Life-filled and lush, Cairns' natural beauty extends from its highest peaks to the depths of the Coral Sea, with tropical rainforest separated from the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef by a sliver of golden beach. Get a bird's-eye view of it all on this hour-long helicopter flight.

The chopper whirs to life at the airport in Cairns and then you're off, the ground dropping away beneath you as you rise up over the coastal city. As you swoop in toward the hinterlands, listen as your friendly local pilot shares commentary on the stunning natural features of this tropical region. Pass over Copperlode Dam and Lake Morris, a deep blue reservoir surrounded by fern-filled forest, and fly above the fertile valleys of the Atherton Tablelands.

Continuing north, approach Barron Gorge National Park and peer through the dense canopy of eucalyptus. Spot the park's namesake waterfall and historic railway, and hover above the rainforest village of Kuranda. From there, your pilot loops back toward the coast, crossing verdant hillsides, the sparkling beaches of Palm Cove, and finally soaring out over the cerulean expanse of the Coral Sea.

Gaze down at the translucent water, which glimmers in hues of deep blue and luminous teal between deep channels and shallow coral outcrops. This breathtaking ecosystem is the only living thing on earth that's visible from outer space, and your aerial perspective gives you a tiny dose of its stunning magnitude. Take in the intricacy of the this oceanic wonder, the emerald jewel of Green Island, and the vibrant colors of the sea before making your slow return to Cairns.