When Every Pool Company Says No, One Says Yes — With a Helicopter
Installing a backyard swimming pool is a dream shared by countless Australian homeowners. The idea of stepping outside on a sweltering Queensland summer afternoon and diving into cool, crystal-clear water is hard to resist. But for one family in Spring Mountain, Ipswich, that dream seemed permanently out of reach — until a creative pool building company decided that the sky, quite literally, was not the limit.
In a remarkable feat of engineering and sheer determination, Narellan Pools Ipswich and South Brisbane used a helicopter to airlift a full swimming pool into a small suburban backyard that no other company was willing to touch. The story has since captured the attention of Australians nationwide, sparking conversations about what is truly possible when professionals refuse to accept "impossible" as a final answer.
The Challenge: A Dream Pool in an Inaccessible Backyard
The homeowners, a family based in the growing suburb of Spring Mountain in Queensland's Ipswich region, had a clear vision for their property — a backyard pool that the whole family could enjoy. On the surface, it sounds like a straightforward request. Thousands of pools are installed across Queensland every year, and the state's warm climate makes them one of the most popular home upgrades around.
The problem, however, was access. The family's backyard presented a situation that stumped every pool company they approached. Whether it was narrow side access, landscaping that couldn't be disturbed, steep gradients, or the layout of surrounding structures, the verdict from multiple businesses was the same: it simply couldn't be done. The dream pool would remain just that — a dream.
That is, until they found Kimberley and Brendon Etheve, the husband-and-wife team behind Narellan Pools Ipswich and South Brisbane.
Thinking Outside the Box — Way Outside
When the Spring Mountain family brought their challenge to Kimberley and Brendon Etheve, the experienced pool builders immediately recognised that a conventional approach wasn't going to cut it. Ground-level access was not viable, and traditional machinery simply had no path into the backyard. For most businesses, that would have been the end of the conversation.
But the Etheves saw the situation differently. If you can't come in from the ground, why not come in from the air? The couple decided to call in a helicopter — a solution so unconventional that it understandably raised a few eyebrows, but one that ultimately proved every doubter wrong.
The helicopter was used to carefully lift the pool shell and lower it precisely into position in the backyard, bypassing all the ground-level obstacles that had made the project seem impossible. It was a bold, logistically complex operation that required meticulous planning, safety coordination, and expert execution — but it worked.
How a Helicopter Pool Installation Works
For those unfamiliar with the concept, using a helicopter for pool installation is a niche but legitimate solution for difficult-access properties. While it is far from a standard approach, it has been used in various parts of Australia and internationally when conventional methods fall short. Here is a general overview of what the process involves:
- Site assessment: The installation team conducts a thorough evaluation of the property, surrounding structures, overhead clearances, and weight-bearing considerations to determine whether a helicopter lift is feasible and safe.
- Helicopter and rigging selection: The appropriate helicopter and rigging equipment are chosen based on the weight of the pool shell and the precision required for placement. This step demands specialist aviation and engineering expertise.
- Ground preparation: The excavation and ground preparation for the pool shell is completed in advance so the helicopter can lower the shell directly into the prepared hole with minimal repositioning.
- The lift: On the day of installation, the helicopter lifts the pool shell — which can weigh several tonnes — and guides it into position with ground crews using ropes and signals to ensure accurate placement.
- Post-installation work: Once the shell is set, the remainder of the installation — plumbing, electrical connections, coping, and landscaping — proceeds as it would with any standard pool build.
The process demands exceptional coordination between the pool builders, aviation professionals, and safety personnel. When executed well, as it was in Spring Mountain, the results speak for themselves.
Why Difficult-Access Pool Installations Are More Common Than You Think
Australia's suburban landscape is increasingly varied. As housing developments push into hillier terrain and blocks become narrower and more irregular, the number of homes with challenging backyard access continues to grow. Properties with steep slopes, established gardens, narrow side gates, or adjacent structures can all present obstacles that standard pool installation equipment simply cannot overcome.
Rather than walking away from these clients, innovative pool builders are turning to creative solutions — crane lifts, sectional pool designs, and yes, helicopter airlifts — to make installations possible where others see dead ends. This willingness to invest in problem-solving is what separates leading pool companies from the rest of the industry.
The Narellan Pools Difference
Narellan Pools is one of Australia's most recognised swimming pool brands, with a network of locally owned and operated franchises serving communities across the country. The Ipswich and South Brisbane franchise, run by Kimberley and Brendon Etheve, exemplifies what the brand stands for: quality products, professional installation, and a genuine commitment to making a client's vision a reality — no matter the obstacles.
For the Spring Mountain family, years of hearing "it can't be done" came to an end the moment the Etheves agreed to take on the challenge. Their willingness to explore every available option, including one as dramatic as calling in a helicopter, is a testament to their passion for the craft and their dedication to their clients.
A Viral Moment That Inspires Homeowners Everywhere
The footage and story of the helicopter pool lift quickly gained traction online, resonating with homeowners who had perhaps been told their own pool dreams were impossible. It serves as a powerful reminder that in the world of construction and home improvement, a determined and skilled team with the right mindset can often find a way where others cannot.
If you have a backyard that other pool companies have written off as too difficult, too narrow, or too inaccessible, the Spring Mountain story is proof that it is always worth seeking a second — or third — opinion. The right builder, armed with creativity, experience, and the occasional helicopter, just might prove the doubters wrong.
Key Takeaways
- A Queensland family in Spring Mountain, Ipswich, was repeatedly told their backyard pool dream was impossible due to access limitations.
- Narellan Pools Ipswich and South Brisbane, operated by Kimberley and Brendon Etheve, took on the challenge and used a helicopter to airlift and install the pool.
- Helicopter pool installations, while unconventional, are a legitimate solution for properties with no viable ground-level access.
- The project highlights the importance of working with experienced, innovative pool builders who refuse to give up on their clients' visions.
- Homeowners with difficult-access backyards should never accept a single "no" as the final word — specialist solutions exist and are more accessible than many people realise.
Australia's love affair with the backyard swimming pool runs deep, and thanks to builders like the team at Narellan Pools Ipswich and South Brisbane, even the most challenging properties can join in. Whether your backyard is steep, narrow, or surrounded by obstacles, the message from Spring Mountain is clear: where there's a will — and the right pool company — there's always a way.