REVIEW · PERTH
Perth: Scenic Seaplane Tour with Cheese Board & Champagne
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Swan River Seaplanes · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Cheese and champagne, then you fly. This South Perth seaplane experience pairs low-level aerial views over Perth highlights with a cheese board and sparkling wine, but you’ll need to make your own way to Queen Street Jetty (no hotel pickup).
What I love most is the mix of “wow” flight time and a relaxed start by the water. I also like that it’s a small group (up to 6), so it feels more personal than a big tour. One thing to keep in mind: the whole outing is only about 1.5 hours, so it’s best if you’re after a short, memorable experience, not a long day.
If you’re planning a date, a birthday, a proposal, or just a rare treat that isn’t another bus tour, this hits the brief. The emphasis here is simple: great views, great timing, and a little bit of celebration on the side.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- Checking in at Queen Street Jetty: where the experience starts
- The South Perth Foreshore picnic setup (rugs, cushions, and shade)
- Cheese board and sparkling wine: more than a snack stop
- Timing: how the 1.5 hours really feel
- Safety briefing with your captain before takeoff
- The adrenaline rush: takeoff from the Swan River
- What you’ll see from above: Perth highlights in one flight
- Comfort and group size: why “small group” changes the whole mood
- Value and price: why $218 can make sense here
- Who this suits best (and who might prefer something else)
- Should you book this Perth seaplane + cheese board flight?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- Where do I check in for the seaplane flight?
- How long is the experience?
- Is this a small group tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What food and drinks do you serve?
- Is there an English-speaking guide?
- What sights will I see during the flight?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key points to know before you book

- Queen Street Jetty check-in sets the tone right away, with staff guiding you from arrival to your picnic space
- South Perth Foreshore picnic area includes rugs, cushions, and shade with the city backdrop waiting behind you
- Cheese board + premium sparkling wine makes the flight feel like part of the celebration, not just transport
- A Swan River seaplane takeoff gives you that adrenaline moment as the plane lifts from the water
- Low-level views over Perth icons include Kings Park, Optus Stadium, Cottesloe Beach, and more
- Small group size (max 6) keeps the experience calm and easy to manage
Checking in at Queen Street Jetty: where the experience starts

Your experience starts at Queen Street Jetty. You’ll check in at the jetty’s facility, then the team greets you and gets you settled before anything “flight” happens. This matters because seaplane tours can feel chaotic if the setup isn’t organized, and here the flow is designed to keep you relaxed.
After check-in, you’re not thrown directly into waiting. You get escorted to a designated picnic area while you take in the Perth city scene in front of you. That early calm is part of the value—by the time the seaplane phase begins, you’re already in vacation mode.
Also, quick heads-up: there’s no hotel pickup and drop-off. If you’re staying outside the city center, plan your transport to Queen Street Jetty ahead of time so you don’t start the day (or afternoon) stressed.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Perth.
The South Perth Foreshore picnic setup (rugs, cushions, and shade)

One of the best parts of this tour is that it starts like a proper “sip and snack” moment, not like a ticket line. You’ll be led to a picnic area on the South Perth Foreshore, and the setup includes comfortable rugs, cushions, and shade.
I love this because it changes the vibe. Instead of rushing around Perth sights on foot, you’re sitting with the skyline in view, watching the day settle into evening light (depending on your flight time). It’s a good pace break, especially if you’ve been doing active touring all week.
You’ll also get a refreshing drink as part of the pre-flight experience. It’s a small detail, but it helps you feel like the tour is moving with you, not around you.
Cheese board and sparkling wine: more than a snack stop

Let’s talk food and drink, because this is where the “occasion” part becomes real. After you’re seated, you’ll get a cheese board that includes an assortment of cheeses, crackers, and fruits. Alongside it, you’ll have a bottle of premium sparkling wine plus chilled beverages of choice.
This is a smart pairing for a seaplane tour. The flight itself is the headline, but the cheese board experience gives you a proper moment to slow down and enjoy the view before the plane goes airborne. It’s also handy for groups: it’s easy to share, easy to enjoy, and it works whether your group is celebrating big or just doing something special.
Practical note: this is a picnic-style setup, so you’ll want to treat the moment like a calm pre-flight hangout—don’t plan on rushing through it. The timing is part of the experience rhythm.
Timing: how the 1.5 hours really feel

The listed duration is 1.5 hours, and the flow generally goes like this: you arrive, settle into the picnic area, enjoy your cheese board and wine for about an hour or so, then your captain takes you to the departure facility for a safety briefing.
That “about an hour” at the picnic stage is where people often end up happy—not too rushed, not dragged out. For you, it means you can fit this into an afternoon without losing a whole day to travel and logistics.
If you’re the type who gets antsy in long waiting periods, this is likely your style. If you’re the type who wants maximum time in the sky, you might feel the total flight time is brief—but for most people, that’s also part of why it works: it’s compact, scenic, and easy to plan.
Safety briefing with your captain before takeoff
Before the seaplane flight begins, your captain leads you through a safety briefing. This is a key moment because it transitions you from picnic mode to flight mode.
I like that this is handled by the captain. You’re not just herded around by staff; you’re coached by the person who’s actually flying the aircraft. Even if you’re used to tours, the briefing is worth paying attention to so you know what to expect once you’re seated and the water runway is involved.
Then comes the moment you came for.
The adrenaline rush: takeoff from the Swan River
When the plane lifts, you get that clear adrenaline hit—so much so that it’s listed as a highlight for a reason. The seaplane soars into the sky from the Swan River, and there’s something visually dramatic about leaving the water behind at low altitude.
This is the part where your brain goes quiet in a good way. You’re not just sightseeing from a window at a distance; you’re close enough that key landmarks feel like you’re flying over them, not beside them.
You’ll also get that low-level perspective of Perth’s central area and nearby sights. That’s one of the big advantages of a seaplane tour: it turns a “view” into a “route,” with the city stretched out below you like a map you can actually fly over.
What you’ll see from above: Perth highlights in one flight
The aerial route covers a lineup of Perth-area attractions. You’ll take in views of places including:
- Matagarup Bridge
- Cottesloe Beach
- Kings Park
- Optus Stadium
- Crown
- City Beach
- Herdsman’s Lake
- Fremantle and South Fremantle
- South Perth and additional Swan River coastline views
Here’s why this list matters for you. Perth is spread out, and on the ground it can take time to jump between these kinds of spots. From the air, you’re getting variety fast: ocean coastline (Cottesloe), city landmarks (Optus Stadium), and the “green and big” feel of Kings Park. Fremantle also brings a different vibe, adding that coastal, historic-port feel to the mix—without requiring a full separate outing.
If you’re a first-time visitor, this kind of overview is useful. You leave knowing where the sights sit relative to each other, which makes your next day of exploring feel easier.
Comfort and group size: why “small group” changes the whole mood

This experience is limited to 6 participants. For you, that means more breathing room, less waiting, and a smoother flow when you move from check-in to picnic to departure.
I also think it changes how the tour feels emotionally. With small groups, there’s less noise, less crowd pressure, and you’re more likely to enjoy the views without distractions. You’re celebrating, not queuing.
One more point: since the group is small, it’s a good idea to keep your plans tidy. Show up on time for check-in, be ready for the transition to the briefing area, and you’ll keep the whole experience flowing the way it’s meant to.
Value and price: why $218 can make sense here

The price is $218 per person for an experience that includes the seaplane flight, the captain, and a picnic with premium sparkling wine and a cheese board.
So is it worth it? For me, the value comes from three stacked things that are hard to combine elsewhere:
(1) the seaplane flight, which is a special transportation mode; (2) the small-group setting, which supports a calmer, more personal experience; and (3) the food and wine included, which turns the outing into an event rather than a basic ride.
If you were paying for a flight-only option, you might feel like you’re buying time in the air. Here, you’re also buying a relaxed pre-flight moment with skyline views and celebration touches. It’s not just transport—it’s the full “day memory.”
Who this suits best (and who might prefer something else)
This is a great pick if you want a Perth experience that feels different from standard sightseeing. It’s especially fitting for:
- Date nights and romantic surprises
- Birthday celebrations
- Proposals and special occasions
- Small groups who want a memorable “one-and-done” experience
It might be less ideal if you want a long touring day, because the total time is about 1.5 hours. It also isn’t the right fit if you want hotel pickup, since you’ll start at Queen Street Jetty on your own.
But if you can meet the logistics (and most of you can), this is one of those “why not?” experiences that makes Perth feel like it’s showing off just for you.
Should you book this Perth seaplane + cheese board flight?
Yes—with a few practical checks.
Book it if you want:
- A short, scenic seaplane experience over major Perth sights
- Included cheese board and premium sparkling wine
- A small group that keeps the whole thing relaxed and personal
Skip it or choose something else if:
- You need hotel pickup
- You’re looking for hours of sightseeing rather than a compact flight-and-celebration
If you like the idea of starting at the South Perth Foreshore, then going sky-high over Perth landmarks, this is a very clean “value for feeling special” booking.
FAQ
FAQ
Where do I check in for the seaplane flight?
You check in at Queen Street Jetty.
How long is the experience?
The total duration is 1.5 hours.
Is this a small group tour?
Yes. It’s limited to 6 participants.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes the seaplane flight, the captain, and a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What food and drinks do you serve?
You’ll have a cheese board (assorted cheeses, crackers, and fruits) and a bottle of premium sparkling wine, plus a selection of other chilled beverages.
Is there an English-speaking guide?
Yes. There is a live tour guide in English, and the captain leads the safety briefing.
What sights will I see during the flight?
You’ll get views of sights including the Swan River, Matagarup Bridge, Cottesloe Beach, Kings Park, and Optus Stadium, plus Crown, City Beach, Herdsman’s Lake, Fremantle, and South Fremantle.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
—
If you tell me your travel dates and whether you’re going as a couple or group, I can help you decide the best time of day to aim for (afternoon flights are usually available).




