Take flight and experience the taste and tales of the Akaroa harbour, told in gin.

If you cannot see the departure time you would prefer, please email reception@gchaviation.com or call us on +64 3 3584360 for more availability.

Experience unique views of Canterbury from the air, including extinct volcanoes that make up Banks Peninsula. The landscape setting the scene for your Heli Gin experience in Akaroa. The history of the Peninsular in tales told in gin.

Lush forests and grassland run down the hillsides to the azure water of
the endless bays. The spectacular rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean
flows inland to Akaroa harbour.

This is the home of the Akaroa Craft Distillery, prepare for a journey
to taste Akaroa through gin.

Land on the hill above Akaroa at our helipad, enjoy an amazing view of
the harbour before a short drive down into Akaroa village and the Akaroa Craft
Distillery Tasting House at 45 Rue Lavaud.

The Tasting House has been lovingly restored to become somewhere
relaxing and memorable for guests to sample a range of gins and learn more
about the story and vision of the Akaroa Craft Distillery. 

Every bottle sampled is a taste of Akaroa and surrounds. Kelp gathered
in Wainui, Pinot Noir from French Peak Vineyard, Lemon Verbena from Little
River. Locally grown grapes, lemons, and honey for gins that are true evocation
of this beautiful place.

Your tasting experience is followed by a food platter for two people
whilst enjoying a G&T each.

A complementary bottle per couple of Hector's Gin.

Named after the Hector's dolphins that swim off Akaroa. Hectors Gin and
the Akaroa Craft Distillery proudly partner with the New Zealand Whale and
Dolphin Trust to aid their continuing good work with the preservation and
conservation of marine life in New Zealand. 

For every bottle of Hector's Gin sold at the tasting house, a portion of
the proceeds are donated to the trust.

If time allows, a short walk of the surrounding township may be
possible. 

A relaxing flight back to Christchurch flying over the gathering areas
that make up the gin flavours of the Akaroa Craft Distilleries Gins.

Bring your credit card to make further purchases.

Please note:

Minimum number of 4 per person fares required for flights to depart or book the private charter option to be guaranteed to fly.

Helicopter used is at the discretion of GCH Aviation

No child prices apply.

Infants 0 to 2 years old are free of charge and must be secured on
the lap of a fare paying passenger. 

Per person price is for those aged from 3 years old + 

Legal age to consume or buy alcohol in New Zealand is 18 years old.
Identification such as Drivers Licence or Passport must be carried and produced
if requested.

Please advise on booking any dietary requirements.

Flight is subject to weather.

No refunds for bookings cancelled by passenger within 24 hours of
departure.

Gift Vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Prices increase yearly on the 1st of September until the 31st of August.

Akaroa Craft Distillery is legally authorised to promote, sell and deliver alcohol, as defined in the New Zealand Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Their licence can be viewed on their website https://www.akaroacraftdistillery.com/

The story of a place. Whangaroa Hakaroa. Akaroa. 

https://www.akaroacraftdistillery.com/story

But my tale begins millions of years before names, when two mighty
volcanoes rose from the sea. Flows of lava spilled down their flanks, forming
land.

Over time my fire ceased. Wind and water ground down my vast
volcanoes. The rising ocean flooded my extinct calderas, forming the harbours
of Akaroa and Lyttelton. My island

became a peninsula, connected to Te Wai Pounamu by rocks and sands washed down
from the Southern Alps.

The land and the sea

My slopes became green and thickly forested. My hills rang with the
songs of kiwi, kākāpō, parakeets and tūī. Moa roamed. My oceans thronged with
dolphins, whales, penguins, and kai moana in abundance.

Gods & people

I sat with Maui as he fished up Te Ika a Maui. He buried a troublesome
giant under my mountains. I feel him stir from time to time.

I was here when the first humans came. The Waitaha paddling their waka
from Polynesia. Ngāti Māmoe and Ngāi Tahu built their pā and planted their
gardens. I was here when Te Rauparaha bought

fire and blood to the harbour. I watched the Ngāi Tahu chiefs Iwikau and Tikao
sign Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Ōnuku Marae. I saw the British plant their flags
and the disappointment on Capitaine Langlois’s face as he returned too late to
claim me for the French crown.

The essence of Akaroa

Many have told my story. But only one has distilled the essence of this
place to make poems that run over your tongue. Songs that sing in your mouth.

Akaroa Craft Distillery - Tales of the harbour told in gin.

#gchaviation