Southern Lakes Helicopters

Southern Lakes Helicopters Go beyond the usual and soar across the wild, untouched beauty of Aoraki Mt. Cook and Fiordland National Parks. Flying in this part of the world is our passion!
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We also provide charter & commercial heli services - with some of NZ's most experienced pilots & a fleet of modern, high performance aircraft. We are based in Te Anau and Aoraki Mt Cook and offer scenic flights throughout Fiordland and Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Parks. When a place is so special it’s been awarded World Heritage status, seeing it from the air is an absolute Must-Do, our scenic helico

pter flights makes an unforgettable addition to your New Zealand vacation. We go out of our way to make every experience for our clients is a memorable one that leaves a lasting impression. Backing up this experience is the fact that safety is priority above all other considerations. Southern Lakes Helicopters insists on going far beyond the minimum safety standards which are set by the Civil Aviation Authority. We have always focused on achieving the highest standards of safety to ensure all our clients’ needs and expectations are both met and exceeded. Southern Lakes Helicopters is a family-owned business with Directors Sir Richard and Lady Carol Hayes. Sir Richard is a well-known and respected pilot with 40 years of experience flying in the mountainous terrain of Fiordland, and has an excess of 36,500 helicopters flying hours. He operates with skill and professionalism and is heavily involved in Search and Rescue operations. Often with the use of Night Vision Equipment. His skill and experience has been recognised nationally by being awarded the MNZM( Member of New Zealand Order of Merit) for his services to Search and Rescue. In 2014 Richard was promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to search and rescue and the community. Southern Lakes Helicopters operate a modern fleet consisting of AS350BA, AS350B2, AS350B3 Squirrels and our twin engine BK117’s. We have experience in a wide range of commercial operations including search and rescue, avalanche control, firefighting, filming, construction and conservation assignments. We are proud to be the contractor of choice for both local businesses and large national organisations.

The IFX looking right at home in it’s natural habitat.📍Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand📸
07/06/2026

The IFX looking right at home in it’s natural habitat.

📍Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand
📸

31/05/2026

The grandeur of New Zealand’s greatest mountains can only be comprehended once you’re standing beneath them.

We fly to some of NZ’s most remote spots, where few people have walked before.

Birds eye view from our Dusky and Doubtful Sounds scenic flight 🦅Where lush rainforests dramatically meet the crystal cl...
26/05/2026

Birds eye view from our Dusky and Doubtful Sounds scenic flight 🦅

Where lush rainforests dramatically meet the crystal clear lake water. What a shot!

📸 Gary Down

22/05/2026

You’ll never forget the day you flew off into the New Zealand mountains!

Explore the magnificence of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with us and experience the scale and grandeur from above!

Tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow night (Wednesday), our pilots and support crew will be undertaking NVG (night vision gogg...
19/05/2026

Tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow night (Wednesday), our pilots and support crew will be undertaking NVG (night vision goggle) recurrence training, around the local Te Anau area.

If you hear an aircraft flying late over the next few nights, there is no need for concern.

This training is crucial as it ensures our pilots and crew are well equipped to face and support any emergency day or night!

We appreciate your understanding and there should be minimal disturbance.

Up close and personal with the towering waterfalls on our Dusky and Doubtful Sounds scenic flight ⛰️Access to Dusky Soun...
17/05/2026

Up close and personal with the towering waterfalls on our Dusky and Doubtful Sounds scenic flight ⛰️

Access to Dusky Sound is by sea or air only – very few people get to experience the beauty of this magical place!

📸 Gary Down

11/05/2026

This is what we call a “bluebird day” - crisp and clear blue skies with fresh snow.

Our Aoraki Mount Cook scenic flights land on the Tasman Glacier (weather permitting) so you can experience this for yourself!

📍Liebig Range, Aoraki Mount Cook.

📸 Tony Delaney (SLH pilot)

Some say that stepping off the helicopter on a mountain landing is like stepping into another world entirely... swipe fo...
08/05/2026

Some say that stepping off the helicopter on a mountain landing is like stepping into another world entirely... swipe for photo proof 👀

📍Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand
📸 on our Tasman Glacier Explorer scenic flight

Ho**er Valley Bridge Project update! 🏔️🚁As we have shared a bit over the past few months, Southern Lakes Helicopters has...
07/05/2026

Ho**er Valley Bridge Project update! 🏔️🚁

As we have shared a bit over the past few months, Southern Lakes Helicopters has been involved with air-lifting support for the Department of Conservation in the rebuild of the iconic second swing bridge in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

So far, our helicopters and pilots have assisted with lifting over 30 tonnes of concrete!

We have just had another successful weekend at the site with fine weather and high pressures around 1030 hPa.

Significant progress was made on the Ho**er Bridge with another two drums of main cables sent across to the western side, and all but one section of the bridge decking supports in place.

It is really starting to look like a swing bridge now!

Department of Conservation - Canterbury

New month, new mission...…and this mission involves a helicopter air-lifting 30 tonnes of concrete (so far)!Our 2026 Cal...
01/05/2026

New month, new mission...

…and this mission involves a helicopter air-lifting 30 tonnes of concrete (so far)!

Our 2026 Calendar features another awesome action shot for May:

This was back when we began the Ho**er Valley project - assisting the rebuild of the iconic bridge in Aoraki National Park.

Here our pilot, Toby Morris, was starting to lift in the concrete for the rebuild.

The bridge is expected to open in late-July to early-August, and will replace an existing swing bridge - spanning 189 metres across the Ho**er River 🏞️

Address

79 Lakefront Drive
Te Anau
9600

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday 8am - 5:30pm
Sunday 8am - 5:30am

Telephone

+6432497167

Website

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