About
Experience New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes from the air with Southern Lakes Helicopters, specialists in scenic helicopter tours in Fiordland and Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
From the dramatic fiords of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound to glacier landings on the Tasman Glacier, our helicopter flights reveal remote wilderness areas only accessible by air. With more than 45 years of local experience, modern aircraft, and highly skilled pilots, we deliver unforgettable scenic flights with a strong safety-first focus.
Locally owned and operated in Te Anau and Aoraki / Mount Cook, we pride ourselves on exceptional local knowledge, personalised service, and world-class aviation standards.
Book Your Scenic Helicopter Flight
Scenic Helicopter Tours Te Anau & Fiordland
Discover Fiordland National Park from above on a breathtaking helicopter flight departing from Te Anau. Fly over pristine lakes, rugged mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls and ancient rainforest before landing in remote alpine locations when conditions allow.
Highlights include aerial views of:
- Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
- Doubtful Sound / Patea
- Dusky Sound / Tamatea
- Kepler Mountains, Lake Te Anau & Lake Manapouri
Selected tours also include alpine landings and the option to combine flying with walking on the Kepler Track Great Walk.
Popular Fiordland Scenic Flights
- Te Anau Scenic – 30 mins | 1 landing
- Mountain Magic – 40 mins | 1 landing
- Doubtful Sound – 70 mins | 2 landings
- Dusky & Doubtful Sounds – 1 hr 45 mins | 2 landings
- Milford Sound Scenic Flight – 1 hr 45 mins | 2 landings
- Doubtful & Milford Sound – 2 hrs 15 mins | 3 landings
- Fly Fiordland – The Works – 3 hrs | 3 landings
Fiordland Heli Hike Experiences
Combine a scenic flight with a guided or independent walk in Fiordland. Our Fiordland Heli Hike includes a helicopter transfer and landing at Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track, offering an unforgettable Great Walk experience without the crowds.
Scenic Helicopter Tours Aoraki / Mount Cook
Explore the dramatic scale of the Southern Alps with scenic helicopter tours at Aoraki / Mount Cook. Enjoy panoramic alpine views, snow-capped peaks, hanging glaciers and year-round snow landings.
Fly over:
- Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Tasman Glacier
- Hooker Valley & Ball Pass
- Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers (weather permitting)
Mount Cook Scenic Flights
- Aoraki Panorama – 30 mins | 1 landing
- Tasman Glacier Explorer – 40 mins | glacier landing
- Aoraki / Mount Cook Ultimate – 50 mins | 1 landing
- Ultimate Escape Package – scenic flight + accommodation
View Scenic Helicopter Tours & Prices
Private Charters & Specialist Helicopter Services
Southern Lakes Helicopters also provides private helicopter charters and specialist aviation services across Fiordland and Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, including:
- Helicopter hunting & fishing transport
- Mountaineering & alpine climbing support
- Film & photography flights
- Wedding & elopement helicopter flights
- Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail transfers
- Kepler Track Pack Transfer
All charter flights are custom quoted to suit your adventure or project.
Request a Private Charter Quote
Location
Where you'll find them
79 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, Southland, 9600, New Zealand
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Why Fly with Southern Lakes Helicopters?
- Over 45 years of local operating experience
- Bases in Te Anau and Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Highly experienced, safety-focused pilots
- Modern, high-performance helicopter fleet
- Exceptional local knowledge of Fiordland & the Southern Alps
- Unique access to remote locations and glacier landings
Our Helicopter Bases in Fiordland & Mount Cook
Southern Lakes Helicopters operates from Te Anau in Fiordland and Aoraki / Mount Cook, providing scenic helicopter tours, glacier landings and private charters across the South Island.
Te Anau – Fiordland Base
Southern Lakes Helicopters – Te Anau
Lakefront Drive
PO Box 156, Te Anau 9640
New Zealand
Email: teanau@slheli.co.nz
Freephone (NZ): 0508 249 7167
Phone (outside NZ): +64 3 249 7167
Aoraki / Mount Cook – Alpine Base
Southern Lakes Helicopters – Aoraki / Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook Airport
PO Box 36, State Highway 80
Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand
Email: mtcook@slheli.co.nz
Freephone (NZ): 0800 666 668
Phone (outside NZ): +64 3 435 1460
Scenic Helicopter Tour FAQs – Fiordland & Mount Cook
What scenic helicopter tours does Southern Lakes Helicopters offer?
Southern Lakes Helicopters offers scenic flights over Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and Aoraki / Mount Cook, including alpine and glacier landings.
Where do Southern Lakes Helicopters operate from?
Flights operate from Te Anau in Fiordland and Aoraki / Mount Cook Airport, providing access to both Fiordland and the Southern Alps.
Do your helicopter tours include glacier landings?
Yes. Many Mount Cook scenic flights include a Tasman Glacier landing, subject to weather and conditions.
Are private helicopter charters available?
Yes. Southern Lakes Helicopters offers bespoke private charters for weddings, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, film work and special events.
How experienced are your pilots?
Our pilots are among New Zealand’s most experienced, with decades of local flying experience and a strong safety-first focus.
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Nearby
Places to stay nearby
Places to stay nearby so you can make more of your visit.
Rangapu Fiordland – Te Anau Holiday Homes
Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments, Te Anau
Fiordland Hotel Te Anau Accommodation
Andys Place Campground, Te Anau, Fiordland
Slope Point Accommodation – Catlins Farmstay
Pounawea Camping Ground | Pounawea Motor Camp