck up to 6500 feet for a direct track straight to Mt Buller, which we could see in the distance before we even got to the Yarra Valley!

After a track over the Village and the fresh snow on the ski runs, we landed at the top of the car park at Horse Hill, for the quick trip onto the moment.

Some of our guests had never seen snow before so it was a real treat. We left the moment at 4.15 pm and was back just after 5, with our guests in the hotel by 5.45pm…now that’s a day at the snow!! Even Better they got an awesome Melbourne helicopter scenic on return.