Top South Island In the Air - page 5

See the Remarkables Mountain Range from the sky and take in expansive views of sparkling Lake Wakatipu on a half-hour helicopter tour, which includes an alpine landing for the ultimate photo ops. Upgrade your experience with a private charter exclusive to your group, with your choice of a Squirrel or a Eurocopter EC chopper.

Take a helicopter flight above New Zealand’s pristine Southern Alps and make a snow landing atop Fox Glacier. This 40-minute aerial tour offers commentary by the professional pilot and provides stunning views of Aoraki Mt. Cook, Tasman Glacier, and the Tasman Sea from above. Appreciate the South Island’s imposing vistas, from alpine snowfields to the lush rainforests at the coast.

If you want to see unmissable Milford Sound and the landscapes of Fiordland but can’t spend a full day sitting on a bus, enjoy a scenic flight from Queenstown instead. Admire sweeping views of fjords, valleys, waterfalls, and mountains from the seat of a small plane. A small-group flight ensures an intimate, peaceful experience as you soar above this UNESCO World Heritage–listed landscape.

Take off from Kaikōura’s beachfront helipad for a scenic helicopter flight over the Hikurangi Marine Reserve. Look out for sperm whales, humpbacks, blue whales, orca, and dusky dolphins. After ocean views, soar into the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges for an alpine landing with panoramic views including Mt. Fyffe and, on clear days, even the North Island. Return along the Hapuku River, watching for wild deer, before landing back at the helipad.

Take in aerial views of the home of one of the world's largest marine mammals on this scenic helicopter flight in Kaikōura. Search for sperm whales, dolphins and have a better chance at seeing baleen whales. Get panoramic views of the South Island's rugged east coast. See whales feeding further offshore, away from the tourist boats.

Experience a 35-minute scenic helicopter flight above the magnificent alpine landscape of Aoraki Mt. Cook and its surrounding peaks, and make a snow landing (weather dependent). You’ll soar above steep ridges and rise over a mountain pass that affords aerial views of the Ben Ohau Range. Step out and play in the snow before enjoying more expansive views down the Tasman Valley. Pilot narration on the sights is included.

If you’d like to try skydiving but are put off by the thought of jumping out of a plane, indoor skydiving is for you. Enjoy the feeling of free-falling without leaping from great heights. Gear and training will be provided so you can relax and enjoy the sensation of floating on an air cushion. Enjoy two “flights” of one minute each.

Celebrate a special occasion or make the most of your South Island vacation with a small-group helicopter ride in the Southern Alps with an included sparkling wine picnic. Fly to a secluded alpine location and admire the panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu while you feast on gourmet food and drink, including sparkling wine and beer. Absorb the tranquility of these stunning surroundings before your return flight to Queenstown.

Take flight with a 20-minute helicopter ride from Christchurch and arrive in style for a lunch date at a delightful regional winery. There, you can dine at your own expense before taking to the air once more. A maximum of five travelers is allowed, although the ride requires good weather.

Climb out from Milford and up past Harrison's Cove, see the Pembroke Glacier, alpine lakes and sheer cliffs dwarf the surrounding rivers before approaching the Tutoko Glacier for a snow landing. Take a few minutes to capture photo's on the snow before boarding the helicopter again to fly past the glaciated tops of Mt Tutoko, the highest peak in Fiordland national park at 2723m. Track via the lower Tutoko valley and return to Milford airport.

The GRAND TOUR including snow landing (allow 40 minutes) The “grand-daddy” of all flights! Explore both glaciers as well as taking in Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. We top this off by landing you on the snow for photo opportunities. As a bonus, weather permitting we cross the main divide for you to view the Tasman Glacier.  This will be your ultimate helicopter scenic flight excursion from Fox or Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Be sure to have plenty of space on your camera memory card and bring your phone as well. You will be amazed by the stunning scenery topped off with the snow landing where you will have the chance to photograph the magnificent scenery. (allow 40 min)

Get the cameras ready for one of the best glacier experiences in New Zealand. Climb up the Franz Josef Glacier, crossing the main divide at Centennial Hut to land on New Zealand’s longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. Take in breath-taking views of Mount Tasman and Aoraki Mount Cook, rich with uninterrupted scenery you have to see to believe. Then hop back onboard, cross back over Climber Col Pass and enjoy the spectacular views of Franz Josef Glacier before arriving back at Franz Josef Heliport.

Embark on the Aspiring Snow Special, a one-hour helicopter adventure into New Zealand’s most remote and spectacular alpine landscapes. This unforgettable experience features a stunning glacier or snow landing in the heart of the Southern Alps, followed by a scenic local landing near the shores of Lake Wānaka. Soar above rugged mountain peaks, thundering waterfalls, sheer rock faces, and pristine alpine terrain, with lush native forests providing a striking contrast to the dramatic high-country scenery. Touch down on an alpine glacier or snowfield and step into a world of untouched wilderness before concluding your journey with a breathtaking second landing overlooking Lake Wānaka. Available year-round, the Aspiring Snow Special is a truly memorable experience and a standout highlight of any Wānaka holiday - offering remarkable views, rare access to remote landscapes, and moments you’ll never forget.

See Fiordland National Park’s enormous Doubtful Sound from the sky on this scenic helicopter tour. It’s impossible to access by road so this helicopter tour offers a quick and convenient way of visiting this stunning landscape of rugged mountains, lakes, and lush native rainforest. If weather permits, land in an isolated location to get panoramic photos of the fjord.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Franz Josef Glacier with this incredible adventure designed for those short on time but big on exploration. Begin your adventure with a scenic Helicopter Flight. Marvel at panoramic views of the West Coast and surrounding mountain ranges. Land on the iconic glacier and spend 15 minutes on the stunning ice with our expert guides, immersing yourself in this iconic natural wonder. This adventure is perfect for all fitness levels: A hassle-free experience that’s accessible to everyone. With exclusive access to the Franz Josef Glacier Guides, we are the only operator permitted to land on the Franz Josef Glacier.

Get set for an incredible experience with this helicopter ride, taking you to land on the 6,500ft mountain of Chest Peak. Fly through the majestic Southern Alps, see the amazing braided Waimakariri River and finally take in 360 degree views of the region from this amazing mountain. Your lpilots will share local knowledge and personal stories with you throughout the flight, making the experience even more memorable.

Take in sweeping views of New Zealand’s mountains and Lord of The Rings backdrops during a 2.5-hour scenic helicopter flight from Christchurch. Fly over Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Aoraki Mount Cook, and the Tasman Glacier during this epic helicopter tour.

Enjoy a 25 minute panoramic scenic flight, with stunning scenic views of the Seaward Kaikoura ranges and a birds eye view of the Kaikoura Peninsula. After take-off, we will climb to approximately 6000 feet to fly past the back of Mount Fyffe for some true mountain flying. Experience views of snowy mountain peaks, a waterfalls or a wild deer if you have sharp vision. Next, overfly Lake Hapuku, which is a direct result of the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Your pilot will then descend towards the Hapuku river mouth and fly along the black sand beach towards the Kaikoura peninsula. Flying around the peninsula, you get to see that it is dotted with resident seals next to the turquoise ocean.

Experience the South Island’s mountain-filled vistas from both the ground and the sky on this half-day small-group tour. Board a helicopter and soar over the Southern Alps, taking in the dramatic mountainous scenery before heading for a hike through the Glentanner High Country, learning about the ancient glaciers that carved the region’s landscapes.

The scenic Southern Alps are a popular flyover destination, with incredible views of the mountains and glaciers from the air. Rather than just flying over, this tour adds a snow landing during your flight, so you can enjoy the sprawling alpine views and get astonishing landscape photos without a massive hike. Fly around the ice-trapped Fox Glacier and past Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

The mix of warm and cold currents found underwater in Kaikōura Canyon supports a vast diversity of marine life, making it one of New Zealand’s most unique locations. This small-group helicopter journey above the canyon, including a landing in the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges, allows the spotting of humpback, southern right, blue, and sperm whales, as well as the chance to see dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals—all from a vantage point most travelers miss.

Lifting off from our base at the Manapouri Te Anau Airport, you will immediately enjoy stunning views over Lake Manapouri, before you travel west towards the main divide of Te- Rua -o -te-Moko Fiordland National Park. Soar over hidden tarns (lakes), crystal clear rivers, pristine forest and ancient glacial carved valleys as you make your way to Tamatea Dusky Sound. Certain times of year there will be snow on the tops of the mountains which stretch out to the coast of the Tasman Sea. Two remote landing will be carried out, where you can step foot in some of the most remote parts of New Zealand and take photos of your adventure into the wilderness.

Land on a glacier in a Helicopter and jump out of plane! The best views of New Zealand are from the sky, and the ultimate way to see them is to fly in a Helicopter, land on a glacier, AND free-fall out of a plane over dazzling alpine peaks, lush native rainforests, and beautiful ancient glaciers! You can’t get more next-level than this exclusive combo experience in the Southern Alps, packed with natural scenic wonders, adrenaline pumping thrills, and zero regrets!

Welcome you to discover the extraordinary Shackleton Glacier and the fascinating story of its namesake's Sir Ernest Shackleton and his legendary Antarctic expedition. This 50-minute flight includes: - Franz Josef, Tasman and Shackleton Glaciers - Mount Cook & Mount Tasman - Fly through the Southern Alps where the ""Lighting of The Beacons"" was filmed for Lord of the Rings - 15-minute snow landing included - Complimentary sample of Shackleton Whiskey available to those who want to sample it with the glacial ice Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef. Husband and wife team Gus and Poppy own the company and are both commercial pilots. If you wish to book a Comfort Seat or request a Front Seat / Executive Helicopter Upgrade, please contact us at least 24hours in advance of your flight.