Fly with the pilots who filmed the Lord of the Rings Trilogy...

Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters was contracted exclusively by Peter Jackson for aerial filming and transportation of cast to film locations in Lord of the Rings. Our helicopter pilots have an intimate knowledge of the area and can transport you into Middle Earth.

The following three flights have been designed by Alfie Speight, our principal filming pilot for the series, and Ian Brodie, author of The Lord of the Rings Official Location Guide Book.

Click here to make a booking request for any of these unique flights.

Flight to the Ford

A good introduction to Middle Earth. Departing from Queenstown Airport our helicopter takes us towards the steep ridges of the Misty Mountains. Climbing ever higher the first stop is the Dimrill Dale, lying between two great arms of the mountains. This valley marks the western door of the great Gates of Khazad-dum (Moria) and Mirrormere, source of the River Silverlode.

We then continue across Lake Wakatipu (Nen Hithoel) to fly over Amon Hen, scene of the Breaking of the Fellowship. Excellent views can be obtained of the forest where Lurtz fought his final battle against Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli. We also see the site of the Ilithien camp where Frodo and Sam hid from the battle and first saw the Oliphants.
Heading now towards the River Bruinen, we see the Ford, scene of the desperate encounter between Arwen and the Black Riders.
Homeward bound, to our left can be seen glimpses of the River Anduin (location of the Gates of Argonath) before landing back at Queenstown Airport.

Flight Plan: Queenstown – Remarkables – Closeburn – Skippers – Queenstown
Time Away: 45 minutes -- includes one landing
Cost: NZ$320 per person – minimum of 2 passengers

The Great Forests

Leaving Queenstown Airport we climb the steep slopes of the Misty Mountains to the Dimrill Dale and the great Gates of Khazad-dum. Mirrormere, source of the River Silverlode also lies below and after a pause for photographs we cross Lake Wakatipu (Nen Hithoel) towards Amon Hen, scene of the Breaking of the Fellowship.
Excellent views can be obtained of the forest where Lurtz fought his final battle against Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli. We also see the site of the Ilithien camp where Frodo and Sam hid from the battle and first saw the Oliphants.
We now continue Westward for a landing atop Mt Alfred (Dol Baran) where the vista of Nan Curunir (scene of Isengard and the Tower of Orthanc) unfolds. The great forest beckons, and as we fly over the outskirts of Lothlorien, the massive peaks of the Misty Mountains tower overhead. We now travel East towards the old gold mining area of Skippers before flying over the River Bruinen, scene of the desperate encounter between Arwen and the Black Riders. Homeward bound, to our left can be seen further glimpses of the River Anduin (location of the Gates of Argonath) before landing back at Queenstown Airport.

Flight Plan: Queenstown – Remarkables – Closeburn – Greenstone – Paradise – Skippers – Arrowtown - Queenstown
Time Away: 1 hour 15minutes -- includes 2 landings
Cost: NZ$590 per person – minimum 2 passengers

The Middle Earth Explorer

Leaving Queenstown Airport, we climb the steep slopes of the Misty Mountains to the Dimrill Dale and the Great Gates of Khazad-dum. Mirrormere, source of the River Silverlode also lies below and after a pause for photographs, we cross Lake Wakatipu towards Amon Hen, scene of the Breaking of the Fellowship.
Excellent views can be obtained of the forest where Lurtz fought his final battle against Aragon, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli. We also see the site of the Ilithien camp where Frodo and Sam hid from the battle and first saw the Oliphants. Continuing South, and after skirting the Fangorn Forest and Nen Hithoel, we fly over the Midgewater Marshes and on to Lake Te Anau before following the River Anduin to Lake Manapouri.
The Misty Mountains beckon us and we ascend the broken slopes to arrive at the Norwest Lakes, scene of the Fellowship heading South from Rivendell.
We leave the Misty Mountains and re-cross Lake Te Anau on our way to a landing atop Mt Alfred (Dol Baran) where we see Mt Earnslaw (Methedras) and Nan Curunir (The Wizards Vale), scene of Isengard and the Tower of Orthanc.
We now travel East toward Skippers, scene of the desperate encounter between Arwen and the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen.
Homeward bound, we follow the River Anduin (location of the Gates of Argonath/Pillars of the Kings) before landing back at the Queenstown Airport.

Flight Plan: Queenstown – Remarkables – Closeburn – Mavora Lakes – Takaro – Waiau River – Norwest Lakes – Paradise – Skippers – Queenstown
Time Away: 2 hours 30 minutes - includes 3 landings
Cost: $1230 per person – minimum 2 passengers

The Middle Earth Explorer and Milford Sound

Leaving Queenstown Airport, we climb the steep slopes of the Misty Mountains to the Dimrill Dale and the Great Gates of Khazad-dum. Mirrormere, source of the River Silverlode lies below and after a pause for photographs, we cross Lake Wakatipu towards Amon Hen, scene of the Breaking of the Fellowship.

Excellent views can be obtained of the forest where Lurtz fought his final battle against Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli. We also see the site of the Ilithien camp where Frodo and Sam hid from the battle and first saw the Oliphants. Continuing South, and after skirting the Fangorn Forest and Nen Hithoel, we fly over the Midgewater Marshes and on to Lake
Te Anau before following the River Anduin to Lake Manapouri.
The Misty Mountains beckon us and we ascend the broken slopes to arrive at the Norwest Lakes, scene of the Fellowship heading South from Rivendell.
We now fly North over the bush covered Fiordland mountains to view the spectacular Sutherland Falls (1900 ft, 580 m) before continuing to magnificent Milford Sound. After a pause for photographs, we climb away toward Mt Tutoko, Fiordlands highest mountain, where we land on the snow covered Ngapunatora Plateau to take in the breathtaking vistas of the Southern Alps.
Taking off past Mt Tutoko, we cross the Main Divide to land atop Mt Alfred (Dol Baran) where we see Mt Earnslaw (Methedras) and Nan Curunir (The Wizards Vale), scene of Isengard and the Tower of Orthanc.
We now travel East toward Skippers, scene of the desperate encounter between Arwen and the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen
Homeward bound, we follow the River Anduin (location of the Gates of Argonath/Pillars of the Kings) before landing back at Queenstown Airport.

Flight Plan: Queenstown – Remarkables – Closeburn –Mavora Lakes – Takaro –Waiau River – Norwest Lakes – Milford Sound – Mt Tutoko – Paradise – Skippers -- Queenstown
Time Away: 3 hours 30 minutes – includes 5 landings
Cost: NZ$1575 per person – minimum 3 passengers

Additional Information:

All flights are available on demand, subject to logistics and weather. All flights depart from our Heliworks heli-base at Queenstown Airport, which is located 10 minutes drive from downtown Queenstown. The above are our standard flights which can be altered or extended to suit your requirements. Picnic lunches can be arranged and cost extra.