I took the Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters
He's earned this moment through sheer grit and effort, while I, seated comfortably in the front of a Robinson R44 helicopter, am carried effortlessly into the skies for a half-day Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters.
It's as close as I'll get to the top of this Glass House Mountain, and I'm savouring this up-close look at the rugged, near vertical rock face of an ancient volcanic plug.
Pilot Karl Mayne points out pine tree forests, pineapple and turf farms and macadamia groves as we fly smoothly from Caloundra airport towards the hinterland. Everyone has a window seat in this helicopter, and Bose noise-cancelling headsets make it easy to hear Mayne's informative commentary.
Spectacular mountain views are just one of the highlights on a tour with Oceanview Helicopters.
After a close encounter with Tibrogargan, we are off gliding over Beerburrum State Forest into the heart of Moreton Bay. The destination is Ocean View Estates in Mount Mee for a guided vineyard tour and wine tasting. This subtropical winery and restaurant is set on 40ha of grape vines. I spend the next hour tasting their wines.
Wine tasting on the Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters.
Back in the air, the landscape gradually merges from rural to residential. Flying over big outer housing blocks, it's clear everyone has the dream of a backyard shed, and these are on the larger side. As suburbia progresses, the plots become all building and the houses almost touch eaves. There's a brief glimpse of a nearly car-free Bruce Highway – a rare sight indeed – and then the Caboolture River meets the sea.
We cruise along the shallow shoreline of Beachmere, hoping to spot dolphins, dugongs, turtles, stingrays and sharks lounging in the clear water, but they're all having a day off except for the odd turtle.
Stunning coastal vistas star during the scenic tour with Oceanview Helicopters.
With its white sandy beaches, Bribie Island looks beautiful from the air. Myriad lagoons and native bushland blend into curving canals flanked by houses with jetties.
The helicopter lands in a large open grassed area at Sandstone Point Hotel for lunch. The hotel capitalises on its 300m of Pumicestone Passage shoreline with an extensive menu of fresh local seafood. I'm immediately tucking into shucked oysters.
When it's time to return to base, Mayne takes the helicopter over the northern tip of Bribie Island, sharing the sand patterns of Golden Beach and the clear blue waters of Caloundra.
Sightseeing over Caloundra with Oceanview Helicopters.
After skimming Moreton Bay's fierce and fragile patchwork from volcanic plugs to the curving coastline, I'm left in awe of the region's beauty, and the perspective only the skies can offer.
The writer travelled as a guest of Oceanview Helicopters and stayed courtesy of Visit Sunshine Coast.
A visit to the vines with Oceanview Helicopters.
Where to stay on the Sunshine Coast
Stay at the new Sunshine Coast hotspot Bokarina. Seanna Residences offers luxury apartments with easy access to elevated dining at Bocca Italian and Stoa Cafe. Finish with a French custard ice cream at Wallace & Wood.
How to see Moreton Bay by helicopter
Prices for the Ultimate Day Out in Moreton Bay tour for two people start from $1490, including a wine tasting. Lunch not included. Four-hour trip.
Originally published as I took the Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters
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I took the Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters
A hiker in a vivid blue shirt stands victorious atop Mount Tibrogargan, 364m above the plain, his triumph etched in every line of his stance. He's earned this moment through sheer grit and effort, while I, seated comfortably in the front of a Robinson R44 helicopter, am carried effortlessly into the skies for a half-day Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters. It's as close as I'll get to the top of this Glass House Mountain, and I'm savouring this up-close look at the rugged, near vertical rock face of an ancient volcanic plug. Pilot Karl Mayne points out pine tree forests, pineapple and turf farms and macadamia groves as we fly smoothly from Caloundra airport towards the hinterland. Everyone has a window seat in this helicopter, and Bose noise-cancelling headsets make it easy to hear Mayne's informative commentary. Spectacular mountain views are just one of the highlights on a tour with Oceanview Helicopters. After a close encounter with Tibrogargan, we are off gliding over Beerburrum State Forest into the heart of Moreton Bay. The destination is Ocean View Estates in Mount Mee for a guided vineyard tour and wine tasting. This subtropical winery and restaurant is set on 40ha of grape vines. I spend the next hour tasting their wines. Wine tasting on the Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters. Back in the air, the landscape gradually merges from rural to residential. Flying over big outer housing blocks, it's clear everyone has the dream of a backyard shed, and these are on the larger side. As suburbia progresses, the plots become all building and the houses almost touch eaves. There's a brief glimpse of a nearly car-free Bruce Highway – a rare sight indeed – and then the Caboolture River meets the sea. We cruise along the shallow shoreline of Beachmere, hoping to spot dolphins, dugongs, turtles, stingrays and sharks lounging in the clear water, but they're all having a day off except for the odd turtle. Stunning coastal vistas star during the scenic tour with Oceanview Helicopters. With its white sandy beaches, Bribie Island looks beautiful from the air. Myriad lagoons and native bushland blend into curving canals flanked by houses with jetties. The helicopter lands in a large open grassed area at Sandstone Point Hotel for lunch. The hotel capitalises on its 300m of Pumicestone Passage shoreline with an extensive menu of fresh local seafood. I'm immediately tucking into shucked oysters. When it's time to return to base, Mayne takes the helicopter over the northern tip of Bribie Island, sharing the sand patterns of Golden Beach and the clear blue waters of Caloundra. Sightseeing over Caloundra with Oceanview Helicopters. After skimming Moreton Bay's fierce and fragile patchwork from volcanic plugs to the curving coastline, I'm left in awe of the region's beauty, and the perspective only the skies can offer. The writer travelled as a guest of Oceanview Helicopters and stayed courtesy of Visit Sunshine Coast. A visit to the vines with Oceanview Helicopters. Where to stay on the Sunshine Coast Stay at the new Sunshine Coast hotspot Bokarina. Seanna Residences offers luxury apartments with easy access to elevated dining at Bocca Italian and Stoa Cafe. Finish with a French custard ice cream at Wallace & Wood. How to see Moreton Bay by helicopter Prices for the Ultimate Day Out in Moreton Bay tour for two people start from $1490, including a wine tasting. Lunch not included. Four-hour trip. Originally published as I took the Ultimate Moreton Bay Tour with Oceanview Helicopters
