Heli Glenorchy

Phone Email Menu

Heli Glenorchy

Earnslaw Burn Encounter

  from $625 per person

  Allow 45-70 minutes for this experience

 

Discover the Majestic Earnslaw Burn – A Scenic Flight Like No Other

Discover Middle Earth on our flagship flight, where the immense scale of Mount Earnslaw’s landscapes leaves you breathless. Departing from Glenorchy, this helicopter adventure takes you over vast high-country stations and winding rivers, framed by rugged mountain ranges.

As we near Mount Earnslaw, its towering jagged peaks dominate the horizon. You’ll be treated to a close-range flyover of the awe-inspiring “hanging” Earnslaw Glacier, a suspended wall of ancient blue ice that clings dramatically to the cliffs above the valley.

The journey then descends into the Earnslaw Burn basin, where sheer walls of rock and ice rise around you. It’s a place that makes you feel wonderfully small, like you’ve stepped right into a Lord of The Rings scene, because you have!

Depending on the day, you may also have the chance to meet a member of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary conservation team, who can share insight into the vital work being done to protect the unique ecosystems of this wild corner of New Zealand.

Upgrade Your Flight with an Extra Landing

If one landing isn’t enough, make your flight even more memorable:

  • Alpine Landing – Panoramic views over the Dart River & Lake Whakatipu. $140 pp, total duration 60 minutes
  • Glacier Landing – Step onto a remote glacier with surreal blue ice. $250 pp, total duration 70 minutes

What makes this experience unique?

  • Optional upgrades for an even more epic adventure
  • Experience one of the South Island’s most dramatic natural wonders
  • Exclusive access to the Earnslaw Burn basin
  • Fly with highly experienced local pilots who know the area inside and out

Seasonal Note: During winter, the Earnslaw Burn has fewer fast-flowing waterfalls than in spring, summer, or autumn. While it’s still an unforgettable location, the cascades are most dramatic outside the winter months.

 


Allow 45-70 minutes for this experience


Earnslaw Burn landing


Earnslaw Burn & Alpine/ Glacier landing Add-on available


Alpine


Waterfalls


Mountains


Lakes

The prices listed below are for our shared departures, so other guests will be on your flight. Our prices also change subject to change annually.

Adult (12+): $625 per person

Child (3-11): $440 per person

Infant: (0-2): $315 per person

Prices are valid from 1 April 2026 - 30 September 2027. On our shared departures, you may be in a helicopter with up to 9 people.

We have private charter rates available for our Squirrel helicopters, our twin-engine Squirrels and our 9-seater BK (upon request).

Charters are a great option for bigger groups, or if you would like a more intimate experience.

Find out more about our fleet.

Squirrel (up to 6 passengers): $3,125 per helicopter

Prices are valid from 1 April 2026 - 30 September 2027.

We offer complimentary return transport from Central Queenstown. Please make sure to book this in addition to your flight experience. If you are self-driving, we are based in Glenorchy at 35 Mull Street and we have plenty of parking available. After you have checked in, you will make your way to Glenorchy Aerodrome for your flight.

  • Wear comfortable covered shoes
  • Bring along or wear warm clothing, including a jacket
  • Remember to bring your camera, sunscreen and sunglasses

Bookings
• We recommend booking in advance via our online booking calendar.
• For the purpose of aircraft weight and balance and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority rules and regulations, we require all passenger weights at the time of booking. Once we have received and reviewed this information we will be able to confirm the booking.
• Our booking system will ask for your credit card details, which are securely stored to confirm your booking, however we will not charge your card until the day of your flight.
• Please note a surcharge will be incurred for credit and contactless payments.

Your flight
• You will need to contact us one hour prior to your departure time for a weather check.
• Minimum passenger numbers are required for all scenic flights. We reserve the right to upgrade passengers or merge flights for operational reasons or flight management purposes if required.
• Flights depart on demand and are subject to availability.
• Flights depart from our Heli Glenorchy base in Glenorchy.
• Advertised times away, flight and landing times are approximate and can be subject to weather conditions. On occasion, flight paths and landing locations may change at the pilot’s discretion.

Pricing
• Our prices change annually from 1 October. Please select your preferred date of travel on our booking system or view the pricing section to view pricing schedules.
• Prices are in $NZD currency and include Goods and Services Tax.
• We reserve the right to change prices at any time without further notice. However, if we have confirmed an advance booking the quoted price will not be altered.

Payments
• We accept EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and cash. Please note a surcharge will be incurred for credit and contactless payments.

Cancellations
• Any cancellations made within 24 hours of departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee. If passengers ‘no-show’ for a flight, 100% of the fare will apply. If we cannot operate due to weather and as a result, passengers are unable to fly, no cancellation fees will apply.

 

Reviews