Unique Perspective of Abel Tasman National Park from the Air

We knew a visit to New Zealand would not be complete without a visit to the Abel Tasman National Park.  It was a bit outside of the popular regions however we accepted the detour and flew to Nelson to explore this stunning site.  The park is actually the smallest of the national parks in New Zealand.  Due to its location on the Northern part of the South Island between Golden Bay and Tasman Bay, to us, it is the most picturesque.  To fully appreciate the size and location, we decided seeing Abel Tasman National Park from the air in a helicopter tour was a unique way to experience this beautiful place!

First and foremost, when booking a helicopter tour, safety is paramount.  With exemplary safety and commitment to customized service, we booked Seacoast Helicopters.  The pilot, Andrew, and his son took us on a tour for the afternoon.

I was able to sit as the co-pilot and there was a clear floor so we nearly had 360 degree views from the inside!

It was a somewhat windy day but Andrew assured us he would do his best to keep the ride smooth and he definitely kept his promise!  After about a 15 minute flight, Andrew offered to stop for a quick tour of Te Waikoropupu Springs.  He mentioned that he has exclusive access to a field nearby that a friend allows him drop in and out of that is close to the springs.  We were up for an adventure so we quickly obliged.

After a quick 5 walk, we arrived at the entrance to the walking path around the springs.

The spring was bubbling below the path and all of a sudden it opened up to a spectacular viewing area.  The springs are referred to as Pupu Springs and described as the clearest spring water in the world!  What do you think?

The springs are constantly bubbling and you can see the movement of the water due to the clarity.  It was a peaceful site to see.  We took some time to gaze out from the overlook admiring the view!

Taking in the springs from the other side allowed the sun to shine just right and the water instantly changed to a more vibrant aqua color!  This place is a must visit when in New Zealand!

It was time to board the helicopter again and see the beauty from the air!

We thought the views from land were stunning, but the aerial shots were out of this world!  If we had not seen it with our own eyes we would have a hard time believing it was real!!

It was now time to fly across the Golden Bay and see the Abel Tasman National Park from the air!  We followed the river leading to the bay and saw some gorgeous aerial views.

The view from the helicopter was incredible!  Once we flew out to the edge of the bay, the views literally took our breathe away.  It was an incredibly gorgeous place and we were thankful we decided to splurge to see the views from the air.

Overall we had a fantastic tour of the Golden Bay Area of the Abel Tasman National Park from the air!  The flying time was roughly 45 minutes but the views and scenery were well worth the money.  After experiencing a helicopter tour, we will undoubtedly ensure we look into aerial options during our travels.  The helicopter flight was such a romantic and exclusive experience to share together.  If you are looking for a unique perspective of commonly traveled areas, don’t forget to explore the skies!