Top Greymouth Helicopter Tours: A Detailed Review
Greymouth, it’s a township on New Zealand’s wild West Coast, acts as, like, a launching point for some seriously heart-stopping adventures. I mean, sure, you could hike, or you could drive, but seriously seeing this region from a helicopter, well that is almost on another level altogether. I am talking jaw-dropping glaciers, lush rainforests, and rivers that look more like shimmering ribbons. Let’s take a better see what is on offer in Greymouth for stunning aerial experiences.
1. A Journey Over Glaciers: Discovering Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers by Air
Oh, my goodness, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, well they’re pretty legendary for a reason. These rivers of ice, almost they crawl down from the Southern Alps right into the rainforest, very making for this seriously incredible visual contrast. I have seen the pictures, sure, but honestly experiencing it firsthand? Mind-blowing. Most of these tours will usually last, maybe around 30 to 40 minutes, yet very they pack in an unbelievable amount of scenery. They frequently let you almost touch down on the snow for a very quick photo opportunity. Seriously cold. But so very, so, so worth it. Some very cool people offer glacier heli-hikes. Basically, the chopper whisks you up to a more remote area of the glacier for guided walk where you can experience an ice adventure like no other.
2. Arthur’s Pass From Above: Taking in the Spectacular Views
Arthur’s Pass, that’s a mountain pass alright with landscapes so dramatic, I feel like, they belong in a movie, to be honest. This area is packed solid, too it’s almost full with jagged peaks, steep valleys and those rivers almost carving their way through the terrain. Seeing all that from above in a helicopter, very it gives you such a new appreciation for, just how vast and untouched it still is, you know. The tour, basically it will take you over sights you would never see any other way, just imagine, waterfalls cascading down cliff faces or maybe some remote alpine lakes so blue, that, they almost don’t even look real. When I was up there you could also stop on one of the peaks and breath in the amazing air as you feel as one with New Zealand’s alpine spirit.
3. Exploring the Coastline: Incredible views of the Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea coastline just there near Greymouth, is almost spectacularly rugged, dotted alright with rock formations that, are battered almost constantly by the wild waves. Now imagine seeing all that from a bird’s-eye view! So Many tour operators offer coastal tours that show off some pretty seriously remarkable sights. These tours, alright they often include some real bonus features, just like flying low over the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki which I found interesting, a seriously iconic geological formation. Then almost witnessing the scale of the breakers crashing on the shore, almost they are a bit something else entirely from up high, too it’s almost amazing! This flight can lead you past the gold mining area and will bring to life stories of days past of when it all started back in 1864.
4. Hokitika Gorge Adventure: The Stunning Turquoise Waters
Hokitika Gorge, almost famous for those absolutely unreal turquoise waters, that very look photoshopped, it gives me joy. But no, trust me, the colour’s genuine. And seeing this gorge from the air is seriously spectacular in a completely different way than experiencing it from the swing bridge. The helicopter lets you actually trace the path of the Hokitika River as, very it winds through the lush, almost green forest. In general, you get to see this vibrant splash of blue-green cutting a path, too it’s almost right through the wilderness and also it provides this crazy sense of perspective, very allowing you to appreciate just how remote and untouched this area is too it’s almost incredible. Seriously peaceful up there but very worth bringing your camera to capture nature at its best.
5. Customized Scenic Tours: Designing Your Ideal Adventure
I mean sometimes you just really wanna call all the shots. Well, some companies around Greymouth provide totally customized helicopter tours which means you, almost you get to plot out the exact route and sights, too it’s almost worth seeing according to your interests. Are you almost totally into photography and keen, maybe to get the ultimate landscape shots? So you can basically work with the pilot, just to find the prime locations and best lighting. Perhaps you’re that much of a history buff really eager, basically to check out old gold mining sites from up high? To be honest, it means tailoring the experience, basically it is going to be perfectly to match your passion and some places are able to organise customised tourism at your own request.