The 7 Best Helicopter Tours in Central Otago, South Island

Our flight encompasses Central Otago's breathtakingly different and vast undulating landscapes, rugged snow-capped rocky mountains, clear blue rivers and lakes, deep gorges and tussock-clad hills. The flight offers a glimpse into the area's goldmining history, both present day and days gone by, and showcases the basin's award-winning vineyards and orchards. Enjoy a complimentary refreshment at the alpine landing site whilst you take in the remoteness and grandeur of the open space. During the flight you'll see Cromwell (inc Old Cromwell Town), Lake Dunstan, Alpine Landing site, Kawarau and Clutha Rivers, Highlands Motorsport Park, Bannockburn, AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy

Inclusions: Complimentary Hot Chocolate or local fruit juice

Exclusions:

The package includes: Wine tasting at six Cromwell Basin Vineyards A 45 minute Private helicopter flight over the Cromwell Basin vineyards including an alpine landing en route Exclusive Vineyard experiences, Winery lunch and wine tastings Chauffeured Open-Top Jeep to travel between vineyards during the day Transport from and to your Cromwell Basin accommodation An all-day tour with a boutique family business. Personalised service guaranteed.

Inclusions: A 2 coures a la carte lunch at Mt Difficulty Winery with a gls of Bannockburn Estate wine per person, Scenic helicopter flight over the Cromwell Basin with Alpine Landing, Landing and facility fees, All wine tasting fees at individual wineries as stated in the itinerary, Chauffeured open-top Jeep to travel between vineyards during the day, Cloudy Bay Winery: a private wine tasting experience with a Cloudy Bay Ambassador, Tannacrieff Winery: a behind the scenes experience of a boutique winery, followed by a tasting, Scott Base Winery: taste a “Flight of 5 Wines” from the whiteboard options, Ceres Winery: wine tasting and a look through Odelle Morshuis' onsite art gallery, Te Kano Winery: private wine tasting and vineyard tour

Exclusions: Individual bottle puchases at each winery, wineries will post purchases as requested (to be organised at time of purchase with each winery), Wineries may be substituted without notice due to availability or vineyard workflow restrictions.

The package includes: Wine tasting at six Cromwell Basin Vineyards Private helicopter flight over the Cromwell Basin vineyards including an alpine landing en route Exclusive Vineyard experiences, Winery lunch and wine tastings Chauffeured Open-Top Jeep to travel between vineyards during the day Transport from and to your Queenstown accommodation An all-day tour with a boutique family business. Personalised service guaranteed.

Inclusions: All wine tasting fees at individual wineries as stated in the itinerary, Mt Rosa Wines: wine tasting experience and a great last stop and a good laugh with the owners., Chauffeured open-top Jeep to travel between vineyards during the day, Cloudy Bay Winery: a private wine tasting experience with a Cloudy Bay Ambassador, A 2 coures a la carte lunch at Mt Difficulty Winery with a gls of Bannockburn Estate wine per person, Scenic helicopter flight over the Cromwell Basin with Alpine Landing, Scott Base Winery: taste a “Flight of 5 Wines” from the whiteboard options, Landing and facility fees, Gibbston Valley Winery: private wine tasting, wine cave and winery tour, light nibbles, Misha's Vineyard and Tasting Room: taste 5 wines from the 12 wines on offer., Private luxury vehicle pickup and dropoff from your Queenstown accommodation., Scenic helicopter flight from the Cromwell Basin through the Kawarau Gorge to Gibbston

Exclusions: Wineries may be substituted without notice due to availability or vineyard workflow restrictions., Individual bottle puchases at each winery, wineries will post purchases as requested (to be organised at time of purchase with each winery)

The package includes: Wine tasting at six Cromwell Basin Vineyards Private helicopter flight over the Cromwell Basin vineyards including an alpine landing en route Exclusive Vineyard experiences, Winery lunch and wine tastings Chauffeured Open-Top Jeep to travel between vineyards during the day Transport from and to your Wanaka accommodation An all-day tour with a boutique family business. Personalised service guaranteed.

Inclusions: All wine tasting fees at individual wineries as stated in the itinerary, Chauffeured open-top Jeep to travel between vineyards during the day, Cloudy Bay Winery: a private wine tasting experience with a Cloudy Bay Ambassador, A 2 coures a la carte lunch at Mt Difficulty Winery with a gls of Bannockburn Estate wine per person, Rippon Winery: private wine tasting overlooking Lake Wanaka., Misha's Vineyard and Tasting Room: taste 5 wines from the 12 wines on offer., Maude Wines: wine tasting experience in an intimate setting, Private luxury vehicle pickup and dropoff from your Wanaka accommodation., Scenic helicopter flight from the Cromwell Basin through the Kawarau Gorge to Gibbston, Scenic helicopter flight over the Cromwell Basin with Alpine Landing, Scott Base Winery: taste a “Flight of 5 Wines” from the whiteboard options, Landing and facility fees

Exclusions: Wineries may be substituted without notice due to availability or vineyard workflow restrictions., Individual bottle puchases at each winery, wineries will post purchases as requested (to be organised at time of purchase with each winery)

Make the most of your trip to Central Otago and fly over the many vineyards of our award winning wine region. Departing from Cromwell the flight, whilst short, explores Bannockburn, then follows Lake Dunstan to the banks of Lowburn before ascending on the Pisa Range, to arrive atop Mount Michael. From the top is a 360 degree view of the Gibbston Valley, Bannockburn, Lowburn, across the lake to Bendigo and down to Wanaka. From the landing point guests are within a couple of hundred metres of the 45th Parallel – that mysterious line which circles the globe and marks the theoretical halfway point between the equator and the South Pole. The climate is ferocious, to say the least, with extremes of hot and cold. This makes for perfect conditions for growing pinot noir grapes. The only way to test out those perfect growing conditions is of course to taste the finished product. In the elements each of our three wines will be provided for a tasting along with some seasonal nibbles.

Inclusions: Scenic helicopter flight over Cromwell Basin vineyards, Exclusive alpine landing on Mount Michael (1163m), Mount Michael Wine Tasting: Pinot Gris, Pinot Rose, and Pinot Noir, Seasonal Tasting Platter from The Little Platter Company, Relaxed natural alpine environment and good company, Landing and facility fees

Exclusions: Additional bottle purchases to take home

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. Mt Cook Tour & Heli Hike Combo, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights of Mt Cook with an incredible Heli Hike on Tasman Glacier including two scenic helicopter flights. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Inclusions: Small Group & Fully Guided Tour, Tasman Glacier Heli Hike including all equipment , 2 Scenic Helicopter Flights , Snacks, Bottled water

Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages (available to purchase), Gratuities

Mt Cook Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience, this small group, fully guided day trip combines all of the key highlights of Mt Cook with scenic flights in a helicopter and a ski plane including a Tasman Glacier landing plus free time to do other optional activities of your choice. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Inclusions: Small Group & Fully Guided Tour, Ultimate Alpine Experience Scenic Flights & Glacier Landing , Snacks, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities, Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking