Helicopter Tours in New Zealand

One of the best ways to experience the snow-capped mountains around Wanaka is to take a scenic flight above and within them. On this helicopter tour to Mount Aspiring and nearby glaciers, you not only fly around the spectacular sights but make two Alpine landings, for close-up views. An exciting and memorable excursion for travelers short on time in the Southern Alps, or for anyone who enjoys a thrill with their mountain views.

See the imposing Southern Alps on an aerial tour with a helicopter landing on the snowfields of Franz Josef Glacier. Your 40-minute helicopter flight soars above the stunning alpine landscapes of the South Island, narrated by the professional pilot. Enjoy prime views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tasman Glacier from above before descending toward the lush rainforests at the edge of the Tasman Sea.

Discover the Bay of Islands by helicopter, with an optional landing at the Hole in the Rock. See Cape Brett from above during an aerial tour from Paihia, narrated by a professional pilot. Fly over Russell and Waitangi en route to the Hole in the Rock. Upgrade to land atop the iconic natural landmark, with an optional walk led by a Maori guide.

See the Bay of Islands from water, land and air on this half-day tour that includes a boat cruise, island stopover and helicopter flight. Departing from Paihia, board the Sea Shuttle for a scenic boat ride, and stop for a few hours at Roberton Island to hike, swim or snorkel. Finish with a helicopter tour over the Bay of Islands and hover above the Hole in the Rock for great photo ops.

Discover the best views of Queenstown from 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) on a 20-minute helicopter tour. Look down upon vast Lake Wakatipu and make an Alpine landing in the Remarkables Range, with Coronet Peak and Cecil Peak in the distance. It's a sensational photo opportunity. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

This extensive 3-hour small group helicopter tour takes in the highlights of Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. You will visit remote mountain ranges with deep valleys carved by ice, experiencing the diversity of the Southern Alps with their extensive ice plateaus, the temperate rainforests of Fiordland and Milford Sound and the wild and rugged West Coast. See the pinnacle of the National Park, Mt Aspiring before returning to the Matukituki Valley. 

This Queenstown helicopter flight makes a grand circle over the Wakatipu Basin with a mountain landing in the Remarkables Range. Your 30-minute aerial tour covers scenic vistas above the wild Shotover River, which thunders through the sheer gorge walls of Skippers Canyon. Stand in the snow 5,045 feet (1,528 meters) above Queenstown for a not-to-be-missed panorama of Lake Wakatipu and beyond.

Get unbeatable aerial views of the New Zealand's crater lakes on this 15-minute helicopter flight from Rotorua. With commentary from your pilot about the area's history, ecosystem, and geology, fly over the hidden lakes and get views of distant volcanoes. Highlights include the lakes of Tikitapu (Blue Lake) , Rotokakahi (Green Lake), Okareka, Tarawera and Okataina, as well as city views of Rotorua.

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a 20-minute helicopter flight above ice falls, snow fields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snow field to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the 7.5-mile (12-km) maritime glacier. This 20-minute helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

Experience the mighty heights of Mount Cook from a different perspective as you fly around New Zealand's highest mountain. This 45-minute helicopter ride takes in the highlights of the Mount Cook National Park, soaring over the Tasman Terminal Lake, swooping past the Hochstetter Icefall, and touching down on the Tasman Glacier. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

New Zealand's longest glacier is even more spectacular from above and this 25-minute helicopter ride includes a touchdown on the Tasman Glacier. Soar over the Mount Cook National Park, gaze down over the Tasman Terminal Lake, then hop out to admire the icy landscapes up close. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

This 20-minute scenic helicopter flight takes you soaring above Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier with a snow landing at the top - the perfect opportunity to get up close to a glacier in the South Island. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over towering ice formations before a soft landing in a snowfield. Admire Mt Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand's highest peak, from the glacial summit.

Combine two exciting Queenstown adventures on a half-day 'helirafting' tour that explores the region by air and water. Board a helicopter for a scenic flight to the white-water rafting launch site, cruise above the rock walls and blue water of Skippers Canyon, then land on a river-side beach. Next, suit up for a challenging white-water rafting trip down the Shotover River, taking on a series of rapids that flow through high cliffs and chutes.

The Matukituki Valley is known for its stunning views, but they're better when experienced from above. This helicopter tour gives you the chance to see a lot of the valley's remote backcountry and Mount Aspiring National Park from the sky during a roughly 25-minute flight. You'll soar above one of New Zealand's most beautiful areas and touch down on snow year-round.

A scenic helicopter flight is the ultimate way to see New Zealand's Southern Alps. Soar through the sky on a 55-minute aerial tour of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland national parks. Top it off with a snow landing on Franz Josef, Fox, or Tasman glacier. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Take your Queenstown visit to new 'heights' of adventure thanks to this 50-minute helicopter flight complete with a glacier landing. Soar above the spectacular scenery of Mt. Aspiring National Park, gliding above turquoise ice formations, hidden alpine lakes and towering mountains before landing on top of a glacier for photos.

Board a private helicopter for a flight to Middle Earth Waterfalls, touching down for a picnic at the foot of a hanging glacier. You'll fly to the head of Lake Wakatipu, cross the Moonlight Saddle, and soar across the dramatic Richardson Mountains, with gorgeous aerial views throughout the trip. Once at Middle Earth Waterfalls, a picnic lunch will be served in "The Hobbit" film location, followed by free time to explore, and the scenic return flight to Queenstown.

See two remarkable glaciers from the air on a 30-minute helicopter tour of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Lift off from a helipad at Fox Glacier, then fly across ice falls, formations, and crevasses on your way to Franz Josef Glacier, and touch down on a glacial snowfield for a photography session. Departures are available throughout the day for this 30-minute helicopter tour of two New Zealand glaciers.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand's largest and most magnificent glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This 30-minute helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking the glacier.

Experience the natural beauty of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park during a 35-minute scenic helicopter flight. See the Southern Alps, Tasman Valley, and Hochstetter Icefall before a landing in the snow on the Tasman Glacier. Includes use of headsets to hear your pilot's commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off.