In association with Blanket Bay, Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters provide you with comprehensive Helicopter Services for Fishing, Skiing, Hiking, Scenic Flights and Transfers.

Heliworks is your gateway to Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound.

Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters was established in 2000 and operate in the spectacular setting of Queenstown, Fiordland National Park (including Milford Sound, Doubtful and Dusky Sound) and the Southern Lakes. It is a locally owned company.
They operate the newest and largest fleet of helicopters in the Queenstown area. All helicopters have leather seats for comfort and safety is of the highest priority.

Heliworks has exclusive landing rights in some of the most spectacular locations such as Mount Nicholas Station and the Earnslaw Burn.

Scenic Flights

• ‘Fiordland's Finest’: Blanket Bay to Milford Sound

  Fiordland is spectacular and this 2 hr 15 min helicopter experience will show you the best of it, from the highest peak, Mt Tutoko, to the coastal fiords, from glaciers to waterfalls. You will be able to stand on mountain tops, touch the ancient ice of a glacier and chase the waves on an isolated West Coast beach. You will also visit world-famous Milford Sound, and see the sights of the spectacular Milford area, including the second highest waterfall in the southern hemisphere, the Sutherland Falls, and the Mackinnon Pass.
  Flight duration: 2 hrs 15 mins
  Price on application
  

• ‘Grand Glacier’

  You will see the hidden beauty of the headwaters of Lake Wakatipu and the golden history of mining on this one-hour flight, which then follows the meandering waters and forested valleys to two not-often visited glaciers, the Earnslaw Burn and the Jura. Both offer breathtaking photo opportunities of blue ice and cascading waterfalls. From the Jura Glacier, you look out to Mount Aspiring and the highest peak in Fiordland, Mount Tutoko.
  As an add-on, you can land on the shore of the beautiful Lake Lochnagar and have lunch, with wine included.
  Flight duration: 1 hour
  Price on application

Film work

Heliworks is also New Zealand's biggest provider of helicopter services to the New Zealand film industry.

They were contracted exclusively by Peter Jackson for all aerial filming in Lord of the Rings. Heliworks’ helicopter pilots have an intimate knowledge of the area and can transport you into ‘Middle Earth’. Our Lord of the Rings Flights have been designed by the people who filmed it.

We have also provided aerial filming services to other major international feature films such as King Kong, The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, Vertical Limit and many (international) TV commercials.

Heliworks takes pride in delivering a quality and personalized service with a focus on the highest level of safety and customer service to ensure clients' needs are met and exceeded.

Other Experiences:

• Lord of the Rings flights

  Fly with the pilots who filmed the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Several options are available.

• Heli-skiing

  In the winter months

• Heli-picnics

  Heliworks have exclusive landing rights in some spectacular areas, making your experience unique. Combine a spectacular flight with a lovely lunch and a glass of local wine or champagne.

• Heli-hiking

  If you are looking for an active option, several heli-hiking options are available. From shorter guided walks to full day guided walks in remote areas where only Heliworks has landing rights.

• Customised experiences

  Let us help you plan your ultimate experience, tailored to your interests. An example could be the ‘Fiordland’s Finest’ scenic flight with an add-on of a guided heli-hike in a spectacular area where only Heliworks has landing rights and a gourmet lunch.

• Private air charter from Lodge to Lodge

  This is a magnificent way of combining your travel from property to property experiencing the breathtaking New Zealand scenery from the air avoiding the commercial airports. All the lodges have private helipads and nearby airstrips.
  All flights are ex Blanket Bay and are based on the private charter of a six seat Squirrel Helicopter plus pilot. POA

Heliworks' Pilots

All Heliworks pilots have high flying hours and extensive experience in mountainous terrain. Safety is of the highest priority.

From left to right: Dave Kershaw (General Manager Heliworks), Alfie Speight, Brendan Hiatt, Jason Laing, Richard Black and John Haora

Dave Kershaw (Heliworks General Manager & Chief Pilot)
Total flying time: in excess of 16,500 hours flying time in various aircraft.

Alfie Speight
Total flying time: in excess of 11,000 hours
Alfie is New Zealand's principal filming pilot for many feature films and tv commercials produced in New Zealand such as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Peter Pan, Vertical Limit, King Kong and the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.

Richard Black
Flying hours: in excess of 4,300 hours in various aircraft.

Brendan Hiatt
Total flying time: in excess of 4,600 hours

Jason Laing
Total flying time: in excess of 3,300 hours

John Haora
Total flying time: in excess of 3,000 hours

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