Experience the thrill of flying with this short hop over Takaka township, Pohara Beach, Port Tarakohe and the old cement works. Witness how the lush Takaka Valley is protected by the rapidly rising ranges of Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.

Abel Tasman is gorgeous from the air. Fly over golden sand beaches and tidal estuaries fringed by native forest and azure waters. Spot granite outcrops, cascading waterfalls and secluded huts. Return via Takaka Hill and glimpse the depths of Harwoods Hole.

View dramatic rock stacks and sheer cliffs towering over the tumbling Tasman Sea near Wharariki Beach. Return via the striking limestone escarpments and remote green farmlands bordering the rugged west coast. Highly recommended...

Follow the Bay's sheltered shoreline around to the exposed coastal landscape at the base of Farewell Spit. Then trace the dunes and lakes up the Spit to the refuge of its lighthouse. Return via the northern bays of Abel Tasman.

Fly up the Antoki Valley and over New Zealand's highest hydo lake—the Cobb—with spectacular views to Mt Arthur. Witness valleys carved by ancient glaciers, remote goldmining dams and spectacular mountain scenery including the aptly named 'Dragons Teeth'.

Combine the any two adjacent routes and get the best of both worlds! For example, our most popular route is the Farewell Spit/Abel Tasman combination.

Finding it hard to choose? Our Golden Bay Highlights tour give you a taste of all our routes—includes Kahurangi Peaks, West Coast and Farewell Spit, returning via the Northern Abel Tasman Beaches.

For the ultimate flight experience, add all four incredible flights together—towering Kahurangi Peaks, wild West Coast, the shifting sand dunes of Farewell Spit and golden Abel Tasman beaches. This flight has the most variety of any scenic flight in New Zealand!

Create your own route!

Depart the organised pattern of orchards and vinyards surrounding Motueka to cross the ‘Marble Mountain’ Takaka Hill. Passing over the Canaan Downs, (a Lord of the Rings filming location) take a glimpse down the dark depths of Harwoods Hole. Return via Abel Tasman's forest-fringed golden sand beaches and azure waters.

Climb up to the marble karst landscape of Mount Arthur to view New Zealand's highest hydo lake—the Cobb Reservoir. Witness valleys carved by ancient glaciers, remote goldmining dams and spectacular mountain scenery including the aptly named ‘Dragons Teeth’. Return via inviting beaches and bays of the Abel Tasman.

Even those short on time can capture the unique formation that is Farewell Spit. Fly over Takaka Hill and Golden Bay to the Wharariki sea arches, then trace the dunes and lakes up the Spit to the refuge of its lighthouse. Return via the sheltered coves of the Abel Tasman.

A circuit of the flooded valleys, islands and peninsulas that make up the Marborough Sounds—includes D’Urville Island and the outer Sounds, Mount Stokes, Pelorous, Keneperu and Queen Charlotte Sounds, returning via Picton and Havelock with views over Cook Strait to the North Island.

Explore some of the most interesting sections of Kahurangi National Park including Mount Owen (LOTR location), up Lake Rotoroa to Lakes Constance and Blue Lake (clearest water in the world) and fly amongst the highest peaks in the Park. Return via Lake Rotoiti and the curiously barren Red Hills on the Richmond Range.

For the ultimate experience, why not sample all our Golden Bay routes? Fly over jagged mountains in Kahurangi to the sheer limestone cliffs and tumbling ocean on the West Coast. Then trace the dunes and lakes of Farewell Spit and return via the golden beaches of Abel Tasman.

Leave the city behind and cross the orchards and vinyards surrounding Motueka to cross the ‘Marble Mountain’—Takaka Hill. Passing over the Canaan Downs, (a Lord of the Rings filming location) take a glimpse down the dark depths of Harwoods Hole. Return via Abel Tasman's forest-fringed golden sand beaches and azure waters.

Climb up to the marble karst landscape of Mount Arthur to view New Zealand's highest hydo lake—the Cobb Reservoir. Witness valleys carved by ancient glaciers, remote goldmining dams and spectacular mountain scenery including the aptly named 'Dragons Teeth'. Return via the Takaka Valley and Harwoods Hole.

Even those short on time can capture the unique formation that is Farewell Spit. Fly over Takaka Hill and Golden Bay to the Wharariki sea arches, then trace the dunes and lakes up the Spit to the refuge of its lighthouse. Return via the sheltered coves of the Abel Tasman.

Pass by Nelson port and boulder bank to view the tidal surges at French Pass, seperating D'Urville Island with the mainland. Witness the bewildering network of flooded valleys that make up the Marlborough Sounds before returning via Picton and Havelock.

Explore some of the most interesting sections of Kahurangi National Park including Mount Owen (LOTR location), up Lake Rotoroa to Lakes Constance and Blue Lake (clearest water in the world) and fly amongst the highest peaks in the Park. Return via Lake Rotoiti and the curiously barren Red Hills on the Richmond Range.

For the ultimate experience, why not sample all our Golden Bay routes? Fly over jagged mountains in Kahurangi to the sheer limestone cliffs and tumbling ocean on the West Coast. Then trace the dunes and lakes of Farewell Spit and return via the golden beaches of Abel Tasman.