You came to New Zealand to see the mind-blowing landscapes, right? These are not just landscapes but mighty mountains, glacier-carved valleys, pristine coastlines, wild and beautiful forests, ferocious volcanoes, and dramatic lakes. Each one is a unique masterpiece of nature waiting to be explored.
Taking a helicopter flight in New Zealand is not only a way to make the most of the landscapes you’ve travelled so far to see, but it’s also unlike any other flying experience. It's an adventure that will leave you breathless and exhilarated. What’s more, on helicopter tours, you’ll be able to land where no plane or even hiker could get to. So, what are the best helicopter tours in New Zealand? The versatility of helicopters allows you to land in remote areas and busy city centres and get access to exclusive experiences such as heli-fishing, heli-skiing, private island dining – even landing on an active volcano! Get ready for a thrilling adventure like no other.
Curious about our top picks for helicopter flights? Here they are:
NORTH & SOUTH: Milford, Doubtful & Dusky Heli Experience:
From the dramatic mountains of iconic Milford Sound to the many scattered islands of Dusky Sound. This is our ultimate flight! Fly above Milford Sound to step foot on a spectacular glacier before going south to visit Doubtful and Dusky, locations rich in history. Take in the breathtaking and diverse scenery they all have to offer. “Ata Whenua – Shadowland” is a cinematic journey that shares the awe and humility Fiordland Helicopters’ owner Kim Hollows feels for one of the most inspiring, beautiful places on earth. It attempts to give you a rare glimpse of a wilderness few can experience. Truly an experience!
EARNSLAW BURN EXPLORER
Bask in the beauty and serenity of this area with these two great landing sites. This will be an unforgettable adventure! This flight has been exclusively designed by one of our partners to take you to our exclusive landing site – The Earnslaw Burn- and then on to a second pilot’s choice of alpine landing. Depart the Queenstown base through the Moonlight Saddle and over the Richardson Mountains to Mt Earnslaw and the mighty Earnslaw Burn. Fly past the hanging glacier's blue ice before landing on the valley floor, over 1,000 meters below! Enjoy the tranquillity of this breathtaking location before returning to the helicopter to continue your adventure across Lake Wakatipu for a second landing.
West Coast Adventure
Imagine walking along isolated, inaccessible west coast beaches, exploring ancient beech forests, and encountering New Zealand’s unique wildlife. A snow landing allows for stunning photographs against the backdrop of Mt. Aspiring and its glaciers, giving you more beautiful memories to take home. Experienced guides are there to explain the landscape and its wildlife and prepare a gourmet picnic lunch to be enjoyed along the way at a spectacular location. The flight path for this scenic charter is tailored to include stops or hikes that complement guests’ activity levels and present a diverse range of photographic opportunities—a great day experience for guests who like to combine some exploring with an unforgettable scenic flight.