New Zealand · SCENIC FLIGHTS
Fixed-wing costs less than a helicopter and covers far more ground. The 15 below cover the Milford fly-cruise-fly days, the Aoraki circuits and the Kaikoura whale flights, with prices, air time and cancellation terms.
Fly from Mount Cook Aerodrome over the Tasman Valley and a blue glacier lake, then land among the Southern Alps with pilot commentary. The small group holds up to six people. Snow landings happen about 95% of the year, but summer conditions can change that.
“Helicopter and Mark were amazing. Mark was very informative and the alpine landing was awesome. We loved every minute of it.”
Spend about 10 hours touring Milford Sound with a local guide in a 16-seat Mercedes van. Stop at Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, and Homer Tunnel, cruise for two hours, then fly back to Queenstown for a grand view of Fiordland.
“Amazing experience… going by road stopping in the most incredible places , tour by a boat in the fiord and the flight back was one of the must amazing experiences in my life. Tour guides were incredible friendly and helpful”
Fly from Kaikōura Airport over the Hikurangi Marine Reserve with a maximum of seven people. Every passenger gets a window seat and a headset for live pilot commentary. Pilots such as Ben and Alex work with whale-watch boats to find sperm whales, dolphins, orcas, and other marine life.
“Captain Ben flew us over Hikurangi Marine Reserve, searching for whales and finding many while providing fantastic information about the locale and the marine life. He professionally and effortlessly delivered a five star memorable experience. Highly recommended.”
Fly from Paihia over Ninety Mile Beach and remote Northland harbours, then land near Cape Reinga for a guided minibus tour. Walk to the lighthouse, pause at Tapotupotu Bay, and see Te Paki’s giant dunes before flying back. Small groups, tea and coffee, and selected Paihia hotel transfers are included.
“Best way to get to Cape Reinga and all in half a day. The flight is an experience with fabulous views on both east and west coasts.”
Ride the Milford Road with Southern Discoveries, stopping at Mirror Lakes, the Homer Tunnel, and The Chasm. Cruise Milford Sound with lunch, then fly back to Queenstown with Glenorchy Air. Guides such as Greg, Stan, and Craig are known for lively commentary, but the return flight depends on weather.
“The coach had a mechanical issues on our way out but our driver, Keith handled it extremely well. We got on another bus for a while , then he caught up with us on a new bus. Great cooperation among the bus companies and we were able to get on a boat just 15 min later. Only comment would be perhaps about bus maintenance”
Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Fox Glacier Township over ice falls, crevasses, and the Southern Alps, then land on the snow for photos and alpine air. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, with flights limited to six people. Weather decides the exact time and landing.
“Most incredible and awesome flight mode and the most stunning scenery Top notch”
From Lake Tekapo Aerodrome, you’ll fly across turquoise lakes, Aoraki Mount Cook, Tasman Glacier, and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Your pilot, such as Justin, Ahmed, or Matthew, provides live commentary, with window seating for clear views.
“Very friendly and professional staff. Communications were excellent and they very helpfully arranged a transfer from the centre of town to the airfield. Matthew the pilot gave a great commentary as we flew over the glaciers and mountains. the flight was smooth and we felt very safe! Would highly recommend as a brilliant way to see the area from a different perspective.”
Fly from Queenstown over the Wakatipu Basin and Skippers Canyon with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters. Your pilot provides commentary through a headset, and you may land in the alpine country for photos if weather allows. The flight lasts about 20 minutes within a 30-minute experience.
“It was an amazing experience-Will was our pilot and was awesome showing us the sights. We had time on the mountain to get some great photos!”
Trade the long road for a 35-minute Air Milford flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. Your pilot points out Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Sutherland Falls, alpine lakes, and Lake Wakatipu, then a driver takes you to a centrally located Queenstown hotel.
“We had booked an excellent drive to and fly back tour to/from Milford Sound through Wild Kiwi tours & Altitude tours. Our guide/driver Gina kept in touch with our flight company and once the cruise was completed, she introduced us to ARead more”
From Queenstown, Air Milford takes you over Coronet Peak, Shotover Canyon, Mt Aspiring, glacier country, Milford Sound, Sutherland Falls, Lake Te Anau, and the Remarkables. Expect a one-hour flight, live pilot commentary, central hotel pickup, and no landing or cruise at Milford Sound.
“It’s a good journey. The pilots are very friendly and professional and they are pretty knowledgeable about the geography and geology along the flight routes. The service staff are very communicative.”
You’ll fly from Queenstown with Air Milford in a modern 12-seat Cessna, crossing the Southern Alps to view Milford Sound and glaciers including Rob Roy, Bonar, Dart, Volta, Olivine, and Donne. Expect about one hour in the air, pilot commentary, central hotel pickup, and weather-based route changes.
“Sehr flexibel, möchten bestes Erlebnis bieten. Super Rundflug!”
Join Southern Lakes Helicopters for a 30-minute flight over Te Anau, the Kepler Track, alpine lakes, and mountain tarns. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, then lands beside a tarn with views toward the Main Divide. Flights carry up to six people and depend on weather.
Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound and back in about 80 minutes, with a pilot pointing out Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Glenorchy, Sutherland Falls, and Fiordland’s highest peaks. Pickup is offered from set locations, and the flight carries no more than 12 people.
“Crazy moment! Weather conditions excellent, guide information's great! One of the most beautiful scene I ever seen!”
Fly from Queenstown Airport over the Remarkables, Arrowtown, Coronet Peak, the Shotover River, Moke Lake, Lake Wakatipu, and the gondola. Your pilot provides live commentary, with a maximum of 12 people aboard. Pickup is offered, and the flight returns to the airport.
“Excellent way to sightsee within a short timeframe! Breathtaking views and felt that we almost touched the mountains. Tom, our pilot, was professional throughout even though some turbulence. This is a weather dependent activity and no promises that it'll happen so do call 10min before the activity to double confirm that it's flyable weather condition.”
Take a six-passenger helicopter over the Wakatipu Basin, Shotover River, Skippers Canyon and Coronet Peak, then land in the Remarkables at 5,045 feet. Your pilot provides commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
“We did this tour with our friends as they had never been in a helicopter before. Definitely a must to see Queenstown from the air. The commentary by the pilot was informative and he sat the helicopter down on one of the mountains which really made you feel like you were on top of the world. A very special memory has been created for us.”
Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.
