Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight
About This Experience
Fifty minutes is where a Queenstown helicopter flight stops being a scenic loop over the lake and becomes a proper crossing of the Southern Alps. This one leaves Frankton, climbs over the historic gold-mining country of Skippers Canyon and the braided riverbeds of the Rees Valley, and pushes into Mount Aspiring National Park — glaciers, icefalls and hanging valleys with no road within thirty kilometres.
The turning point is the Earnslaw Burn. A hanging glacier sits on the headwall above the valley and feeds dozens of waterfalls that drop hundreds of metres down bare rock; it is the valley people recognise from the Middle-earth films — the company leaves Rivendell along the foot of it in An Unexpected Journey — and on the ground it is an eight-to-twelve-hour walk in and out. From the air it takes about a minute to fly the length of it.
The flight includes a glacier landing, weather permitting — you step out onto the ice, well above the tree line, with peaks on every side. This is the longest flight most Queenstown visitors take without committing to a full Milford day, and with 225 reviews at 4.9 it is the operator's best-regarded product.
Highlights
- Fly deep into Mount Aspiring National Park to glaciers and icefalls
- The Earnslaw Burn hanging glacier and its curtain of waterfalls
- A landing on the glacier itself, out on the ice
- Cross historic Skippers Canyon and the braided Rees Valley
- Fifty minutes of flying — more than double the standard Queenstown circuit
What's Included
- ✓ Courtesy coach transfers from selected Queenstown pickup points
- ✓ 50-minute helicopter flight with a glacier landing
- ✓ Experienced pilot and full safety briefing
- ✓ Live in-flight commentary on the landmarks below
Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup outside the listed transfer points
- Gratuities
What to Bring
- Warm layers
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Closed-toe shoes
Good to Know & Caveats
- Quoted flight times are approximate and flight paths may change at the pilot's discretion
- The glacier landing depends on conditions on the ice and cannot be guaranteed on every departure
- If minimum passenger numbers are not reached you are offered an alternative or a full refund
- Mount Aspiring National Park weather changes faster than Queenstown's — a clear morning in town is not a forecast
- Smoking, drones and selfie sticks are not permitted
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Meeting Point
Courtesy coach transfer from selected Queenstown pickup points to the Glacier Southern Lakes base at 35 Lucas Place, Frankton — a white hangar with parking out front.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 225 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Kha was an amazing guide! Picked us up on time, from the moment we met him he made us laugh and made sure we had a great day! Very impressed with the sights we seen and the knowledge and history Kha had! Highly recommend if you are looking for a private tour!
— Rebecca, July 12
This was truly a highlight for our trip. All the people we had the opportunity to interact with were friendly and ensured we had an amazing ride. Special thanks to pilot Steve, the way he interacted with the young girl on flight to make sure she was enjoying it was fantastic.
— Samuel, July 7,
At the very beginning I was worried about jumping into a helicopter as this was my first time but boy was I scared for nothing! The whole flight Steve was amazing. He let myself and group know about every upcoming turn/bumpy parts, he gave us amazing commentary throughout the whole flight and he even made the best photographer! This experience is definitely worth every dollar. Amazing customer service from both the driver and the ladies at the front desks.
— Alissar El, June 18
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Earnslaw Burn?
A glacial valley north-west of Queenstown, below Mount Earnslaw. A hanging glacier sits on the headwall and feeds dozens of waterfalls that fall hundreds of metres down sheer rock. It appeared in An Unexpected Journey, and reaching it on foot is a demanding eight-to-twelve-hour return tramp — by helicopter it is about twenty minutes from Frankton.
Do you land on the glacier?
Yes, conditions permitting. The landing is on the ice itself rather than on a rock ridge, which is why it depends on the state of the snowpack and the weather on the day.
Is the 50-minute flight worth double the price of the 20-minute one?
They are different products. The 20-minute flight shows you Queenstown and the Remarkables from above. This one crosses into Mount Aspiring National Park and lands on a glacier — country you cannot see on a short circuit and cannot reach by road at all. If you only fly once in Queenstown and the budget stretches, this is the one people say they would repeat.
How much of the 50 minutes is spent flying?
Most of it. The glacier landing accounts for a few minutes on the ice; the rest is in the air, and the route out over Skippers Canyon and the Rees Valley is scenic from the moment you leave the basin.
Is hotel pickup included?
A courtesy coach runs from selected Queenstown pickup points to the Frankton base. It is not door-to-door from every address, so check the pickup list at booking.
