Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier
Description
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Earnslaw Burn, home to a stunning hanging glacier, vibrant blue ice, and cascading waterfalls. As the only company permitted to land at this hidden gem, Heliworks provides exclusive access to this remarkable destination. Experience panoramic views over historic Skippers Canyon and rugged schist slopes, making this helicopter tour a must for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Whether you visit in summer, when waterfalls flow abundantly, or in winter, when the glacier is capped in fresh snow, each visit promises an unforgettable spectacle of nature’s wonders. - Exclusive landing rights at the stunning Earnslaw Burn glacier - Scenic flight over Skippers Canyon and historic gold mining sites - Spectacular views of seasonal waterfalls and vibrant blue ice - Ideal for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins at our Queenstown hangar, where you’ll check in, meet your pilot, and receive a quick safety briefing
Lift off and soar over the dramatic landscapes of historic Skippers Canyon, with its rugged schist cliffs and traces of old gold mining sites.
Touch down on the valley floor at the base of the hanging glacier – a location only Heliworks is permitted to land. Marvel at the glacier towering above you, framed by cascading waterfalls in summer or glistening under fresh winter snow. Take in the surreal blue hues of the glacier ice on a close-up flyover.
Enjoy more breathtaking alpine views on your flight back before landing in Queenstown.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer complimentary hotel pick-ups and drop-offs as part of your scenic helicopter experience. Our team will confirm your pick-up location and time in your confirmation email. Please be ready 60 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time to ensure a smooth and timely check-in.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
Absolute highlight of our visit. This was spectacular. The pilot Bill was informative and friendly. The best experience
We did the Earnslaw Burn helicopter experience with Heliworks yesterday and I genuinely don’t know if words can do it justice. At around $1,000 per person for the hour, this sits firmly in “special occasion” territory — but hand on heart, this is one of the most extraordinary experiences we have ever spent money on. The moment you lift off and start flying over the mountains around Queenstown, your brain almost can’t process what it’s seeing. Flying through alpine terrain, past the peaks where heli-skiers get dropped off (and seriously… they all need their heads read because I cannot comprehend skiing those mountains!) was breathtaking. Then you arrive into Earnslaw Burn. Nothing prepares you for it. It feels prehistoric. Massive rock walls, waterfalls pouring from impossible heights, glaciers, hanging valleys — the scale of it is so immense and untouched that it honestly doesn’t feel real. We filmed while we were there and afterwards I said: if heaven exists on earth, we may have just found it. The flight itself was exceptional and the return journey was just as fascinating — seeing remnants of old gold mining history, hearing stories of miners taking horses into these remote places and building huts in terrain that feels inaccessible even today. A huge thank you to our pilot Matt — calm, knowledgeable, professional and an exceptional pilot. Watching someone navigate that landscape with such confidence only added to the experience. We felt completely looked after from start to finish. This wasn’t just a scenic flight. It was one of those rare experiences that overloads your senses in the best possible way and stays with you long after you land. If you’re visiting Queenstown and have the opportunity — do it. You will not regret it.
Hi, Wow, thank you for such a stunning review! You captured the magic of the Earnslaw Burn perfectly! We know this is a big investment for a special occasion, so hearing that it was one of the most extraordinary experiences you've ever spent money on means the world to us. We’ll be sure to pass your fantastic compliments along to Matt; he’ll be thrilled to know he looked after you so well. Thank you for choosing Heliworks, and we hope those "heaven on earth" memories stay with you for a lifetime!
Unreal experience! Landing and seeing the glacier and the waterfalls from below was the experience of a lifetime. Zipping up close to the glacier in the helicopter was unreal!
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are thrilled that the glacier landing and the waterfalls were the experience of a lifetime for you. We appreciate you choosing to fly with us and hope to welcome you back for another unreal adventure!
This is a must do! Treat yourself to a bucket list experience. Beautiful views and amazing staff. Flight was smooth as well. Pilot was excellent and knowledgeable
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a smooth flight and that our team made your bucket list experience so special. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you on board again in the future!
Excellent experience. Breathtaking. Easy to book, staff communicated well with us including expectations. Callum, our pilot was amazing, so skilled. The glacier landing was breathtaking. Well worth the cost.
This was such an awesome experience! My pilot was knowledgeable and fun to be with. The scenery and sites were amazing. I highly recommend going on this adventure.
The Earnslaw Burn Explorer was the absolute highlight of the trip and truly worth every dollar—a genuine, spiritual, bucket-list experience. The views were magical, breathtaking, and the six-star service from the Heliworks team made the difference. Our pilot and ground crew were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and professional, ensuring we felt safe and cared for throughout the entire, seamless adventure. Very highly recommend this unforgettable, thrilling experience to anyone!
Thank you so much for your amazing review, Billy! We’re thrilled to hear that the Earnslaw Burn Explorer was such a highlight of your trip, with truly breathtaking views. It’s fantastic to know that our team made the experience seamless and enjoyable from start to finish. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to both the pilot and ground crew. Your recommendation means a lot, and we would love to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future.
WOW. Flights to Milford Sound were grounded due to bad weather. Heliworks stepped in with an offer to a hanging glacier flying over mountains and landing at the foot of the glacier. Great service, great scenery and very professional pilot. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so glad we could still get you up in the air despite the Milford weather. The hanging glacier is such a special spot, thrilled you enjoyed the views and the experience with our team!
