From Queenstown: Extended 2.5-Hour Milford Sound Helicopter Tour

Land on a glacier, a wild coastal beach, and the iconic Milford Sound—all in one incredible heli tour from Queenstown.

Getting started

Your Milford Sound heli adventure lasts around 2.5 hours. Check in at the Queenstown base and meet your experienced pilot-guide, who will brief you on the route and safety before takeoff aboard a modern Airbus helicopter.

What to expect

• Scenic flying at its best: Take off from Queenstown and soar across Fiordland National Park. You'll fly above waterfalls, beech forests, and the dramatic Southern Alps**.**

• Three iconic landings: Step out at Milford Sound for a short guided bush walk, feel the sea breeze on a rugged West Coast beach, and finish with a glacier landing high in the Southern Alps.

• Expert pilot-guide throughout: Enjoy real-time insights from your pilot guide as you soar over one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking regions.

• Views without the crowds: With up to six passengers per helicopter, enjoy a personal, unobstructed viewing experience throughout.

From Queenstown: Extended 2.5-Hour Milford Sound Helicopter Tour

This sightseeing tour from Queenstown takes you on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Fiordland National Park, covering over 100 miles of rugged coastline and towering peaks in a single day. The extended 2.5-hour helicopter adventure includes stops at iconic landmarks such as Milford Sound and the Southern Alps, offering unparalleled views of rainforests, glaciers, and pristine beaches. Your local pilot-guide provides expert commentary throughout the trip, ensuring you understand every twist and turn of Fiordland's dramatic landscape. Highlights include a landing on a windswept beach along the West Coast and a glacier landing high in the Southern Alps for an alpine moment to remember. The tour is available year-round with audio guides in English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean, providing access to all major languages spoken by international visitors. With departures from Queenstown at 9:00 AM every day, this guided tour is perfect for adventurers seeking the ultimate New Zealand experience.

Explore Fiordland National Park

Your tour stops at Fiordland National Park where you can witness one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural wonders. Established in 1952 and covering over 1.2 million hectares, this park is the largest national park in New Zealand and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The park features diverse landscapes including towering peaks like Mitre Peak (over 300 meters high), dense rainforests, and deep fiords such as Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. Visitors spend approximately one hour flying through the park's stunning scenery, marveling at waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs and lush valleys blanketed in native flora. Unique to Fiordland National Park is its vast network of hiking trails offering both day trips and multi-day treks, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Discover Milford Sound

Your tour takes you to the awe-inspiring Milford Sound where you can experience one of New Zealand's most iconic natural attractions. Located within Fiordland National Park, this majestic fiord was first charted by Captain John Lort Stokes in 1849 and has since become a world-renowned destination for its towering cliffs reaching over 1200 meters above the water level. The sound stretches approximately 16 kilometers inland from the Tasman Sea, offering visitors breathtaking views of mirror-like waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and lush rainforests. During your stop at Milford Sound, you will spend about 30 minutes walking along the beach or exploring nearby viewpoints, taking in the serene beauty of this untouched wilderness. What makes Milford Sound unique is its accessibility by both land and air, allowing visitors to experience it from multiple perspectives.

Tour Highlights

• Fly into Fiordland’s wild heart
• Land at Milford Sound for a quiet walk
• Touch down on a windswept West Coast beach
• Finish high above it all with a glacier landing in the Southern Alps
• Expert commentary throughout the tour from your local pilot-guide
• Audio guides available in English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean
• Year-round departures from Queenstown at 9:00 AM daily

Perfect for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and photography buffs, this extended helicopter tour provides an unparalleled glimpse into New Zealand's untamed beauty. The 2.5-hour format allows you to explore Fiordland National Park, marvel at Milford Sound, walk along a windswept beach on the West Coast, and land atop a glacier in the Southern Alps, giving you a comprehensive experience of this region’s diverse landscapes.