Air Activities

Exploring jaw-dropping New Zealand landscapes from the air opens a whole new perspective. Grasp the sheer size of New Zealand’s largest lake, Lake Taupo, float across the vast Canterbury Plains or discover stunning mountain and glacier scenery from high up.

New Zealand’s fleet of fixed-wing planes and helicopters take you on flight-seeing trips of a lifetime, and New Zealand aircraft are available for charter. Pilots are trained to the highest standards and New Zealand air activity operators abide by the strictest of quality control standards.

Flight-seeing

Grasp the incredible contrast in New Zealand landscapes on a flight-seeing adventure! New Zealand’s amphibians, ski planes, helicopters and light aircraft will have you taking off to the skies for unforgettable scenic flights. Fly over White Island, an active off-shore volcano in the Bay of Plenty, see New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, and surrounding peaks from above, or explore the magic fiords and plunging waterfalls of Fiordland National Park by plane! Other popular flight-seeing expeditions include scenic flights around Queenstown’s majestic mountains, island-studded Northland and glacier flight-seeing.

Paragliding & Gliding

The region around Omarama is known for its near-perfect gliding conditions. Gliding uses motorless sailplanes and one of three techniques; ridge, thermal or wave lift. There are numerous gliding clubs around Central Otago and all over New Zealand where you can try gliding and receive gliding training. Paragliding combines parachuting and hang-gliding. Book your New Zealand paragliding tandem flight with an experienced instructor, take a seat and soar above the New Zealand scenery for panoramic views. Both Queenstown and Central Otago are renowned for their excellent paragliding conditions and provide a stunning backdrop. You don’t need any experience to try New Zealand paragliding, and your instructor will custom-design the adventure to your desires, whether you’re after a peaceful ride or a thrilling extreme flight.

Ballooning

Hot air ballooning must be one of the most romantic New Zealand activities, especially if combined with a champagne breakfast high up in the skies. You can book your NZ hot air balloon flight at locations all over the country, and pilots and equipment are maintained to the highest Civil Aviation Authority standards. Take your pick from a flight over suburban Auckland against a backdrop of the Hauraki Gulf islands, a morning flight over Hawke’s Bay’s vineyard scenery, or a tranquil trip over Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu. The Canterbury Plains are especially renowned for hot air ballooning, providing stunning views over the vast plains stretching all the way to the snow-capped Southern Alps. Every year at the end of March and beginning of April New Zealand’s hot air balloon festival Balloons over Waikato takes place, and the spectacle attracts ballooners from all around the world!