Those photos are heli from Geektastic not fixed wing.

mentalinc:

 

Those photos are heli from Geektastic not fixed wing.

 

Oh ok. Just thought the first one was from fixed-wing due to runway. Proof I haven't been to a heli :)

I fly into Queenstown on Friday, really tempted on this for Saturday morning!

rogercruse:

 

We also didn't realise until we spoke to others booked on our flight that due to poor weather (ie. rain!) that flights are often cancelled or delayed. One couple had waited 3-4 days. So be prepared.  

 

 

 

^ This. It's quite common for the flights to be cancelled, the weather can change quickly in the sound, so if you are flying back, be prepared for another bus ride. If i was in your position, i'd Fly in, rather than back (or both ways if you can afford it)

Thanks for the comments around the weather. I wonder if this is the case around mid January given it's summer?

CrashAndBurn:

 

Thanks for the comments around the weather. I wonder if this is the case around mid January given it's summer?

 

Milford Sound Weather

 

The mean annual rainfall in Milford Sound is 6,813mm, and it rains there on average 182 days a year. Over the course of 24 hours, 250mm of rain can fall in the area. The two rainiest months are actually December and January, during the New Zealand summer! So no matter what time of year you visit and no matter the Milford Sound weather forecast, it’s a good idea to bring a waterproof layer.

 

CrashAndBurn:

@Geektastic - I take it the first photo is fixed-wing? As that is another option that I am looking at to experience both e.g. fixed-wing going to and heli on the way back.

Geektastic:

CrashAndBurn:

 

@Geektastic - I take it the first photo is fixed-wing? As that is another option that I am looking at to experience both e.g. fixed-wing going to and heli on the way back.

 

No both helicopter. I imagine they follow the same approach because there’s not a huge amount of space around and it isn’t busy.

Thanks. And amazing photos by the way.

I would suggest if you do fly that you don’t tell them what your geekzone username is.........

Geektastic: No both helicopter. I imagine they follow the same approach because there’s not a huge amount of space around and it isn’t busy.

Correct. It's beneficial to both helicopters and fixed wing to land into wind. It's also a good idea that all aircraft are travelling in the same direction, if not the same speed.

Maybe not so much this year, but, at times, Milford can be quite busy. Not busy like Auckland, but sometimes busier than (say) Palmerston North, and no control tower or ATC.

Dingbatt:

 

I would suggest if you do fly that you don’t tell them what your geekzone username is.........

 

Noted 😋

The bus trip is long but in my opinion well worth it. You get a different perspective plus you get to see/experience things you cannot see from the air. For example the Mirror Lakes and the Kea's at the Homer Tunnel. Fly both ways if you want to save time but go one way by bus if you want the full experience. Those that haven't been by bus don't know what they have missed.

Technofreak:

The bus trip is long but in my opinion well worth it. You get a different perspective plus you get to see/experience things you cannot see from the air. For example the Mirror Lakes and the Kea's at the Homer Tunnel. Fly both ways if you want to save time but go one way by bus if you want the full experience. Those that haven't been by bus don't know what they have missed.

Geektastic:

A long and dull bus ride squished in with 40 other people for 6 hours? 🤣

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I've done it I didn't find it boring, otherwise I wouldn't recommend it. I know plenty of others who have done it they didn't find it boring either.

Didn't feel squished either. I'd say the helicopter would be far more cosy based on the helicopter trips I've done.

I have driven in and out. (camper-van so across two days).

I would recommend going in by road. The drive in was the highlight for us. The visa's through the windscreen were amazing, and we stopped at the same places tourist buses were stopping at. They don't build special buses with inclined seating & glass ceilings for nothing. Went on the boat trip, but found fine but comparatively dull.

Google maps has the drive as being 3.5 hours. Should note that all the interesting stuff is concentrated in the last hour, and there is over an hour in the middle of the trip with no notable scenery.

If I was in your position (and happy to get up early to make the bus) I would bus in, do a boat trip, and fly back on a small fixed wing plane. Views will be the same for the plane, and cheaper. Save your helicopter $$ for where you can land somewhere interesting (especially where there is no other option, such as the two well known west coast glacier's).

Only time I have been in a helicopter was near mount cook, we flew up, and could see the clouds cascading through the gaps in the mountain peaks, then we landed on a glacier, hopped out for 10mins, and then flew back. Was epic.