Celebrate your special occasion in luxurious style
Let us create the ultimate helicopter experience so you can celebrate your special occasion in luxurious style. Perfect for proposals, engagement celebrations, elopements, anniversaries or a lover’s lunch date.
Beginning with a personal planning consultation, every package is designed to suit your unique requirements with luxury and romance at the centre of every bespoke detail.
Take off with Garden City Helicopters (from the GCH Aviation base in Christchurch) on an exclusive scenic flight over the diverse Canterbury landscape before landing in the intimate location of your choosing, to a beautifully styled and gourmet picnic.
Our heli experience landing locations, in Canterbury, have been chosen for their unique scenery, stunning picnic and elopement spots and their proximity to boutique accommodation should you wish to make a night of it.
Locations for overnight experiences currently include Waipuna Estate in Tai Tapu (approximate flight time: 12 min) and Tipapa Estate in Greta Valley (approximate flight time: 30 min) with more exclusive locations being added in spring 2023. If you already have a location in mind, we can customise a heli experience to your special place too.
Love is a journey and your next unforgettable adventure starts here!
Banks Peninsular Helicopter Picnic Experience – Mt Herbert
From $2995
After an unforgettable way to propose? Celebrating something very special with your other half? Or planning a luxury lunch date? Take in the breath-taking scenery of Christchurch and beyond from the comfort of your exclusive helicopter flight before landing to explore your surrounds further while a romantic picnic is created ready for you to relax and enjoy.
Our package includes:
- An exclusive return EC130 helicopter flight from the GCH Aviation base to your intimate picnic location with Garden City Helicopters
- Gourmet antipasto platter box picnic created by Verve Real Food Catering
- Picnic rugs, cushions, throws, florals and fabrics, low table/riser, glassware, crockery, cutlery and linen
- Personal consultation, planning and coordination from Collective Concepts
- A complimentary bottle of champagne and non-alcoholic beverages
Allow 3 hours in total for this experience including a minimum of two hours helicopter shut down to enjoy each other’s company and your picnic.
What to bring
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat (in summer)
- Season appropriate clothing and something warm (jacket or jumper)
- Sturdy footwear (i.e. stilettos and location helicopter landings don’t work well!)
- Your camera and a smile!
Antipasto platter box
All personal tastes and dietary requirements can be catered for. Please discuss these at your planning consultation.
Available additions:
Do you need a little more than what’s included in the Heli Picnic Experience? We work with some of the most experienced suppliers in Christchurch and can help you source all the additions you require:
- Bring your friends and make it a double or triple date! Additional guests from $199 per person, maximum of 6 people total
- Charter an additional helicopter to accommodate further guests
- Additional helicopter landing to a second location
- Photography package including access to your personal online gallery
- Videography
- Celebration cake
or buy a voucher for an unforgettable experience
Luxury Helicopter Elopement or Micro Wedding Experience – Christchurch & Canterbury
From $5495
A wedding you won’t forget with just the two of you! After a scenic helicopter flight, meet your celebrant and your photographer to get married in the most beautiful and intimate setting.
Our package includes:
- An exclusive return EC130 helicopter flight from the GCH Aviation base to your intimate elopement location with Garden City Helicopters
- Celebrant and personalised wedding ceremony by Kineta Booker
- Two hour photography package including access to your personal online gallery by Krystle Photography
- Two witnesses – pilot and photographer
- Bouquet and buttonhole designed to embrace your personal style by Kim Chan Events
- Gourmet picnic created by Verve Real Food Catering
- Picnic rugs, cushions, throws, florals and fabrics, low table/riser, glassware, crockery, cutlery and linen
- Personal consultation, elopement planning and coordination from Collective Concepts
- A complimentary bottle of champagne and non-alcoholic beverages
Allow 3.5 hours in total for this experience including a minimum of 2.5 hours on the ground for your ceremony, location photo shoot and to enjoy your picnic while taking in the moment.
What to bring
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Your wedding attire and rings
- Sunhat (in summer)
- Season appropriate clothing and something warm (jacket, jumper, coat, shawl)
- Sturdy footwear (i.e. stilettos and location helicopter landings don’t work well….but bring them for the photos!)
- Your camera and a smile!
Sample gourmet picnic menu*
- Whitestone brie, crackers and fruit paste, dried fruit & nuts
- House made pastry tarts with caramelised onions, feta and fresh thyme
- Marinated and seared beef, with capsicum, red onions, cucumber and greens with a spicy Asian dressing
- Fruit skewers
- Chocolate dipped strawberries
*All personal tastes and dietary requirements can be catered for. Please discuss these at your planning consultation.
Available additions
Do you need a little more than what’s included in the Heli Elopement Experience? We work with some of the most respected vendors in Christchurch and can help you source all the additions you require:
- Make it a micro wedding and bring along up to four of your favourite people to celebrate your day with you. Additional guests from $199 per person.
- Charter an additional helicopter to accommodate further guests
- Additional helicopter landing at a second location
- Hair and make up
- Ceremony decor
- Celebration cake
- Videography
Make a night of it
Sometimes a few hours together is just not enough so make a night of it and take in each other’s company for a while longer before you head back to reality. The choice is yours: arrive a little later to your custom designed sunset picnic or end your afternoon heli experience with a 5-course degustation dinner at your boutique accommodation before settling in for a luxurious night’s sleep; followed by breakfast prepared by your hosts the next morning.
Let us in on the occasion and we will work with you to create the perfect celebration.
Boutique accommodation and breakfast including land transfer back to GCH Aviation base
From $550 for two
Add on a private dining experience with a 5-course degustation menu prepared by your own personal chef
From $450 for two*
*Beverages and/or wine pairing additional
Please read our Heli Experience Terms and Conditions 2023 before confirming your booking.
Luxury Heli Experience Partners:
Heli Experiences Photoshoot contributing partners:
Talent: Laura, Jared, Sam, Joy, Anton and Consuello
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