Construction is underway on a new helicopter base for Nautilus Aviation at Port Douglas, on a site of close to 5,000 square metres on Port Street in the waterfront south precinct, near Marano’s Fuel.
What is being built
Two landing pads, a hangar and office space, at a reported cost of AUD $4.5 million to $5 million. Takeoffs and approaches will be over Dickson’s Inlet. Chief executive Aaron Finn is targeting an opening in the first quarter of 2027, with 30 to 40 jobs during construction. The project has been three years in planning.
The base consolidates three currently leased Port Douglas locations into one: an office at the Sheraton, a helipad opposite, and an airfield site.
What it means if you are visiting
Nothing immediately. This is a 2027 opening and the operator’s existing Port Douglas flights continue in the meantime.
Longer term it should make scenic and reef flights out of Port Douglas simpler to book and run, since everything moves to one place. The base is intended to serve Great Barrier Reef flights, scenic flights and transfers to Cairns airport.
If a helicopter flight is on your list now rather than in 2027, it is worth comparing against the boat options in our private tours and charters guide, which sets out what premium reef access actually costs.
Source: Newsport, 19 August 2026. Opening timeframes on construction projects move, so treat Q1 2027 as a target rather than a date.
