Did you know we can fly you across Australia’s only Dark Sky “RESERVE”, right here in our backyard!

The River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve is approximately 3,200 square Kilometres and has a reading of 21.9 on the Light Measurement Scale.  It’s one of only 200 Internationally accredited Dark Sky places in the world, and is purely remarkable.

Whilst we do NOT fly at night, you will get an appreciation of the grand scale of the reserve from the air during the day, plus a Birdseye view of the Mighty Murray River.

Dry Climates and cloudless skies contribute to the magnitude of the reserve, you will see that there are hardly any built up areas to pollute the sky with lights.

Departing from Lyndoch we take you over the northern Barossa where we will point out the amazing Dry Stone Walls, dating from the earliest days of settlement. Along this range, there was plenty of rock and little timber for fences. So, it made sense to build from rock.

From here we fly across the vast plains between the Barossa Ranges and the Murray River, joining the river just south of Blanchetown, where we track along the river towards Swan Reach.

Landing at the Swan Reach Hotel, where you can still see the remains of the original Swan Reach Homestead, as it was originally built as, CIRCA 1865. After quenching your thirst and a bite to eat we continue our journey of history and discovery.

Just out of Swan Reach is BIG BEND, the tallest cliffs, and the longest single bend
anywhere along the Murray River. These limestone cliffs are rich with millions of ocean fossils and are home to colonies of bats and birds.

Following the Murray River to Wongulla where we meet the Marne River. Pre-European times the Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk Aboriginal people used this river as a route to and from the hills to trade.

Not far from where the rivers meet is Shell Hill, on the banks of the Marne River, said to be over 5 million years old. The hill gets its name from the deposit of oyster shells, which in some places were six meters deep. It remained untouched until the 1930’s.

Following the Marne River past Cambrai into the Southern Barossa, we follow the Reservoir system. Flying over the Warren Reservoir, which was built between 1914-1916. This reservoir is open for public use.

Here you can see the South Para Reservoir, which is South Australia’s second largest reservoir.
Build in 1958 to supply rapidly growing urban and industrial areas.

The Barossa Reservoir is home to the Whispering Wall, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Barossa Valley region. The Whispering Wall is 36m high, at the time of completion (1902) it was the highest dam wall in Australia. Water from these reservoirs supply over 85,000 customers.

Descending into the Hoffnungsthal Valley, you will see why the area was settled. It was founded in 1847, as a German settlement. The local Peramangk people warned the settlers that the area was prone to flooding, but this advice was ignored. In October 1853, after a week of heavy spring rain, the area was flooded. The village was left deserted. Most settlers moved a little further north to Bethany. You can still see the floor of the Lutheran Church; it was still used until 1867.

This parcel of land become part of the Kies Family in the 1880’s. 6 generations later and this is still home.

Welcome to our back yard.

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PRICE

1 person $2870 per person

2 people $1435 per person

3 people $1067 per person

 

WHATS INCLUDED

Approx. 90-110 minutes in the helicopter

Live Commentary from your pilot

Main meal per person 

1 drink per person on arrival

 

WHATS NOT INCLUDED

Transfers to/from the Barossa Helicopters Helipad.

Drinks package

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DURATION OF EXPERIENCE

Approx. 4 hours

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PARTICIPANTS

1-3 people - groups on request

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DEPARTURE TIMES

Daily 11 am

 

​PICK UP & DROP OFF
TAXI Services: The Barossa does NOT have UBER. Barossa & Light Cab Service or Barossa Taxis
Selected accommodation by helicopter, additional fees apply.
 
WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
​Maximum individual weight is 130kg.
All up combined maximum passenger weight is 270kg per flight.