South Solitary Island Tours
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Abandoned Lighthouse Island
One of only two lighthouse islands in New South Wales, it is situated approximately 18km from Coffs Harbour.
The buildings were constructed in 1880 and are considered to be the oldest in the area.
The island is not accessible to the public, it is under the care of National Parks & Wildlife.
The lightstation was automated in 1975.
The Head Keepers Quarters and Assistant Keepers Quarters have been abandoned since 1975.
Bird nesting season is from September to March - the island is closed to visitors/private tours.
Fly by Helicopter - Walking Guided Tour
Tour the Abandoned Lighthouse Island - Autumn/Winter 2021
Join the Waiting List for next tours - precisionhelis@bigpond.com
Fly by helicopter for a walking guided tour of this historic lighthouse island.
The Lighthouse was automated in 1975 with all Keeper's and families leaving the island at this time. The island has been abandoned since 1975, the Keeper's Quarters being left to the elements and the birds!
Access is restricted with the only chance to visit the island and view the quarters is by the tours held once a year by National Parks & Wildlife and Precision Helicopters.
Superior Lightstation Tour - One Hour
includes ex-resident on the island*, tour of Lighthouse, tour of Keepers Quarters.
$380 per person
What to Expect:
- The visit on the island will be for 1 hour with an approximate 8 minute helicopter flight each way.
- Tours will be conducted in small groups.
- Once you have had a full safety briefing of the helicopter, the group will fly to the island.
- On the island you will be taken on a fully guided interpretive tour by NPWS Rangers.
- The tour will include inspecting some rooms of the Head lighthouse keepers quarters.
- You will have the good fortune to inspect the Lighthouse and ascend the spiral staircase to view the magical panorama from the Light Tower balcony and Rangers will enlighten you with fascinating facts of the Lighthouse.
- On the island will be a person who had lived on the island when the Lighthouse was not automated - listen to amazing stories of life hardships. *to be confirmed
- Groups will stay together on formed concrete paths, children must be supervised at all times.
- Return to Coffs Harbour Airport after the tour.
- Price: $380 per person
Premium Lightstation Tour - Two Hours
includes 1 hour extra, ex-resident on island*, tour of Lighthouse, tour of Keepers Quarters, walk down to gantry
$490 per person
What to Expect:
- Your visit to the island will be for 2 hours with an approximate 8 min helicopter flight each way.
- Tours will be conducted in small groups.
- Once you have had a full safety briefing of the helicopter, the group will fly to the island.
- On the island you will be taken on a fully guided 2 hour interpretive tour by NPWS Rangers.
- The tour will include inspecting some rooms of the Head lighthouse keepers quarters, an opportunity to hear some stories of life on the island before it was automated in 1975 and a walk down to the old gantry.
- You will have the good fortune to inspect the Lighthouse and ascend the spiral staircase to view the magical panorama from the Light Tower balcony and Rangers will enlighten you with fascinating facts of the Lighthouse.
- On the island will be a person who had lived on the island when the Lighthouse was not automated - listen to amazing stories of life hardships. * to be confirmed
- An opportunity for a more relaxed pace of experience on the island, where participants can more readily absorb the unique environmental ambience of the island and follow their imagination as it wanders back through time to ponder the colourful times gone by of generations of lighthouse keepers and their families. Time also to engage in casual conversation under the eaves of the restored keepers cottage with Rangers, all the while spotting for the blow of humpback whales on their migration to more northern breeding grounds.
- Groups will stay on formed concrete paths, children must be supervised at all times.
- Return to Coffs Harbour Airport after the tour.
- Price: $490 per person
Let's Go.....
Bookings Made Through Precision Helicopters
Any questions you have, do not hesitate to contact us at Precision Helicopters
Send your pre-booking or to join the waiting list:
(02) 6652 9988
Actual time of day of your tour will be given to you closer to the departure date.
Ticket Holder must be available for the full day of the tour.
Tours may be transferred to alternate time/day if weather prevails.
Payment in full due 6 weeks before tour.
Private Tour of the Island
Unique Lightstation Tour
Offering a longer stay on the island, a smaller group size and a more intimate experience, the Wildlife Special includes key aspects of the standard guided tour of the island and around the light station with an added focus on experiencing of South Solitary Island and surrounding Solitary Islands Marine Park.
3 Hour Tour - $950 per person
(02) 6652 9988
*minimum numbers required