Best from Above

New Zealand by helicopter makes for spectacular sightseeing, over land that can be inaccessible by any other means. Many luxury lodges and hotels also have helipads for their guests’ convenience. Given that many of New Zealand’s most luxurious lodges and retreats are in remote areas, helicopter is the most practical — and quickest — means of transport.

Short scenic flights are reasonably priced too, with such operators as The Helicopter Line providing a 45-minute flight around New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki (Mount Cook) in the South Island, for NZ$395. Heli Pro offers scenic tours of much of the North Island including White Island.

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