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Where Fiordland’s mountains meet the wild West Coast, Waitai Lodge sits quietly in one of the most isolated pockets of Aotearoa. This is a place shaped by dramatic landscapes, powerful solitude, and the kind of stillness that can only be found far from civilisation. Accessible by helicopter, it offers an experience that feels both grounded in nature and luxuriously exclusive.
Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters brings you directly into this remote haven, carrying you across towering ranges and deep glacial valleys before touching down beside the Hollyford River. The flight alone is unforgettable — an aerial journey that reveals just how vast and untouched this region truly is.
Waitai Lodge is designed for simplicity, comfort, and connection to the surrounding landscape. Eight well-appointed ensuite rooms (king or twin share) ensure your nights are warm and restful, while communal spaces look out across the Hollyford River toward the Martins Bay Spit.
Evenings are unhurried here. Gather with friends, share stories from the day, or simply listen to the surf echoing faintly through the valley. And when darkness falls, the lack of light pollution reveals a night sky so clear it often becomes a highlight in itself.
Rather than following roads or tracks, your connection to Waitai begins in the sky. From Queenstown, the helicopter climbs into the Southern Alps, tracing rugged peaks and sweeping coastline as Fiordland opens beneath you.
Descending into Martins Bay, the landscape feels almost prehistoric: dense native forest, black-sand beach, and the distant rumble of the Tasman surf. It’s an arrival that immediately resets the pace and reminds you you’ve stepped into a different world.
If you’re looking to explore even deeper into Fiordland or beyond, our team can arrange tailored private charters to complement your stay.
All meals and beverages are included during your stay, with your hosts preparing dishes inspired by fresh, local ingredients. From cooked breakfasts to three-course dinners, each meal is crafted with care and generous hospitality.
The lodge’s full bar features some of New Zealand’s best beers and wines — ideal for pairing with a fireside evening or enjoyed outside as the last light fades from the mountains.
Waitai’s wood-fired outdoor hot tubs offer a rare moment of quiet luxury in the wild. Surrounded by untouched forest and the gentle soundtrack of Fiordland, you can sink into warm water as steam drifts into the cool alpine air. Whether it’s sunset over the valley or a night sky scattered with stars, the experience is nothing short of magical.
Time slows down at Waitai Lodge. It’s a place to reconnect — with nature, with your group, or simply with yourself. Whether you fill your days exploring Fiordland or prefer long, relaxed hours by the river, the lodge provides a luxurious base without disturbing the purity of the environment around it. Get in touch with our team to start planning your next Fiordland adventure today!
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Highly recommend Fantastic time with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters today for our 50 minute glacier experience. Highly professional and good communication all throughout the day. Special thanks to Jeremy our pilot who was knowledgeable and helpful. Five stars.
Fantastic time with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters today for our 50 minute glacier experience. Highly professional and good communication all throughout the day. Special thanks to Jeremy our pilot who was knowledgeable and helpful. Five stars.
Nigel Swavley | Google Review
Bucket list trip!!! Absolutely amazing! The views were breathtaking and having the opportunity to land on a snow covered mountain was a dream come true. Our pilot was friendly and very thorough in his explanations and knowledge of what we were seeing. He helped take pictures and definitely ensured our safety. Take off and landings were very smooth. I highly recommend this trip!
Absolutely amazing! The views were breathtaking and having the opportunity to land on a snow covered mountain was a dream come true. Our pilot was friendly and very thorough in his explanations and knowledge of what we were seeing. He helped take pictures and definitely ensured our safety. Take off and landings were very smooth. I highly recommend this trip!
Debra L | TripAdvisor
Incredible experience! Our flight with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was absolutely out of this world! The views were just stunning — truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our pilot, Alfie, was fantastic — friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole flight so much fun. Highly recommend this incredible experience!
Our flight with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was absolutely out of this world! The views were just stunning — truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our pilot, Alfie, was fantastic — friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole flight so much fun. Highly recommend this incredible experience!
Carlee Jones | Google Review
Amazing once in a lifetime experience. A MUST do, especially with this company Our pilot was extremely gentle but showed us all what was on offer there and back. He pointed out interesting and spectacular features of the trip. Offering information as we went. And throwing in a few sneaky adrenaline rush’s. So much fun and amazing views. Got to see wild goats on the way back. Flew close but not too close to the mountains. Was very mindful of a nervous passenger. Could not recommend this company highly enough, from pick up on the bus to flying to getting us to the cruise on time and flying us back. So safe, leaving a once in a lifetime experience in our minds. Awesome company and experience
Our pilot was extremely gentle but showed us all what was on offer there and back. He pointed out interesting and spectacular features of the trip. Offering information as we went. And throwing in a few sneaky adrenaline rush’s. So much fun and amazing views. Got to see wild goats on the way back. Flew close but not too close to the mountains. Was very mindful of a nervous passenger. Could not recommend this company highly enough, from pick up on the bus to flying to getting us to the cruise on time and flying us back. So safe, leaving a once in a lifetime experience in our minds. Awesome company and experience
Kylie T | TripAdvisor
A Sure Hit for All Ages! Well run operation. The fly/cruise/fly tour by helicopter to Milford Sound is a must do. The scenery on the flight is spectacular and the cruise on Milford Sound is so scenic with steep canyon walls and lots of waterfalls. The staff were always smiling, genuinely love their jobs, and make every effort to assure each and every guest has a fun and memorable experience. Kurt was our pilot and he was informative along the way and did a great job keeping the ride comfortable. I’ll be back the next time I visit Queenstown!
Well run operation. The fly/cruise/fly tour by helicopter to Milford Sound is a must do. The scenery on the flight is spectacular and the cruise on Milford Sound is so scenic with steep canyon walls and lots of waterfalls. The staff were always smiling, genuinely love their jobs, and make every effort to assure each and every guest has a fun and memorable experience. Kurt was our pilot and he was informative along the way and did a great job keeping the ride comfortable.
I’ll be back the next time I visit Queenstown!
Mark B | TripAdvisor
