Flyback is the way to go, yes.
Start with a 240:24V flyback transformer, either pulled from equipment or purchased new. Laptop power bricks are probably a good reference. Just run it in reverse, driving the secondary with a higher current transistor and current shunt, and the same controller if it's not directly offline but can be aux-powered (e.g., UC3842). Probably use a regulator to supply the controller, since 20V+ is kind of high otherwise. A dumb zener + transistor regulator is fine, or a 78xx or whatever. The aux winding on the transformer (if applicable) can be left open.
Keeping common ground will help greatly with keeping noise low. Having the ground return path right there makes filtering much easier. Don't neglect filtering the input or the output.
Tim