Fiordland Scenic Flights by Helicopter – Milford & Doubtful Sound
Fiordland Scenic Flights by Helicopter – Milford & Doubtful Sound
Experience Fiordland’s most dramatic landscapes from the air on unforgettable scenic helicopter flights over Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the remote wilderness of Fiordland National Park. From towering alpine peaks and cascading waterfalls to pristine fiords and rugged ridgelines, every flight delivers breathtaking views you simply can’t access any other way.
Departing from Te Anau and operated by Fiordland Helicopters, these scenic flights combine expert local commentary with optional alpine landings and flexible flight durations. Whether you’re after a short scenic highlight or a deeper backcountry adventure, helicopter flights are one of the most spectacular ways to explore Milford Sound and Fiordland from above.
Explore Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound & the Kepler Mountains by Helicopter
Experience Fiordland’s most dramatic landscapes from the air on scenic helicopter flights over Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the remote wilderness of Fiordland National Park. Towering alpine peaks, cascading waterfalls and pristine fiords combine to create unforgettable aerial views.
Departing from Te Anau, Fiordland Helicopters offers expert-guided scenic flights with optional alpine landings and a range of flight durations. From short highlight flights to deeper backcountry adventures, helicopter flights are one of the most spectacular ways to explore Fiordland from above.
Scenic Flights in Fiordland – What You’ll See From the Air
From the air, Fiordland reveals its full scale and remoteness. Scenic helicopter flights showcase landscapes that are impossible to access by road or on foot, offering a completely different perspective of this World Heritage region.
- Milford Sound – Fly above dramatic fiords, sheer rock walls and cascading waterfalls, with unforgettable aerial views of Mitre Peak and the surrounding alpine scenery.
- Doubtful Sound – Experience one of New Zealand’s most remote fiords, known for its vast waterways, dense rainforest and untouched wilderness.
- Kepler Mountains & Alpine Terrain – Soar over rugged ridgelines, glacial valleys and high alpine landscapes, with the option of landing in remote mountain locations.
- Departures from Te Anau – Scenic flights from Te Anau provide direct access to Fiordland National Park, avoiding long road journeys and maximising time in the air.
Doubtful Sound Discovery
Price: $920 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 55 minutes
Departures: select time options when booking
Experience the vast, untouched beauty of Doubtful Sound from above on this exceptional Fiordland flight. Departing Te Anau, you’ll soar over the deep blues of Lake Manapouri before entering the dramatic wilderness of New Zealand’s second-largest fiord. With towering granite walls, tranquil coves and far fewer visitors than Milford, Doubtful Sound feels truly remote. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and fur seals along the way.
Your return path takes you through Campbell’s Kingdom, an extraordinary hidden valley complete with an alpine lake and waterfall — a sight only airborne adventurers ever witness. Enjoy a wilderness landing before crossing the Main Divide and returning via the South Arm of Lake Te Anau.
Hidden Lakes and Mountains
Price: $585 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 45 minutes
Departures: select time options when booking
Discover some of Fiordland’s best-kept secrets on this stunning two-landing adventure. Fly across Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri as jagged peaks and vast forested valleys unfold beneath you, then touch down at the pristine Norwest Lakes — a secluded alpine basin rarely seen by visitors.
Your second landing takes you high into the Kepler Mountains, where sweeping views of Lake Te Anau and the surrounding ranges stretch endlessly to the horizon. This is an unforgettable short flight for travellers wanting dramatic scenery without a full-day commitment.
Independent Kepler Heli-Hike
Price: $325 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: Full day heli & Hike
Departures: 10:15 am
Experience one of New Zealand’s Great Walks without the four-day commitment. Your journey begins with a scenic flight across Lake Te Anau to Luxmore Hut, perched high on the Kepler Track with panoramic views over the lake and mountains. From here, begin one of the most rewarding sections of the Kepler — a walk across open alpine ridgelines before descending through dramatic limestone bluffs into lush beech forest.
Finish at Brod Bay, where a seasonal water taxi (October–May) can return you to Te Anau, or continue on foot to the Kepler Carpark. A perfect blend of helicopter access and self-guided hiking through some of Fiordland’s best scenery.
Southern Sounds Discovery
Price: $1295 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 90 minutes
Departures: select time
Fly deep into the remote southern wilderness of Fiordland on this spectacular two-fiord adventure. Your journey explores the scattered islands and rugged beauty of Dusky Sound, one of New Zealand’s largest and least accessible fiords — a place so isolated that only a handful of people ever see it each year.
Return via the majestic Doubtful Sound, cross Campbell’s Kingdom, and sweep back along the South Arm of Lake Te Anau. The final stretch follows an extraordinary section of coastline where the Tasman Sea crashes against weather-sculpted granite cliffs. This highly recommended flight showcases Fiordland at its wildest.
The Fjords Extended
Price: $2275 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 150 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
This is Fiordland’s ultimate aerial experience — three major fiords, ten lesser-known ones, and a spectacular glacier landing. Begin with iconic Milford Sound, stepping out onto a breathtaking glacier before flying south to explore Doubtful and Dusky Sounds, each with its own dramatic character and rich history.
Along the way, witness hidden coves, sheer cliff faces, remote inlets and the true scale of Fiordland’s wilderness carved long ago by massive glaciers. Few flights in New Zealand cover this much terrain — it’s an unforgettable deep-dive into the heart of Fiordland National Park.
Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Hike
Price: $1910 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 1 day experience
Departures: 9:00 am
This all-day adventure combines a helicopter flight, a Milford Sound cruise, and scenic guided walks — a perfect way to experience Milford from every angle. Begin with a breathtaking flight to Lake Erskine, a hidden alpine lake tucked high above Milford Sound. Land at Milford Airport to join your small-group cruise, complete with commentary, wildlife sightings, waterfalls and a picnic lunch.
After the cruise, journey back by road with your Trips & Tramps guide, stopping for short walks at iconic spots such as Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, Marian Gantry or Gertrude Valley. A diverse and immersive Fiordland experience showcasing sky, fiord and forest.
Milford Sound Elite
Price: $1295 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 70 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
A premium exploration of Milford Sound and its surrounding alpine giants. Fly north over Lake Te Anau toward the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks that define this world-renowned fiord. Highlights include Sutherland Falls, Mitre Peak, and panoramic views of what Rudyard Kipling called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
A remote wilderness landing lets you step into the landscape, while the return journey via the Murchison Mountains reveals the protected habitat of the rare, flightless takahē.
Northern Fiordland Frontier
Price: $1850 per person (Minimum two persons)
Duration: 135 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: two remote landings
A signature Fiordland Helicopters experience. Over two hours, you’ll visit Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and every fiord in between — Bligh, George, Caswell, Charles, Nancy, Bradshaw and Thompson. This is Fiordland from the pilot’s perspective: vast, varied and unbelievably beautiful.
Land on an ancient glacier overlooking the Tasman Sea, then continue through hidden valleys and emerald lakes, including the fairytale-like Campbell’s Kingdom. A deeply immersive journey into the most remote corners of Fiordland National Park.
Fiordland Helicopters Private Charters
Perfect for premium travellers, photographers, and bespoke itineraries.
Milford Sound Elite
Private Charter
Price: $5180 (upto 5 pax Max)
Duration: 80 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
A luxurious private charter exploring Milford Sound and its most iconic features. Fly from Te Anau over snow-streaked mountains before descending into the dramatic heart of the fiord. Highlights include Sutherland Falls, Mitre Peak, and a pristine wilderness landing. A perfect premium option for couples, small groups or families.
Milford Sound Elite - Extended
Private Charter
Price: $5820 per person (upto 4 pax)
Duration: 105 minutes
Departures: select time options when booking
This enhanced private charter gives you more time inside Milford Sound and access to one of its most extraordinary features — the Tutoko Glacier. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Quill, Sutherland Falls, Mitre Peak and the dramatic upper basins surrounding Mount Tutoko. A unique, extended experience designed for travellers wanting more time in the air and on the ice.
Southern Sea & Sound Explorer
Private
Price: $7800 (5 pax Max)
Duration: 2 Hours
Departures: select time opions when booking.
An unmatched flight into the deep south of Fiordland — rugged, remote, and rarely visited. Discover the wild beauty of Dusky Sound, the isolated Preservation Inlet, hidden coves, offshore islands and dramatic coastal cliffs shaped by storms and sea. Includes three wilderness landings. One of Fiordland’s most exclusive and powerful helicopter experiences.
Hidden Lakes and Mountains
Private
Price: $2340 (5 pax Max)
Duration: 45 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: 2 Alpine Landings
A private showcase of Fiordland’s untouched interior. Fly over beautiful mid-Fiordland landscapes sculpted by ancient glaciers, before landing on a mountain summit and then beside a secluded alpine lake. A short but unforgettable private escape into the wilderness.
Manapouri Alpine Adventure
Private
Price: $1425 per person (upto 4 pax)
Duration: 25 minutes
Departures: select time options when booking
A compact but spectacular private flight over Lake Manapouri, offering sweeping views of Cathedral Peaks and the Hunter Mountains. Includes a wilderness landing — ideal for travellers seeking a short, exclusive heli experience.
Doubtful Sound Discovery
Private
Price: $3680 (Upto 5 pax Max)
Duration: 55 minutes
Departures: select time opions when booking
Includes: Two Remote Landings
A private exploration of the vast, mysterious Doubtful Sound. Known for its silence, scale and deep sense of remoteness, this fiord reveals hidden coves, soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Enjoy two wilderness landings and uninterrupted time to soak in the landscape with your own private group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fiordland scenic Helicopter flights
What scenic flights does Fiordland Helicopters offer in Fiordland?
Fiordland Helicopters offers an extensive range of scenic flights showcasing the region’s most dramatic landscapes. Popular options include the Doubtful Sound Discovery, Hidden Lakes & Mountains, Southern Sounds Discovery, and the premium Fjords Extended experience. Each flight offers unique perspectives of Fiordland’s wilderness, from soaring granite peaks to secluded alpine lakes.
How much do the scenic flights in Fiordland cost and what are their durations?
Flight prices range from $585 to $2275 per person, depending on the experience. Durations vary from 45 minutes to 150 minutes, providing choices for travellers wanting either a short highlight flight or an extended deep-Fiordland adventure.
Can I customise my helicopter experience in Fiordland?
Yes. Fiordland Helicopters offers private charters and fully bespoke itineraries. You can customise landings, destinations, flight duration and photographic stops — perfect for special occasions, proposals, film crews, photography enthusiasts, or travellers seeking a truly exclusive Fiordland experience.
What highlights can I expect to see on the Milford Sound & Fiordland helicopter tours?
Expect unforgettable aerial views of Fiordland’s most iconic landmarks, including Mitre Peak, Sutherland Falls, Tutoko Glacier, Lake Erskine, and the towering cliff walls of Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Many tours include alpine or glacier landings, offering rare access to remote landscapes unreachable by road or foot.
Are there options for private helicopter charters in Fiordland, and what do they include?
Absolutely. Fiordland Helicopters offers a high-end selection of private charter flights such as the Milford Sound Elite, Milford Sound Elite – Extended, and the Southern Sea & Sound Explorer. These private flights often include multiple wilderness landings, access to glaciers or remote fiords, and the flexibility to tailor the journey to your interests — ideal for luxury travellers and small groups.
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