CRADLE MOUNTAIN, LAKE ST CLAIR NATIONAL PARK

  We did the 10 minute scenic flight of Cradle Mountain with Cradle Mountain Helicopters and it was the highlight of our trip to Tassie. 10 minutes was enough to see... read more Cradle Mountain and the surrounding lakes, if you can afford it though go for more time. We just found the 10 minute trip to be very reasonable, $270 for the flight for the 3 of us, worked out at $90 each.

We were pleasantly surprised at how comfy the helicopter ride was and how seamless the take off and landing was, it is definitely the way to fly. Our pilot was very friendly and we couldn't recommend him any higher.

We made sure we booked in advance by emailing the company a couple of months ahead. It might be a good idea though to keep your options open around your travel, for example if you are planning on going for a flight in the morning, maybe plan to turn up to cradle mountain the day before around lunch time, if the weather looks to be bad the next day, then give them a call to see if you can change your time to the day before. The guys are very flexible and will accommodate any changes if need be. We even turned up earlier in the day than when we had booked and as no one else was booked in we got to go up even earlier.

If doing the 10 minute ride, sit behind the pilot, you will get the best view when they turn around.

  With young Luke at the control, I and my family took to the sky in his helicopter for a quick bird's eye view of Cradle Mountain. Luke gave us a... read more pre-flight safety talk as the helicopter that housed the pilot and 5 passengers looked a bit flimsy for comfort. However, our confidence grew after the safety talk and witnessing the series of pre-flight checks that Luke took before we took to the sky. Luke hovered the helicopter a good 20 feet above ground and did some manoeuvre to ensure all controls were in sound working order before he took us higher to have a good view of the scenary. The helicopter hovered at around 6,000 feet during the flight and was gently edging forward so that the passengers would have a comfort ride in it. The weather was extremely nice to us on the day of our flight, plenty of sunshine and a slight breeze. We took in great scenery of the Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, view which you cannot see from the ground below. After 20 minutes of breathtaking sight-seeing, Luke returned us safe and sound to the landing pad. I found that the price tag of AUD250 per head is worthed every penny of it. The only complaint I had was Luke has forgotten to do the dare-devil loop for us before we landed! Thoroughly enjoyable experience.

  We went up with Steve the pilot he was really friendly and informative the scenery we flew over was just incredible what a stunning part of the world

  We only did the 10 minute Dove Lake flight but the views were amazing! Time flies when you are in it but well worth it if you can afford the... read more price. Friendly pilot with good service. Only disappointing thing was he said he would go around Dove Lake so we could see from both sides but he ended up doing only one side. Please check the weather before deciding on the day as sunny days give you the perfect view!

  First class! Absolutely amazing. We had the most fabulous flight over Dove Lake and Fury Canyon. We are not hikers and this was the perfect way to see Cradle Mountain.... read more Highly recommend

  First class! Absolutely amazing. We had the most fabulous flight over Dove Lake and Fury Canyon. We are not hikers and this was the perfect way to see Cradle Mountain.... read more Highly r

  I celebrated my 60th birthday last week with 4 friends doing the Cradle Mountain & Fury Gorge 20 minute flight with our Kiwi pilot Tim. It was the most... read more amazing experience. The scenery had to be seen to be believed. I can highly recommend this to anyone (including people that have a fear of heights as some of my friends did). Well done guys !!!

  After literally dozens of trips to Cradle Mt and many hikes on pretty much every track in the National Park, this was one experience that I'd never had. So I... read more decided to treat my Mum to an early Mother's Day present and do the 20 minute flight. Our pilot Nick was great. He was flexible with the take off time, to allow some cloud to lift and give us a better view. He took us over Barn Bluff and Fury Gorge and then around Waterfall Valley. I've done that trip the hard way - on foot - so it was amazing to do it in minutes and the see the same area from above. The fagus was out and in full display, which looked great from the air. Mum was a bit nervous about flying in a chopper, but Nick put her at east and the whole flight was smooth and stable, so we could relax and enjoy the views. I'd recommend this experience to anyone, especially those who are less able to see the Park on foot. It sure beats slogging through the mud with a pack on. Thanks Nick.

  Flew in chopper while snow covered mountain. $250 per seat for 20 minute flight. Stunning views of dove lake and surrounding mountain area.for me at my age, once in... read more a lifetime...best thing ever

  We'd booked the 20 minute flight via the company website and rang the day before to confirm the booking. Unfortunately, we were given a bum steer (not by the company)... read more & told that they now operated from the base about 1/2km from the visitor centre - not so, they only hanger the helicopter there. They still operate flights from adjacent to the visitor centre. Once we'd figured that out it went smoothly.

The 20 minute flight took us over Waterfall Valley & down towards Mt Pellion, then around the back of Cradle Mountain & Barn Bluff. Visibility was excellent. Great to see the mountains, lakes and tarns from a different angle. Unfortunately there is always reflected glare off the canopy, so photos were difficult. Apparently, they will remove the doors for a longer flight (we've had great photos doing that elsewhere).

Expensive, but a wonderful experience.

  The knowledge about the area was first class .... really informative!!! Plus the skill level of our pilot (Nick) was obvious, he was in complete charge of the flight... read more plan and we felt v

  We'd booked the 20 minute flight via the company website and rang the day before to confirm the booking. Unfortunately, we were given a bum steer (not by the company)... read more & told that they now operated from the base about 1/2km from the visitor centre - not so, they only hanger the helicopter there. They still operate flights from adjacent to the visitor centre. Once we'd figured that out it went smoothly.

The 20 minute flight took us over Waterfall Valley & down towards Mt Pellion, then around the back of Cradle Mountain & Barn Bluff. Visibility was excellent. Great to see the mountains, lakes and tarns from a different angle. Unfortunately there is always reflected glare off the canopy, so photos were difficult. Apparently, they will remove the doors for a longer flight (we've had great photos doing that elsewhere).

Expensive, but a wonderful experience. More

  After visiting the Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake area we decided we must see the whole area by air. By chance we wandered back down to the booking office... read more and we were able to take a heli flight over the whole area. With clear skies and once up in the air were given a birds eye view of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding area. This flight was amazing and compared with the flight we did in Queenstown NZ. So if you are thinking about doing a heli flight this is the company to take you up up and away. A big thanks to Luke our chopper pilot and Brian in the office this is one memory that will stay with us to the end.

Mark and Anne
Sydney Australia

  We always like to take a helicopter flight to see the full view of the scenery. This time we did the 20 minute Cradle Mt circuit, and it was... read more wonderful. There is just so much you miss if your just walking the tracks. The sky was blue and cloudless so I guess we were lucky in that respect.

The service offered by Cradle Mt helicopters was great from the arrival, during the flight commentary and such a smooth flight. Great little R44 which we flew in. There are longer flights but I would no less than the 20 minute flight.

  Worth every cent
An incredible adventure that I will always remember
The fagus was golden orange at the time we flew over the mountain making for an extra special... read more experience.

  After literally dozens of trips to Cradle Mt and many hikes on pretty much every track in the National Park, this was one experience that I'd never had. So I... read more decided to treat my Mum to an early Mother's Day present and do the 20 minute flight. Our pilot Nick was great. He was flexible with the take off time, to allow some cloud to lift and give us a better view. He took us over Barn Bluff and Fury Gorge and then around Waterfall Valley. I've done that trip the hard way - on foot - so it was amazing to do it in minutes and the see the same area from above. The fagus was out and in full display, which looked great from the air. Mum was a bit nervous about flying in a chopper, but Nick put her at east and the whole flight was smooth and stable, so we could relax and enjoy the views. I'd recommend this experience to anyone, especially those who are less able to see the Park on foot. It sure beats slogging through the mud with a pack on. Thanks Nick.

  We went up with Steve the pilot he was really friendly and informative the scenery we flew over was just incredible what a stunning part of t

  A beautiful clear day and amazing scenery. I have flown in many helicopters and this was one of my favourite experiences.

  The knowledge about the area was first class .... really informative!!! Plus the skill level of our pilot (Nick) was obvious, he was in complete charge of the flight... read more plan and we felt very safe!

  Great service, great pilot Steve, fantastic views just pick your days, we were lucky to have an excellent weather window. Value for money, one of those memorable life experiences. take... read more a camera.

  We did an hour long flight on Boxing Day (my surprise Christmas present). Absolutely stunning from start to finish. Albert the owner and James the pilot were both... read more incredible and so helpful and knowledgeable. We were lucky enough to have absolutely perfect weather and so had a ride as smooth as silk and views that are impossible to describe. Highly recommend this - it is something we won't forget. Highlight of our 3 week Tasmanian stay.

  My husband and I decided to take this scenic helicopter flight as an anniversary treat, but let me tell you, you do not need a reason to treat yourself to... read more this once in a life time flight of magic.

I cannot recommend this enough. I realise that it may stretch the budget for some, but if it is something you can work in, you cannot possibly regret the epically beautiful and majestic scenery you bare witness to while you're being flown around by an absolute pro.

I've travelled near and far, and this helicopter flight holds a very special place in my heart now. My love for Tassie is ever-growing each time I visit, but there are few words to describe just how wonderful the view is from this height.

You literally get a view that can only be seen by the few who venture to the skies, and boy is it worth every dollar.

If I could give you guys more stars, I would. Thank you so much for providing this service. Just do it!

  We were only in Cradle Mountain for a one night stop over and couldn’t leave without seeing the mountains. Heard a chopper flying and immediately decided to take a flight.... read more Our pilot was great and took us on an amazing flight around Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain and surrounding lakes and tracks. We feel we did 3 days of hiking in 20ish minutes without getting cold, wet or mud on our boots. Highly recommend a helicopter ride in Cradle Mountain and it would be a great addition even if you have walked the tracks to get the birds eye view of your journey. Another fantastic Tasmanian experience.