Previous Tours
Tour from Previous Years
The Tour Format in 2011 was:
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July 2011
the lighthouse was open this weekend,guided tours of the
quarters including the lighthouse.
Sunday 24th July 2011 - guided tours of the quarters only.
Tours are run inconjunction with
National Parks & Wildlife and Precision Helicopters
2011 - Thank you!
Thank you to all who visited the island on these tours. Especially those that came from interstate.
Thank you to National Parks and Wildlife Service- this would not have been possible without you. Special thanks to Glenn Storrie and David Nalder.
Thank you to Australian Maritime Safety Authority for allowing the lighthouse to be opened. Special thanks to Greg Hansen who travelled up from Canberra.
Thank you to Precision Helicopters for providing the transport and ground support - the only way to travel!
Thank you to Lesley, Jim, Barbara and Jayne (all previous residents of the island) for your wonderful story telling and help with the tours.
Thank you to Jodie Evans and all the staff at Novotel Pacific Bay Resortfor becoming our "Departure Lounge" and allowing the use of your facilities.
Thank you - of course - National Parks and Wildlife Discovery Rangers.
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th July 2010
the lighthouse was open this weekend, guided tours of the
quarters including the lighthouse.
Saturday 31st July & Sunday 1st August 2010
guided tours of the quarters only.
Tours are run inconjunction with
National Parks & Wildlife and Precision Helicopters
2010 - Thank you!
Thank you to all who visited the island on these tours. Especially those that came from interstate.
Thank you to National Parks and Wildlife Service - this would not have been possible without you. Special thanks to Glenn Storrie and David Nalder.
Thank you to Australian Maritime Safety Authority for allowing the lighthouse to be opened. Special thanks to Lyndon O'Grady who travelled up from Canberra.
Thank you to Precision Helicopters for providing the transport and ground support - the only way to travel!
Thank you to Peter, Jim, Barbara and Jayne (all previous residents of the island) for your wonderful story telling and help with the tours.
Thank you to Lauren and the team at Starr Pr in Sydney - for all your marketing help!
Thank you to Jodie Evans and all the staff at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort for becoming our "Departure Lounge" and allowing the use of your facilities.
Thank you to Sheryl, Mandy and Bernie at the Visitor Information Centre for all your assistance!
Thank you - of course - National Parks and Wildlife Discovery Rangers.
Tours held on the
4th, 5th, 10th, 11th and 12th of July 2009
Thank you to the 325 people who visited the island on these tours. Especially those that came from interstate (and from afar - Norway!)
Thank you to National Parks and Wildlife Service - this would not have been possible without you. Special thanks to Glenn Storrie and David Nalder.
Thank you to Jodie Evans and all the staff at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort for becoming our "Departure Lounge" and allowing the use of your facilities.
Thank you to Sheryl, Mandy and Bernie at the Visitor Information Centre and Coffs Coast Marketing for all your assistance!
Here is what was involved!
Two Tour Options in 2009:
1. Return Helicopter Flights,
1 hour Interpretive Guided Tour of the buildings and island with a NPWS Ranger
2. Return Helicopter Flights,
1 hour Intrepretive Guided Tour of the buildings and island with a NPWS Ranger, Plus an extra hour to fully experience the island,
Gourmet Lunch provided
Saturday 16th August 2008
Sunday 17th August 2008
Thank you to the 226 people who went out to South Solitary Island on this special weekend.
Thank you to National Parks and Wildlife Service - this would not have been possible without you. Special thanks to Glenn Storrie and Tom Denman.
Thank you to Australian Maritime Safety Authority for allowing the lighthouse to be opened. Special thanks to Lyndon O'Grady for donating your time.
Thank you to Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour for your help with the days.
Thank you to Anthony and Sam Cougle for allowing us to use their property, the awarding winning North Sapphire Beach Development.
I have started a group on Flickr photos if you would like to add your own personal photos for others to see (you need to join to see the photos of this group - free to join)
A Brief Follow Up of the Weekend
The glorious weather over the weekend and 
the large number of whales off the coast was the icing on the cake for 226 visitors to
Coinciding with International Lighthouse Day, Precision Helicopters, using their BK117 and a JetRanger, flew sightseers aged from 16 months to 89 years. Some people travelled from as far a field as
Guests were then provided with a fully guided interpretive tour by NPWS rangers, which included some of the lighthouse keeper's quarters and outbuildings (these are some of the oldest buildings in the area, dating from 1880); a walk along the paths down to the old gantry, and a tour of the Lighthouse itself. One lady had waited 46 years for an opportunity to return to where she had lived as a 5 year old. Many other interesting stories were told and photos of the 'good old days' were supplied by past resident Shirley Northam.
Anthony Cougle's award winning North Sapphire Beach Development was an ideal departure point with many families and picnickers enjoying the carnival atmosphere. Coffs Harbour Rotary Club benefited from the weekend this year with proceeds going towards their local charity work.
The event was so popular that a waiting list already has over 120 people on standby for the next tour. Funds generated by carefully designed and eco-sensitive tours could see the Island's buildings gradually restored to their former glory.
Contact us on (02)6652 9988 or email
Previous Tour - South Solitary Island Open Day 2007.
The Open Day in 2007 was a huge success with over 2000 people sending in a ballot form to go to the island. Only 90 lucky locals got to go!
Contact Jo on (02) 6652 9988
jo@precisionhelicopters.com.au