Scenic helicopter flights have emerged as an absolute choice among nature lovers to admire the beauty of New Zealand from the skies. While, paragliding and balloon rides remain popular, helicopter tours often overshadow these two as paragliding is not everyone’s cup of tea and balloon rides are too slow for many. Helicopter tours are available throughout New Zealand. Join such a tour to admire the jaw-dropping views of mountains, lakes, beaches, fiords and glaciers in the Kiwi nation. Let’s check out popular helicopter tours in New Zealand.
Glacier Tours
Located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier remain old favourites among hikers. However, you can avoid the exhausting drill of hiking up the glaciers by opting for a helicopter tour and enjoy scenic flights over the pearly-white glaciers. The routes of certain tour companies also cover lakes and mountains in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Usually, these 40-minute tours include snow landings and hotel pick-up and drops. Helicopter tours are also available for Tasman Glacier, the longest in New Zealand, located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Waiheke Island Tours
When you visit Auckland, you have a range of helicopter tours to choose from. Tours to Waiheke Island often tops the wish list of most travellers. There are several companies that offer flight tours over Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island and Auckland. Most of these flights take off from Auckland and offer terrific views of attractions like Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge and Motutapu Island. These flights land at Oneroa village on Waiheke Island where you can enjoy a sumptuous lunch or dinner amidst the serene atmosphere of the village.
Milford Sound Tours
If you are holidaying in Queenstown, plan a trip to Milford Sound to explore some of the most stunning natural attractions in New Zealand. With a helicopter tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound, you will fly over Fiordland National Park and feast your eyes upon the picturesque scenery of alpine lakes, rugged peaks and lush rainforests. These 1.5-hour tours usually include hotel pick-up and drop offs, informative commentary from the pilot and landing along Milford Sound.
