I love flying. The take-off, the landing, the turbulence – the more turbulence the better, honestly. It‘s all one fun ride. And while I’ve been on my fair share of airliners in my time, up until a few weeks ago, I was yet to yeet through the sky in a seaplane.
So, I was especially keen to road test a seaplane flight gift ahead of this gifting season with RedBalloon one sunny afternoon, taking off at Rose Bay with Sydney Seaplanes.
You’ll most likely fly over Bondi and Sydney Harbour but during our flight, we flew up to Palm Beach at the northernmost tip of the Northern Beaches and Sydney Harbour. I grew up on the Northern Beaches so I’ll admit it was pretty special getting such a close birds-eye view of all the beaches I’d spend my weekends upon as a kid and early twenty-something. (This also included breakup spots of my youth, so I guess, although I did catch a flight, I also caught a slight whiff of bygone feelings.)
Although I was awestruck myself, the whole time we were in the air, I kept thinking how stirring this would be for someone not from Sydney – especially for an interstate or overseas visitor. If you didn’t already know the city is one of the world’s most naturally striking, a seaplane ride will make you well aware.
After landing back in Rose Bay, we were then wined and dined at Empire Lounge right on the water. Over sparkling wine, you can expect to enjoy three courses of your choosing – I’d highly recommend the kingfish augachile, taramasalata and the homemade burnt cheesecake. Absolutely delish.
Sydney seaplane flight with three-course lunch roadtest recap
Price: $900 for two people
Great for: minimalists, overseas visitors, foodies, plane enthusiasts
Not great for: nervous flyers, people who don’t vibe with awe
While it may be too soon to confirm whether it’ll get you off Santa’s naughty list, this seaplane and lunch experience makes for a pretty perfect group gift (or solo gift if you’re something of a Ms Moneybags). It’s one that is just as full of wonder as it is with feasting.
Yes, $900 is a considerable price tag but divide that among your relatives or friends nine-ways and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable gift that through your orchestration of said gift, will cement your status as the It-girl of gift giving.
Plus, an experience gift such as this one works especially well if the pair you’re gifting it to has an anniversary or birthday also around the gifting season too. Combined presents are back IN.
Is an experience a good gift?
It totally is – especially when you’re buying for someone who truly doesn’t want or need anything. While I once trawled the hallowed online halls of The Iconic’s gifting section for cookbooks or a button-down that I would never see Dad wear again after that Christmas, I’ve graduated to the experience gift game for the most part. An experience gift is also great for locking in quality time with your nearest and dearest.
What are the best experience gift ideas?
An experience gift doesn’t have to have an extravagant price tag – though, who are we kidding, money talks. Here are a few of our other favourite experience gift ideas:
Retro drive-in movie and overnight stay and breakfast for two, $292, RedBalloon
Go for a drive-in theatre night for the cinephile in your circle. This experience is particularly ideal for nostalgics.
A weekend away, Airbnb
Why not treat your city-slicking partner to a weekend away in a tiny home or cabin and get some fresh air out of the big smoke?
A meal at 6Head Sydney, 6Head
A succulent meal shared right on Sydney Harbour’s waterfront with your bestie never goes astray. If they love oysters, 6Head is quite the spot.
Endota Spa gift voucher, from $25, Endota
And for your overworked mum, shout her to a day of TLC with a spa voucher.
LEAD PHOTO: @jastookes via Instagram.
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