Adding a helicopter tour to your couples, surprise proposal, or family shoot is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience Queenstown. Helicopters unlock remote alpine locations, epic views, and a sense of adventure that simply isn’t possible from the road.
This guide walks you through how helicopter photography works, what to expect on the day, and answers the most common questions — especially if you’re planning a surprise proposal.
If you keep reading below, you’ll also find detailed descriptions of each helicopter location, how they look throughout the seasons, and current pricing to help you choose the experience that’s right for you.
To keep things seamless and stress‑free, I pre‑book the helicopter flight for you with a trusted local operator (usually Heliworks).
On the day you fly, you’ll pay directly to the helicopter company for the flight itself.
Your photography package and helicopter flight are paid separately, but planned together, so everything runs smoothly.
No. I’ll take care of pre‑booking your helicopter flight and coordinating timings with your photo session. You’ll simply check in on the day and pay the helicopter company directly when you fly.
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Most helicopter photo experiences include:
Scenic helicopter flight to the location
– Zone A locations include 10-minute flights
– Zone B locations include 20-minute flights
45 minutes on the ground for photos
Time to explore, celebrate, and soak it all in
Total time for the experience varies depending on the flight you choose.
You can expect approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from check-in to touch down for shorter flights, and up to 2 hours total for locations further afield.
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Helicopter flights are weather-dependent. If there is low cloud or heavy rain, it may not be safe to fly.
If the weather is looking questionable, your photographer will be in touch the day before your session to assess conditions. Depending on the forecast, we may:
• Adjust the flight time
• Change the landing location
• Move the session to another day
For this reason, it really pays to keep some flexibility in your trip, especially a spare morning or two.
We love flying in the morning, as conditions are usually calmer and it gives us more flexibility to move flights if the weather isn’t on our side.
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Comfort and warmth are key, especially at altitude.
Footwear: • Sturdy footwear is essential • Sandals are okay in summer • High heels are a no‑go • Shoes should be comfortable for walking on grass, rocks, or snow in winter
Clothing: • Bring warm layers — it’s often a few degrees cooler up there • A jacket is always recommended • In winter, wear thermals or fleece‑lined leggings • Woolly socks, gloves, and hats are highly recommended
You’ll be on the ground for up to 45 minutes, so choose something you can stay warm and comfortable in.
For surprise proposals, everything is planned carefully so the moment feels natural and effortless.
You’ll check in for your safety briefing around 15 minutes before your flight, where your photographer will already be waiting undercover, posing as a tourist on the scenic flight.
The helicopter team is fully aware of the plan and knows who the photographer is.
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Once the helicopter lands, the pilot will guide you both out to a scenic spot where you can take a few “selfies.”
Your photographer will remain discreetly nearby, ready to capture the proposal as it unfolds naturally.
After you propose, your photographer will step in and guide a relaxed couples shoot, capturing the joy, emotion, and celebration against an incredible alpine backdrop.
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Not at all. From their perspective, this is simply a scenic helicopter experience.
The undercover approach keeps everything low‑key and genuine, allowing the moment to unfold organically, which makes for the most authentic photos.
If you’re already travelling to Queenstown, adding a helicopter experience turns your shoot into something truly once‑in‑a‑lifetime.
Whether it’s a proposal, a couples session, or a family adventure, adding a heli location creates:
Unmatched scenery
Total privacy
A sense of adventure
Images you simply can’t recreate anywhere else
If you’re on the fence, this is one of those experiences people never regret saying yes to.
Adding a helicopter to your session isn’t just about the photos.
It’s about turning an already meaningful moment into a true experience.
From the moment you lift off to the quiet minutes spent together in a remote alpine location, it’s the kind of adventure that stays with you long after you’ve landed. I’ll take care of the planning and coordination so all you need to do is show up, be present, and enjoy every second.
It’s not something you do every day and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Cecil Peak is one of the closest heli landing spots to Queenstown and is a rocky outcrop overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown below.
There are plenty of different angles and photo opportunities up here and it is a great location if you wish to experience Queenstown from high above.
Snow: It doesn’t snow much up at the Ledge, but The Spur holds onto its snow longer. It’s an ideal spot if you want that snowy, winter vibe to your photos.
Price – starts at $1,770 ($2,550 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
Queenstown’s most spectacular mountain range, there’s truly nothing like it in the world.
Its rugged beauty will surely bring a tear to your eye as you look out over Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown below, making for precious memories as you and your loved one are carried away by the beauty of nature.
Snow: Winter’s perfect for snow-covered shots, and spring’s a great time for those stunning white wedding photos too. In the warmer months, the snow’s usually gone, but you’ll still get those amazing mountain views and the vast, breathtaking scenery all year round.
Price – starts at $1,770 ($2,550 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
A short trip from Queenstown Airport will see us landing on Bayonet Peak.
This location is really diverse, there is the Valley spread out below, lake views to the left and right as well as a stunning rock formation for those rugged and wildly romantic landscape shots.
Flight time: About 5 minutes round-trip—just the right amount of time for a quick adventure before or after the ceremony!
Price – starts at $1,770 ($2,550 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
(These locations pair with the Classics Package)
One of New Zealand’s most iconic views. From Wanaka airport we can be up on Coromandel Peak within 5 minutes, leaving us plenty of time to soak up the 360-degree views out over the lake and the surrounding mountain peaks.
Snow Action: In winter, this spot turns into a snowy paradise with a cozy blanket of snow over the rocks and valleys. Come summer, the snow’s mostly gone, but the views are still amazing.
Flight Time: It’s a bit of a trek to get here, but the 20-minute helicopter ride is super scenic and totally worth it.
Price – starts at $4,130 ($4,210 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
Nestled high in the mountain tops in Fiordland lies Lake Erskine. It is a stunning alpine lake that has turquoise water in the summer and is covered in beautiful white snow in the winter months.
At the edge of the lake, a waterfall drops down to the magical valleys below. This is a great place to see New Zealand’s native mountain parrot, the cheeky kea.
Snow Action: Lake Erskine is a winter wonderland, with plenty of snow to make your alpine adventure unforgettable. While summer sees less snow, the scene is still breathtaking, with the sun making the sparkling turquoise lake even more stunning.
Flight Time: The flight takes about 20 minutes and is one of the most incredible experiences you’ll have. The remote location and spectacular views are sure to blow you away.
Price – starts at $4,760 ($4,870 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
A beautiful heli flight over Skippers Canyon and Moke Lake will take us to Mount Crichton, a long and towering mountain range overlooking the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
Towards the right, you will see the snow-capped mountain tops of Glenorchy and the Southern Alps in the distance.
Snow Action: Up here, you’re almost guaranteed snow, especially during winter and early spring. The location is cooler than most, so make sure to bring some whiskey for a celebratory toast! For the rest of the year, enjoy the temperate weather, lush alpine grass, and rolling tussocks.
Price – starts at $2,450 ($2,760 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
An extremely ethereal and protected lake cradled between dramatic mountain sides, Lake Lochlager is a remote stunning location for memories that will stay with you forever. The reflections are incredible on a bluebird day and in Winter, the lake becomes iced over with beach snow in the backdrop.
A 1hr charter for the ceremony and capturing this moment is plenty of time for this trip of a lifetime as you become Mr and Mrs Snowking and Snowqueen in the ultimate fairytale wonderland.
Price – starts at $3,990 ($4,080 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
Made famous by the movie The Hobbit, Earnslaw burn is a dream location.
It is surrounded by schist-covered mountains, flowing waterfalls, and the blue ice of the Earnslaw Glacier above.
There are several different landing spots on the valley floor so plenty of different aspects to soak up these magical views.
Snow Action: Earnslaw Burn isn’t the best spot during the depths of winter; the deep valley doesn’t get much light and you could easily get lost in the snow from June to August. However, in the warmer months, the melting snow creates a stunning waterfall effect over the cliff face, offering an incredibly romantic backdrop.
Flight Time: A flight to this location takes approximately 20 minutes. Pair this trip with nearby spots like Big Geordie and Lake Erskine, which are especially beautiful in the summer.
Price – starts at $4,390 ($4,480 starting September 2026)
+$800 late fee for any flights returning after 6 pm
Wherever you fly off to in your very own helicopter for two (well, plus me and the pilot!), you will be sure to not regret a moment of it. Being on such an amazing adventure will truly cement your wedding day as the best in your lives and will make for incredible memories to look back on, together.
Let me make the magic happen and book your dream wedding charter and handle any of the hassles – you just show up and be prepared to be whisked away over eye-popping majestic mountains and dramatic southern landscapes.
It’s the ultimate way to celebrate your love and together, you will reach new heights!