The Helicopter Line West Coast Glaciers

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- Land Activities
  - 4WD Adventures
    
    4WD Adventures
    
    Get off the highway and onto the grass with good old-fashioned 4wheelin' fun. 4WD tours, quad bikes, off-road, self-drive - 101 ways to satisfy the motorhead within.
  - Bridge Climbing
  - Bungy Jumping / Swing
    
    Bungy Jumping / Swing
    
    Bungy Jump 101:
    Find a beautiful place. Check.
    Build a very tall structure with an elastic cord attached to the top. Check.
    Fix cord to body, and leap.
    Wooooo!
  - Canyoning
    
    Canyoning
    
    Canyoning is a mix of land and water travel, descending picturesque canyons on foot (or rear end), ropes and swimming. Born by adrenalin-seekers, the growth in popularity of Canyoning in New Zealand means gentler trips are increasingly available.
  - Caving
    
    Caving
    
    Don overalls and gumboots for a day underground, up and down ropes navigating the maze of tunnels - or go glowworm spotting and enjoy the serenity.
  - Cycling & Mountain Biking
    
    Cycling & Mountain Biking
    
    Put pedal to the metal cycling the length and breadth of New Zealand, or blow your hair back (with a helmet on) navigating NZ's many purpose built Mountain Biking trails.
  - eBikes
  - Group Tours
  - Horse Trekking
    
    Horse Trekking
    
    Galloping down an isolated beach on a trusty steed, sand flying, the salt air whipping in your hair... (admit it, that's how you picture yourself on a horse)
    Horse trekking is offered all over New Zealand, guided trips catering to both experienced riders and those with less time in the saddle.
  - Outside the Square
    
    Outside the Square
    
    Fun, crazy and unusual - these activities refuse to be put in a box. If you're looking for something a bit different, you'll find it here.
  - Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking is cycling on unused and forgotten railways. A railbike is either a bicycle that has been modified to be able to ride on the rails of a railroad or a purpose-built specialized railbike or railcart.
  - Snow and Ice
    
    Snow and Ice
    
    New Zealand Glacier and Skiing tours - Good times all round.
  - Sphereing
    
    Sphereing
    
    Sphereing (also known as globe-riding, zorbing or orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb made of transparent plastic.
  - Walking and Hiking Tours
  - Walking and Trekking
    
    Walking and Trekking
    
    Walking and trekking the tracks throughout New Zealand is top of the to-do list for many travellers to New Zealand. From gentle, scenic short walks to multi-day adventures, experience Aotearoa on foot and immerse yourself in the bush, beach and wilderness you came to see.
- Water Activities
  - Boat Cruises
    
    Boat Cruises
    
    With over 15,000km of coastline to enjoy, New Zealand is naturally quite fond of boats… Boat cruises are a great way to explore NZ's rivers, lakes, beaches and fjords, offering a different perspective on both our landscape and wildlife.
  - Diving
    
    Diving
    
    Get deep - explore life beneath the surface with diving, scuba or snorkelling. From the sub-tropical waters of the North Island to the clear, cool waters of the deep South, divers of all abilities can get up close and personal with New Zealand's wrecks, colourful seascape and fish.
  - Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking
    
    Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking
    
    Epic river journeys, gentle lake paddles and inland excursions, exploring New Zealand's interior by waterway gives you a fresh perspective on the landscape.
  - Fresh Water Fishing
  - Jet Boating
    
    Jet Boating
    
    The need for speed is alive and well! Get up close and personal - at pace - with New Zealand rivers and lakes from the confines of a speedy little boat. Thrills, spins and scenery, jet boating is an adrenaline rush appropriate for young, old and everyone in between.
  - Marine Animal Encounters
    
    Marine Animal Encounters
    
    Get up close with wild sea creatures in their natural habitat.
  - Rafting
  - Sailing
  - Salt Water Fishing
  - Sea Kayaking
  - Surfing
  - Watersports
- Air Activities
Attractions
- Visitor Centres
  - DOC Visitor Centres
  - i-SITE Visitor Information Centres
    
    i-SITE Visitor Information Centres
    
    i-SITE is New Zealand’s official visitor information network with over 80 i-SITEs nationwide
    
    Every person who works at an i-SITE is a local travel expert for their home town. They will help you to find quality activities, attractions, accommodation, transport and more. This ensures you will experience the latest and greatest the town has to offer whatever you are after!
  - Visitor Information Centres
    
    Visitor Information Centres
    
    Local visitor centres often work on a casual basis. Opening hours vary, and you can't always rely on them being open, but if they are you'll have access to very localised information.
- Animal Attractions
- Art & Culture Attractions
- Natural Attractions
  - Scenic Attractions
  - Spas & Thermal Pools
  - Stargazing
    
    Stargazing
    
    Stargazing is accessible astronomy. The natural world includes the universe - we only need look up at the sky to see these natural wonders.
  - Volcanic & Geothermal Attractions
Accommodation
- Camping Grounds
  - Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks
    
    Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks
    
    All the camping conveniences can be found here. Expect powered sites, hot showers, serviced facilities and often much more.
  - Basic Facility Camping
    
    Basic Facility Camping
    
    Camping with just the bare essentials in some of the most beautiful locations across NZ. Expect a non flush toilet that's intermittently serviced. Anything more is a bonus.
  - Freedom Camping
    
    Freedom Camping
    
    Expect no facilities. Generally for self contained vehicles only. Check our notes for details.
Transport
- Land Transport
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  - Motorcycle Tours and Rentals
  - Motorhomes / Campervans / RV
    
    Motorhomes / Campervans / RV
    
    Travelling New Zealand by rental Campervan and Motorhome gives you freedom. Stay by nature, by the beach or use the full facilities provided by hundreds of Holiday Parks and campgrounds. This ranking table doesn't show all campervan companies in NZ, but does show around 80% of them.
  - Rail
  - Rental Cars
    
    Rental Cars
    
    New Zealand travel is at its best with your own set of wheels. Rental cars give you flexibility to travel at your own pace and deviate off the beaten path.
  - Shuttle Buses
    
    Shuttle Buses
    
    A shuttle bus offers short haul bus services that run multiple times a day, often to an activity or attraction.
- Water Transport
  - Ferries
  - Water Taxis
- Air Transport
  - Helicopter Flights

- North Island
  - Northland
    
    Northland
    
    The wairua (spirit) is strong in this one. Two seas clash on the outer rim while giant forest guardians look over within.
  - Auckland Region
    
    Auckland Region
    
    There is no other city in NZ with such an array of close natural wonders. Sometimes hidden behind poor urban design, a small effort yields great rewards.
  - Coromandel
    
    Coromandel
    
    Go underground to find the gold, when you get out there, let it hang out there, use your tea towel as a loin cloth and drink herbal tea. Can you handle th' Mandel?
  - Bay of Plenty
    
    Bay of Plenty
    
    The name says it all.
  - Waikato
    
    Waikato
    
    The land of milk and honey. A mecca of dairy coupled with the sweetness of serenity.
  - Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Gets up before anyone else. A birthplace of the new. Off the track, hongi a local, share a brew. Kia Kaha!
  - Rotorua Region
    
    Rotorua Region
    
    Smell it before you see it. Rotorua is so hot right now!
  - Taupo Region
    
    Taupo Region
    
    Big eruption = Big hole = Big lake
  - Ruapehu
    
    Ruapehu
    
    Slip on your shoes, it's walk-o-rama. Vivid colour like a Psychedelic cruise.
  - Hawkes Bay
    
    Hawkes Bay
    
    Like a masquerade ball; full of pomp, ceremony, fine wine and food. The gannets are cool too.
  - Taranaki
    
    Taranaki
    
    The Naki is quite the surprise package. Talk with the colloquial locals and unlock a Jack-in-the-Box of the unexpected.
  - Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Raw and real. The Whanganui river is a major artery that has fed culture and change, shaping Aotearoa.
  - Wairarapa
    
    Wairarapa
    
    Get off the main drag and the story of the ugly duckling will be realised.
  - Wellington Region
    
    Wellington Region
    
    Seriously cool that rules with political tools. There's no better place in Aotearoa to get your city fix.
- South Island
  - Marlborough
    
    Marlborough
    
    After slinking through the sounds and sipping on some Savs, keep the sounds down 'cos the spy base is in town.
  - Nelson Region
    
    Nelson Region
    
    This region is like a hippy with flash shoes. Drunk on sunshine. Replenish, reflect, restock & relax. Then relive the 70's and head down the one way street called Golden Bay, it won't let you down.
  - West Coast
    
    West Coast
    
    A diamond in the rough. Get on the offensive, cover yourself in sandfly repellent and tackle the weather & best scenery in NZ head on.
  - Kaikoura Region
    
    Kaikoura Region
    
    Squeezed between two giants, a dramatic point where the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean meet.
  - Canterbury
    
    Canterbury
    
    Lots on offer here, straight roads make for easy driving but a zig zag approach is rewarded. Good place to get lost in. Watch out for local one eyed rugby fanatics.
  - Central Otago
    
    Central Otago
    
    Surreal space, if the Dalai Lama wanted to hang out in a southern NZ Tibet, then this is the spot. Get out your incense and get remote.
  - Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Like a great road trip movie, wind down the windows, put on your favourite tunes and prepare yourself for a sensory intake of freedom.
  - Wanaka Region
    
    Wanaka Region
    
    The outdoor fitness capital of NZ. You get the feeling every local is capable of giving you 10 one-handed push ups, while holding a coffee in the other. All roads from here lead to goodness.
  - Queenstown Region
    
    Queenstown Region
    
    A beautiful place where the locals have devised any conceivable way to scare you silly.
  - Coastal Otago
    
    Coastal Otago
    
    An oddity that works. The Scots did their best to tame the beast but wildlife still prevails. Get a hip flask of whisky, a kilt and stride the coast with purpose.
  - Fiordland
    
    Fiordland
    
    Meditative Milford - Get yourself in a zen state as this place is intense. Once the tour buses depart by 4pm, the locals are in their element (including sandflies). Find yourself in a quiet space and do what you need to do to take it all in.
  - Southland
    
    Southland
    
    A true blue, quirky mix of heartland and bogan, add a dash of the gay in Gore and gregarious local penguins on lonely beaches.
  - Stewart Island

Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

The Helicopter Line West Coast...

The Helicopter Line West Coast Glaciers

Reviews

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Angela Hall

Ranking: 10/10

Wow!! That was the highlight of our trip!! Literally moved me to tears. Thanks to our pilot, Mike!! Weather was perfect!!!

Reviewed over 1 year ago

NewZealander

Ranking: 10/10

The trip was cancelled due to poor weather. Received a full refund. They are flexible and accommodating. Employees were friendly and helpful to provide alternative options.

Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in February 2020

Vicki Hoskinson

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Sadly due to torrential rain on the west coast this booking was cancelled but because of these guys and girls we were warned to keep moving up the coast as the weather was closing in. So they deserve a 10 for giving the best advise. Cheers people

Reviewed over 3 years ago

Patricia Trigo

Spain

Ranking: 10/10

Easy walk because you use crampons to walk on the ice! Stunning landscape! Guides are very friendly and a unique experience!

Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in October 2016

Sarah Jane O'Reilly

Ireland

Ranking: 9/10

Excellent.

Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in March 2014

Anne and Steve Bartlett

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Heli hike on Franz Josef. Amazing scenery, great helicopter ride. Friendly staff and informative guide. Expensive but worth it.

Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Matusala Habtemariam

Sweden

Ranking: 8/10

Good pilot, nice helicopter. Wong information on the booking, booked into Fox glacier and ended up flying from Franz Joseph glacier.

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2014

D Pieter

Netherlands

Ranking: 8/10

4 hour tour on the glaciers with helicopter dropoff. Very spectacular and good tour. It was pricey $299pp.

Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2012

Meryem Buchwitz

Germany

Ranking: 7/10

Tour did not take as long as indicated, group size too big.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Margreet Hanemaaijer

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Great experience, great guide but expensive, $395 per person. Not suitable for unfit people, look for discount vouchers in magazines, brochures and at i-sites.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in March 2012

Vlutters

Netherlands

Ranking: 10/10

Got a free upgrade for 10 minutes extra.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2012

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Howell Davies

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Guide was wacky! Absolutely fantastic experience. Thoroughly rewarding - great photo opportunities. I pity people who hike to the bottom though. $380PP.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2012

B Sluis

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Wonderful experience on snow fields by the 'Helicopter Line'.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Dean

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Purchased tickets on Grab one for 20 minute flight, we were upgraded to 30 mins, the pilot was aweseom, the whole flight was epic, landing on the glacier - perfect.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Andy Johnson

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Helicopter ride around Mt Cook, good pilot.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in March 2011

Lars Taarnhoej

Denmark

Ranking: 7/10

Fantastic view of Tasman, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.

Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2010

Tatjane

Austria

Ranking: 10/10

Worth the expense - One of the best things I have done (heli hiking on the Franz Joseph)

Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2009

gereldineb

France

Ranking: 9/10

Absolutely fabulous! The only thing that makes this a 9 and not a 10 is the weather can make you wait a few days and the price is quite high.

Reviewed over 12 years ago

Francesca

Italy

Ranking: 8/10

Wonderful experience! Flying on the glaciers in a sunny day is an amazing experience! The company is professional and the flight was good. It's quite expensive but not more than the others companies!

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

JimmyK

Netherlands

Ranking: 7/10

Friendly people, but office is a bit chaotic.

Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in March 2009

NatasjaV

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Good safety explaining, great experience above the Glacier.

Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in March 2009

HovingL

Netherlands

Ranking: 7/10

Scenic helicopter flight, from Fox Glacier.

Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in March 2009

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MiepS

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Flight over Fox Glacier. Exciting experience. We decided to go on the flight and within an hour we sat in the helicopter. Nice that everybody has a window seat. Front seats are even better than back seats.

Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in April 2009

Stefanie

Germany

Ranking: 9/10

Very, very scenic but unfortunately quite expensive.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Maureen

Canada

Ranking: 10/10

Franz Josef helicopter ride and glacier tour. Very professional outfit and great guide.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Rob and Dorothy

England

Ranking: 8/10

The trip went well enough.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Jennifer Baulch

Australia

Ranking: 8/10

Really good - got to land on the glacier but didn't have time to walk on it. The glowworms in Fox Glacier were a real treat.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Neil

England

Ranking: 7/10

Walk might have been longer on the glacier.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Sara Rütten

Germany

Ranking: 9/10

Heli-Hike. Like the others wrote: very professional, good gear, nice staff, great tour, was worth the money

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Knol

Netherlands

Ranking: 10/10

So great, too short!

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Rebekah Holbrook

England

Ranking: 9/10

Great day out. Very Professional.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Simon Chettleburgh

United Kingdom

Ranking: 9/10

Heli-Hike. Very professional. Heli Hike was expensive but worth it to see ice formations.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Rene Schotvanger

Netherlands

Ranking: 10/10

Great! Beautiful!

Reviewed about 15 years ago

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

Camping Grounds

Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

Land Transport

Motorhomes / Campervans / RV

Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

Air Transport

North Island

Northland

Auckland Region

Coromandel

Bay of Plenty

Waikato

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Rotorua Region

Taupo Region

Ruapehu

Hawkes Bay

Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

The Helicopter Line West Coast...

The Helicopter Line West Coast Glaciers

Reviews

Every campsite on one map

Avoid Camping Fines!

Camping NZ App