Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Tour

Overview

Sit back and relax aboard a helicopter over Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city—a place where resilience meets regeneration. Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch thrives as a vibrant, evolving city that still honors its Garden City roots. From above, see Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, and Deans Bush / Pūtaringamotu—green jewels in the city’s heart. Below, bold new precincts mix with restored heritage buildings. Gaze at laneways, central bars, the Margaret Mahy Playground, and the iconic Town Hall. The cultural core pulses with life—home to The Court Theatre, The Piano, and Isaac Theatre Royal. Te Kaha, the new One New Zealand Stadium, gleams—future home of concerts, world-class rugby, and Crusader victories. To the east, the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor transforms the Red Zone into an urban sanctuary. Beyond, fly over the Port Hills to Banks Peninsula: Diamond Harbour, Lyttelton Port, Sumner, and Pegasus Bay—where nature, culture, past, and future connect.

Itinerary

1. Garden City Helicopters

   After a safety briefing, Depart from our helibase at Christchurch International Airport by helicopter to view Otautahi, Christchurch from the air.

   · 5 min· Admission included

2. Christchurch Botanic Gardens

   An aerial view of the many green spaces of Ōtautahi, Christchurch. Such as: Dean Bush, The Red Zone and Hagley Park. Within Hagley Park is the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. A 21 hectare park with more than 10 different gardens framed by mature trees and expansive lawns, which are mostly contained within a loop of the Avon River.

   · Non-stop passage

3. Christchurch Cathedral

   Christchurch Cathedral is the focal point of Cathedral Square in the heart of Otautahi, Christchurch. This place of Anglican worship, which was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake. View down on the repair work being done to restore this city landmark.

   · Non-stop passage

4. Avon River

   Look down on the red zone of Christchurch, once filled with homes prior to the earthquakes and now a holistic project to connect people, river and land, now known as the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor project

   · Non-stop passage

5. Lyttelton Harbour

   Look down on Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō, one of two major inlets of Banks Peninsula. A harbour formed by an ancient volcano that has been flooded by the sea. A busy port for the city of Christchurch.

   · Non-stop passage

6. Diamond Harbour

   View the beauty of the Diamond Harbour

   · Non-stop passage

7. Quail Island

   View Quail Island from the air. Canterbury's largest island in the diamond Harbour

   · Non-stop passage

8. Port Hills

   View the Port Hills, a range of hills in Canterbury, named because they lie between the city of Christchurch and the sea port at Lyttelton. They are an eroded remnant of the Lyttelton volcano.

   · Non-stop passage

9. Godley Head

   Awaroa/Godley Head. Magnificent coastal military defence sites built during World War Two.

   · Non-stop passage

10. Sumner beach is a coastal seaside suburb that is a popular spot for surfing and swimming and sea fishing

    · Non-stop passage

11. New Brighton Beach

    From Waimairi to Southshore, the New Brighton beaches are just one of the many of Pegasus Bay. The New Brighton pier is the longest in Australasia, an icon of the Canterbury region.

    · Non-stop passage

How to use your ticket

Check in at our reception at Garden City Helicopters

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• No Child prices
• Infant age is 0 to 2 years old are free and must be seated on the lap of a fare paying adult
• Customers in wheelchairs will need to be able to lift themselves in the helicopter or have a care person to help them. A fare will be require if care person must travel with.
• Trip is weather dependent
• We require a minimum number of fares for flights to depart. Flight will be cancelled if minimum number of fares is not reached.
• Pilot will decide on seating of passengers in the helicopter. Pilot must operate helicopter within the weight and balance requirements of the aircraft
• You must reconfirm you booking 24 hours prior to departure to check weather conditions
• Passengers will be weighed on check in, we will ask on booking for your estimated weight
• weight limitations apply

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

This activity can be canceled in case of bad weather or if there aren't enough participants.

Reviews

Product code: 6036SCENIC

Activity offered by Garden City Helicopters via Viator.