Volcanic Air
Located at the Rotorua City Lakefront, Volcanic Air offers a range of scenic fights to Mount Tarawera, and various other stunning destinations of the Bay of Plenty region. Choose the thrill of a helicopter or the romance of a floatplane to experience Rotorua’s beautiful lakes district, geothermal reserves and remarkable volcanoes. With long and short scenic flights available, there is something to suit everyone.
Keytag Bonus: One Volcanic Air Souvenir Cap per person flying (offer valid while stocks last and not available if flights cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances)
(Volcanic Air helicopter and plane flying over epic Mount Tarawera backdrop – credit: Volcanic Air
Helicopter Tours
A helicopter tour is no doubt one of the most exciting things to do in Rotorua. Among the most popular Volcanic Air helicopter tours is the volcanic landing at Mount Tarawera, the site of the largest volcanic eruption in New Zealand history. Bask in spectacular aerial views of the craters and domes formed by the famous 1886 eruption as the helicopter soars around the volcanic terrain. Upon landing, explore Mount Tarawera on foot with your tour guide and learn interesting facts about the area’s history, culture and geology.
(Autumn snow on Mt Tarawera – credit: @volcanicairnz)
Floatplane Tours
There’s nothing quite like the romance of travelling on a floatplane. Volcanic Air offers a range of floatplane tours, including scenic flights to Mount Tarawera and beyond. Experience the excitement of taking off and landing on various lakes and soaring over the region’s most unique volcanic landscapes.
The Eruption Trail Tour of Mount Tarawera’s Waimangu Volcanic Valley is a popular choice. Enjoy a smooth take off on your floatplane before flying over Mokoia Island toward the volcanic peaks of Mt Tarawera. Included on this flight is a tour of the lakes district and Waimangu thermal valley, where you will enjoy aerial views of the Valle’s frying pan lake and vibrant inferno crater. The trip back to Rotorua soars past the Whakarewarewa thermal reserve and over the city.
(Orakei Korako Tour, floatplane on Waikato River – credit: Volcanic Air Facebook Page)
The Thermal Explorer tour of Mount Tarawera and Orakei Korako is even more adventurous. After flying over Mt Tarawera and the local lakes and geothermal reserves, this tour continues on a journey to the hidden geothermal valley of Orakei Korako where you will land on the Waikato River. The unique experience of landing on the water and boarding the ferry to cross the river is a thrill in itself. Here you will begin a land-based tour where you will enjoy the gushing geysers, hot springs and natural beauty of the geothermal valley.
To reach Volcanic Air tours, you can book with the Auckland branch of Omega car rentals. Enjoy a beautiful, scenic 3-hour drive from Auckland to Lake Rotorua, where Volcanic Air scenic flights depart daily. Book a flight for your next Rotorua adventure to get the best views of the region’s dramatic geothermal scenery and activity. The adrenalin rush of flying in a helicopter or floatplane is an experience not to be missed!
Keytag Bonus: One Volcanic Air Souvenir Cap per person flying (offer valid while stocks last and not available if flights cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances)