Lake Wanaka
Published: 25 th November 2025
Wanaka Helicopters – Scenic Flights Over Lake Wanaka & Mt Aspiring
Experience the beauty of Lake Wānaka, the Southern Alps, and Mt Aspiring from the best seat in the sky.
Lift off from Wanaka for glacier landings, alpine circuits, and sweeping views across Mt Aspiring National Park.
Wanaka Helicopters offers an exceptional way to experience the vast alpine beauty of the Southern Lakes region. With decades of flying experience and deep local knowledge, their pilots showcase some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes, from the sparkling shores of Lake Wānaka to the soaring peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park.
Whether you’re seeking a short scenic loop over the township and surrounding mountains, or a more immersive alpine journey that includes glacier landings and high-altitude vistas, Wanaka Helicopters delivers a personalised and memorable adventure for every type of traveller.
Taking off from their base at Wanaka Airport, flights quickly rise above the patchwork farmland and rugged hills that define the region, revealing panoramic views that stretch across vast wilderness areas. From hidden valleys and braided rivers to ice-carved ridgelines and remote snowfields, each trip offers a unique perspective on the central Southern Alps. With a reputation built on safety, training excellence, and a genuine passion for the region, Wanaka Helicopters combines comfort, professionalism, and breathtaking scenery in every flight.
Whether you’re capturing the perfect alpine photograph, surprising someone with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or simply wanting to see Wanaka from above, these scenic flights offer an unforgettable way to explore one of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes.
Ready to experience Wānaka from above?
Choose from glacier landings, alpine circuits, Milford Sound adventures, or full-day Southern Alps explorations. Each flight delivers unforgettable scenery and expert local guiding.
Wanaka Helicopter Experience
Price: $350 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 25 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Take off from Wānaka Airport and rise immediately into a world of breathtaking alpine scenery. This short but unforgettable flight showcases Lake Wānaka’s shimmering waters, the rugged ridgelines of Roy Peak, and the dramatic snow-capped summits of Mt Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area.
Your journey includes an alpine landing on Mt Alpha, a spectacular 1,200-metre vantage point overlooking vast mountain ranges, glacier-fed lakes, and the deep blue expanse of Lake Wānaka below. Step out onto the mountain, breathe in the crisp alpine air, and enjoy incredible 360-degree views of the Southern Alps.
On the return flight, take in sweeping perspectives of valleys, glacial rivers, and dramatic peaks that define this iconic region. Whether visited in the warm golden hues of summer or the crisp white of winter, this scenic flight delivers a stunning year-round adventure.
Perfect for first-time fliers, families, or anyone wanting a thrilling taste of the South Island’s alpine beauty, the Wānaka Helicopter Experience is a must-do highlight of any visit to the region.
Aspiring Snow with Glacier/Snow Landing
Price: $795 per person (Minimum two persons) Duration: 60 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: One remote glacier/snow landing
Experience some of New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine landscapes on this unforgettable 60-minute flight into the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park. Departing from Wānaka Airport, you’ll climb high above Lake Wānaka’s crystal-clear waters before entering a world of towering peaks, ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and sheer rock faces carved by centuries of ice.
Your journey continues deep into the Southern Alps, where your pilot will select a pristine glacier or snow landing based on the best conditions of the day. Step out onto untouched alpine terrain, feel the crunch of snow beneath your feet, and take in panoramic views stretching across rugged mountain ranges and sparkling ice fields.
Throughout the flight, enjoy sweeping vistas of native beech forests, remote valleys, and dramatic alpine cirques that define this UNESCO World Heritage area. This is a rare opportunity to experience the Southern Alps up close — a landscape accessible only by helicopter and preserved in its most natural, pristine state.
Ideal for photographers, adventure seekers, and anyone wanting a pure Southern Alps experience, this scenic flight delivers some of the most breathtaking mountain views in the Wānaka region.
Amazing Aspiring
Price: $750 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 60 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: One remote alpine landing
Embark on a spectacular journey through the Southern Alps on this signature scenic flight over Lake Wānaka and Mt Aspiring National Park. Your adventure begins with panoramic views of Lake Wānaka and its glacially carved islands, including Mou Waho — a predator-free nature reserve home to the famous “lake within a lake.”
As you climb into the alpine world above the Matukituki Valley, the landscape transforms into a dramatic mix of ancient glaciers, towering snow-capped peaks, and sheer cliff faces shaped by centuries of ice. The highlight is Mt Aspiring (Tititea), standing at 3,033 metres — an iconic landmark known as the “Matterhorn of the South.”
Your pilot will then touch down at Albert Burn Saddle or a nearby glacier (weather permitting), giving you the rare chance to step out onto pristine alpine terrain and capture incredible photographs in one of the world’s most remote natural environments.
On the return flight, trace the winding Matukituki River, glide over Glendhu Bay, and enjoy sweeping views of Mount Roy and the Wānaka township — completing an unforgettable circuit of the region’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights
- Scenic flyover of Lake Wānaka and its glacial islands
- Enter the UNESCO-listed Mt Aspiring National Park
- View Mt Aspiring (3,033m) from incredible angles
- See glaciers, icefalls, and dramatic alpine cliffs
- Remote alpine or glacier landing for unforgettable photos
- Return over Matukituki Valley, Glendhu Bay & Mount Roy
Wanaka Max
Price: $500 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 45 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: One remote alpine landing
Take your scenic adventure to new heights with the Wānaka Max — a stunning 45-minute flight showcasing the best of the region’s lakes, valleys, and alpine landscapes. Departing from Wānaka Airport, you’ll fly above the shimmering waters of Lake Wānaka and along the rugged ridgelines that characterise this dramatic landscape.
Touch down at Coromandel Peak (Mt Roy) when conditions allow — one of Wānaka’s most iconic viewpoints. At 4,000 feet, enjoy expansive views across Lake Wānaka, the township, and the surrounding mountains. This is one of the region’s most photographed locations, offering unforgettable perspectives of the Southern Alps.
Your journey continues over the pristine Matukituki Valley, flanked by towering peaks, lush native bush, and glacially carved terrain. Cross to Mou Waho Island to witness its unique “lake within a lake,” before sweeping towards the contrasting blue waters of Lake Hāwea and the dramatic landscapes of Stevensons Arm.
The return leg offers a final panoramic sweep over the Wānaka basin, completing a spectacular circuit of the region’s most vibrant and diverse landscapes.
Highlights
- Alpine landing at Coromandel Peak (Mt Roy) when available
- Views over Lake Wānaka, Wānaka township & surrounding peaks
- Glide above the Matukituki River valley
- See Mou Waho Island’s unique “lake within a lake”
- Explore the contrasting landscapes of Lake Hāwea & Stevensons Arm
- Complete your journey with a sweeping return over the Wānaka region
Glacier landing
Price: $795 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 60 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: One remote alpine landing
Lift off from Wānaka Airport and fly over the deep blue waters of Lake Wānaka and the mighty Clutha River before entering the dramatic alpine world of Mt Aspiring National Park. This unforgettable 60-minute journey showcases the region’s most striking geological features, from glacier-carved valleys and rugged peaks to remote alpine basins shaped over thousands of years.
Soar up the Matukituki Valley toward the towering presence of Mt Aspiring (Tititea), passing hanging glaciers, icefalls, and snow-draped ridgelines along the way. Your pilot will then take you to either the Tyndall or Isobel Glacier — both accessible only by helicopter — for a pristine glacier landing high above the Southern Alps.
Step out onto ancient ice, take in the crisp mountain air, and enjoy sweeping views across dramatic alpine terrain untouched by roads or civilisation. This extraordinary landing offers exceptional photo opportunities and a rare connection to New Zealand’s glacial landscape.
On your return, enjoy an aerial journey over the Aspiring Flats, Glendhu Bay, Mount Roy, and the Wānaka township, completing a spectacular loop of the region’s most impressive natural features.
Highlights
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Scenic flyover of Lake Wānaka & the Clutha River
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Journey up the Matukituki Valley toward Mt Aspiring
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Land on the Tyndall or Isobel Glacier — accessible only by helicopter
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Experience vast alpine views across the Southern Alps
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See hanging glaciers, icefalls, and dramatic ridgelines
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Return over Glendhu Bay, Mount Roy & the Wānaka basin
Mount Aspiring Explorer
Price: $950 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 75 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: Two alpine landings
Discover the heart of the Southern Alps on this extended 75-minute exploration of Mount Aspiring National Park. Often described as the “Matterhorn of the South,” Mount Aspiring (Tititea) rises to 3,033 metres, dominating a landscape of vast glaciers, sheer rock faces, tumbling waterfalls, and deep alpine valleys.
Departing from Wānaka Airport, your flight ascends over Lake Wānaka and into the dramatic Matukituki Valley before circling the full expanse of Mount Aspiring. From high above its shimmering glaciers and rugged icefalls, you’ll enjoy unmatched views across a region recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage area.
This premium experience includes two alpine landings, giving you the rare opportunity to step out into remote wilderness settings. One landing is typically on a high-altitude glacier, where you can walk on ancient ice surrounded by towering peaks. The second often takes place at Albert Burn Saddle or another stunning alpine location, offering breathtaking photo opportunities and a sense of true isolation.
Your return journey traces a spectacular route across valleys, rivers, and mountain ranges, completing one of the most immersive and panoramic scenic flights in the Wānaka region.
Highlights
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Full aerial circumnavigation of Mount Aspiring (Tititea)
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Two exclusive alpine landings, including one glacier landing
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Views of glaciers, icefalls & dramatic alpine cirques
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Fly through the rugged landscapes of a UNESCO World Heritage area
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Panoramic vistas across the Matukituki Valley & Southern Alps
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Exceptional photo opportunities in remote wilderness locations
Milford Sound Flyover
Price: $1550 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 90 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: One remote alpine landing
Experience the best of both Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks on this spectacular 90-minute scenic flight to Milford Sound. Departing from Wānaka Airport, you’ll fly over the deep blue waters of Lake Wānaka and follow the mighty Clutha River before climbing into the glacier-carved landscapes of the Southern Alps.
Cross the Main Divide and venture deep into Fiordland, where sheer granite walls, dense rainforest, and countless waterfalls lead the way toward the world-famous Milford Sound. Circle the fjord for unforgettable views of Mitre Peak and the dramatic coastline before your pilot sets up for a scenic return across the mountains.
This experience includes an alpine landing overlooking Glenorchy and Lake Wakatipu, offering expansive views across some of the South Island’s most photographed landscapes. Step out into the fresh mountain air, capture incredible photos, and take in views that stretch from rugged alpine peaks to the vast blue lakes below.
Your final leg traces a route over the Shotover River, Lake Wakatipu, and the Queenstown Lakes region before returning to Wānaka — completing one of the most diverse and breathtaking flight experiences in New Zealand.
Highlights
- Scenic flyover of Lake Wānaka, the Clutha River & the Southern Alps
- Soar into Fiordland National Park and over Milford Sound
- Iconic views of Mitre Peak & cascading waterfalls
- Remote alpine landing above Glenorchy and Lake Wakatipu
- Return via the Shotover River & Queenstown Lakes region
- Experience two national parks in one unforgettable flight
Milford Sound Ultimate Experience
Price: $2200 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 4 Hours approx
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: One remote glacier landing
Discover the full diversity of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, West Coast, and Fiordland on this extraordinary four-hour journey — the ultimate alpine and coastal adventure. Departing from Wānaka Airport, your flight begins with sweeping views over Lake Wānaka, the Clutha River, and the region’s glacially carved islands, including Mou Waho.
As you approach Mount Aspiring (Tititea), you’ll land at approximately 6,000 feet for breathtaking views of towering peaks, icefalls, and sparkling snowfields. This pristine alpine setting offers exceptional photo opportunities and a chance to experience the Southern Alps at their most dramatic.
Your journey continues deeper into the mountains, flying around the remote western faces of Mount Aspiring to witness enormous glaciers, blue ice crevasses, frozen waterfalls, and views extending toward the Tasman Sea. Crossing the Main Divide, you’ll descend to the rugged West Coast for a beach landing — a stunning contrast to the alpine world you’ve just explored.
The adventure builds as you fly up the length of Milford Sound, dwarfed by soaring granite walls and cascading waterfalls. Land at the Milford aerodrome for a short bush walk and a coffee break before continuing toward the spectacular Sutherland Falls, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls plunging 580 metres from Lake Quill.
Your return journey travels via Glenorchy, the Shotover River, Lake Wakatipu, and the Queenstown Lakes region, then across the Pisa Range and Cardrona Valley back to Wānaka — completing a truly unforgettable New Zealand experience.
Highlights
- Three unique landings: glacier, West Coast beach & Milford Sound
- Alpine landing near Mount Aspiring with panoramic views
- Fly around immense glaciers, crevasses & frozen waterfalls
- Experience Fiordland’s dramatic landscapes from the air
- View the magnificent Sutherland Falls from above
- Return via Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu & the Southern Lakes region
Discover Mount Cook
Price: $2600 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 3 Hours approx
Departures: select time options when booking
Includes: two incredible landings on the glacier
Experience one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary alpine journeys on this three-hour scenic flight to Aoraki/Mount Cook — the highest peak in the country at 3,724 metres. This premium adventure showcases vast glacial systems, deep valleys, pristine lakes, and the dramatic landscapes of the Southern Alps from an unmatched aerial perspective.
Departing from Wānaka Airport, you’ll fly north toward the sweeping ridgelines of the Main Divide, passing over remote wilderness areas, glacier-fed rivers, and rugged alpine terrain. As Aoraki/Mount Cook comes into view, you’ll appreciate its immense scale and the surrounding tapestry of snow-covered peaks, blue icefields, and ancient glaciers.
This experience includes two spectacular glacier landings — the Leiburg Glacier and the Richardson Glacier — offering the rare chance to step out onto untouched, high-altitude ice. Enjoy remarkable photo opportunities, feel the vastness of the alpine world around you, and take in views that stretch across the Otago region and into the McKenzie Basin.
The return flight offers a final aerial panorama of turquoise lakes, dramatic glaciers, and rugged mountain ranges, completing an unforgettable and deeply immersive alpine experience.
Highlights
- View Aoraki/Mount Cook — New Zealand’s highest peak
- Land on the Leiburg & Richardson Glaciers
- Fly over the spectacular Tasman Glacier — NZ’s longest glacier
- See deep valleys, pristine lakes & dramatic alpine landscapes
- Panoramic views across the Otago region & McKenzie Country
- Exceptional photography opportunities on remote, high-altitude ice
World in a Day
Price: $2800 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 5 Hours approx
Departures: 9:00 am
Includes: One remote picnic alpine landing + West Coast beach
Experience the Southern Alps, West Coast, and Fiordland in one unforgettable full-day adventure — a journey that showcases some of New Zealand’s most dramatic and diverse landscapes in a single, extraordinary flight. This signature experience takes you across soaring mountain ranges, vast glaciers, remote alpine lakes, wild coastlines, and two stunning national parks.
Departing from Wānaka Airport, you’ll first ascend over Lake Wānaka and the Clutha River before flying into the rugged heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. Marvel at snow-covered summits, sparkling glaciers, crevasses, frozen waterfalls, and deep valleys carved by ice over millennia.
Continue westward to land on a remote West Coast beach beside the Tasman Sea — a dramatic contrast to the alpine world behind you. Enjoy views of rolling surf, windswept sands, and possibly native wildlife in this untouched coastal setting.
Your journey then tracks north to Milford Sound, where towering sea cliffs rise straight from the water and countless waterfalls tumble down rainforest-covered walls. Fly up the fjord and over Sutherland Falls — one of the tallest waterfalls in the world — before moving deeper into Fiordland’s remote wilderness.
A peaceful gourmet picnic awaits at a secluded alpine lake, offering quiet moments to take in the immense beauty surrounding you. Your return flight crosses the Southern Alps, revealing expansive high-country landscapes as you make your way back to Wānaka.
Highlights
- Explore both Mount Aspiring & Fiordland National Parks
- Alpine landing with a gourmet picnic beside a remote lake
- Wild West Coast beach landing beside the Tasman Sea
- Fly the full length of Milford Sound
- View the towering Sutherland Falls from above
- See vast glaciers, frozen waterfalls & dramatic alpine terrain
- Experience five hours of world-class scenery in one remarkable day
Wānaka Helicopters Scenic Flights – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What scenic flights are available over Lake Wānaka and Mt Aspiring?
Wānaka Helicopters offers a range of scenic flights showcasing Lake Wānaka, the Southern Alps, and Mt Aspiring National Park. Experiences include glacier and snow landings, alpine circuits, and panoramic flights over some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes.
2. How long is the Wānaka Helicopter Experience and what does it include?
The Wānaka Helicopter Experience is a 25-minute flight featuring views over Lake Wānaka, Roy Peak, and the alpine terrain of Mt Aspiring National Park. It includes an alpine landing on Mt Alpha, where you’ll enjoy stunning 360-degree mountain views.
3. What is the cost and duration of the Aspiring Snow with Glacier/Snow Landing tour?
This 60-minute adventure costs $795 per person and includes a remote glacier or snow landing. It offers an immersive experience in the Southern Alps, with views of glaciers, waterfalls, and rugged alpine terrain.
4. Can I take a helicopter flight to see Aoraki/Mount Cook?
Yes. The Discover Mount Cook experience is a three-hour scenic flight costing $2,600 per person. It includes two glacier landings and offers breathtaking views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Tasman Glacier, and the surrounding alpine region.
5. What does the Milford Sound Flyover include?
The Milford Sound Flyover is a 90-minute scenic flight priced at $1,550 per person. It features an alpine landing near Glenorchy, with incredible views of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Mitre Peak, waterfalls, and the dramatic West Coast landscape.
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