Drone films inside Scientology's secretive headquarters

A drone has filmed a flyover of Scientology’s secret headquarters in the Californian desert, giving outsiders a peek inside the religion’s luxurious compounds.

“Gold Base” is Scientology’s largest retreat and its closely-guarded privacy is reportedly protected by high fences, motion sensors and microphones.

But high-definition video, posted to YouTube last week, shows a drone breaching the secretive religion’s high-tech security.

Its 11-minute recording, part of a series on Scientology’s bases, showcases life inside the compound, which is located near the town of Helmut in southern California.

The footages shows flowing fountains, highly-manicured lawns and palatial buildings.

At one point in the video the drone even observes a soccer match taking place.

Gold Base is said to be the spiritual home of the religion’s founder, science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, with one of its mansions housing a collection of his belongings.