Aviation Adventures offers a unique aviation experience! We are the only company in the South Island operating an open-cockpit biplane that can take two passengers in addition to the pilot! This means you can share the fun and adventure with a family member, friend or partner.


All Black Captain Richie McCaw and his father Don after a flight in the Ag-Cat. Both Richie and Don fly gliders and power aircraft.

  Our Ag-Cat biplane takes two passengers and allows you to sit side-by-side with stunning panoramic views. Share the fun!

On all our flights you get to wear a leather flying jacket, leather helmet and flying goggles! Headphones within each helmet allow you to hear a commentary from the pilot.

Leather jackets, flying helmets and goggles are supplied!

We can fly throughout New Zealand but our base is at Omarama in the spectacular Mackenzie Basin and at the head of the Waitaki Valley. This is just south of Mount Cook and east of the Southern Alps.

  The view looking forward from the passenger compartment


Flight Options

Option 1 - Clay Cliffs Circuit

The Clay Cliff Circuit allows to you fly over Omarama and then visit the Clay Cliffs, a rock formation that is spectacular from the air! Flight time is approximately ten minutes. Allow 30 minutes for the whole experience. Price per person is only $135.00.

Cruising past the Clay Cliffs

Option 2 - The Dambuster Special


Our classic flight! On this 45 minute experience (with a 25 minute flight) you get to go down the Waitaki Valley above the spectacular turquoise waters of Lake Benmore to fly over the Benmore Dam - the largest earth dam in New Zealand. The scenery is superb! We finish the flight with a circuit over the township of Omarama so you can wave to those below. Price per person is just NZ$295.00.


Shortly after leaving Omarama you will fly across the Ahuriri River - famous for its trout fishing.

Flying down the spectacular gorge that links the Mackenzie Basin to the Benmore Dam.

Over the Benmore Dam - the largest earth dam in New Zealand.

Option 3 - The Waitaki Valley Works

On this combination flight you get to see all of the highlights of the Dambuster Special flight (see above) PLUS you get to fly out to the spectacular Clay Cliffs (as in Option 1).  Flight time is approximately 35 minutes and the total experience takes around 55 minutes. Other options include deleting the Clay Cliffs sector and flying down to Lake Aviemore or up the North Arm of Lake Benmore to the Totara Peak campsites. Price per person is NZ$395.00.

Option 4 - Mt Cook spectacular

This is the ultimate New Zealand adventure! New Zealand is renowned as being the "land of adventure" but this flight is as good as it gets. Weather conditions permitting, we fly you to the top of Mount Cook - a height of over 12,000 feet! To do this, even in summer, we supply you with PLENTY of warm clothing. Flight time return is one hour twenty minutes. Price per person is NZ$990.00.


Summit ridge of Mt Cook with the Tasman Glacier at right. What a view!