Helicopter trips to Tasman Island realise long-held dream

Helicopters will be taking tourists to a rugged island for the first time in the latest development under the Government’s Expressions of Interest process.

NEWLY approved helicopter tours to Tasman Island on the state’s East Coast will open up access to one of the state’s most spectacular but least-visited locations, its operators say.

Hobart helicopter operators Rotorlift today launched the luxury tours, which will whisk customers along some of the state’s most picturesque coastal scenery for a tour of the uninhabited 1.2 square kilometre island off the tip of the Tasman Peninsula.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a picnic on top of the 240m high flat-topped island, and at the right time of year, will have a bird’s-eye view of the Sydney to Hobart yachts sailing by.

LAKE MALBENA BATTLE SET TO CONTINUE

Rotorlift CEO Susan Stanley and Rotorlift owner Allana Corbin are excited to launch scenic flights to Tasman Island. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Rotorlift owner Allana Corbin said operating trips to the island had been a dream long held by her and her late husband Roger.

“I’ve flown down there and landed at Tasman Island, since pretty well day one of arriving here in Tasmania,” she said.

“It’s just the most spectacular, amazing locations and we always talked about the opportunity of one day being able to share it and making it accessible for everybody, as it should be.

“It is a bit of a trial for us and we’ve invested a lot of money into it because we feel that it’s going to be successful.”

TASMAN ISLAND TOURISM MOVES A STEP CLOSER

Sydney to Hobart yacht Wild Oats sailing past Tasman Island during last year’s race.

Tasman Island, part of the Tasman National Park, is the site of an unstaffed lighthouse, a weather station and is a major breeding site for fairy prions.

Rotorlift CEO Susan Stanley said guests would be able to enjoy a picnic and take guided tours of the island.

“While they’re there, there are some huts that have been renovated through the Friends of Tasman Island and through some input through the government as well,” she said.

“There’s some beautiful walking tracks so we’ve actually been down there and we’ve mapped out certain areas that they can go.

“They’ve got a guide with them to protect them and look after them to make sure that there’s nothing left behind when we leave.”

TASMANIA’S SCENERY IS SOMETHING TO PHONE HOME ABOUT

Tasman Island site just south of Cape Pillar on the Tasman Peninsula. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The three-hour trips start at $990 a person.

The company has been granted an exclusive licence to operate the tours under the government’s Expressions of Interest process.