Taking a scenic flight (or flight-seeing) is an excellent way to experience the full majesty of the New Zealand landscape. In the North Island, flight-seeing offers a unique view of the iconic volcanoes of the Ruapehu region, Mount Tarawera, or White Island in the Bay of Plenty. It is also an excellent way to get a sense of the breathtaking Bay of Islands, or to visit the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

In the South Island, the striking glory of the Southern Alps can be revealed on a flight-seeing expedition that skims across glaciers and skirts around massive mountain peaks. New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, in the Mackenzie region, is a must-see from the air, and Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound are also bases for spectacular alpine flight-seeing expeditions. In Southland, visitors can catch a flight that whisks them south to land on a Stewart Island beach.

Heli Adventures

There are numerous ways to combine the thrill and convenience of a helicopter flight with other popular activities. Heli skiing adventures deliver skiers and snowboarders deep into the mountains in search of untracked powder, heli-fishing with an expert guide takes participants to remote streams and lakes in search of trout, heli-hiking is a good way to experience the deepest wilderness (and still be back in the comfort of your hotel for dinner!) and heli-dining can mean a high-speed transfer to a Waiheke Island winery or luxurious rural lodge for a sumptuous meal.