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Established over 30 years ago, Helicopters Nelson has evolved into a well-known and respected aviation company.
Helicopters Nelson is owned and operated by the Darling family, a large, very passionate aviation family. CEO and Flight Training Manager, Pete Darling, is a pilot with over 25 years’ experience, including 14 years working for two major international operators as a multi-engine check and training captain.
Bases at Nelson Airport and Motueka Airport.
Lodge to lodge transfers also available. Phone for personalised pick-up and drop-off to suit your itinerary.
Changes or Rescheduling: We require 48 hours’ notice prior to flight time to change or reschedule your reservation. Tours cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice affect other guests booked and don’t allow enough time to resell the cancelled seats. If you need to change or reschedule your reservation, please provide us 48 hours’ notice prior to your tour time and we will be happy to accommodate you.
Cancellations:
If the weather conditions make flying unsafe on the day of the trip, Helicopters Nelson will cancel the flight at no cost, or rebook you for another day, if space is available. This is at the pilot’s discretion and there is no charge in this situation.
Flights cancelled between 48 hrs-24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee. No refund will be given for no-shows or changes you make to bookings within 24 hours of the tour.
In these covid-uncertain times, please talk to us about any concerns around our cancellation policy. We are flexible and negotiable.
Child Policy: Children under the age of two fly free when seated in the lap of a paying adult. Children 24 months and over require an individual full-fare seat.
Established over 30 years ago, Helicopters Nelson has evolved into a well-known and respected aviation company.
Helicopters Nelson is owned and operated by the Darling family, a large, very passionate aviation family. CEO and Flight Training Manager, Pete Darling, is a pilot with over 25 years’ experience, including 14 years working for two major international operators as a multi-engine check and training captain.
Specialists in creating luxury, tailored and unique helicopter tours in and around the “Top of the South”, offering helicopter charter services and customised tours to some of the country’s most stunning remote locations. Whether you’re looking for a corporate event, an active adventure, or a romantic escape – anything is possible with Helicopters Nelson.
Flying primarily from their base at Nelson Airport, they often fly in and out of Lodges and Motueka Airport, venues, or private properties nationwide.
Alongside the tourism operations, they operate commercial helicopter services, fire and emergency services, and flight training.
Your comfort and safety are paramount and the professional pilots have a wealth of experience and local knowledge.
Every flight with Helicopters Nelson is an unforgettable one, you’ll want to tell your friends all about it!
There is no better view of New Zealand than from the skies.
THE CLEAREST LAKE IN THE WORLD. Rotomairewhenua or Blue Lake is a small lake located in Nelson Lakes National Park, in the northern reaches of New Zealand′s Southern Alps. Sacred to local Maori, it has the clearest natural freshwater in the world. This flight takes us south into the Nelson Lakes where we enjoy spectacular views of Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotoroa and Blue Lake, before a mountain landing on the National Park boundary.
Please note that Blue Lake is a protected wilderness area that we are only permitted to overfly. This location is a two-day journey on foot.
Departs morning & afternoon | Duration 2 hours, 1 landing, flight time 1 hour
Discovered by French explorer Jules Dumont D′Urville, the island is located off the northern coast of the South Island with an area of approximately 150 square km, making it the eighth-largest island of New Zealand. Departing Nelson or Blenheim we follow Tasman Bay′s eastern coastline before arriving on D′Urville Island for a spot of helicopter reef fishing.
Once we have a decent catch we hop across to a sheltered bay to prepare your freshly caught fish alongside fresh local produce for a private dining experience like no other. With a glass of fine local wine or a cold craft beer in hand, relax and enjoy the pristine beaches and native bush, you can even take a swim! Our flight home tracks via the Mt Richmond Forest Park with a mountain landing. If you love fresh food and fine wines this is the exclusive tour for you!
Departs 10am | Duration 5 hours, 3 landings, flight time 2 hours
Track into the Mt Richmond Forest Park overflying the Pelorus River and Richmond Range. From the Pelorus Bridge, we fly over the Queen Charlotte Sound including Picton and the many bays out to the Tory Channel. At the Tory Channel, we will land at Arapawa Island.
Here we will visit two amazing attractions. Firstly we will meet Mike and Antonia at the Arapawa Island Pearl Farm. This is the only known Paua Pearl farm in the world and they will give us a tour of just what they do. After the tour and a home-made morning tea we will hop across to the neighbouring bay and visit the remains of the Perano Whaling Station and learn about its history. From the whaling station, we track back into the Queen Charlotte to quickly view Ship Cove where Captain Cook first landing when discovering New Zealand in 1770.
Lunch at Bay of Many Coves Resort where we will dine on the water front and relax for a couple of hours. After lunch we will fly further west over the Pelorus Sound and explore the amazing waterways and then the Eastern Side of Tasman Bay.
Departs mid-morning and returns mid-afternoon. Multiple landings.
Tracking west into the heart of the Kahurangi, our first stop lands at a remote alpine location where we can enjoy the overwhelming surrounds of New Zealand′s second largest National Park. From the mountains, we descend further west to Westhaven Inlet and track the rugged and remotely beautiful wild North West coastline for a landing on the beach, where we can explore sand dunes and eroded rock formations. Here we will sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch and glass of local wine. After lunch, we lift off to explore Farewell Spit and Golden Bay before our final landing at Awaroa Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park. A short bushwalk through aged Manuka forest takes us up close to the pristine waters and golden sand beaches that make the Abel Tasman world famous.
Departs morning & afternoon | Duration 5 hours, 3 landings, flight time 2 hours
Option: Cape Farewell Horse Treks (add 2 hours)
If you are looking for more of a hands-on adventure, why not add a spectacular horse trekking experience that takes you climbing above the beach and crossing over the lush green hills of the Puponga Farm Park. A great opportunity to explore one of our most beautiful coastal landscapes on horseback.
Dietary requirements must be advised prior to trip.
Suitable footwear and warm clothing required. We can provide warm jackets if required.
Small group or private tour
Heli-Hike Heaphy Day Trips, Heli-Bike Nelson mountain bike and Abel Tasman Heli-Scenic plus Abel Tasman Charter
