Labor is demanding an explanation from Bronwyn Bishop after it was revealed she chartered a helicopter to take an 80-kilometre flight from Melbourne to a golf course near Geelong for a Liberal Party function.

The Federal Parliamentary Speaker opted for the taxpayer-funded charter flight to the Clifton Springs Golf Club last November, rather than using her Commonwealth car.

The estimated travel time by road is about 90 minutes each way.

The $5,227.27 cost of the trip is detailed in a six-monthly report to the Finance Department.

A golf course volunteer tweeted photos of the helicopter arriving at the course, describing the Speaker's arrival as "spectacular".

A spokesman for Mrs Bishop said the trip was chartered to "meet commitments" and all travel was taken "within entitlements and in accordance with parliamentary guidelines".

"The Speaker had a number of meetings during her visit to Victoria and always seeks to fit in as many meetings and events into her schedule as is possible," a statement released by Mrs Bishop's office said.

"It [is] because of her concern for the country, she works as hard as she can and wishes she could do even more."

But Labor MP Pat Conroy has written to Mrs Bishop to clarify her use of parliamentary entitlements and to request the purpose of the journey.

"I think this is an appalling look," Mr Conroy said.

He said the decision does not appear to have passed the "pub test".

"The key question here is, is this justified? Can Mrs Bishop walk down to a pub in her electorate and say this is a good use of taxpayers' money?"

Bishop spent $130,000 on travel in six months

Government backbencher Arthur Sinodinos defended Mrs Bishop but conceded he was "not across the detail".

"Bronwyn Bishop is a very responsible long-serving politician and I'm sure she exercised her judgement in making that arrangement," he told Sky News.

"I don't know her itinerary, whether it was being fitted in for a particular purpose as part of a very busy day for her.

"But I'm sure she will address that issue."

In total, Mrs Bishop spent $130,889.80 on official travel in the second half of last year.

Mrs Bishop spent more than $88,000 on a 15-day official visit to Europe while she was running for the presidency of the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The trip to Europe took in Italy, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland from October 3-18.

An 11-day trip in September to Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos and South Korea cost $42,805.51.