Normal dives aren’t much chop

EXPERIENCE Co’s Skydive Australia has this week been granted council approval to take the plunge on its new heli skydive experience in Surfers Paradise.

Officially dropping into the market this Fri, the unique adrenaline activity offers visitors to the region the chance to skydive directly onto Main Beach, boasting the future mantle of being the only tandem heli skydiving experience operating regularly in Australia.

“We are delighted that the Gold Coast City Council has supported our vision to deliver this wonderful new tourism product for the region with our highly experienced partners, Sea World Helicopters, at a time when we are all looking at how we can help get the tourism industry back on its feet again,” Experience Co’s CEO John O’Sullivan said.

“Anyone who has jumped out of a helicopter will tell you that this takes skydiving to the next level and what better place to offer it but on the spectacularly beautiful Gold Coast,” he added.

The service, conducted in partnership with Sea World Helicopters, will operate three days a week Fri to Sun, and costs $570 per person, with video packages also available for an additional $179.

Pictured: The fun of being the test jumper in action.

mEAnWHiLE Experience Co has commenced construction on the first new pontoon for the Great Barrier Reef in 10 years.

Flagged for Moore Reef near Cairns, the pontoon will cater for up to 250 guests and feature a an underwater observatory with floor to ceiling windows, as well as a scientific lab to conduct reef research and projects.

The facility will also be friendly to the environment, boasting wind and solar generators & panels as energy sources.