GLACIER SOUTHERN LAKES HELICOPTERS QUEENSTOWN

Operated by Helicopters Queenstown

Queenstown & Milford Sound Scenic Helicopter Flights New Zealand

Highly ranked on TripAdvisor & holding a Qualmark Gold helicopter operator – Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters (operated by Helicopters Queenstown) is New Zealand’s leading scenic helicopter flight company. Since the 1980’s, we have flown guests from all over the world, offering a selection of daily scenic helicopter tours around Queenstown, Middle Earth, Mt Aspiring & Fiordland National Park in our pristine fleet of Airbus helicopters. Alpine, snow or glacier landings are part of all our scenic flights and glacier landings are included in all Milford Sound options.

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters have the largest & most modern fleet of Airbus helicopters in New Zealand, all are maintained according to the Civil Aviation Authority standards. We own & operate an Airbus H130 T2 – this luxurious helicopter is the only one of its kind to be permanently based at Queenstown Airport & adds to the impressive fleet of 6-seater Airbus AS350 B2 & B3e Squirrel helicopters that we already operate.

We have the most experienced team of helicopter pilots in Queenstown who collectively have more than 100,000 hours of flying experience. These highly skilled, well-known, local pilots can’t wait to share with you their extensive knowledge and history of the area while showing you the best of our amazing scenery.

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters are New Zealand’s aerial film specialists and completed all the aerial film work for Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogies. Other aerial film credits include Narnia, King Kong, Wolverine, Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, Alien Covenant and much more!

New in 2018 -2019 is the exclusive helicopter access into the Greenstone Valley.  Escape busy life to explore this pristine landscape for day or overnight excursions.

Let Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters show you the best of New Zealand’s amazing scenery!

QUEENSTOWN SCENIC FLIGHTS

The magnificent scenery and views around Queenstown, New Zealand can only truly be experienced from the air via a scenic helicopter flight.

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters (operated by Helicopters Queenstown) offer a selection of scenic Queenstown helicopter flights which can fly you over the high points of Lake Whakatipu, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Kawarau Gorge, Shotover River, & Skippers Canyon. Experience the thrill of landing on snow and glaciers deep within the alpine ranges and there is plenty of Middle Earth to see for Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit fans also. As we are New Zealand’s aerial film specialists – we know this part of Middle Earth very well!

**We recommend you make your flight bookings in advance and at the start of your Queenstown itinerary. If we cannot fly due to adverse weather, we can transfer your booking to another available day. Alternatively, if you would prefer, we will refund you in full if your flight is cancelled due to weather**

EXLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

GREENSTONE HUT OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE

Nestled in the heart of the Greenstone Valley lies The Greenstone Hut – we call this Te Whare Pounamu. The Greenstone Valley is located near the upper reaches of Lake Whakatipu which is the lake near Queenstown, New Zealand.

Te Whare Pounamu hut in the Greenstone valley

This rustic, yet comfortable high-country hut, has been purpose-built to cater exclusively for Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters passengers so you can enjoy guided heli-fishing, heli-hiking or simply the pristine outdoor wilderness.

GREENSTONE VALLEY AND RIVER

Situated on the banks of the pristine Greenstone River, Te Whare Pounamu is surrounded by native beech forest on one side. The expansive view focuses on the wide-open valley floor characterised by tussocks, a meandering river with tree covered mountains in the distance.

A quiet picnic spot by the Greenstone River.

EXCLUSIVE GUIDED EXPERIENCE

Our experienced guides bring with them a rich knowledge of the great outdoors, including heli-fishing and heli-hiking.

From the moment you depart from Queenstown and land by scenic helicopter flight you’ll be amazed by the untouched wilderness that surrounds you. Spend the afternoon hiking or fishing before enjoying a hearty dinner in our high-country hut, Te Whare Pounamu.

Impressive waterfalls are just a short walk away.

Your overnight stay at the high-country hut includes bunk-style sleeping arrangements for up to six guests with an adjacent shower and toilet facility.

A comfortable open plan living, dining, kitchen area allows you to share the tales from the day and plan the next day’s excursions.

After exploring the Greenstone Valley the next morning, your adventure will end with a scenic helicopter flight to Queenstown.

BOOKING DETAILS

A guided excursion into the Greenstone Valley allowing guests the opportunity to heli-fish or heli-hike in the pristine wilderness of the Greenstone Valley.

Accommodation, dinner and breakfast included. (Fishing license – if chosen activity – is additional).

Each trip is customized to guest needs but is aimed at allowing for approximately a 24 hour experience, including the overnight stay.

This experience is available year round.

Please contact our customer services team for further details.

NEW ZEALAND HELICOPTER CHARTERS

SCENIC PRIVATE CHARTERS

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters operated by Helicopters Queenstown Ltd specialise in private helicopter charters for individuals and special interest groups. Private charters allow us to customise a scenic flight experience to suit your individual requirements. Our professional team can organise other activities in conjunction with your flight, and can also include refreshments, ground transfers and professional guides.

Any of our Queenstown, Milford Sound and Lord of the Rings scenic flightseeing tours can also be upgraded to a private charter upon request.

Our Premier flights offer something for those seeking something a little more special and exclusive. They include extended flying time, allowing you to explore Fiordland National Park and further afield in greater detail and get far off the beaten track. The highlight of all these flights has to be shutting down on a remote alpine peak to take some time out, enjoying a delicious picnic lunch and wine. Perfect for couples and groups looking to celebrate a special occasion.

Charter flights include heli-transfers from Queenstown airport to luxury lodges, heli-weddings or perhaps a luxury wilderness lunch. You can also arrive in style at any of the Southern Lakes ski fields with one of our skifield heli-transfers, ideal for groups.

In and around Queenstown & the Southern Lakes area there are many remote places suitable for hunting and fishing, heli-skiing, white water rafting, hiking and jet boating. Let us take you to your own private Utopia and bring you back again – perhaps with a fine river trout or salmon for your dinner.

Exclusive to Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters is access to the pristine Greenstone Valley.  With the Greenstone river meandering through the valley the opportunities for fishing, hiking and simply relaxing in the great outdoors abound.  Our purpose-built rustic yet comfortable Te Whare Pounamu/Greenstone Hut is available for overnight stays.

In conjunction with Helicopters New Zealand, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters can also arrange charter helicopter flights throughout New Zealand.

For private charters, you have the choice of a Squirrel helicopter or our Airbus H130 T2 luxury model helicopter. Please contact our reservations team, who can assist you with your needs, offer advice and provide examples of private charter flights we have undertaken in the past.

COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER CHARTERS

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters Queenstown specialise in many areas of commercial and industrial helicopter work. Our pilots all have extensive experience in the following areas.

• Lifting – Longlining, Cargo nets, Mountain bikes racks, Heliski pods,
• Coastal & Alpine Heli transportation – personnel, supplies, equipment.
• Agriculture – Frost protection, Drying Orchard Fruit, Mustering
• Firefighting – Monsoon Buckets
• Search & Rescue – Alpine Rescue & Recovery, Medical transfers.
• Aerial Support – for hunters, fisherman, recreational National Park users, supply drops
• Media & Film transport, Aerial Photography
• Telephone & Radio Communications – alpine site support
• Powerline Surveys

Coupled with modern equipment and 1000s of hours of flying in mountainous terrain, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters Queenstown have got your commerical needs covered.

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters were previously part of the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust which provides search and rescue and air ambulance services within the Southern region.