- Full Experience: Approximately 3 1/2 hours.
- Flight Time: Approximately 33 minutes there and 37 minutes back.
- Depart: Lakes Entrance Airfield, East Gippsland at 11:15am in time for a noon lunch.
- Destination: Expected time on the ground at Maffco is approximately 2 hours.
- Product Code: HELI7
* Note: This Heli Experience is suitable for 2-3 people (3rd person $75 extra) and includes lunch. Bookings essential as this Heli Experience is subject to availability, weather and weight restrictions.
A 100-year-old derelict factory, a couple of locals with a dream and a community who rolled up their sleeves to help – Maffra’s brand new Maffco Brewery & Taphouse already boasts a solid yarn. The former milk-factory-come-farm-supplies-store was derelict for so long, it was very nearly sold for its bricks. Thankfully, the owners were holding out for a better offer that would breathe new life into their community.
So, it was a welcome visit when beef farmer and stock agent, Nicky Reeves, and secondary college teacher, Lashay Tricker, came forth with a dream of seeing local beef – including their own – hitting the plates of a bustling brewery. Their vision was to put the tiny village of Maffra on the epicurean map by complementing the area’s bourgeoning foodie scene. A clutch of award-winning wineries and the heavy hitter destination restaurant, Tinamba Hotel, are in the town’s orbit.
The renovation was an inspiring story of community spirit. The tradespeople, the brewer and distiller are all local. Working-bees saw committed locals come out in droves to help. The renovation was regularly interrupted as community members dropped in with old photos, stories and original milk bottles that have since been recessed into the wall to preserve and display them. Everything that could be salvaged has been, from original beams to an old out-building, even the bar and restaurant furniture has been made using the old exterior cladding and fences.
The hyper-local vibe has continued since the doors opened. Hearty and delicious meals celebrate a host of nearby small-scale producers, including beef from Nicky and Lashay’s own farm, of course. Maffco pale ale, lager and farmhouse ales are sliding across the bar and we’re eagerly awaiting the first batches of the distillery’s gin, vodka and rum.
A whole new story is just beginning for this reborn Gippsland gem.
Don’t forget to pack your camera!
All Flights
- Prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD).
- All flights are subject to a minimum of 2 passengers.
- Our helicopters have a maximum individual passenger weight of 130kg.
- All flights are subject to weather and air traffic control. The Pilot In Command has the final word over the flight.
Scenic Flights
- Our helicopters have a total passenger weight of 275kg.
- Our helicopters have 4 seats and carry 3 passengers. One infant under the age of 3 may be carried on an adult lap free of charge.
- Groups with 4 or more passengers will become multiple flights. Keep this in mind when booking online as multiple bookings can be added to the cart.
Heli Experiences
- Children must be 12 years and older for HeliSUP.
- Reconfirmed by LEH staff the day before. Prior payment may be required.
- Flight time may be extended or path altered at extra cost provided safe to do so and dependant on available fuel or all up weight of fuel and passengers.
In Office Payment, Cancellation & Refund
Our In Office payment, cancellation and refund policies are very straight forward. You pay on the day at the airfield using cash or credit card. You can cancel anytime prior to scheduled departure without penalty and refunds are processed using the same payment method (cash or credit card). In Office payment using presented card includes the Transaction Surcharge in the total price.
Payment
- Payment by cash or credit card at the airfield on the day of flight.
- Scenic Flights and Heli Experiences are paid prior to scheduled departure.
- Charter Flights have the option of post flight payment using cash, credit card, PayID or invoice.
Cancellation
- A booking may be cancelled anytime prior to scheduled departure.
- Cancellation of a flight due to weather conditions called by the pilot or unavailability of aircraft or staff will receive the option of rescheduling the flight or a full refund.
Refund
- Refund requests are only accepted on the day of flight and processed using the same payment method.
- Once the flight departs a refund is no longer available, even if a customer requests an early return to base.
Online Payment, Cancellation & Refund using PayID
PayID allows you to use a mobile number, email address, ABN or Organisation Identifier as a way to make fast payments. Your bank will let you know which PayID types are available to you. PayID does not attract a Transaction Surcharge and is the preferred method for online payment.
Payment
- Lakes Entrance Helicopters (administered by Victoria Helicopters Pty Ltd) uses a PayID email address displayed in the shopping cart and booking receipt. Payment is made by you upon completing the online shopping cart. Please use the Order Number as the PayID reference number.
Cancellation
- A booking may be cancelled anytime prior to scheduled departure.
- Cancellation of a flight due to weather conditions called by the pilot or unavailability of aircraft or staff will receive the option of rescheduling the flight or a full refund.
Refund
- Refund requests are processed using the same payment method.
- Once the flight departs a refund is no longer available, even if a customer requests an early return to base.
Online Payment, Cancellation & Refund using Credit or Debit Card
Unfortunately, online Credit or Debit card payments attract a higher Transaction Surcharge from our payment gateway provider, Square AU Pty Ltd. This non-refundable 2.2% (2.25% accumulated) Transaction Surcharge is payable for all online Credit or Debit Card payments. If you do not wish to pay this Transaction Surcharge, select the PayID option. We do not accept AfterPay (a subsidiary of Square Inc / Block Inc) due to the excessively high Transaction Surcharge.
Note: As at 01-Jan-2024, Online Payment using Credit or Debit card has been disabled.
Payment
- A Transaction Surcharge of 2.25% (accumulated) is added to online or over the phone Credit or Debit Card payments.
Example: $330 x 1.0225 = $337.43.
Cancellation
- A booking may be cancelled anytime prior to scheduled departure.
- Cancellation of a flight due to weather conditions called by the pilot or unavailability of aircraft or staff, customers will receive an option of rescheduling the flight or a full refund, including the 2.25% Transaction Surcharge.
Refund
- Refund requests are processed using the same payment method.
- Once the flight departs a refund is no longer available, even if a customer requests an early return to base.
- Online or over the phone Credit or Debit Card transaction refund will be less the 2.25% Transaction Surcharge.
Example: Total amount paid online is $337.43, refund amount is $330.00.
Flights
