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Lord of the Rings Nelson Scenic Flight

Pricing From
$525

South Island
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Overview

Our scenic helicopter flights to the Lord of the Rings locations for "South of Rivendell", "Dimrill Dale" and the "Exit from the Mines of Moria"; afford you the once-in-a-lifetime chance to view one of the most pristine and least accessible alpine environments not just in the southern hemisphere but in the entire planet. Mount Olympus and Mount Owen form a contiguous mountain range that joins with the Southern Alps farther south of New Zealand. 

Mount Owen

 

Required

A warm jacket and sturdy footwear are essential.

Nelson Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights

Nelson Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights

Nelson Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights

Lord of the Rings Scenic Flight, Nelson

Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights, Nelson

Single Site Tour 1 - Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell

The rugged alpine terrain of Mount Olympus Ski Fields served as the perfect location for the "South of Rivendell." After the Fellowship of the Ring left the abode of the elves, they rested and cooked a meal on craggy outcrops which later shielded them from Saruman's marauding black crows.

It was our pilot Bill Reid who flew the film's location scouts to the eastern fringes of the Southern Alps where it gives way to the Canterbury Plains in south New Zealand, and secured the mountain's location in 'Middle Earth.'

There are no trails leading up to the craggy peaks of the 'playground of the gods' so a helicopter tour proves to be the most comfortable and enjoyable way to enjoy the scenery. On a clear day, take in the views of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, or look down into the Aorere Valley of Golden Bay. While in flight, take delight in eagle-eye views of South Island's three national parks – the second-largest Kahurangi, the glacial lakes of Nelson, and New Zealand's smallest national park of Abel Tasman.

Single Site Tour 2 - Mt Owen, Dimrill Dale

The fellowship, this time led by Aragorn, exits the mines of Moria without Gandalf, and it is on the rocky slopes of Mount Owen that they threw themselves to the ground in grief.

Located on the southern tip of Kahurangi National Park, Mount Owen is the highest peak in the range standing at 1,875 meters. It was carved by the scouring action of the glaciers and the erosive power of water which results to deep shafts and sinkholes that are sometimes covered by snow well into summer. There are several moderate to advanced trails leading up to the peak, and treacherous crevasses add to the challenge of trekking this mountain safely. Helicopter tours offer a far safer and more enjoyable excursion into the magnificent karst massif of ‘Dimrill Dale.’

A Combo Tour of ‘South of Rivendell’ and ‘Dimrill Dale’ for the Ultimate Lord of the Rings Experience

Mount Olympus and Mount Owen form a contiguous mountain range that joins with the Southern Alps farther south of New Zealand. A Combo Tour of the region affords you the once-in-a-lifetime chance to view one of the most pristine and least accessible alpine environments not just in the southern hemisphere but in the entire planet.

The flight will take you first on the slopes of Mount Olympus in the ‘South of Rivendell’ so you can have a good look around. Then we fly you north to the 'Exit from the Mines of Moria' in the karst terrain of Mount Owen. This route will take you around the most recent addition to New Zealand’s conservation areas, the Kahurangi National Park. The park is the second largest in New Zealand and forms the northerly range of Southern Alps, a dramatic geological aftermath of the collision of the Australasian and Pacific plates.

Optional Add On – Salisbury Falls

Please note: This option is not available on the Mt Owen Single Site Tour.
Salisbury Falls in the Aorere River of Golden Bay is at the very start of Kahurangi National Park’s Heaphy Track. This was the film site where Tauriel & Legolas met before heading into Lake-town, as seen in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Salisbury Falls can be added to our Mt Olympus Single Site Tour or Mt Owen/Mt Olympus Combo Tour and adds 45 minutes to the total tour duration.

Cost per person 2022-2023

Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights

Mt Owen: Exit from the Mines of Moria

  • R44 Helicopter: Group of 1-3 people: NZ$1,575
  • Eurocopter: Group of 1-6 people: NZ$3,280

Mt Olympus: South of Rivendell

  • R44 Helicopter: Group of 1-3 people: NZ$1,875
  • Eurocopter: Group of 1-6 people: NZ$3,905

Mt Owen & Mt Olympus: Ultimate Lord of The Rings Experience

  • R44 Helicopter: Group of 1-3 people: NZ$2,475
  • Eurocopter: Group of 1-6 people: NZ$5,200

Salisbury Falls Add-on

  • Price on request

Lord of the Rings Scenic Flights, Nelson

Single Site Tour 1 - Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell

The rugged alpine terrain of Mount Olympus Ski Fields served as the perfect location for the "South of Rivendell." After the Fellowship of the Ring left the abode of the elves, they rested and cooked a meal on craggy outcrops which later shielded them from Saruman's marauding black crows.

It was our pilot Bill Reid who flew the film's location scouts to the eastern fringes of the Southern Alps where it gives way to the Canterbury Plains in south New Zealand, and secured the mountain's location in 'Middle Earth.'

There are no trails leading up to the craggy peaks of the 'playground of the gods' so a helicopter tour proves to be the most comfortable and enjoyable way to enjoy the scenery. On a clear day, take in the views of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, or look down into the Aorere Valley of Golden Bay. While in flight, take delight in eagle-eye views of South Island's three national parks – the second-largest Kahurangi, the glacial lakes of Nelson, and New Zealand's smallest national park of Abel Tasman.

Single Site Tour 2 - Mt Owen, Dimrill Dale

The fellowship, this time led by Aragorn, exits the mines of Moria without Gandalf, and it is on the rocky slopes of Mount Owen that they threw themselves to the ground in grief.

Located on the southern tip of Kahurangi National Park, Mount Owen is the highest peak in the range standing at 1,875 meters. It was carved by the scouring action of the glaciers and the erosive power of water which results to deep shafts and sinkholes that are sometimes covered by snow well into summer. There are several moderate to advanced trails leading up to the peak, and treacherous crevasses add to the challenge of trekking this mountain safely. Helicopter tours offer a far safer and more enjoyable excursion into the magnificent karst massif of ‘Dimrill Dale.’

A Combo Tour of ‘South of Rivendell’ and ‘Dimrill Dale’ for the Ultimate Lord of the Rings Experience

Mount Olympus and Mount Owen form a contiguous mountain range that joins with the Southern Alps farther south of New Zealand. A Combo Tour of the region affords you the once-in-a-lifetime chance to view one of the most pristine and least accessible alpine environments not just in the southern hemisphere but in the entire planet.

The flight will take you first on the slopes of Mount Olympus in the ‘South of Rivendell’ so you can have a good look around. Then we fly you north to the 'Exit from the Mines of Moria' in the karst terrain of Mount Owen. This route will take you around the most recent addition to New Zealand’s conservation areas, the Kahurangi National Park. The park is the second largest in New Zealand and forms the northerly range of Southern Alps, a dramatic geological aftermath of the collision of the Australasian and Pacific plates.

Optional Add On – Salisbury Falls

Please note: This option is not available on the Mt Owen Single Site Tour.
Salisbury Falls in the Aorere River of Golden Bay is at the very start of Kahurangi National Park’s Heaphy Track. This was the film site where Tauriel & Legolas met before heading into Lake-town, as seen in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Salisbury Falls can be added to our Mt Olympus Single Site Tour or Mt Owen/Mt Olympus Combo Tour and adds 45 minutes to the total tour duration.

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