Drones and aircraft
Drones (remotely piloted aircraft)
Low flying aircraft can severely disrupt resting and breeding animals. They also take away from the remote wilderness experience that many of our parks offer.
It is an offence to fly drones (remotely piloted aircraft) over South Australia’s national parks, conservation parks, game reserves, recreation parks or regional reserves and marine park restricted access zones without a permit. Permits are considered for scientific research and commercial filming only.
There are also restrictions for using drones near whales and other marine mammals.
Scientific research
To use a drone for scientific research, you will need to apply as part of your scientific research application.
Commercial filming or photography
To use a drone for commercial filming or photography, you will need to apply as part of your commercial filming and photography permit application.
Piloted aircraft
Aircraft are not permitted to land or take off within a national park or reserve. There are also restrictions for flying near whales and other marine mammals.
If you are planning on flying a plane over the state’s national parks it is important to note that there are minimum height restrictions in place for some parks.
Low flying aircraft can severely disrupt resting and breeding animals. They also take away from the remote wilderness experience that many of our parks offer. To protect these areas and maintain public safety, Special Procedures and Fly Neighbourly Advice (FNA) parameters have been developed detailing the minimum flight heights and offset distances around identified sensitive areas.
All aircraft and drone pilots
All pilots are expected to fly in accordance with the Special Procedures and FNAs, which have been approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (emergency services may be exempt).
In South Australia, the following areas are affected by a Special Procedure or FNA:
- Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre National Park
- Wilpena Pound
- Head of the Bight (1 May – 31 October, annually)
- Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park and Althorpe Island Conservation Park
- Kangaroo Island, including Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area, Seal Bay Conservation Park, Vivonne Bay Conservation Park, Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, Cape Torrens Wilderness Protection Area and Western River Wilderness Protection Area.
- Waitpinga Cliffs (1 June to 31 December, annually)
Full details of Special Procedures and FNA’s are available from Air Services Australia, see Aeronautical Information Package for the latest En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA) – Special Procedures.
Report unsafe drone operations
CASA offers an online form, allowing you to report unsafe drone use that may violate safety regulations.
Learn more
CASA-verified drone safety apps offer insights on drone-friendly zones and no-fly areas.
CASA also provide a range of useful factsheets and videos about flying drones safely.
For insights on how drones impact wildlife and pets, the RSPCA has useful information available.