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Take flight over New Zealand’s Tasman Glacier with Southern Lakes Helicopters’ 40-minute scenic tour, followed by a transfer to Black Point—where your biking adventure begins. Discover a unique blend of aerial and ground exploration in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Take flight over New Zealand’s Tasman Glacier with Southern Lakes Helicopters’ 40-minute scenic tour, followed by a transfer to Black Point—where your biking adventure begins. Discover a unique blend of aerial and ground exploration in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Book with Southern Lakes Helicopters
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Southern Lakes Helicopters · Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury
Located in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, the A20 Transfer + 40 minute Scenic Flight offered by Southern Lakes Helicopters delivers an unmatched gateway to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park’s dramatic landscapes. This region commands attention with towering peaks, rugged glaciers, and vast alpine environments shaped over millennia. It is home to the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier—the longest glacier in New Zealand—stretching 27 kilometers through the Southern Alps, carving a raw, icy corridor that few experience from the air.
Southern Lakes Helicopters, based in Te Anau and operating out of Mount Cook Airport, specializes in intimate, expert-guided flights that reveal this harsh yet beautiful terrain. Their 40-minute scenic tour flies the entire length of the Tasman Glacier, skimming above icefalls, crevasse fields, and the striking blue meltwater lakes that pepper the glacier’s terminus. What sets this trip apart is the touchdown on the glacier itself—a rare chance to physically stand on the icy expanse and grasp the vast scale of this alpine giant.
The flight includes pilot commentary rich in local knowledge, illuminating the natural history and geological forces behind the landscape. After the aerial journey, riders are transferred across the Tasman River to Black Point, the launching spot for an unforgettable bike route that winds through unique high-country terrain.
This experience stands out not just for the breathtaking views but for its seamless combination of air and land adventure, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking immersive yet accessible encounters in New Zealand’s alpine wilderness. Southern Lakes Helicopters enhances the connection between adventurers and the Southern Alps, helping visitors appreciate both the region’s grandeur and its fragile environment in an unforgettable way.
easy.
40 minutes flight + transfer time.
Minimal physical exertion required for the flight portion; moderate fitness recommended for the connecting bike transfer.
The helicopter tour lasts approximately 40 minutes, covering the full length of Tasman Glacier.
Yes, the flight is suitable for most ages, but anyone with health concerns should consult with the operator.
Wear warm layers, sturdy footwear, and bring sunglasses to protect from glare on the ice.
Yes, pilots provide insightful commentary highlighting key geological and natural features along the route.
The bike transfer begins at Black Point and varies in difficulty; riders should be comfortable on moderate terrain.
Flights may be rescheduled for safety reasons; Southern Lakes Helicopters will communicate any changes promptly.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park was established in 1953, protecting vital alpine ecosystems and New Zealand’s highest peak.
Southern Lakes Helicopters follows strict environmental guidelines to minimize disturbance to the fragile glacial and alpine habitats.
Southern Lakes Helicopters operates from Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury, New Zealand. The company offers a range of helicopter experiences that include scenic flights, transfers, heli-hikes and alpine landings. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Southern Lakes Helicopters lists multiple trips such as Scenic Te Anau, Mountain Magic, Fiordland Heli-Hike, Twin Lakes Heli Jet, The Works, Tasman Glacier Explorer, Aoraki Panorama, Aoraki/Mt Cook Ultimate and Southern Lakes Explorer. Service options also include transfer and combined packages named in the trip list, for example A20 Transfer + 50 minute Scenic Flight, A20 Transfer + 40 minute Scenic Flight, A2O Transfer + 30 minute Scenic Flight and A20 Transfer + 50 minute Scenic Flight. The Alps To Ocean Bike Transfers and A2O Transfer + 30 minute Scenic Flight connect mountain flights with cycling starts along the Alps to Ocean route. Fiordland-focused experiences in the offering include Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Doubtful Sound, Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound and History Of Fiordland. Trip design ranges from short scenic circuits to longer explorer routes such as Tasman Glacier Explorer and Fiordland Heli-Hike. Several listed trips reference alpine landings and high country access. Travelers can review the specific itineraries and availability on The Adventure Collective listing. Southern Lakes Helicopters' published trip names and locations make it straightforward for visitors planning flights around Aoraki/Mt Cook and the wider Fiordland and Southern Lakes regions. Detailed booking information, schedules and seasonal availability appear alongside each trip listing on the feature page for prospective visitors worldwide.
Book with Southern Lakes Helicopters