Skip to content
Adventure

Glenorchy Glacier Landing Helicopter Flight, Mount Aspiring National Park

Helicopter from Glenorchy over blue crevasses, then step out onto a remote glacier.

A 40 minute shared helicopter flight from Glenorchy through Mount Aspiring National Park, past ice-blue crevasses and onto a remote glacier landing, with views over Lake Whakatipu on the way.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 40 Minutes 👥 Small group 🔥 Active

More New Zealand trips

Compare all 109 New Zealand trips

From

$620 AUD

per person

Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

Choose a date Got a question first? Ask our team →

Booking guarantee Price Match Promise Secure payment via Square

  • Instant confirmation

    Booked instantly · confirmation and ticket by email within 30 minutes.

  • No change fees from us

    Need to move? Just message us and we'll arrange it for you.

  • Licensed local operator

    An established operator with public reviews.

Pick your start date

Pick an available date. Your confirmation and ticket arrive together in one email within 30 minutes.

SuMoTuWeThFrSa

Available, pick any date Instant booking, confirmed in minutes

From

$620 AUD pp

Choose a start date →

Travellers
1
Pick a date to book
Secure payment via Square · you don't pay for a spot we can't confirm

Overview

Glenorchy sits at the head of Lake Whakatipu, and from there the helicopter goes straight into Mount Aspiring National Park. The 40 minute flight climbs over the lake, into the glacial valleys and up to a remote glacier where you land on fresh snow. It is a shared flight, so it costs a lot less than chartering, and you see more terrain than a standard scenic lap of Queenstown.

You check in at the base on Mull Street in Glenorchy, then head to the Glenorchy aerodrome for the flight. The route runs over Lake Whakatipu and into the park: alpine lakes, waterfalls off the valley walls, then the glaciers themselves, cut by ice-blue crevasses you can look straight down into. The exact path and landing spot depend on the weather, the glacier conditions and the pilot's judgement on the day. On the glacier you get out, stand on the snow with the Southern Alps around you, and the pilot invites you to swap seats so everyone gets a window on the way back.

Check in 15 minutes before departure. Wear comfortable covered shoes and warm clothing including a jacket, and bring sunglasses and sunscreen. There is no age limit, though parents of babies under one are advised to check with a GP about altitude and ears. Glacier landings run all year but are weather dependent, with less visible blue ice in the warmer months. If the weather stops the flight, no cancellation fees apply and you are offered an alternative flight or the next available day.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Flight through Mount Aspiring National Park

  2. 2

    Over Lake Whakatipu from the Glenorchy aerodrome

  3. 3

    Landing on a remote glacier, fresh snow underfoot

  4. 4

    Ice-blue crevasses seen from directly above

  5. 5

    Alpine lakes and waterfalls on the way in

  6. 6

    Shared 40 minute flight, no age limit

  7. 7

    Glacier landings run year-round

Itinerary at a glance

1 Check-in · Base at 35 Mull Street, Glenorchy

Check in 15 minutes before departure, then across to the Glenorchy aerodrome for the flight.

1 Lake Whakatipu · Over the head of the lake

Lift off over Glenorchy and the head of Lake Whakatipu, then into the valleys of Mount Aspiring National Park.

1 The park · Alpine lakes, waterfalls and crevasses

Alpine lakes and waterfalls below, then the glaciers with their ice-blue crevasses. Route set by the pilot on the day.

1 Glacier landing · Out on the snow

Land on a remote glacier and step out onto the snow among the peaks. Seat swap for the return so everyone gets a window. About 40 minutes all up.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 40 minute shared helicopter flight
  • Glacier landing in Mount Aspiring National Park
  • Pilot commentary

✕ Not included

  • ✕Transport between Queenstown and Glenorchy (available as a separate add-on)
  • ✕Meals and drinks
  • ✕Travel insurance
  • ✕Surcharge for credit and contactless card payments on the day

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how early?
    At the operator's base at 35 Mull Street, Glenorchy, 15 minutes before your departure time. From there you go to the Glenorchy aerodrome for the flight. If you are driving from Queenstown, allow 1.5 hours to be safe; it is one of the best drives in the country, so you will not mind.

  • How do I get there from Queenstown?
    Glenorchy is about 45 minutes' drive from Queenstown along the lake road. Return transport from Queenstown is available from the operator as a separate add-on, so ask when you book if you do not have a car.

  • What should I wear?
    Comfortable covered shoes and warm clothing including a jacket; it is cold on the glacier even in summer. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera and insect repellent for the valley.

  • Are there age or weight limits?
    No age restrictions, though the operator suggests parents of infants under one year check with a GP, because altitude can affect young ears. Every passenger's weight is required at booking for the helicopter's weight and balance, and seating is set by the pilot on that basis.

  • What happens if the weather is bad?
    The operator does a weather check one hour before departure, and you are expected to call in for it (details come with your confirmation). If the flight cannot operate, no cancellation fees apply and you are offered an alternative flight or the next available day. Flight paths and the landing site are always at the pilot's discretion, and minimum passenger numbers apply to all scenic flights.

  • Can I land on a glacier in summer?
    Yes, glacier landings run all year. The amount of visible blue ice varies with the season and is lower in the warmer months, so expect more snow cover in summer and more exposed ice in the colder months.

  • What costs extra?
    Transport from Queenstown, food and insurance. Paying by credit or contactless card on the day attracts a surcharge.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

Got a question that's not here? Ask us or hit the chat, instant AI reply with a follow-up from the Wanderlust crew.

What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"An amazing experience from helicopter ride to landing on fresh winter snow on the glacier."
A

Alice I

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"The best experience of a lifetime, glacier landing with unforgettable memories of the helicopter flight and stunning scenery."
t

timmos8

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"This is an experience we will never forget. The views were spectacular and our pilot, … was very informative and helpful...as well as being incredbly safe!!"
K

Kate G

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

Read before you book

You might also like

Secure checkout · you don't pay for a spot we can't confirm

From

$620

Choose a date