A Helicopter Tour of Southern New Zealand's Alpine Peaks
Over the Top Helicopters offers scenic flight experiences across Queenstown and the fiords of southern New Zealand, operating modern Eurocopter AC130 aircraft fitted with 65 square feet of panoramic windows. The video follows host Jeremy Redmore on a morning excursion that climbs to 5,000 feet above sea level, heading toward Ceil Peak—a dramatic mountain summit in the region. What sets this operator apart is its willingness to customize itineraries entirely around your interests, whether that means alpine sightseeing, hiking, gourmet picnics, extreme golf, wine tours, fly fishing, or even mountaintop events.
This experience suits adventurous travelers who want to see New Zealand's landscape from the air without a rigid tour script, and those seeking an unconventional activity to break up a Queenstown visit. The video demonstrates the company's 26-year track record in the area and their philosophy of making almost any aerial vision possible—all while maintaining an intimate, personalized feel rather than a cattle-car group tour.
Key Moments
Highlights from an Over the Top Helicopter Flight
- Boarding a Eurocopter AC130 B4 with wraparound panoramic windows and taking off from Queenstown airfield
- Ascending to Ceil Peak, a dramatic alpine summit reached at approximately 5,000 feet above sea level
- Landing at a remote mountaintop and playing extreme golf using biodegradable eco balls—a surreal on-site activity
- Seeing the actual location where the operator once flew a local band, their entire amplification rig, and an audience to a peak for a live mountain concert
- Close-up views of glacier-carved terrain, remote lakes, and the rugged fiord landscape of southern New Zealand
What to Know Before Booking Your Helicopter Flight
- Aircraft: Modern Eurocopter AC130 with expansive panoramic windows designed for unobstructed photography and sightseeing
- Altitude and route: Flights reach approximately 5,000 feet above sea level and can take you to alpine peaks, glaciers, remote lakes, and fiord terrain
- Customization: The company states your itinerary is limited only by your imagination—activities like hiking, fly fishing, golfing, and picnicking can be arranged on-site
- Operator experience: Over the Top has been operating in the Queenstown region for 26 years and knows all the best landing spots
- Book early: Given the bespoke nature of flights and scenic demand in Queenstown, spots fill up—securing a date in advance is wise
- Conditions: The video was filmed on a clear morning, suggesting fair weather provides the best views; check local conditions before your flight
Frequently Asked Questions About Over the Top Helicopters
What kind of helicopter will I fly in?
Over the Top uses the Eurocopter AC130 B4, a modern aircraft equipped with 65 square feet of panoramic windows that provide 360-degree visibility for sightseeing and photography.
Can I customize my flight itinerary?
Yes. The company's core philosophy is that your itinerary is limited only by your imagination. Activities such as mountaintop picnics, hiking, gourmet dining, fly fishing, wine tours, extreme golf, and even live events can be arranged as part of your flight experience.
How high do the helicopters fly?
Flights can reach 5,000 feet above sea level or higher, depending on your destination—the video showed a flight to Ceil Peak at this altitude, though flights can access alpine glaciers and other peaks as well.
What locations can we visit?
Over the Top covers Queenstown, Milford Sound, the fiords of southern New Zealand, alpine glaciers, and remote lakes throughout the region. With 26 years of local knowledge, the pilots know all the best landing and photo spots.
How long has this company been operating?
Over the Top Helicopters has been flying in the Queenstown area for 26 years, giving them deep expertise in safe routes, weather patterns, and memorable landing locations.
