Great Ocean Road Helicopter Tour 2026: Worth It on a Cloudy Day?
Is a Great Ocean Road helicopter tour worth it on a cloudy day? Despite less-than-perfect weather, my aerial adventure offered unforgettable views of Australia's iconic coastline.
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Is a Great Ocean Road helicopter tour worth it on a cloudy day? Despite less-than-perfect weather, my aerial adventure offered unforgettable views of Australia's iconic coastline.
I've traveled to Australia three times.
And all three times, Melbourne
was an absolute must-have on my itinerary.
Because it's my favorite city!
I've also visited the Great Ocean Road, which is said to be a must-see before you die,
three times already,
The reason is that I'm a weather demon.
Every time I went there, it either rained or was cloudy,
so I kept revisiting, hoping it would be clear this time.
But the weather was the worst it had ever been.
It rained a lot, too...
Amidst all that, the problem was that this tour
had a helicopter tour scheduled.
I really struggled with whether or not to take the helicopter in this kind of weather.
But then I thought, this might be my last time
visiting the Great Ocean Road,
so I just went for it.
The result?
The Great Ocean Road is beautiful and magnificent enough
even from the ground,
but the view from above
is truly beyond words.
So, if you're planning a trip to the Great Ocean Road,
I definitely recommend doing the helicopter tour.
Great Ocean Road Helicopter Tour Pre-booking <Click here
And here's a little tip!
The helicopter tour ticket comes printed with the date and a signature.
If you write your name or a message on it,
it becomes an even more special souvenir.
I wrote down my nickname, Annyeongheeya.
Category | Details |
Tour Name | Great Ocean Road Day Tour (departing from Melbourne) |
Total Duration | Approx. 12 hours (Arriving back in Melbourne city around 7-7:30 PM) |
Highlights | Twelve Apostles Lookout, The Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, Wild Koala Habitat |
Helicopter Tour Course | Choose from 16 min / 25 min / 60 min |
Helicopter Tour Booking | Select as an option when booking or apply on-site with the guide on the day of the tour |
Helicopter Tour Price (16-min option) | On-site 195 AUD (approx. ~$135) vs. Pre-booking ~$131 |
Estimated Savings | Minimum ~$4 per person (May vary depending on exchange rates) |
Helicopter tour prices are based on Australian Dollars,
so the amount saved may vary with exchange rates.
Please make sure to check the real-time prices via the link before booking!
To give you the conclusion first:
Yes, if possible, definitely do it.
The Twelve Apostles of the Great Ocean Road are already
a magnificent sight, often called a work of art sculpted by Mother Nature.
While the eye-level view from the lookout is stunning,
the bird's-eye view from the helicopter offers a completely different kind of awe.
The entire arrangement of the Twelve Apostles, which you can never fully see from the ground,
the curves of the coastline, and the landforms sculpted by the waves
unfolded before my eyes at a single glance.
There might be others like me who have bad luck with weather,
and since it was a rainy day for me this time,
I really had a lot of doubts.
But in the end, I'm so glad I decided to take it!
Just keep in mind that the helicopter tour itself might be canceled or rescheduled depending on weather conditions.
Always check the exact cancellation and refund policies for rain on the booking page.
16 minutes / 25 minutes / 60 minutes, which course should you choose?
I took the 25-minute course.
It covered not only the core Twelve Apostles section but also Loch Ard Gorge and the London Bridge area quite thoroughly, so I was very satisfied.
✅ 16 minutes: For those who want to experience a helicopter tour for the first time or save on their budget.
✅ 25 minutes: The most generally recommended course, allowing you to comfortably explore the key viewpoints.
✅ 60 minutes: For those with plenty of time who want to truly enjoy the Great Ocean Road in its full panoramic glory.
While same-day on-site booking is possible, I highly recommend booking in advance.
For the 16-minute course, the on-site price is 195 AUD, but with advance booking at ~$131, you can save at least ~$4 per person.
Please note that the difference may vary slightly depending on exchange rate fluctuations.
What's more, if you face long waiting times on-site, you might even run out of time to explore the viewpoints. So, booking in advance seems much safer for time management as well.
Want to enjoy it just with your group?
Private tours are also available!
If you're on a family trip or a honeymoon and wish to enjoy the Great Ocean Road privately with just your party, without mixing with others, then consider checking out the private tour options!
If you want to enjoy it just with your group,
I definitely recommend the helicopter tour if you are any of the following:
✅ Those who think this might be their first and last visit to the Great Ocean Road.
✅ Those who want to capture incredible, once-in-a-lifetime photos and videos.
✅ Those who are hesitant about taking the helicopter tour due to the weather (it's still worth seeing even if it's cloudy!).
✅ Those celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon or family trip.
✅ Those who have already visited the Twelve Apostles from the lookout multiple times and want to see it from a fresh, new perspective.
Q. Can I still take a helicopter tour on cloudy or rainy days?
A. I took the tour even on a very rainy day and was highly satisfied.
However, there's always a possibility of cancellation or postponement due to severe weather,
so it's a good idea to double-check the cancellation and refund policies when booking.
Q. Can I book a helicopter tour on the day of the tour?
A. Yes, same-day booking and payment are possible with the guide.
However, if there are long waiting times,
your time at the viewpoints might be reduced,
so I recommend booking in advance.
Q. Which helicopter tour course should I choose?
A. If it's your first time, I recommend the 25-minute course.
Choosing based on your tour schedule is a must!
It allows you to leisurely see the key highlights,
which is why I was so satisfied.
Q. Do I absolutely need to book a Great Ocean Road tour?
A. The round-trip drive from Melbourne is quite long,
the driving side is opposite, and it's an all-day journey,
so I highly recommend joining a tour.
I went on a tour myself!
You can also book the same tour package on Klook.
You can also get a ~$2 discount if you promise to write a review, plus extra discounts with the coupon codes below!
Valid until 9/30
✅ 세시간전260001 Get ~$1 off when you spend over ~$35
✅ 세시간전260002 Get ~$2 off when you spend over ~$69
✅ 세시간전260003 Get ~$5 off when you spend over ~$138
Since this might be a once-in-a-lifetime moment,
don't waste time waiting around on-site,
it's best to book in advance and enjoy it at your leisure.
Discover more Australia travel tips
📍 Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Rd & Booringa Rd, Princetown VIC 3269 Australia
📍 Twelve Apostles Helicopters
20 Booringa Rd, Princetown VIC 3269 Australia
📍 Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Rd, Victoria, Australia
According to the article, helicopter tours are possible even on cloudy or heavily rainy days, and the author reported high satisfaction. However, tours may be canceled or schedules adjusted depending on weather conditions, so it's advisable to check the cancellation and refund policy when booking.
For the 16-minute course, the on-site price is 195 AUD (approximately ~$135). If pre-booked, it costs ~$131, allowing you to save at least ~$4 per person.
The 25-minute course is said to offer high satisfaction as it allows ample viewing of not only the Twelve Apostles' core section but also Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. It is the most commonly recommended course.
The total duration of the Great Ocean Road day tour departing from Melbourne is approximately 12 hours. It is said to arrive back in Melbourne city around 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
The helicopter tour ticket prints the date and signature for that day, so writing your name or a message on it makes it a special souvenir. The author mentioned writing their nickname, 'Annyeongheeya'.
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