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Soar above Fiordland’s Southern Alps and remote fjords with Southern Lakes Helicopters. This 2.5-hour flight reveals hidden valleys, stunning waterfalls, and historical landing spots few get to see.
Soar above Fiordland’s Southern Alps and remote fjords with Southern Lakes Helicopters. This 2.5-hour flight reveals hidden valleys, stunning waterfalls, and historical landing spots few get to see.
Book with Southern Lakes Helicopters
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Southern Lakes Helicopters · Te Anau, Southland
Southern Lakes Helicopters offers a distinctive aerial journey that unlocks the layered past and raw landscapes of New Zealand’s Fiordland region. Departing from their Te Anau Lakefront heli-pad, this 2.5-hour flight navigates the towering Southern Alps’ Main Divide before descending into the wild expanse of Fiordland’s famed fjords.
The route sweeps over Wilmot Pass into Doubtful Sound, a deep, glacier-carved inlet flanked by steep granite walls and cascading waterfalls. Weather permitting, the helicopter veers into Campbell’s Kingdom, a hidden valley crowned with a serene lake and waterfall, revealing a secret nook rarely seen except from the air. From here, aerial views stretch to Breaksea Sound, then onward to Dusky Sound, an expansive 40-kilometer waterway dotted with over 350 islands. Accessed only by sea or air, Dusky Sound is a sanctuary of rugged wilderness.
The flight includes multiple landings—one at Mt Sparrman within Dusky Sound, and a final touchdown at Puysegur Point along the remote West Coast. Puysegur Point offers an immersive chance to experience the untamed landscape and reflect on the area’s deep roots in early Māori and European settlement history.
Southern Lakes Helicopters is uniquely positioned to gift visitors access to these otherwise inaccessible spots, making their History of Fiordland flight an outstanding way to connect with this national park’s geological grandeur and cultural legacy. The region’s shifting weather adds an element of unpredictability, yet the company’s thorough monitoring and flexible booking policies ensure a smooth experience.
Essential gear includes warm layered clothing to handle alpine chill, sturdy footwear, and a camera to capture the dramatic panoramas. With expert pilots and carefully curated landing sites, this flight is a rare intersection of adventure, history, and untouched wilderness worth adding to any New Zealand itinerary.
easy.
2–3 hours.
No advanced fitness required, accessible for most able-bodied participants.
The flight lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including multiple scenic landings.
Summer offers the most stable weather and warmer temperatures, but every season showcases unique landscapes.
No special fitness or technical skills are needed; the tour is suitable for most travelers.
Flights are frequently rescheduled or refunded if conditions are unsafe, ensuring passenger safety first.
Drones and selfie sticks are not permitted for safety reasons during flight and landings.
Yes, private charter flights can be arranged upon request during booking.
Fiordland’s remoteness contributed to its role as a refuge for both early Māori and European settlers, preserving many untouched ecosystems.
The area is part of Fiordland National Park, where strict environmental protections preserve native flora and fauna from human impact.
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