7 Glacier Tours in Queenstown That Repay the Detour

1.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 175 reviews · from $378Our pick

Take a 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Skippers Canyon, the Rees Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park, and the Earnslaw Burn. You may land on or near a glacier, depending on snow and crevasse conditions. English-speaking pilots such as Alfie, Jeremy, Jack, and Alice provide commentary along the way.

“What a fantastic day we had. We were immediately put at ease in terms of safety, with all of the staff being very professional and informative. Our pilot was excellent and very considerate - he realised my partner was a little nervous about flying and managed to calm her nerves. The flight itself was fantastic - we landed on a relatively small but accessible glacier: Bryant Glacier, and the pilot ensured that we did not walk on any unsafe sections of the glacier. Then we explored so many beautiful areas of the mountain range, including a stunning hanging glacier (Earnslaw Burn?), and got to see from above, some LotR sights,…”

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2.50-Minute Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Flight, Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $446Top rated

Take a 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Skippers Canyon, Earnslaw Burn, alpine lakes, glaciers, and Mt. Aspiring National Park. You land on a snowy glacier for about 10 minutes. Hotel transfers, headsets, landing fees, and GST are included. Flights carry no more than six people.

“Amazing experience with beautiful scenery and knowledgeable pilot. Would highly recommend to do whilst in Queenstown”

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3.Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · from $547

Fly from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, Rees and Dart valleys, and Jura Glacier. Your pilot provides commentary and lands for 5 to 10 minutes in the snow. Flights carry up to six passengers, with hotel pickup from central Queenstown.

“Amazing! Once in a life time experience😀 Very professional & well worth the price tag. Something we will always remember!”

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4.50-Minute Southern Glacier Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 50 min · from $499

I’ll take you from Queenstown Airport across the Southern Alps to Mount Aspiring National Park, with pilot commentary, glacier views, and a 10-minute snow landing among the peaks. This small-group flight lasts 50 minutes, includes hotel pickup from many Queenstown addresses, and depends on suitable weather.

“A breathtaking experience like no other... to be able to see these majestic peaks as one only can from the air. Plenty of information given by our guide, as well as thrills from getting so close to the rock/snowy mountain tops.”

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5.Earnslaw Burn Glacier & Waterfalls | 45 mins from Glenorchy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 45 min · from $337

From 35 Mull Street in Glenorchy, fly toward Mt Earnslaw with an English-speaking pilot guide, then land in the Earnslaw Burn basin for 20 minutes. Expect a shared helicopter flight for 6 to 9 passengers, close views of blue glacier ice, waterfalls, and a remote Lord of the Rings setting.

“This is the one! Look no further and chose Heli Glenorchy! Stunning tour with the absolute best customer service, every single staff member was lovely, helpful, genuinely kind, interested and friendly to the max. The landscape speaks for itself, and was simply unbelievably beautiful. We are still coming to terms with what we were fortunate enough to experience today, which wouldn't have been the same with another company. These locals support locals, look after their staff and it translates in their joy to welcome you and look after you and give you the best time ever. Seriously, look no further, chose this one! You never feel rushed and you will…”

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6.Earnslaw Burn Glacier & Waterfalls | 75min from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 15m · from $651

Fly with Heliworks Queenstown over Moonlight Saddle, Skippers Canyon, and Lake Whakatipu. You land for 20 minutes in the remote Earnslaw Burn basin beside a hanging glacier and waterfalls, then make a 10-minute alpine landing chosen by your pilot. Flights carry 6 to 9 passengers and run year-round, weather permitting.

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7.Sunrise Glacier Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $298Best value

Meet Glenorchy Air inside Queenstown Airport before dawn for a 1 hour 15 minute fixed-wing flight around Mt. Aspiring. With no landing, you stay airborne over glaciers, icefalls, valleys, and remote national park country. The group is limited to nine, and every passenger gets a guaranteed window seat.

“the planning of the flight and the validation of the parking. excellent service overall.”

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