Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters

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Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters

Milford Sound Explorer

 

See the best of Milford Sound by Helicopter

The Milford Sound Explorer is a scenic helicopter flight that dives straight into the heart of Fiordland, showcasing one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes from the sky. You won’t just fly over it — you’ll land in some of the most dramatic, remote locations in the region.

We begin in Queenstown, lifting off from our heli base and immediately soaring across the glistening waters of Lake Whakatipu. From there, the scenery begins to shift as we track past the rugged peaks of the Richardson Mountains and fly west toward the wild Fiordland coast.

As we approach Milford Sound, the landscape becomes even more dramatic. Towering cliffs rise from the sea, ancient glaciers cling to mountain faces, and Mitre Peak stands tall in the distance. Seeing it all from the air offers a rare and unforgettable perspective of this world-famous fjord.

After circling the fiord, we keep the adventure going by cruising over the lush Hollyford Valley. With thick native forest, alpine lakes, and countless waterfalls, this peaceful stretch of wilderness is breathtaking from above and adds even more magic to your flight.

Finally, we land at the spectacular Earnslaw Burn. This hidden alpine valley is a Heliworks exclusive — no other operator can land here. Nestled beneath a hanging glacier, with waterfalls pouring down every cliff face, it’s a scene straight out of a movie. In fact, it often is. Earnslaw Burn has featured in film and TV for good reason. It’s remote, cinematic, and completely unforgettable.

If you’re looking for more than a short flight, this experience is the perfect upgrade from the Earnslaw Burn Express. It adds Milford Sound, the Hollyford Valley, and two incredible landings to your day in the sky — making it one of the most spectacular ways to explore the wild beauty of Fiordland.

Why Choose the Milford Sound Explorer?

  • Includes two incredible landing locations: Milford Sound and the Earnslaw Burn
  • Soar over Lake Whakatipu, the Richardson Mountains and the Hollyford Valley
  • Exclusive access to Earnslaw Burn — only with Heliworks
  • Spectacular views of Fiordland’s iconic peaks, glaciers, and waterfalls
  • A premium experience for travellers wanting more than a short scenic hop

The Earnslaw Burn has been featured on:

 


1.5 hour experience


2 Scenic landings


Glaciers


Waterfalls


Lakes

The prices listed below are for our shared departures, so other guests will be on your flight. Our prices are also subject to change annually.

Adult (12+): $1,695 per person

Child (3-11): $1,190 per person

Infant: (0-2): $850 per person

Prices are valid from 1 April 2026 - 30 September 2027. On our shared departures, you may be in a helicopter with up to 9 people.

We have private charter rates available for our Squirrel helicopters, our twin-engine Squirrels and our 9-seater BK.

Charters are a great option for bigger groups, or if you would like a more intimate experience.

Find out more about our fleet.

Squirrel (up to 6 passengers): $8,475 per helicopter

Airbus H130 (up to 6 passengers): $10,170 per helicopter

Twin-engine Squirrel (up to 6 passengers): $11,865 per helicopter

BK (up to 9 passengers depending): $13,560 per helicopter

Prices are valid from 1 April 2026 - 30 September 2027.

We offer complimentary return transport from downtown Queenstown at 37 Camp Street. Please make sure to book this in addition to your flight experience. If you are self-driving, we are based in Frankton and we have plenty of parking available.

  • Wear comfortable covered shoes
  • Bring along or wear warm clothing, including a jacket
  • Remember to bring your camera, sunscreen and sunglasses

Bookings
• We recommend booking in advance via our online booking calendar.
• For the purpose of aircraft weight and balance and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority rules and regulations, we require all passenger weights at the time of booking. Once we have received and reviewed this information we will be able to confirm the booking.
• Our booking system will ask for your credit card details, which are securely stored to confirm your booking, however we will not charge your card until the day of your booking.
• Please note a surcharge will be incurred for credit and contactless payments.

Your flight
• You will need to contact us one hour prior to your departure time for a weather check.
• Minimum passenger numbers are required for all scenic flights. We reserve the right to upgrade passengers or merge flights for operational reasons or flight management purposes if required.
• Flights depart on demand and are subject to availability.
• Flights depart from our Heliworks Queenstown base in Frankton.
• Advertised times away, flight and landing times are approximate and can be subject to weather conditions. On occasion, flight paths and landing locations may change at the pilot’s discretion.

Pricing
• Our prices change annually from 1 October. Please select your preferred date of travel on our booking system or view the pricing section to view pricing schedules.
• Prices are in NZ currency and include Goods and Services Tax.
• We reserve the right to change prices at any time without further notice. However, if we have confirmed an advance booking the quoted price will not be altered.

Payments
• We accept EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and cash. Please note a surcharge will be incurred for credit and contactless payments.

Cancellations
• Any cancellations made within 24 hours of departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee. If passengers ‘no-show’ for a flight, 100% of the fare will apply. If we cannot operate due to weather and as a result, passengers are unable to fly, no cancellation fees will apply.

 

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