Sutherland Falls Helicopter Flight: A Detailed Review

The flight to Sutherland Falls in a helicopter? So, it’s often touted as a definite highlight of a visit to New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park. Is it just fancy talk, very pricey and for tourists only, you know, or is it truly an adventure you won’t soon forget? We are going to get into what it’s really like, what you should think about, and basically, if handing over that hard-earned money is actually a brilliant idea. If you’re planning a trip, maybe even backpacking New Zealand on a budget, a scenic flight can sound extravagant, that is, yet some splurges create lifetime memories. Is the helicopter ride to Sutherland Falls one of them?

What Makes Sutherland Falls Special?

Before we jump into the helicopter stuff, it’s almost worth taking a moment to appreciate just what makes Sutherland Falls sort of amazing. Set very deep in Fiordland National Park, way out of reach from any roads, Sutherland Falls plunges a huge 580 meters (1,904 feet). To paint a picture, the very famous Niagara Falls drops maybe 51 meters; this is like that, but about eleven times the height. That amount of water falling from way up high is quite the sight to see.

And the setting, too it’s arguably as appealing as the falls themselves. Towering, snow-capped mountains, thick rainforest, and just picture-perfect New Zealand scenery encircle the falls. Reaching them normally involves an intense multi-day hike on the Milford Track. That said, hopping in a helicopter turns an extremely tough journey into a delightful experience, really giving you unparalleled views that hikers could only dream of. Sutherland Falls offers a compelling mix of grand spectacle and distant wildness, making it, in a way, more than simply some pretty waterfall; it’s basically an experience.

What to Expect on a Sutherland Falls Helicopter Tour

What can you anticipate from a Sutherland Falls helicopter experience, you ask? The trip typically kicks off at a nearby airfield, that is, often Te Anau or Milford Sound. Before takeoff, so pilots usually deliver a fast safety rundown, that being said, the anticipation grows. Once everyone’s settled, it’s up, up, and away!

Very quickly you’re treated to scenic views as you head deep into Fiordland. Gliding through mountain valleys is pretty incredible, so is spotting hidden lakes and rivers. It’s hard not to stare in amazement at nature, just when the helicopter circles Sutherland Falls. It’s more than just a peek; operators normally ensure many photo chances from every possible viewpoint.

Most tours include a landing close to the falls, now that’s what I call an exclusive opportunity. Being near such raw power is memorable. Imagine the roar of the water, the refreshing mist, and landscapes, unlike any others. Pictures? Clearly, a must. Typically, ground time is about 20–30 minutes, enough to soak it all up before you return. Then you get to fly over all that gorgeous landscape all over again. In summary, a Sutherland Falls helicopter tour is often way more than just a flight; it’s an overload for the senses.

Choosing the Best Helicopter Tour Operator

Picking the perfect company, too it’s key to an exceptional experience. You might want to consider some companies that operate Sutherland Falls trips, though this isn’t an exhaustive list. Each one has stuff that makes it appealing.

Southern Lakes Helicopters: These guys fly from Queenstown and Te Anau to the falls, or that’s what it seems like. They focus, too it’s clear, on trips that let you see a bit more, that is, that allow extra landing spots such as Milford Sound, should that be appealing.

Heliworks Queenstown: Another one with trips starting in Queenstown; what seems to set them apart is that they emphasize both flexibility and individualized experiences, you know, tailoring tours, so they suit individual tastes. Custom charters? Quite possibly a service for you.

Milford Helicopters: They run out of Milford Sound and Te Anau and make the bold claim of being the only firm that can actually land right near Sutherland Falls. That said, they pride themselves on their local knowledge, it might actually come in useful.

Air Milford: Operating right from Milford Sound Airport, they have packages, that is, they seem to offer good connections if you’re already thinking about sightseeing cruises. Because they’re so close, it also offers convenient combinations, too it’s plain to see.

When picking your operator, consider things such as security track records, customer reviews, the type of aircraft they use, plus, of course, costs. Booking directly may also give options or just a bit of wiggle room that third-party booking websites sometimes might not give, alright?

Is a Helicopter Flight Worth the Cost?

Right, so is splurging on a helicopter trip to Sutherland Falls worthwhile? It’s more than a bit of a personal choice. The views? Well, pretty impressive, so is the thrill. Getting close, in some respects, can feel magical. You’re dodging a hard hike and viewing places that, typically, people don’t ever get a chance to see.

You’ll need to weigh that against the cost. It’s an expensive excursion, it might even stretch some budgets a little, I would say. Now that’s one consideration. Secondly, bear in mind that trips are hugely reliant on weather conditions; so in the event of bad conditions it’s quite possible that trips get called off. Always verify refund regulations. Still, people regularly consider it a huge part of any trip.

Think about what’s important on a trip: seeing something absolutely stunning, saving energy and time, plus just taking a really exciting tour, might very well validate its price. But maybe the cash could stretch a good few other days. It often hangs upon private requirements. Very possibly an adventure.

Tips for Booking Your Flight

Here are a handful of useful suggestions that are worth considering, just before you press that “book” button.

• Book ahead of time: Mainly in peak seasons.
• Think About the Time of Year: The seasons change things. The landscapes can differ, just like the light and climatic conditions; it might just add another layer to the experience, yet the climate conditions vary.
• Check the Weather: Companies have the ability to cancel flights in the event that the weather’s rough. Therefore, check that plan very closely to see how it influences you.
• Question Luggage restrictions: Helicopters, usually, allow limited storage; check your trip luggage restrictions, so your things will actually fit.
• Consider Travel Insurance: It could cover disruptions because of the weather, too.

Other Activities near Sutherland Falls

Besides the thrilling helicopter rides to Sutherland Falls, you could add other activities to make your journey, more or less, complete, really enriching your visit in Fiordland.

• Milford Sound Cruises: Very near Sutherland Falls, such cruises offer amazing ways of viewing the famous fiord directly from the water. Check out the wildlife while you weave, you know, amid stunning mountains.
• Hiking the Milford Track: You get bragging rights. A once in a lifetime backpacking trip; it ends close to Sutherland Falls if you’re up to all the effort and organization.
• Exploring Te Anau: You know, get a comfortable break at lovely Te Anau and get a taste for culture right there with various tours and natural highlights too.
• Doubtful Sound Excursions: Not nearly as famous or overrun as its cousin Milford, Doubtful Sound comes with peaceful cruising amidst amazing fjords.
• Kayaking: A kayak trip from Milford Sound and beyond, it could give you new vantage points as you push into various nooks alongside its wild, untamed shorelines.

Photo and Video Tips for Aerial Tours

Getting the right picture in a helicopter tour normally means more, really, than just pointing a camera and also clicking a snapshot. Follow a few pro suggestions to boost those Instagram-level reels.

1. Set Up that Gear: Be sure the camera and any additional lenses, etc, get readied just before you launch; time can easily get short while soaring around!
2. Kill the Reflections: When that cabin glass glares? Annoying! Place the lens virtually parallel alongside any windows preventing annoying light glare plus reflections messing-up shots!
3. Change Angles Regularly: Test varying perspectives while snapping; high / angled shots can definitely transform compositions vastly, sometimes capturing views rarely witnessed by any person from down below.
4. Take Advantage of Settings Adjustments (Shutter Speed): Boost such camera configuration, it minimizes motions that can be jarring from vibrations inside of a fast-moving vehicle, it stops blurs quickly enough.
5. Make Use Of Burst Mode: In most cameras, activating ‘burst’ allows the potential taking numerous successive frames speedily allowing multiple snaps allowing at least something really crisp during various times.