14 Glacier Tours in Queenstown to Build a Day Around

1.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 202 reviews · 50 min · from $408Our pick

50-minute Queenstown helicopter flight over Mt Aspiring, Skippers Canyon, and Earnslaw Burn, with possible glacier landing and LOTR views.

“From the start, everything was wonderfully arranged. Grace, a delightful lady, picked us up from our hotel, and we had a lovely chat on the way. Upon arrival at the center, we were guided every step of the way. There, we met our pilot, Will, who was very friendly. The ride was incredibly smooth, and he explained everything to us as we went along. Landing on the glacier was the highlight of our trip in Queenstown. We highly recommend this company—it was a lot of fun. After taking off again, Will showed us around and safely brought us back down. We were then accompanied by another lovely driver, Jack, who…”

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2.50-Minute Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Flight, Queenstown

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

50-minute glacier explorer helicopter flight from Queenstown with Earnslaw Burn views and a snowy glacier landing for photos.

“A perfect, sunny morning flight through the mountains to land on a glacier! It was magic. Our pilot was fantastic! It was so good we did it again the next day with our son and friends.”

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3.Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight

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

50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown to Jura Glacier for a snow landing, Mt Aspiring views, and dramatic returns over alpine valleys.

“Absolute breathtaking, please do it if you have a chance! Certain things you can only enjoy from the air! Worth every dollar. Service was 10/10, we were originally booked for a day with average weather, called them asking to change to the next day and they were happy to do so. Our pilot Jono was great too! Also worth mentioning my wife is pregnant and loved it! In case you're wondering (as we were too), it's super smooth and although it can feel a bit tight, she had a great time.”

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4.Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $1,178

A 6-hour Tasman Glacier heli-hike from Queenstown with fixed-wing and helicopter flights, crampons, guided glacier caves, and morning pickup.

“Such a great experience, our guide Scott was very knowledgeable and made sure the whole group got to see some unique sights. Seeing the Glacier up close was definitely a highlight of the trip.”

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5.Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $343

Queenstown scenic flight to Milford Sound and Mt Aspiring, live pilot commentary, hotel pickup, and views of major glaciers from above.

“It’s a good journey. The pilots are very friendly and professional and they are pretty knowledgeable about the geography and geology along the flight routes. The service staff are very communicative.”

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6.Milford Sound & Big 5 Glaciers Scenic Flight from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 43 reviews · 1h 30m · from $280

Air Milford’s 1-hour scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound shows at least five glaciers, with pilot stories and hotel pickup.

“Sehr flexibel, möchten bestes Erlebnis bieten. Super Rundflug!”

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7.Queenstown Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing | 30 mins

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 31 reviews · 30 min · from $269

30-minute Queenstown helicopter flight with an alpine snow landing over the Whakatipu Basin. Panoramic views, pilot commentary, winter fun.

“from booking to check-in to flying, the entire experience was incredible. this is a must do when visiting queenstown. the staff are amazing and so friendly and our pilot eddie was fantastic. couldn't have asked for anything better, highly recommend!”

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8.Franz Josef Glacier Hike & Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 6h 30m · from $1,015

Fly from Queenstown to Franz Josef by plane and helicopter, then hike 2 hours with crampons and gear on a guided glacier tour.

“Great way to see Mount Cook and the glaciers there if you’re short on time from Queenstown”

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9.50-Minute Southern Glacier Helicopter Flight

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

A 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown to Mount Aspiring National Park for glacier icefall views and a snow landing.

“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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10.Earnslaw Burn Glacier & Waterfalls | 45 mins from Glenorchy

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

A 45-minute helicopter flight from Glenorchy to Earnslaw Burn for close views of the hanging glacier and an exclusive valley landing.

“This is an amazing experience landing not only at the burn but on the snow and getting up close to a glacier”

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11.Tasman Glacier Helihike with Flight Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 9 reviews · 6 hours · from $1,015

Queenstown to Tasman Glacier by plane and helicopter, then a 2-hour guided crampon hike in Mt. Cook National Park.

“Amazing experience, Laure the pilot was very nice and the flight was smooth and the scenery was wonderful. The helicopter pilot Nigel was also great. The tour guide, Scott was the best, very experienced and nice and made everything easy for my wife and myself, as we were much older than the rest of the hikers, overall was amazing experience”

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12.Glenorchy: 25-30 Minute Snow Landing Helicopter Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 25 min · from $215Best value

Fly over Glenorchy on a 25 to 30 minute helicopter ride, then step onto an alpine snow peak for panoramic winter views.

“Amazing , Matt was great, very knowledgable, in terms of geology and local history. Very smooth flying and landing . Thank you Matt 🤲🏾”

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

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

75-minute helicopter from Queenstown to Earnslaw Burn glacier waterfalls and an alpine landing, year-round views, optional pickup.

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14.Sunrise Glacier Scenic Flight

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

Join a small-group Queenstown sunrise flight over Mt. Aspiring, glaciers, and ice plateaus, with a guaranteed window seat.

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

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