Helicopter Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$445
per adult
Garden City Helicopters
Garden City Helicopters
5
Full view
About
Experience the very best views New Zealand has to offer on a heli adventure flight. See the sights of Christchurch city or choose one of our exciting packages from whale watching, jetboating,vineyards or the majestic scenery of Akaroa – just 15 minutes away!
Tours and Tickets by Garden City Helicopters
Helicopter Tours
20 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$330
per adult
Private Sightseeing Tours
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$360
per adult
Private and Luxury
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$2,450
per adult
Wine Tastings
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$885
per adult
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
110 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
annaflanna
Christchurch, New Zealand83 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Right from booking, through arrival/check in and the flight, Garden City Helicopters were professional, friendly and accommodating. The check in process was easy and sensitively handled by the friendly receptionist. Our pilot was great at putting everyone at ease, talking us through what we’d experience; and funny & engaging to boot!
A magic experience we can’t wait to do again. Highly recommended.
A magic experience we can’t wait to do again. Highly recommended.
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ange
27 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Had a wonderful experience with Garden City Helicopters. Our booked helicopter was out, unable to return due to fog so another pilot stepped in so our flight and winery lunch would happen. My 3 year old who wants to be a pilot sat beside our pilot and he was great with her. Talked her through what he was doing and made her dream come true. ThanK you
Written 4 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Not a birthday surprise that you will ever forget to one of North Canterbury wonderful wineries. What a wonderful experience for your daughter too to help inspire her for her dream to become a pilot. Please feel free to share your pictures on our social media #gardencityhelicopters. Thank you for your review.
Written 17 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scott_Ammerman
1 contribution
Jul 2020
On a bluebird day, our pilot, Juliette, made us feel completely at ease, and provided us with an amazing experience. Everyone we dealt with at Garden City Helicopters went out of their way to make this a truly enjoyable event. Thanks, Juliette, and everyone else involved, for a great time.
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
majodo1963
Rangiora, New Zealand1 contribution
Aug 2020
This was on my bucket list and it was excellent from start to finish. Great business location, spacious site and spacious modern building. Newish Heli for flight and another older larger one on ground to view. Great friendly and informative staff, the flight was awesome, great views and commentary from pilot, felt safe and secure all the time. Thank you, yahoo!
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJ Canty
Rolleston, New Zealand1 contribution
Jun 2021
Thank you to the fantastic team at GCH. I had been meaning to do a trial flight for a while and finally got around to doing it this year.
These guys were brilliant. The communications, booking process, and the flight itself... awesome experience, I'm hooked.
These guys were brilliant. The communications, booking process, and the flight itself... awesome experience, I'm hooked.
Written 5 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. Being at the controls of a helicopter is an thrilling experience. Feeling and seeing what its like to operate the machine. We also operate the YouFly trial flight from our Kaikoura Helicopters in a bigger machine, should you want to give that a go. #gchaviation #gardencityhelicopters #kaikourahelicopters
Written 14 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Erin G
New York City, NY3 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
I'd be very cautious in booking a tour with this company. I found them to be disorganized and unprofessional. When I originally called to make my booking about a week in advance I was told I could join another tour group heading to French Farm winery because I would be traveling solo. I was quoted the $449 price as listed on the website. When the day came I was contacted by Mark of Garden City Helicopter and told that due to weather I'd need to reschedule for the next day. I said that was fine and we agreed on the same time the next day. I assumed the same group I was originally traveling with had also rescheduled for that day and was told nothing different. When I arrived I filled out the passenger form and presented my credit card. When I looked at the slip to sign it was $200 more than I had been quoted. They woman at the desk claimed that Mark told me this the day before and it was because I'd be traveling alone and thus paying for their charter rate. I was very clear that I had NOT been told that information and was quite upset. She went into the back and returned several minutes later. She stated there was some "confusion" and no one was really clear on what happened. They were willing to refund me $100 dollars cash. Because I was flying solo and not with a group they couldn't charge me just the $449 rate. I was frustrated and after paying nearly $40 in taxi fare just to get to Garden City Helicopters I didn't want to cancel the ride entirely. I'd passed up other opportunities because I planned on this trip. So I decided to pay the additional $100 for the ride. The ride itself was wonderful and the pilot, Mark, was very competent and experienced. The winery, French Farm, was absolutely lovely and the service there was fantastic. I was turned off by the fact that my pilot found a couple at the winery who was interested in going out for a ride while I was having lunch. I'm sure he didn't take them up for free, so in addition to me paying more, he was also able to get another couple to pay for a ride once he got to French Farm. Overall, I'd stay to be very careful in booking with Garden City. I'd like to believe they made an honest mistake in thinking they had explained things to me, but the more I think about the whole experience and the fact that they were only willing to refund me $100 dollars while still charging another couple for a last-minute ride makes me think they don't have the most honest business practices. If you can, go with another company. Or ensure you get everything from Garden City in writing. I wouldn't take their world for anything they say over the phone.
Written 23 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m sorry to hear that your flight did not meet your expectations. Our company takes exception to the comment that we were dishonest and unprofessional. Our business practices are externally audited under NZ Standard ISO9001:2008 and we are highly regarded in the aviation industry.
We have a large number of key Government agency contracts, and very many satisfied customers.
This is the first complaint received about our services in the last 12 years, and we have operated for more than 30 years.
We have the highest safety rating in NZ (Platinum record issued by the NZ Aviation Industry Association) and both a low risk profile and high quality index rating issued by the NZ Civil Aviation Authority.
The group you were supposed to be travelling with were a local business group and opted to not have another person on their charter, as they had private matters to discuss.
They too, rescheduled due to the weather, which is the pilot’s call for safety reasons and comfort.
All marketing material states our flights are for a minimum of 2 people which is why you were charged the charter price. Our flight co-ordinator believes she had made you aware of this prior to the flight, however due to the confusion; the offer was then made to refund the $100. The Reception staff advised that you were very happy with this arrangement at the time.
It is not unusual for Winery staff to find guests who like to take advantage of the helicopter being onsite to be able to do a short scenic flight, while the transferred guests partake in their lunch.
It is normal industry practice, you weren’t paying for the helicopter when it was waiting for you, nor was it held for your exclusive use.
Regards.
Written 7 January 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KeaMite
Christchurch, New Zealand69 contributions
Sept 2020
It was a 50th Birthday surprise for my partner. She loved it, had an excellent time and the whole experience was professional from the start. Special mention to the pilots, Jono and Matt. The hosts at Middle Rock Station were great too. Worth every penny!
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cosydell11
Christchurch, New Zealand13 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Fantastic, first of many now. Learnt more than a thing or two on a beautiful July winters day. Instructions were easy to understand from Johnathon and landing over the rural areas a treat. I have the bug now!
Written 29 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We look forward to welcoming you back to come and enjoy another flight with us.
Will pass on your lovely comments to Jonathon.
kind regards
Alison
Written 28 December 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ninanvg
Christchurch, New Zealand9 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This proved an excellent experience for the whole family.
My son, who is four, enjoyed the flight and the tour. He has always wondered how it feels flying in a helicopter and this was a dream come true.
How many of us actually get to fly in a helicopter, which by the way is more smoother than flying in an airplane.
Our pilot was very funndy and friendly. We loved the experience and saw our city from the sky.
My son, who is four, enjoyed the flight and the tour. He has always wondered how it feels flying in a helicopter and this was a dream come true.
How many of us actually get to fly in a helicopter, which by the way is more smoother than flying in an airplane.
Our pilot was very funndy and friendly. We loved the experience and saw our city from the sky.
Written 10 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bradleymorante
Hawks Nest, Australia34 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
In the words of my teenage daughter”best experience of my life” , so as a Dad that gifted this to my 18 yr old daughter i am a VERY happy customer...Jono the pilot instructor was absolutely awesome ,inviting me to listen in on the briefing and walk around of the chopper....He was knowledgable,welcoming,witty and obviously highly skilled ......Thanks mate
Written 13 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello and many thanks for this great review.
our trial helicopter flights are such a great gift to give someone as is an unforgettable experience.
Jono will be thrilled to hear of your recommendation and kind words.
best wishes
Written 28 December 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.