Heli Picnics: An Experience Like No Other

When you think of a picnic, you might picture a quiet park, a packed basket, and maybe a checkered blanket under a shady tree.

Now, imagine something entirely different: boarding a helicopter from the deck of a luxury adventure vessel, soaring over rugged landscapes, and landing in a place so remote, it feels like another planet. That’s a heli-picnic with True North.

This isn’t just lunch with a view, it’s an experience that redefines what travel can be. In this blog, we’re lifting the lid on one of True North’s most unforgettable offerings with a picnic unlike any other.

How we access the unreachable

It sounds almost unreal, until you see it with your own eyes. Sitting proudly on the deck of the True North and True North II is a fully equipped helicopter, ready to lift guests into landscapes that are otherwise completely inaccessible. It’s not just for show. This is one of the features that sets True North apart, turning a luxury cruise into something far more adventurous.

Having a helicopter onboard means you’re not limited to the coastline or to places you can reach by foot or tender. Instead, you can rise above it all and touch down in remote pockets of the Kimberley that most travellers will only ever see in photographs. Jagged escarpments, secret waterfalls, ancient gorges… these become your lunch spot for the day.

This level of access isn’t common. It’s this blend of expedition and access that defines the heli-picnic. The helicopter doesn’t just get you there, it transforms where “there” even is.

The journey is part of the magic

Long before you arrive at the picnic spot, the experience has already begun. Lifting off from the ship is a moment guests never forget. The blades pick up speed, the ocean pulls away beneath you, and the vast Kimberley unfolds from a completely new perspective.

Flying in this part of the world is unlike anywhere else. One moment you’re gliding over winding rivers, the next you’re tracing the edge of ancient escarpments or hovering above a secluded waterfall that’s hidden from the world below. The view is constantly changing, and with it, your sense of scale. It’s humbling and exhilarating all at once.

Eagle Falls: Remote, real, & unforgettable

Eagle Falls is one of the remote locations we visit on our Kimberley cruises as part of our heli-picnic experience. Accessible only by air, it’s a place few people have even heard of (let alone touched down beside with a glass of champagne in hand).

Located in the far reaches of the Kimberley along the Drysdale River, Eagle Falls offers a rare kind of stillness. There are no crowds, no paths, and no distractions. Just a waterfall, natural rock pools, and the surrounding sandstone landscape shaped by time. Depending on when you visit, the falls might be flowing at full force or trickling gently over sunbaked rock.

After landing, there’s time to explore, swim, or simply relax. The picnic is set up nearby, with chef-prepared dishes and drinks chilled and ready to enjoy. It’s an experience built on simplicity, but elevated by where it takes place.

Fine dining, with bare feet on the rocks

The food at a True North heli-picnic is never an afterthought. Everything is planned and prepared in advance by the onboard chefs, from the chilled champagne to the fresh seafood and vibrant salads that arrive with you by helicopter.

Enjoy an Aussie-style barbecue under the gum trees, with the scent of grilled fish or steak drifting on the breeze. The team knows how to match the moment. Whether it’s a more refined setup or something relaxed and rustic, the quality never drops.

It’s this ability to balance comfort with authenticity that defines the True North culinary experience. Guests get to enjoy incredible meals in places where most would never even expect to land, let alone dine.

Private moments in wild places

One of the things guests often reflect on after a heli-picnic is how personal it feels. Even when shared with fellow travellers, the experience has a quiet, intimate quality. There are no crowds, no schedules, and no noise beyond the breeze and the sound of water nearby.

For those looking to share something special with a partner, these moments take on even more meaning. Landing somewhere completely off-grid and having that time together—with no distractions—can feel like the world has stopped for a while.

There’s a sense that these aren’t just stops on an itinerary. They’re the kinds of experiences you talk about for years. Not just because of where you were, but because of how it made you feel.

The heart of the True North experience

Heli-picnics capture what True North is all about. Remote places, unforgettable moments, and the chance to experience the Kimberley in a way that few ever do.

These moments aren’t staged or rushed. They’re the kind you hold onto. And that’s what sets our adventures apart.

If this sounds like your kind of escape, take a look at our upcoming luxury Kimberley cruises. You’ll find dates, itineraries, and everything you need to start planning the trip of a lifetime.