When it comes to the South Island, there’s so much beauty to take in and often very little time to do it. One of the best ways to experience the majesty of this stunning New Zealand region is to do it from the air!
In this comprehensive guide to South Island flights, the True South Flights team will explore everything you need to know about flying in this region. Get to know our available packages so you can plan your next holiday. Explore everything from our Milford Sound trips to our scenic flights to Franz Josef Glacier. Let’s begin!
Beauty from Above – Our South Island Flights
Milford Sound Scenic Flights
Milford Sound is not technically a sound. It is one of thirteen stunning fjords that make up the South Island’s Fiordland National Park. Spanning a distance more than Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks combined, this is a place of unparalleled natural beauty.
While many travellers choose to experience Milford Sound from the ground or via cruise, a scenic flight over these peaks is entirely different. From way up in the air, you can rise to meet the mountain peaks, trace the paths of the ancient glaciers, and even spot wildlife dotting the water below.
When flying with True South Flights, there are three ways to experience Milford Sound:
- The Fly-Cruise-Fly. Fly from Queenstown to the fjord with a guaranteed window seat, then take it all in on a 2-hour cruise before flitting back with the view of a lifetime.
- The Milford Overflight. The majesty of Milford Sound in just over an hour, with complimentary transport to and from your accommodation in Queenstown.
- The Coach-Cruise-Fly. A 9-hour luxurious experience where you see Milford Sound from all angles: air, water and land. Start the journey in a luxurious coach, complete the cruise on the water, and then head back to Queenstown via aircraft over majestic peaks, glacial river valleys and waterfalls.
Mount Cook & The Southern Alps
Mountains cover roughly 60% of Aotearoa, and the South Island is the place to go if you really want to see the majesty of these beautiful ranges.
The Southern Alps, stretching nearly 500 kilometres, are millions of years old. The crown jewel, Aoraki Mount Cook, rises through the middle of the range. Around it, ancient glaciers speckle the slopes, ready for willing adventurers to explore.
You can see this stunning mountain range from the air and even touch down on some of the major glaciers to hike across the snow and ice.
Our Aoraki Mount Cook packages feature scenic flights to Franz Josef and over the Mount, or you can dive deeper for a full hiking experience. Fly into the local towns near either Tasman or Franz Josef glaciers with us, then jump into helicopters with our partner company to take a hike through some of the most untouched beauty in the world.
Queenstown Charters
Finally, if these packages for scenic flights in the South Island don’t fully encapsulate what you want your trip to be, why not try a custom charter? This is the ideal package for families or travellers who want to transport their cargo along with them while avoiding icy roads.
Choose from three different charters: a five-seater, a seven-seater, or a thirteen-seater. Depending on your needs, we can remove seats to accommodate skis, bikes, or camping equipment.
Thanks to our access to hundreds of small airstrips across the South Island’s landscape, we can often drop you right at your destination without requiring further transport. We fly to remote hiking tracks like the Hollyford Track or the Pyke River Big Bay Route, ship bikes to the Otago Rail Trail for a day’s ride, or even drop travellers into the small rural towns dotted around the Island.
How to Choose Your Scenic Flight
To select which South Island flight tickles your fancy, you’ll need to consider four things:
- Where do you want to go?
- What is your budget?
- How much time do you have?
- Who is coming with you?
If you’re looking for a quick jaunt and scenic beauty, a quick overflight is your best bet, especially if you’re travelling with family and have more things to do that day!
However, if you want to get up close and personal with the natural majesty of the South Island, a more intensive package like a Heli-Hike or a Coach-Cruise-Fly through the Milford Sound might be more your speed.
Overall, there are as many ways to explore South Island as there are beautiful destinations on it. Whether you’re contemplating a scenic flight to Franz Josef Glacier or want to touch down in Milford Sound for a day of hiking, you’ve found the place to do it.
If you’re unsure which package to select, we recommend contacting our helpful team. We’re always on hand to help you create the adventure of a lifetime.
Explore New Zealand’s South Island from the air.
New Zealand’s South Island has some of the most picturesque scenery in the world. Take it all in from the highest point with our range of stunning South Island tours, complete with scenic flights over Franz Josef Glacier. Book your journey with True South Flights today.
