Helicopter Tours in Queenstown: See New Zealand from Above
04 November 2025 
Queenstown is a place that takes your breath away, and seeing it from the air makes it even more unforgettable. Helicopter tours lift you over sparkling lakes, jagged mountains, and hidden valleys that most people never get to see. From the snow-capped peaks of The Remarkables to the turquoise waters of Lake Wakatipu, every moment offers a new view, a new surprise, and a sense of wonder that only comes from floating high above this incredible landscape.
This guide takes you through the scenic helicopter flights in Queenstown, showing you how to see New Zealand’s stunning landscapes from above.
Best Scenic Helicopter Flights to Experience
There's something magical about lifting off and watching Queenstown unfold beneath you. These helicopter tours take you beyond the usual viewpoints, soaring over rugged mountains and shimmering waters that define New Zealand's incredible landscape.
Queenstown Essential Helicopter Flight!
Queenstown Essential Helicopter Experience
Queenstown
Cecil Peak, Moonlight Creek, Shotover River, Skippers Canyon… we’re serving up all the crowd favourites with this spectacular round trip.
Take to the skies and discover why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. The Queenstown Essential Helicopter Flight is a 45-minute journey that captures the region’s most stunning scenery, complete with two alpine landings and panoramic aerial views you’ll never forget.
The experience begins with a flight over the Frankton Arm, where sparkling waters stretch toward Queenstown’s heart. Soon, the helicopter lands on Cecil Peak, a favourite spot for its sweeping views across Lake Wakatipu, the town below, and the mountain ranges that frame the horizon. It’s the perfect place to pause, take a breath, and soak in the beauty of the Southern Alps. From there, the flight continues past Ben Lomond and into the rugged landscapes of Moonlight Creek and Skippers Canyon. This area is rich in gold-mining history, and from above, you can still trace the old trails and riverbeds that once drew hopeful miners to the region.
The journey home follows the winding Shotover River canyon, a dramatic stretch of twisting cliffs and deep blue water. A final alpine landing offers another chance to step out and admire the vast mountain scenery before gliding past Coronet Peak and returning to base. The Queenstown Essential Flight combines everything that makes this region special: alpine peaks, glacial rivers, and unforgettable views, all in one incredible adventure.
If you’re after a shorter flight, take a look at the Remarkables Scenic Experience, or browse all our helicopter adventures to find your perfect Queenstown experience.
Milford, Lakes and Sutherland Falls
Pure Fiordland
Queenstown
Looking for a private, untouched wilderness adventure in Fiordland? Our Pure Fiordland Scenic Flight is the ultimate way to experience New Zealand’s most dramatic and unpopulated landscapes.
There’s nothing quite like seeing Fiordland from the air. As the helicopter lifts off, the landscape unfolds rapidly, with deep valleys, mirror-like lakes, and endless ridgelines stretching to the horizon. It feels wild and untouched, the way New Zealand once was.
We start by flying over Lake Erskine, a quiet alpine lake tucked high in the mountains. The water is so clear that you can see the rocks on the bottom as the light catches them. From there, the flight follows the Milford Track, winding towards Sutherland Falls, where the water drops straight from Lake Quill nearly six hundred metres down into the valley. The view over Milford Sound is unforgettable. Sheer cliffs rise from the water, mist curls around the peaks, and the rainforest clings to every surface. It’s raw and dramatic in a way that’s hard to describe until you see it for yourself.
You’ll land on a remote West Coast beach, the kind of place where there’s no one else for miles. The sea air is cool and clean, and for a few moments, it’s just you, the wind, and the sound of the waves. On the way back, the flight crosses over Mount Tutoko, Fiordland’s highest peak, before landing on the Humboldt Range. From up there, you can see across Glenorchy and the wide valleys beyond, the perfect final view before heading home.
This flight captures everything that makes Fiordland special: wild, remote, and unbelievably beautiful.
Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike
Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike
Queenstown
The Earnslaw Burn with its hanging glacier and cascading waterfalls really is New Zealand’s best-kept secret, and our guided heli hike is the best way to experience it.
The Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike takes you into one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking hidden valleys. Departing from Glenorchy, your flight soars over the Dart River and Mt Alfred before landing in the Mt Earnslaw basin, a landscape of glaciers, waterfalls, and wide alpine meadows.
Led by an experienced guide, you’ll follow a glacier-fed river through tussock and speargrass, crossing small streams and open terrain. Along the way, your guide shares stories about the area’s history and wildlife, with plenty of time for photos and quiet moments to take in the view.
As the track winds around a bend, the Earnslaw Burn comes into sight, a spectacular valley framed by cliffs and cascading waterfalls beneath the hanging Mt Earnslaw Glacier. The hike finishes here, where you can relax beside a tumbling waterfall, enjoy a picnic, and soak up the stillness of this incredible alpine setting.
After exploring, your helicopter returns for the flight back to Glenorchy, climbing past the glacier for one final, unforgettable view. This easy-to-moderate hike suits most fitness levels and includes about 20–25 minutes of flying and 1.5–2 hours of hiking, with time to enjoy a picnic in one of Fiordland’s most peaceful places.
Earnslaw Burn Express
Earnslaw Burn Express | Scenic Flight From Queenstown
Queenstown
Our most popular experience. The Earnslaw Burn boasts an incredible 'hanging' glacier and cascading waterfalls. It's our favourite spot and a favourite for our guests too.
The Earnslaw Burn Express showcases one of the South Island’s most spectacular alpine landscapes. Home to a dramatic hanging glacier and countless waterfalls, this remote valley feels like a world of its own and Heliworks, along with our sister company Heli Glenorchy, are the only operators permitted to land here.
Your journey begins with a scenic flight over rugged schist slopes and the historic gold-mining sites of Skippers Canyon before descending into the wide, glacial valley of the Earnslaw Burn. Surrounded by towering cliffs, you’ll step out beside the glacier, where in spring and summer, dozens of waterfalls tumble down the valley walls.
In the cooler months, the scene transforms. The waterfalls slow, the air sharpens, and the glacier takes on a deeper blue tone, glowing vividly against the snow-covered peaks. Whether visited in summer or winter, the Earnslaw Burn never fails to impress with its raw beauty and sense of isolation.
This short yet unforgettable experience offers a rare chance to stand beneath a living glacier and witness one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary natural settings, a hidden Fiordland gem few ever get to see up close.
West Coast Beaches and the Glaciers
Milford Alps to Ocean
Queenstown
Dreaming of a journey from soaring alpine peaks to the wild, untamed coast? The Milford Alps to Ocean Helicopter flight offers a front-row seat to Fiordland’s most dramatic landscapes.
From the moment the helicopter lifts off, the scenery is breathtaking. Mountains rise sharply on either side as you soar over rugged peaks and glacial valleys, the kind of views that make you want to grab your camera before even taking a breath.
The flight follows the full length of Milford Sound, winding past cliffs and waterfalls that tumble straight into the deep blue waters below, all the way to the Tasman Sea. When the helicopter touches down on a remote West Coast beach, the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the smell of fresh sea air make it clear why this place feels so wild and untouched.
On the way back, the landscape changes again. You fly over sparkling glaciers and snow-covered ridges, each angle revealing a new perspective of Fiordland’s rugged beauty. The helicopter finally descends toward Glenorchy, landing on snow with sweeping views of the Dart River and Lake Wakatipu, a perfect finale to an unforgettable flight.
Every moment of this journey is a mix of thrill, awe, and the kind of quiet wonder that only comes from seeing New Zealand’s mountains, glaciers, and coastline from the sky.
Milford Sound Flyover
Milford Panoramic
Queenstown
Experience the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' by air. Fly over the magnificent fiord, carved by ancient glaciers, famous for its cascading waterfalls, unique wildlife, and sheer cliffs. This World Heritage Area is just a s ...
Step into the sky and see Milford Sound like few ever do. This flight takes you over one of the world’s most spectacular fiords, carved by ancient glaciers and renowned for its towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and unique wildlife.
From Glenorchy, the helicopter climbs over the Southern Alps, revealing rugged peaks, hidden alpine lakes, and stretches of untouched beech forest. The views shift constantly, glaciers glitter in the sun, valleys d-r-o-p sharply below, and each turn brings a new perspective of this dramatic landscape.
As you approach Milford Sound, Mitre Peak rises sharply from the water, flanked by waterfalls that tumble from dizzying heights into the deep blue fiord. From above, the scale and raw beauty of this World Heritage Area are unforgettable.
On the way home, the helicopter touches down on snow in the Upper Humboldt Mountain Range, offering panoramic views across Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountains, a perfect vantage point to take in the grandeur of Fiordland before descending back to the airfield.
This flight is a mix of awe-inspiring scenery and a true sense of adventure, giving you a bird’s-eye view of one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes.
Pilot's Choice Queenstown Flight
Pilot's Choice Queenstown Flight
Queenstown
Fly above Queenstown over the Whakatipu Basin and capture the stunning panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu, and Glenorchy. Experience a serene and remote alpine landing with views of mountaintops, the glacially ...
On the Pilot’s Choice Queenstown Flight, the adventure is in the hands of your experienced pilot, who selects the most spectacular route based on weather and conditions. Each flight offers unique views, so no two experiences are ever the same.
Lift off and soar above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, with sweeping vistas of rugged mountains, alpine ridges, and shimmering waters. In winter months, there’s even the chance to step out onto snow during an alpine landing, giving you a true sense of the Southern Alps up close.
The flight lasts around 20 minutes, including the landing, and comes with informative commentary from your pilot. You’ll learn about the landscapes, history, and geology of the region as you take in the panoramic views perfect for photography and simply soaking in the scenery.
Flights depart from central locations with hotel pickup and drop-off included, and the route, landing, and timing may vary depending on weather conditions. All flights include landing and concession fees for conservation areas and special locations. For safety, drones, iPads, and selfie sticks are not permitted onboard.
This flight is ideal for anyone who wants a short, flexible, and unforgettable aerial experience of Queenstown, letting the pilot guide you to the best views at the time.
Alpine Snow Landing
Snow Landing
Queenstown
Discover some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery by air before touching down for a snow landing on the Humboldt Mountains, with panoramic views across Glenorchy and beyond.
Take to the skies and experience some of New Zealand’s most stunning alpine scenery. Your helicopter flight brings you over rugged peaks, glaciers, and sweeping valleys before landing on snow in the Humboldt Mountains. From this high vantage point, enjoy panoramic views across Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding Southern Alps, a rare perspective that captures the wild beauty of the region in one unforgettable moment.
Remarkables Scenic
Remarkables Scenic | 20 minute scenic flight from Queenstown
Queenstown
Queenstown looks much different from up here. Enjoy the drama of Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding mountains from a landing point on top of The Remarkables.
Queenstown looks completely different from the air. The Shotover and Kawarau Rivers twist through valleys below as the helicopter climbs toward The Remarkables, a striking mountain range that runs north to south, one of only two like it in the world.
When the helicopter lands on the ridge, the view opens up in every direction. Lake Wakatipu glimmers far below, snow-capped peaks stretch across the horizon, and the town of Queenstown sits nestled between the mountains. In winter, the snow blankets the peaks, turning the range into a quiet, sparkling wonderland. It’s a moment that makes you stop, breathe, and just take it all in.
This flight isn’t just about the scenery. It’s about being somewhere few people ever get to see, feeling the wind off the mountains, hearing the silence of the high alpine, and knowing this view is yours for the moment. Whether you’re visiting for a wedding proposal, a special occasion, or just for the sheer thrill, the Remarkables Scenic Flight is a short but unforgettable taste of the Southern Alps.
Moments You’ll Never Forget
Each flight is an adventure in itself. Feeling the helicopter rise, landing in remote spots, and taking in sights that are impossible to reach on foot make every moment special. Glaciers, waterfalls, alpine ridges, and secluded beaches all come together to create unforgettable memories that stay long after you return to the ground. Whether it’s your first helicopter flight or a repeat adventure, seeing Queenstown from above gives you a perspective that stays with you forever. Plan your trip with See and Do NZ today!