If there is ever a place to take a scenic helicopter flight, it’s New Zealand. Honestly, the word “scenic” feels like an understatement when describing the dramatic landscapes that make up the Fiordland area of the South Island. So for this blog post, when I use “scenic,” what I really mean is spectacular, miraculous, dramatic, and awe-inspiring. If you couldn’t tell, I am absolutely jazzed to share my experience taking a Te Anau scenic helicopter flight with Southern Lakes Helicopters.
The “Te Anau Scenic” helicopter ride is a 30-minute flight above Lake Te Anau, which includes a mountain landing with 360-degree views. I popped onto the flight after doing the Milford Sound Cruise, so it was a jam-packed day (with the same outfit – don’t judge!!). Of course, I loved every moment of this experience, from take-off to landing, so I’ve described it below in detail. Please enjoy!
(Hanna Note: I went for the helicopter tour on March 1, 2020, but I wrote this post in July 2022. Due to the pandemic, I froze and didn’t think it was a good idea to share an experience in a destination that was closed off to most of the world for what ended up being years. Now that New Zealand has opened up again, I am excited to relive the flight. Information is updated with current information as of 2022.)
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Te Anau Scenic Flight with Southern Lakes Helicopters
Besides the flights, the most remarkable thing about Southern Lakes Helicopters is that the Te Anau office is in a building that sits on top of Lake Te Anau. Yes, the helicopter lands on the helipad over the water of Lake Te Anau! And without further ado, let’s get into what the Scenic Flight experience was like.
Flight Orientation in the Office
Okay, I know I’ve already said *scenic* a thousand times in this post, but even the Southern Lakes Helicopters Te Anau office is scenic!! With open doors, you can see right through the building out onto the lake. Inside, the helpful staff will review the different flight options and any concerns you might have. Or you can look at the maps around the room or relax on their couches. A helicopter landed on the helipad about 5 minutes before our scheduled flight, which was super fun to watch. Afterward, our pilot came in and gave us a safety briefing and orientation with an emergency fanny pack to wear. Our pilot was Sean (Snow) Mullally, who had at least 12,800 flight hours (probably more, depending on how often the Southern Lakes Helicopters website is updated).
After our safety briefing and orientation, it was time to fly! I couldn’t tell you if it was nerves or excitement, but I felt as rush walking out the backdoor to the helipad, where the helicopter was waiting for us. I flew with two other guests and Sean in a cozy four-seater aircraft.
Our pilot helped us one by one to get into the helicopter and find the seatbelt, which was a little different for each guest. The other two guests sat in the back, and I shared the front seat with the pilot. Once the doors were closed, we each got headphones with a microphone, which canceled out the noise, and we could talk to each other. The headset was incredibly helpful in asking Sean questions about our surroundings, the helicopter, etc.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars; I would go again in a heartbeat!
- Intensity: Casual clothes, comfortable shoes
- Location: Te Anau waterfront
- Cost: NZ $240/per person (2-person minimum) with Southern Lakes Helicopters, which is roughly USD $155, depending on the exchange rate — this flight was given to me in exchange for this blog post; be sure to read my “Full Transparency” section for how I think that impacted my flight
- Restrooms: There are bathrooms in the office
- Timing: 30-minute scenic flight
Highlights:
- Spectacular views of the general Fiordland and the ever-reaching arms of Lake Te Anau
- Taking off and landing from helipad on Lake Te Anau was SUPER fun
- Landing on a Mountain Tarn and taking in the views
- Southern Lakes Helicopters was great with helpful staff and an experienced pilot
Lowlights:
- Taking any helicopter flight is definitely a splurge activity, so expect it to be pricey!
- 30 mins went by fast! I could have easily spent all day looking at the Fiordland and hidden lakes.
Take-Off
Once everyone was buckled up and able to use the headset, it was time for take-off for our Te Anau scenic flight. Our pilot increased the speed of the blades, and I could see the water around the helipad react to the disturbance. Shortly after, we were leaning backward slightly and levitated off the ground. We hovered above the helipad (possibly gaining vertical altitude) before the pilot pushed the controls forward, and we moved forward quickly and effortlessly. Then we turned left over Lake Te Anau, where we steadily gained altitude. Helicopters are so agile; it’s impressive.
As we climbed through the air, I could see the arms of Lake Te Anau stretch out into the distance and get a better view of the mountains in the direction of the Milford Sound. We gained altitude and traveled across Lake Te Anau to the mountains beyond. On the other side of the lake, an undulating forested landscape rose into mountains. Amongst the trees were deep blue lakes, which would be hidden entirely from ground level.
I could feel my ears popping with the altitude change. We were somewhat following a snaking arm of Lake Te Anau that stretched toward the west as we increased altitude with the mountains. Below, the forested landscape gave way to barren dry grass, likely covered in snow during the winter. I also spotted a hiking trail, which I presume would be the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Speedboats in the arm of Lake Te Anau look like a speck, which I might have missed if there wasn’t the trailing whitewater.
Landing on Mountains
At one point, I started to get a little nervous that we were getting close to the mountain, but we maneuvered to the right and over the top to come in for a landing. The area we were landing was a vast, flat expanse on top of the mountains. We hovered over the flat spot, and our pilot expertly lowered us down to the ground, told us to unbuckle, and that he would get us one by one. During the landing, the helicopter’s blades never entirely stopped, so I was happy to have someone help me in and out of the aircraft.
Dramatic Landscapes
I could fully appreciate the spectacular view in front of me on solid ground. On one side of the helicopter, far below, was the arm of Lake Te Anau. It was highly fjord-like, with steep walls on either side of a narrow yet long body of water that snaked further west than where we landed. On three sides of where we landed were endless mountain views. Some distant peaks had a dusting of snow (possibly glaciers). And behind the helicopter was Te Anau and the flat land surrounding it. Also nearby was a small pond (typically called a tarn, I believe) filled with dark blue water. Simply gorgeous in all directions.
As I was taking photos of everything, the pilot asked if I would like a picture – YES, OF COURSE!! So the full body photos you see of me and the helicopter were captured by Sean, thanks Sean! I tried to capture images and a bit of video in every direction and knew we had limited time at the landing.
While I’m stoked with the photos, I wish I was a little less shy and asked for even more of me with the scenery. And I also wish I had asked the other two passengers if they wanted more photos together (one of the passengers was actively taking pictures throughout the flight, so I bet he would have said yes). Because, before I knew it, we were loading back onto the helicopter.
The Return Flight
Lift-off from the mountain was just as smooth as before, and we were moving forward instantly. This time the mountain dropped below us, and we could see Lake Te Anau ahead of us. By this time, I felt very comfortable in the helicopter.
For the return flight, I switched seats with one of the passengers and sat in the back. This was a different view, but I liked how it was shaded, and my shirt/arms no longer reflected in the window. These photos are some of my favorites! While the front was a more exciting experience, I appreciated the backseat.
Landing on the Lake
On the descent back to lake level, my ears popped at least once or twice, and the town of Te Anau got closer. While I had no idea where the helipad was, Sean zeroed in on it like he’s done it a million times (probably close to that many). I recognized the Southern Lakes Helicopter office and helipad as we got closer, and before long, we were hovering over it. Our pilot set us gently and perfectly on the spot where he had landed earlier, and he once again came around to help us with the doors and deboarding. Then he walked us inside to say goodbye.
I was in a daze and eager to keep flying when returning to the office. The entire experience went by fast, probably because I was so excited. The office staff offered to take a photo with Sean, which I am glad I got. And that was it. I watched Sean take off in the helicopter from the helipad as I re-adjusted to solid ground. An extraordinary experience, from lift-off to landing!
Getting Photos on a Helicopter Flight
I did my best to capture the Te Anau scenic flight experience, but this was my first helicopter ride in over a decade! So it was a phenomenal learning experience. If you are planning to take photos or videos while on a scenic flight, here are my tips:
- Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged with plenty of storage before your flight..
- Wear dark colors, if possible. I really started noticing reflection/glare from the helicopter windows while editing these photos. Not only glare, but reflections from my white shirt, arms, and legs of our pilot. By wearing dark colors, you can reduce reflections!
- Lighting can be a challenge, so be patient, keep trying, or schedule your flight for when there will be less-harsh shadows and glare. Perhaps sunrise or sunset for something dramatic?? Also, as I mentioned in the section above, being in the shadow in the backseat helped a ton with the glare. Try switching seats after you land.
- Be unabashed with asking for photos. Luckily the pilot offered to get a few shots of me and the helicopter. But my 2022 self is kicking my 2020 self for not asking for more photos in other directions. Or asking the other people on my flight for a photo exchange. The landing area is SO COOL, and I’m not sure I’ll ever return in my lifetime, so I wish I was bold (in a kind way).
- Get photos of yourself! Yes, the scenery is fantastic, but what’s even more amazing is that you’re the one looking at the view. Take at least 5 selfies in the helicopter and ask for photos before, during the landing, and after the flight.
- Get a few short clips in vertical video to share immediately with friends/family about the experience.
Te Anau Scenic Flight – What to Bring With You
Honestly, you really don’t need much on a 30-minute scenic flight. I hopped on this flight immediately after returning to service from the Milford Coach + Cruise, so I’m wearing the same thing. In the late afternoon, it was warm, so I didn’t need a jacket. Here’s what I brought along:
- Phone/Camera fully charged and with plenty of space!!!!!!!
- Lightweight jacket. I brought along my gray Patagonia better sweater but never wore it!! The temperature does change as you change elevation, so I recommend bringing something lightweight along just in case.
- Comfortable, secure shoes. Some helicopter operators recommend only wearing closed-toed shoes. I just had some simple gray keds.
- Small Pack – I used this exact small 16L packable backpack from Amazon. I bought this backpack in 2018 for travel and have accidentally used it SO much, and it’s held up well — I cannot believe it’s back in stock as an 18L!
- Sunscreen (apply before flight) – I use this sunscreen for my face and this one for my body
- A handy dandy refillable water bottle is ALWAYS a good thing to bring with you.
Other Flights/Tours Offered by Southern Lakes Helicopters
Honestly, this 30-minute flight left me craving more. If you’re also into moderately adventurous to thoroughly adventurous activities, you may want to consider some of the other flights that Southern Lakes Helicopters offers. Here are some that caught my eye when I was initially researching for the New Zealand trip:
- Heli-Hiking: What is heli-hiking? It combines a helicopter flight and hike – my dream combo. Southern Lakes offers an experience where you do the same route as the scenic flight I described, but instead of flying back to the over-water helipad, you are dropped off at the Luxmore Hut and take one of the Great Walks back to town. The experience is right up my alley because I would have loved to spend more time in the scenery without having to commit multiple days to one hike. Plus, your walk would primarily be downhill!
- Longer Flights from Te Anau: If you’re looking to go further, Southern Lakes Helicopters has more options, such as seeing Mt. Kidd, heading over to Doubtful Sound, or even Milford Sound. The company is thoughtful about landings, which I think are particularly exciting, and it looks like each tour has at least one stop. However, the longer you’re in the air, the price increases.
- Flights from Aoraki/Mt. Cook Base: Southern Lakes Helicopters also has an office/base near Aoraki/Mt. Cook, which I think would be incredible to see from the air. Except for the Panorama flight, it looks like each flight includes a glacier landing! The Panorama flight has a different stunning landing. So many options! In my Hooker Valley Track blog post, I wished I stayed overnight to explore more… and did a helicopter ride!
Personal Thoughts on a Pricey Excursion
If not for the partnership, the Te Anau scenic flight was one of the more expensive excursions I did in New Zealand. However, it was not too far off from the other items I paid for, like the Milford Sound trip (NZD $141/per person) and Bungee Jumping (NZD $205 + photo/video). I found that many of the exciting excursions in New Zealand were often over NZD $100 or completely free, like hiking, so you’ll probably have to pick and choose what you do to stay within your budget. I recommend choosing whatever makes your heart flutter the most. While a jet boat sounded fun, going to the Onsen with a view and to the Milford Sound were higher priorities for me.
As for a helicopter tour, I think they are pricey no matter where you do it since you’re paying for the gas, gear, and experience of the pilot. But if you’re going to spend the money, make sure it’s somewhere scenic!! Whether that be a dramatic landscape near Te Anau or somewhere special to you. And with that, I’ll get off my soap box.
Full Transparency
The Te Anau scenic flight was given to me in exchange for writing this blog post, and I wanted to speak for a moment about how that might have impacted my experience. While researching New Zealand, I came across Southern Lakes Helicopters and liked how they had been around for a long time, AND they had the heli-hiking option (a super exciting idea). I reached out to see if they would be open to a partnership, and they were willing to see if there were any available seats during the time I was in Te Anau. Luckily, a spot opened up almost immediately after I returned from the Milford Sound Coach and Cruise, and I jumped at the chance to see the Fiordland from the air.
Regarding the flight, I believe you would have a nearly identical experience. The office staff was amicable and knowledgeable, the pilot was highly experienced, and the landscape made the tour spectacular. Yes, I might have a particularly positive view of the experience – but just look at the photos – I can’t make any of this up. Since I was joining other passengers, the flight would have happened whether or not I was there.
(And if you end up going on a flight with Southern Lakes Helicopters, if you would be so kind as to let them know that this blog post/Moderately Adventurous helped convince you to do the flight, I would greatly appreciate it!)
Other things to do on the South Island
Here’s everything else I got up to while exploring the South Island of New Zealand:
- Outdoorsy Things to do in Wanaka
- Roy’s Peak In-depth Description
- Mount Cook Day Trip with Hooker Valley Track
- Milford Sound Day Trip and Cruise
- Bungee Jumping from the Kawarau Bridge
- Outdoorsy Things to do in Queenstown
Overall Thoughts: Te Anau Scenic Flight with Southern Lakes Helicopter
The flight was flawless, the views were scenic, and I had a delightful time. With not much more to say, my review of Southern Lakes Helicopters is A++. I would easily recommend the company to anyone interested in flying. And if you already know that you like this kind of experience, consider a longer flight or the heli-hike option, because 30-mins goes quick when you’re having fun.
While I wished the flight was longer or I had the opportunity to do the heli-hiking, I could not have planned this flight more perfectly. And that’s because my partner was coming down with a mild cold the day I went on this flight. He was in no position to do a multi-hour hike, so my going solo on the scenic flight was ideal. And now I’ve left something to come back to. Watch out Southern Lakes Helicopters; I’m coming for that heli-hike!
Where have you taken a scenic helicopter flight? I feel like mountains, fjords, and lakes are a great choice, so I might need to look into flights the next time I’m in Switzerland or Nepal. Let me know in the comments below where you recommend flying!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
