Fly The Falls Tour

See the Kimberley from above. Fly The Falls is a six-hour private air tour from Broome that pairs a low-level scenic flight over the Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago with several hours at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.

I like the sheer variety packed into one outing, from red cliffs and tidal channels to remote islands, beaches and cattle country. I also like the stop at Cygnet Bay, where you get a cooked breakfast or barramundi lunch, refreshments and an introduction to pearling. The main thing to consider is the small aircraft: one passenger found the seats cramped and the commentary hard to hear at times, and this is a plane flight rather than a helicopter ride.

Key points to know before booking

• The Horizontal Falls are viewed from the air, with time to circle and see the shifting channels from several angles.
• Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm takes up about three hours, including a meal, pearl-farm presentation and time around the property.
• The route covers a huge stretch of the Kimberley coast, including King Sound, Cape Leveque, James Price Point, Cable Beach and the Buccaneer Archipelago.
• Experienced pilots add the meaning to the scenery, with names such as Lachlan Campbell, Blake, Mia, Tom, Aaron, Nick, Will and Renz praised for clear commentary and smooth flying.
• Pickup, private air-conditioned transport, tea, coffee and mobile tickets are included, making this an easy day to arrange in Broome.
• Weather matters, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why Fly The Falls is more than a quick scenic flight

A standard scenic flight can give you pretty views and little else. This one uses the flight to show how enormous and varied the country north of Broome really is, then lands at Cygnet Bay for a proper meal and a look at the pearling industry.

That combination matters. From the ground, you see only a small part of the Dampier Peninsula. From a light aircraft, you can follow the coast, see channels cutting through islands and understand how the tides shape the Kimberley. The views are not limited to one famous feature.

The tour is also private, meaning only your own group takes part. The aircraft is small, with some flights carrying just two couples and the pilot. That can make the outing feel personal, but it also means limited legroom and less room to move around than you would have on a larger aircraft.

A 4.9 rating from 260 reviews and a 99 percent recommendation rate point to a very strong record. The praise is especially consistent around the pilots, the views, the pearl farm and the food. One dissenting account is useful too: the scenery was excellent, but the passenger found the plane seats uncomfortable and the audio unreliable. If comfort is your top concern, keep that trade-off in mind.

Leaving Broome for King Sound and the Kimbolton Ranges

The tour begins at 7 Gus Winckel Road in Djugun, with pickup offered and private air-conditioned transport provided. The exact departure time affects your meal: an earlier flight includes cooked breakfast, while a later departure includes a cooked barramundi lunch at Cygnet Bay.

The first part of the flight takes in Dampier Peninsula cattle-station country, King Sound and the ancient Devonian rock formations of the Kimbolton Ranges. This is a useful opening because it gives you scale before the most famous sight appears.

King Sound is vast and strongly shaped by the tide. From above, the water channels and shorelines make more sense than they do from a road. You can also see how little development there is across this part of Western Australia. The point is not simply to collect photographs. It is to grasp the distance between Broome and the remote coast.

Your pilot is an important part of this section. Names praised for their commentary include Lachlan Campbell, Blake, Mia, Tom, Aaron, Nick, Will and Renz. Their role is more than flying the aircraft. They point out sites, explain local history, describe conditions and, in several cases, keep the mood light with jokes and friendly banter.

The Horizontal Falls from several angles

The main event is the flight over the Horizontal Falls, a natural feature created by powerful tidal movement through narrow gaps in the McLarty Ranges. The water appears to run sideways rather than drop vertically, which gives the falls their memorable name.

You do not land at the falls on this experience. You fly over them, with the aircraft circling to provide views from different angles. This is a strong choice if your goal is to understand the shape of the falls and the surrounding channels. The height lets you see the full pattern rather than only one section of rushing water.

Several pilots are praised for positioning the aircraft so passengers on each side get good views. That matters in a small plane, where your view can depend on your seat and the direction of the turn. If photography is important to you, keep your camera ready, but remember that reflections through the aircraft windows may affect some shots.

The famous feature is impressive, but I would not treat it as the whole reason to book. The sea colour, rock formations and islands around it are just as striking. One flight also produced views of whales and calves, sharks, turtles and a crocodile. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the height gives you a broad chance to spot movement in the water.

The thousand islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago

After the falls, the route continues across the Buccaneer Archipelago. This is one of the strongest parts of the day for anyone who enjoys unusual coastlines.

The archipelago is made up of a huge number of islands, channels and tidal flats. From the aircraft, the repeated patterns of rock and water stretch far beyond the view you can get from shore. The changing tide adds motion and colour, while the bare rock makes the area feel stark and remote.

You may find this section more memorable than the falls themselves because it keeps unfolding. There is no single viewpoint. Instead, you see a long series of islands, water passages and exposed tidal shapes.

The plane also lets the pilot adjust the route and point out different features as you go. Reports of the flight describe plenty of time around the Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago, rather than a quick pass before heading straight to lunch.

Cape Leveque’s red cliffs and ancient country

The aircraft then passes over Cape Leveque, known for its strong red cliffs and pale beaches. The contrast between the red earth and the surrounding sea is one of the clearest visual themes of the Dampier Peninsula.

From above, the cliffs show how old the country is and how much the coastline has been shaped by wind, water and time. You get a view that is difficult to reproduce from a road or beach because the plane reveals the full edge of the coast.

This part is also a reminder that the tour covers a great deal of ground. You are not simply flying to one attraction and returning. Cape Leveque is only one section of a much longer route through the Kimberley.

Three hours at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is the ground-based heart of the tour. You spend about three hours there, with admission included.

The food is a major part of the appeal. Depending on departure time, you receive either a cooked breakfast or cooked barramundi lunch. Several people singled out the lunch, with one calling the barramundi the best they had eaten. Tea and coffee are also provided.

The meal gives the day a proper pause after the flight. You are not rushing from one aircraft view to the next. You have time to eat, walk around and take in the setting.

The pearl-farm visit adds substance to the scenic flight. You learn about pearling in the area, the history of Cygnet Bay and the work connected with producing pearls. Entry to the Cygnet Bay Pearls Showroom is included, giving you a chance to see the finished side of the industry.

The farm has also been praised for friendly staff and a well-presented tour. Depending on the day and timing, you might have access to the pool or walk down toward a small beach. Those details should be treated as possible extras rather than guaranteed parts of every visit, but they show why the stop feels like more than a meal break.

For me, this is where the tour earns much of its price. You are paying for a flight, but you are also getting food, transport and an educational stop that connects the scenery with local industry.

The return flight along Broome’s coast

The return route follows the coast toward Broome, passing Lombadina, Pender Bay, Beagle Bay, Carnot Bay, James Price Point, Willie Creek, Cable Beach and Dampier Creek.

This gives you a second set of views rather than simply retracing the outward route. James Price Point is known for its red coastal formations, while Cable Beach provides a familiar contrast after the remote scenery farther north. From the air, Broome’s shoreline looks different from the town-level view most visitors get.

The return flight also puts the distance into perspective. You see how far the coast extends and how quickly the developed areas give way to open country. One pilot made a point of showing passengers the major coastal sights, while others explained the history and features of the area as the aircraft moved south.

On arrival back in Broome, cold towels and cold drinks have been provided on some flights. That is a small touch, but welcome after several hours in the Kimberley sun and air.

What the aircraft experience is really like

A light aircraft gives you the best access to this route, but it is not a luxury cabin. You should expect a compact interior, limited space and windows that may affect photography.

Most feedback about the flying is highly positive. Pilots are praised for smooth takeoffs and landings, calm handling and clear explanations of the route. Renz was noted for keeping the group informed about conditions, while Mia, Tom, Aaron, Blake, Lachlan and others were praised for combining safe flying with entertaining commentary.

The plane can also make the trip feel more personal. A small group means you can hear directly from the pilot and ask questions. One group included a passenger with extra needs, and the pilot was described as accommodating.

Still, do not confuse a scenic flight with a helicopter tour. One passenger expected a helicopter and felt disappointed by the aircraft choice. The plane gives broad views and a smooth ride, but you do not get the same hovering ability or open-sided perspective associated with some helicopter flights.

The maximum individual passenger weight is 120 kilograms. Most people can take part, but the compact seating is worth considering if you need extra room or find long periods in a small aircraft difficult.

Is the €510.45 price good value?

At €510.45 per person, this is a major holiday expense. It is not a casual add-on for a short view of the falls.

The value improves when you count what is included: roughly six hours, the scenic flight, private air-conditioned transport, pickup, tea and coffee, a cooked meal, entry to the pearl showroom and about three hours at Cygnet Bay. You are also covering a long route that would be difficult to experience in one day by road.

I think the price makes the most sense if you have limited time in Broome and want one large outing that combines scenery, food and local culture. It is less compelling if you only want to see the Horizontal Falls and would prefer the cheapest possible way to do that.

The meal and pearl-farm visit are not filler. They break up the flight and give you context. Without that stop, the day would be a scenic flight with a single headline feature. With it, you get a fuller picture of the Dampier Peninsula.

Who should book Fly The Falls?

I would recommend this experience to you if you:

• Want to see the Kimberley coast without spending several days on the road
• Enjoy scenic flights and aerial photography
• Like having a pilot explain the places below you
• Want a meal and cultural stop built into the day
• Are comfortable in a small aircraft
• Have one open day in Broome for a major splurge

You might prefer another option if you dislike confined seating, expect a helicopter or want to spend most of the day on the ground. The plane is compact, and the commentary system may not be perfect on every flight.

The tour suits couples, families and private groups who want a structured day with transport already arranged. Since only your group participates, it can also work well for people who prefer a smaller setting instead of a large coach outing.

Booking, weather and practical details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience begins and ends at 7 Gus Winckel Road, with pickup offered.

Most people can participate, but the 120-kilogram individual passenger limit applies. The tour depends on suitable weather, so poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of bookings is not reached, you are also offered another date, another experience or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

FAQ

How long does Fly The Falls last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the scenic flight and the ground visit at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 7 Gus Winckel Road, Djugun, Western Australia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and private air-conditioned transport is provided.

Does the tour land at the Horizontal Falls?

No. The Horizontal Falls are viewed from the air. The aircraft circles the area so you can see the falls and surrounding channels from different angles.

What meal is included?

The meal depends on the departure time. You receive either a cooked breakfast or a cooked barramundi lunch at the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm Restaurant.

What else is included at Cygnet Bay?

The tour includes about three hours on the ground, entry to the Cygnet Bay Pearls Showroom, tea and coffee, and a visit focused on the area’s pearling industry.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also result in a new date or a full refund.

Should you book Fly The Falls?

If the €510.45 price fits your Broome budget, I think this is one of the strongest ways to see the Kimberley north of town. The Horizontal Falls are the headline, but the full route, the tidal islands, Cape Leveque, the return along Cable Beach and the Cygnet Bay stop make the day feel complete.

Book it for the scale, the pilot commentary and the chance to connect the aerial scenery with pearling culture. Just book with clear expectations: this is a small-plane tour, not a helicopter flight, and comfort is functional rather than plush. For most people who accept that trade-off, Fly The Falls offers a memorable and unusually efficient look at one of Australia’s most remote coastlines.