Choppers on the cards for tours

Breaksea Island could be open to the tourism market for the first time if a tender to conduct helicopter tours to the remote heritage-listed island can be secured.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Great Southern Development Commission have called for expressions of interest for a helicopter operator to establish tours to the island.

Currently the only way to access the island is by boat, but safety risks make it unsuitable for tourism purposes.

According to the submission of interest document, potential tourism experiences would include visits to the historic lighthouse complex, birdwatching and engaging with the history of the remote island.

There is potential for the operator to leave from either the Albany Airport or Discovery Bay.

Discovery Bay general manager Glenn Russel said it would make sense to base the tours from its Frenchman Bay location because it was closer to Breaksea Island.

"It would be beneficial in terms of travel time and would be cost-effective for the operator to make the tour more affordable," he said.

"It makes sense to have it from here because we have ticketing facilities and it could become part of the whole total package experience."

A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said the department would like to make the island open to the ecotourism market because of its interesting history and natural processes.

"Breaksea Island is potentially a great ecotourism attraction that will give visitors a glimpse into the lives of early lighthouse keepers while providing a unique opportunity to learn about the biological importance of these islands for a number of animals," she said.

Registrations of interest close on Tuesday, September 16.