6 Volcano Helicopter Flights in New Zealand to Build a Day Around

1.Mt Tarawera Helicopter Tour with Volcano Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $417Our pick

Fly from Rotorua’s lakefront helipad to Mt. Tarawera with a pilot-guide, circle the 8-kilometer volcanic rift, then land for a 20-minute walk among craters and domes. The small aircraft carries no more than six people, giving you clear views and personal commentary before the return flight.

“The whole tour was amazing from start to finish, landing on the volcano and seeing it up close was the highlight! Commentary was fun and informative, would thoroughly recommend!”

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2.Rotorua: Scenic Flight over Mt Tarawera & Waimangu Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 25 reviews · 40 min · from $236

Take off and land on Lake Rotorua in a small floatplane, then fly over Mokoia Island, Mount Tarawera’s 8-kilometer crater rift, Waimangu Valley, and Pohutu Geyser. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, with window seats for every passenger and room for up to 10 people.

“Toller Flug, 40 min Dauer, abwechslungsreiche Landschaft mit super Fotomotiven, interessanter Vortrag des Piloten”

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3.Mount Tarawera Volcanic Adventure by Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $654

Take a small-group helicopter flight from Rotorua over Mount Tarawera, crater lakes, Tarawera Falls, Wai-O-Tapu, and Waimangu. Your pilot-guide uses a headset to explain the views, then lands on the dormant volcano for a short guided walk. The tour lasts about an hour, with 20 minutes in the air.

“Helicopter landing on the amazing volcano and views from up high over the stunning scenery below, dramatic contrasts”

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4.Rotorua: Helicopter Flight and Guided Walk on Mt Tarawera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 40 min · from $376

Fly from Rotorua’s lakefront over lakes, parks, and mountains, then land on Mt Tarawera for a guided walk among the 1886 eruption craters. Your English-speaking pilot and guide explain the volcano’s geology, culture, and past. The flight lasts about 40 minutes.

“An amazing bucket list experience. Stunning landscape. Ian our pilot was a fabulous narrator. Cannot recommend this enough.”

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5.Taupo: Huka Falls Helicopter Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 10 min · from $107Best value

Take a 10-minute English-guided helicopter flight over Taupo’s farmlands, township, boat harbor, geothermal power stations, and Huka Falls. With space for only three participants, you get a compact aerial view of the Waikato River and one of New Zealand’s most powerful waterfalls.

“Definitely recommend, the helicopter shows a great view of the Falls and surrounds. Staff were very friendly and helpful!”

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6.Auckland: 20min Helicopter scenic flight – City & Volcanoes

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 20 min · from $178

Take off from 234 Rosedale Road for a 20-minute helicopter flight over Auckland. Your English-speaking pilot points out the Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower, Eden Park, Auckland Museum, Devonport, and Rangitoto’s crater. Flights carry up to seven people, with Robinson R44 aircraft used for smaller groups.

“Really awesome, enjoyed every minute, pilot and staff were wonderful, would recommend this trip and I will be going back again.”

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