THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Take to the skies above Aoraki Mount Cook with Southern Lakes Helicopters’ signature 50-minute scenic flight. Witness towering peaks, massive glaciers, and rugged coastlines from a unique aerial vantage point.
Take to the skies above Aoraki Mount Cook with Southern Lakes Helicopters’ signature 50-minute scenic flight. Witness towering peaks, massive glaciers, and rugged coastlines from a unique aerial vantage point.
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
Southern Lakes Helicopters delivers an unparalleled aerial adventure in New Zealand’s South Island with their A20 Transfer + 50 minute Scenic Flight, based out of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. This experience takes off from the Mount Cook Airport and sweeps you into the heart of some of the most dramatic alpine terrain in the Southern Hemisphere. The flight offers a close-up view of Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak, where jagged rock faces and glacial ice create a stark, dynamic landscape shaped over millennia.
This signature heli flight circles around the soaring summit of Aoraki, providing ample photo moments of its snow-capped ridges before heading towards the renowned Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. These massive rivers of ice offer a striking contrast against the surrounding temperate rainforest and rugged coastline, showcasing the diversity of New Zealand’s natural beauty in a single ride. The journey continues to the west coast’s wild shorelines, where crashing surf meets dense native bush.
One of the highlights is a landing on the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier by volume. This brief stop allows adventurers to step onto the ancient ice, taking in the scale and texture of a landscape that’s both fragile and formidable. After touching down, the helicopter transfers guests and their bikes across the Tasman River to Black Point, setting the stage for an unforgettable cycling journey.
Based in Te Anau and operating in the gateway region to Fiordland and Mount Cook National Park, Southern Lakes Helicopters connects travelers directly to New Zealand’s remote wild spaces with safety, expert pilots, and intimate local knowledge. The company’s commitment to immersing visitors in distinctive alpine and coastal vistas makes it a standout provider for aerial tours and specialized transfers across this breathtaking region.
easy.
65 minutes.
No special fitness required; suitable for most travelers.
The flight lasts approximately 50 minutes, with a total experience time of around 65 minutes including landing and transfer.
Yes, children are welcome, though all passengers must meet safety requirements and be accompanied by an adult.
Yes, this experience includes a helicopter transfer with your bike across the Tasman River to Black Point for a cycling adventure.
Wear comfortable layered clothing and sturdy shoes, as temperatures can be chilly and the glacier landing demands secure footing.
The flight involves altitude changes and some maneuvering; those prone to motion sickness should consider remedies before flying.
Yes, flights operate in all seasons but weather conditions may affect scheduling and availability.
Aoraki / Mount Cook holds significant cultural importance for the local Māori, symbolizing ancestral connections to the landscape.
Southern Lakes Helicopters adheres to strict environmental protocols to minimize impact on fragile alpine ecosystems during flights and landings.
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