A Wanaka helicopter tour can land you on a mountain in a flight of just 30 minutes. The shortest flight crosses Lake Wānaka with Roys Peak in view and, when the weather allows, lands on Mount Alpha at about 1,200 metres. The longer flights head deeper into the mountains around Tititea / Mount Aspiring for a landing on glacier or snow, and the longest adds a second landing at Albert Burn Saddle.
Prefer to go slowly? The Wanaka hot air balloon flies in the early morning for about an hour over the lakes, with Lake Hāwea below you and Lake Wānaka nearby when the wind carries you that way.
The Wanaka hub has four flights live: three shared helicopters from Wanaka Airport and one shared balloon.
Which Wanaka helicopter tour or balloon to book
- Wanaka Lake and Mount Alpha 30-Minute Helicopter Tour, from NZD 380 per person. About 30 minutes over Lake Wānaka and past Roys Peak, with a landing on Mount Alpha (about 1,200 metres) when the weather allows. The lowest price on the hub.
- Wanaka Lakes 60-Minute Hot Air Balloon Tour, from NZD 499 per person. About an hour of untethered free flight inside an early-morning outing of about four hours, including the transfer from the meeting point to the launch site. You may see Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka. The flight ends with a landing in a field.
- Wanaka Aspiring Glacier 60-Minute Helicopter Tour, from NZD 870 per person. About 60 minutes into the mountains around Tititea / Mount Aspiring, with a glacier or snow landing when the weather allows. Lake Wānaka and Albert Burn Saddle are among the listed sights.
- Wanaka Mount Aspiring Explorer 75-Minute Helicopter Tour, from NZD 1,000 per person. About 75 minutes around Tititea / Mount Aspiring with two mountain landings when the weather allows: one on a glacier and one at Albert Burn Saddle. The longest flight on the hub.
Want a first taste with a landing? Take the 30-minute flight to Mount Alpha. Want the big peaks and the ice? Book the 60-minute Aspiring flight, or the 75-minute Explorer for two landings. Want a quiet sunrise over the lakes instead? Choose the balloon.
Before you go
- Where: helicopter flights meet at the sign-posted helicopter reception building at Wanaka Airport, and you drive there yourself from town. The balloon meets at the point named on your voucher and transfers you to the launch site. The two use different meeting places, so check your voucher. The exact time is confirmed after booking.
- Group size: helicopters are shared flights of up to 6 travellers, and adult pricing usually needs at least 2 passengers. The balloon is shared too; its basket size is not published.
- Children: on the helicopters, child seats start at age 4, and infants up to 3 may fly on a lap, subject to conditions. Balloon age rules are on your voucher.
- Weight: no passenger weight limit is published for the helicopters or the balloon. Follow the check-in guidance.
- Landings: every landing depends on the weather and is never guaranteed; the landing spot can change on the day.
- Cancellation: full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Alpine weather, wind or too few passengers can cancel a flight, with a refund or rebooking.
Not sure whether to fly by helicopter or balloon in Wanaka? Email us at hello@flyovertheworld.com and we’ll help you choose.