Sightseeing from a small plane or helicopter on a scenic flight will give you the ultimate view of New Zealand's spectacular geography.

Glimpse the beautiful glaciers that tumble down from the peaks of the Southern Alps. Count the volcanic cones that are scattered across the face of Auckland. Appreciate the immensity of Lake Taupo, a massive volcanic crater filled with gin-clear water.

Flightseeing is an immensely popular activity around the country, including places where the scenery is most extraordinary – Northland and Auckland, the central North Island, Canterbury, Queenstown, Fiordland and the West Coast.

Most regions have multiple aviation adventures and activities - from flight-seeing and helicopter landings on an active volcano or a grand tour of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps, to champagne picnics in wilderness locations, West Coast glaciers heli-hikes or heli-ski excursions into remote snowy expanses.

In the North Island, explore the majesty of the central North Island volcanic plateau from air, including seeing the famed Mount Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe) from Lord of the Rings and the dual-world heritage listed Tongariro National Park.

The South Island, with its sweeping Southern Alps mountain chain, and continuous parade of lakes and glaciers is an aerial feast. At Mount Cook and Franz Josef, ski-plane operators make glacier landings, so that you can get out and feel the quiet solitude of the mountains. Another rare treat is a flight to watch the whales at Kaikoura.

The ski fields of the Southern Alps are the launching pad for heli ski excursions away from the crowds on resort slopes. In Queenstown exclusive helicopter excursions take you to stunning hidden gems that set the scene for gourmet picnics, extreme golfing, exclusive wine tastings and fly fishing experiences.

Combining airborne adventures with ground explorations makes New Zealand’s scenic flight experiences truly unique.

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