Cecil Peak and The Remarkables

These are the closest and most affordable heli locations in Queenstown, as both are only a 5 minute flight from the airport. Cecil Peak showcases sheer cliffs that drop down to Lake Wakatipu, giving it a dramatic edge. The Remarkable’s large, gradual sloping platu features 360-degree panoramic mountain views.

In winter, The Remarkables tends to carry a reliable blanket of snow, creating a breathtaking backdrop. In summer, Cecil Peak’s golden grasses offer a great contrast to the blue lake.

Either way, you can’t go wrong with either of these locations. They are convenient and great value for money, making them ideal for a busy wedding day getaway.

A bonus location is Bayonet Peaks, which is a mountain range just behind Cecil Peak. It’s a great option if you’re after something closeby but a bit quieter, more unique and less photographed.

Lake Lochnagar

This is a stunning alpine lake, nested deep in the Richardson Mountains. You’ll fly out through Skippers Canyon, which an experience itself. The lake is about 3x bigger than Lake Erskine and it offers multiple landing spots, including several secluded beaches and a vintage hut. One of it’s unique features are the large and flat pebble beaches. This makes moving around easy (which is important for getting great video footage).

Check out the film below to get a feel for this gorgeous lake.

Lake Erskine

Another epic alpine lake. This time in the Fiordland National Park. There’s massive a cascading waterfall on the southern end, which is where you’ll land. The northern end boasts massive vertical cliffs that surround the lake. It’s an incredible experience all around. You can get really deep snow here in the winter, so I’d recommend some warm clothing and hiking/snow boots.

Earnslaw Burn

If I was forced to pick a favorite, I think it would be Earnslaw Burn. You’ll land in a valley below Mt Earnslaw and the Earnlaw Glacier, almost completely surrounded by a wall of waterfalls. One of the bigger waterfalls (Gilkison Falls) was actually featured in the Hobbit Movie.

It’s a really incredible spot, which makes you feel very small and insignificant all of a sudden. You’ll need to be flying with Heliworks to land here though, but that’s not such a sacrifice (they’re an awesome company to fly with).

I hope you found these recommendations helpful. There are obviously plenty of other great landing options out there and I’d be happy to chat if you have any specific questions or would like some more suggestions. Happy wedding planning!

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