Helicopter Tours in Queenstown

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Helicopter flights are one of the best ways to discover Queenstown's dramatic landscapes, so take to the skies for memorable impressions of this beautiful region. On these scenic helicopter trips from Queenstown, you can explore the Southern Alps from the skies and soar over winding rivers and majestic mountains. Or experience a glacier landing, have a mountain peak champagne picnic or marvel at “Lord of the Rings” movie sites.

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Authors

Christian Schoeman

Derika Neira

Helicopter flights are one of the best ways to discover Queenstown's dramatic landscapes, so take to the skies for memorable impressions of this beautiful region.

On these scenic helicopter trips from Queenstown, you can explore the Southern Alps from the skies and soar over winding rivers and majestic mountains. Or experience a glacier landing, have a mountain peak champagne picnic or marvel at “Lord of the Rings” movie sites.

Here's all you need to know about helicopter tours, one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Queenstown.

What are the best helicopter tours in Queenstown?

Glacier explorer helicopter flight from Queenstown

On this exciting helicopter flight from Queenstown you can explore the glaciers of Mount Aspiring National Park and take in its magnificent scenery.

Experience the exhilarating sensation of landing on a glacier and see how glaciers created the region's special landscape.

Your flight will take you over the Queenstown Basin and Paradise Valley and, to the Mount Aspiring National Park, past majestic mountains and turquoise icefalls.

You will experience a very unique moment when your pilot lands on one of the numerous glaciers in the Forbes Mountains.

You can then spend time taking photographs before flying back toward Queenstown, passing over alpine lakes and Skippers Canyon with its rich gold mining heritage.

These landscapes contain many tales of the environmental and human history of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes.

You will learn from your experienced pilots as they share their wide knowledge of the Queenstown region while showing you its breathtaking scenery.

Private champagne picnic with helicopter ride

A helicopter flight from Queenstown and champagne picnic on a Southern Alps peak is the perfect way to enjoy views of the mountains and beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

The picnic option on popular Cecil Peak amidst the tranquility of these magic surroundings is perfect for your personal romantic moments or family celebration.

Fly to a secluded mountain plateau known as “The Ledge” and be treated to exquisite panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu while enjoying delicious gourmet food.

Absorb the tranquil environment and toast someone special in your life in absolute mountain privacy.

Your tour starts with the flight from the helicopter base to a mountain site overlooking Queenstown, from where you will enjoy all round views of the Wakatipu Basin.

You will be left here to savor your picnic of meats, cheeses, fruit, champagne and other beverages. You can stay for as long as you wish and enjoy your moments and wonderful surroundings to the fullest.

When you’re ready, the helicopter will pick you up again and give you a bird's-eye perspective of Queenstown, before returning to the helicopter base. During the exhilarating flight, you can listen to your pilot’s narration on the headsets.

Lord of the Rings and glacier helicopter tour

Who better to lead this helicopter tour from Queenstown than the aerial film pilot for JRR Tolkien’s movie series “Lord of the Rings”?!

You will fly above lovely Queenstown and marvel at the locations filmed for the fictional places such as Isengard, the Misty Mountains, Lothlorien and Redhorn Pass.

During this 70-minutes flight you will also see the mountain range from the “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” opening scene.

You will get picked up from your hotel in Queenstown and transported to the helicopter base on Lucas Place by shuttle. At the airport, listen to the safety briefing before meeting your celebrated “Lord of the Rings” movie pilot.

Along the flight route, he will entertain you with fascinating stories about the filming locations and the filming itself.

The helicopter flight will undertake a landing on Clarke Glacier in beautiful Mount Aspiring National Park and another in the historic Skippers Canyon. Your tour ends back at the helicopter base from where the return shuttle will take you to your hotel.

Souvenir photos of your memorable “Lord of the Rings” helicopter excursion will be available to buy.

How much do helicopter tours in Queenstown cost?

The Queenstown glacier explorer helicopter flight costs about US$400 per person and the private champagne picnic excursion US$800 per person.

The Lord of the Rings and glacier tour costs about US$580 and the Queenstown helicopter and private wine combo tour about US$600 per person.

The heli-snowmobile combo tour costs about US$780 per person.

What is included?

The Queenstown glacier explorer tour includes bus transfers from selected pickup locations and in-flight commentary on points of interest.

The Southern Alps flight with picnic includes a gourmet picnic hamper with cheese, meats and fruit and a beverage hamper including champagne and beer.

It also includes a picnic rug and chairs, landing and facility fees and complimentary car parking.

The Lord of the Rings and glacier tour includes landing and facility fees and hotel pickup and drop-off, GST (Goods and Services Tax) and return shuttle back to your hotel. Infant seats are available for this tour.

Where does it start?

There are various pickup points in Queenstown for the helicopter tours. The glacier explorer tour from Queenstown offers pickup from your hotel in Queenstown.

For the Lord of the Rings tour the meeting place is Lucas Place, Frankton, or you can request pickup at various locations. The meeting point for the private Cecil Peak picnic flight is in Tex Smith Lane, Frankton.

How long does it last?

The duration of the helicopter tours in Queenstown vary from tour to tour depending on its nature. The glacier explorer helicopter flight lasts for 50 minutes and the private champagne picnic from 1 to 3.5 hours.

The Lord of the Rings and glacier tour lasts for about 1.25 hours and the Queenstown helicopter and private wine combo tour for 5 hours. The duration of the combined helicopter-snowmobile tour is 2.5 hours.

When is the best time for a helicopter tour in Queenstown?

The best time for helicopter tours in Queenstown is in January for both morning and afternoon flights. The hours from 1 to 3 PM is ideal for better aerial shots as the sun is directly above.

Are there any combos available with helicopter tours in Queenstown?

Queenstown helicopter and wine tour

This special combo tour in Queenstown offers you a spectacular 30-minute flight over the Southern Alps and wine tastings at three of Central Otago’s wineries.

You will leave Queenstown for the Gibbston Valley wine region and enjoy wine tastings at three wineries in Central Otago. The trip also includes a delicious lunch at a winery.

You will then be taken on a luxury Airbus H120 helicopter for a grand flight over Central Otago’s winelands and the Remarkables mountain range.

After your landing amidst dramatic mountain scenery, you'll be met by your experienced wine guide who will chauffeur you to various wineries. Along the way, he will share his extensive knowledge of the wine region with you.

Queenstown heli-snowmobiling tour

On this combined helicopter tour from Queenstown you will experience the excitement of both a helicopter flight and snowmobile ride.

You will be part of the only snowmobile wilderness tour that is available in New Zealand, with access to backcountry trails only accessible by helicopter.

You can go directly to the meeting point at Lucas Place, Frankton, or request pickup. You will be flown from the helicopter base to the remote snowmobile location.

As part of a small group with a professional guide, you will have use of your own snowmobile and safety equipment.

You will traverse the rolling Garvie Plateau and enjoy amazing views of the Southern Alps, Mount Cook, and more of nature’s wonders.

Is it safe?

According to a TPG (The Points Guy) analysis of 10 years of safety data, helicopter flying is more risky than airplane travel, yet far safer than traveling by car.

Helicopter flights in Queenstown are undertaken by very experienced pilots who under no circumstances will compromise passenger safety.

Are children allowed?

With a few exceptions, children of all ages are allowed on these helicopter tours from Queenstown. There are no restrictions with regard to the tours described above.

Do I need a driving license?

You will need to present your driver's license from your home country to drive a snowmobile on the helicopter-snowmobile combo tour.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Helicopter tours in Queenstown are dependent on good weather. If your tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or request a refund.