THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Launch your Alps to Ocean cycle adventure with Southern Lakes Helicopters’ unique heli bike transfers. Skip the long ride-in and soar above the Southern Alps directly to the trail’s edge.
Launch your Alps to Ocean cycle adventure with Southern Lakes Helicopters’ unique heli bike transfers. Skip the long ride-in and soar above the Southern Alps directly to the trail’s edge.
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 offers an unparalleled way to kickstart your adventure on New Zealand’s renowned Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. Operating out of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, this heli bike transfer service lifts you and your gear high above the rugged Southern Alps and braids of the mighty Tasman River. The transfer delivers riders from Mount Cook Airport directly to Black Point "Rotten Tommy," the trail’s eastern gateway, setting the stage for an unforgettable, scenic cycling journey.
The Southern Alps dominate the landscape here, their towering peaks carved from ancient rock and crowned by persistent glaciers. This helicopter transfer provides a rare perspective of this dramatic terrain: turquoise river channels weaving through wide sandy banks, alpine ridges dusted with snow even in summer, and the vastness of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park stretching beyond the horizon. Black Point marks the threshold to one of New Zealand’s most striking long-distance bike routes, where rugged mountain landscapes transition into pastoral lowlands.
Southern Lakes Helicopters specializes in safely transporting bikes of all types, including heavy e-bikes, using a custom-designed crate system to secure your gear during flight. Group capacity tops out at six riders, making it perfect for small groups eager to launch their ride without the grind of a long approach stage. Solo travelers aren’t left out either—the company works to pair you with others to share flights whenever possible.
What sets this service apart is its ability to blend high-adrenaline aviation with the accessibility of backcountry cycling, transforming logistics into an experience itself. By removing the initial long-distance pedaling, it lets riders conserve energy for the trail’s diverse sections—crisp alpine passes, serene river valleys, and steep forest climbs.
For anyone tackling the Alps to Ocean Trail, Southern Lakes Helicopters is more than a transfer—it’s an introduction to the wild character of New Zealand’s South Island, seen through the unique lens of helicopter travel and mountain biking combined.
moderate.
Variable depending on the biking section selected.
Moderate to good fitness is recommended to handle mixed terrain and long distances typical on the Alps to Ocean trail.
Yes, Southern Lakes Helicopters accommodates e-bikes securely using their custom bike crates.
Each helicopter flight can carry up to six bikers and their gear.
Yes; solo riders can be grouped with others or may consider paying a minimum fare for private bookings.
Departures are from Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport with drop-offs at Black Point along the Alps to Ocean trail.
Bikes must fit in the helicopter’s custom crate; unusual sizes should be discussed before booking.
Flights are weather-dependent; cancellations or rescheduling options are provided for unsafe conditions.
The Southern Alps have long been vital to the Ngāi Tahu iwi, whose legends tell of Aoraki, the mountain itself, shaping local identity and conservation efforts.
Southern Lakes Helicopters adheres to strict environmental care policies, minimizing disturbance to alpine habitats and supporting sustainable tourism practices.
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