Queenstown is known for its incredible scenery, variable landscape, and the many unique destinations you can find (if you’re willing to look). Going travelling with your family or a group of friends can be stressful, especially if you need to figure out something that everybody can do together.
Undoubtedly, the activity that will easily delight your entire group and accommodate everyone’s fitness needs is the iconic scenic flight. With so much scenery to take in and so many iconic natural landmarks speckling Queenstown’s countryside, there’s a huge selection of scenic flights that will suit your needs.
The problem is choosing which one you’ll be getting off the ground with. So, without any further ado, let’s review the top scenic flights Queenstown has to offer!
The Mount Cook Scenic Flight
The first of the top scenic flights Queenstown is best known for has to be the iconic Mount Cook scenic flight. Mount Cook, or Aoraki, is an immense landmark that highlights the sheer scale of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
A Mount Cook scenic flight doesn’t just set a course straight to the mountain; it carves a path over many of the smaller landmarks surrounding this crowning glory before flying up to this most well-known Kiwi mountains.
This is the perfect trip for keen photographers and one of the best scenic flights Queenstown has on its roster. Make sure to take a high-quality camera with you to capture some amazing shots as you come to eye level with the Aoraki summit!
The Milford Sound Scenic Flight
Next up, Milford Sound. If you head down to the South Island, you simply can’t leave without catching sight of this iconic landmark. Even the journey to Milford Sound is worth the time it takes to get there, allowing you to watch Fiordland scenery pass by below the wings of your plane.
The entirety of Fiordland National Park covers an enormous 1.3 million hectares, which is an area larger than Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks combined! In other words, you’ll have no shortage of beautiful spots to photograph before the plane even gets near the Sound.
Happily, there are a few different packages you can choose from for your Milford Sound scenic flight. Enjoy a simple overflight if you only want to catch the scenery, or opt for a coach drive-in or a cruise over the water to see it from different angles.
The Tasman Glacier Heli Hike
New Zealand’s Southern Alps are speckled with some of the oldest glaciers in the world, which makes them a must-see when you and your family touch down in the region. As one of the most popular scenic flights from Queenstown has on its roster, the Tasman Glacier package (or, alternately, the Franz Josef Glacier package) promises a one-hour fixed-wing flight up to the appropriate village.
From there, you and your group will take a helicopter flight up to the glacier itself, decked out in all the equipment you need to safely hike the fresh snow. It’s like a whole different world out there, a landscape of towering ice sculptures, pristine snow, and a big sky.
While a glacier hike might sound a bit intense, this is actually a family-friendly activity that suits children from ten years old. All equipment will be provided, and the entire thing takes eight hours from start to finish. In other words, it’s the perfect day trip, but the memory will be with you forever.
A Private Queenstown Charter
Our final entry is for the discerning family or group expedition, who have somewhere very specific they’re going. If there’s a particular hike you have in mind or a destination not included on any other scenic flight path, then a charter is for you.
Chart a private plane so the whole group can enjoy yourselves, along with an experienced pilot who will take you from A to B in perfect luxury. The views and privacy are unparalleled, allowing you the peace to enjoy your expedition at your own pace. While this is generally a slightly larger investment than the other available packages, it’s also worth the convenience.
As you can see, there are many different options for scenic flights in the region. From skiing the Tasman Glacier to chartering your very own plane, finding the right way to see the skies is an adventure all its own.
Every single one of these flights offers courtesy transport from your accommodation to Queenstown Airport. For group travelling, this is even more convenient than usual, so you don’t need to coordinate a variety of vehicles to get where you’re going!
If you’re a little overwhelmed by the options, or you’re not sure which one would best suit your needs. Don’t worry. We’ll be able to help.
Looking for the best scenic flights Queenstown has to offer? You’ve found them.
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with True South Flights, proud providers of the top scenic flights Queenstown’s travellers frequent. Browse our available flight packages or reach out to us today about a private charter you can enjoy with your friends and family.
