Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 58 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight worth booking?
Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight is a 1-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $465 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 58 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (58)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $465 per person
The only scenic flight company ex. Queenstown to showcase some of Mt Aspiring & Fiordland National Parks largest Glaciers. These include the Rob Roy, Bonar, Jura, Volta, Dart, Olivine, and Donne Glaciers among many other
What you get
- Live pilot commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels)
- Full pre-flight briefing with Air Milford pilot
About this experience
The only scenic flight company ex. Queenstown to showcase some of Mt Aspiring & Fiordland National Parks largest Glaciers. These include the Rob Roy, Bonar, Jura, Volta, Dart, Olivine, and Donne Glaciers among many others and of course, Milford Sound itself. Each tour with Air Milford is guaranteed to see at least five major glaciers.
What's included
Included
- Live pilot commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels)
- Full pre-flight briefing with Air Milford pilot
Not included
- No landing in Milford Sound is included
- No cruise of Milford Sound is included
What you'll see and do
Air Milford
Begin your experience with a thorough pre-flight briefing with your pilots on the sights to be encountered during the 1hr Scenic flight.
15 minutes here
Coronet Peak Ski Area
After takeoff, view Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's premiere ski fields.
Pass by without stopping
Fly over the Shotover river and Skippers canyon, this is where gold was discovered in the 1860's. This river became the world's 2nd highest gold bearing river in the world, next to the Klondike in Alaska.
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Mount Aspiring National Park
Head North out of the Wakatipu basin and into Mt Aspiring National park, with the larger mountains and glaciers emerging as you track north.
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Mount Aspiring
View Mount Aspiring, often known as the Matterhorn of the South, it sits at 10,000ft / 3,030meters and has six related glaciers, the largest being the Upper Volta Glacier.
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Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Begin to head West, over the main divide of the Southern Alps and into Fiordland National park, before exiting Mt Aspiring National park fly down 'glacier alley' with the Olivine Ice Plateau, a unique glacial amphitheater. One of the first sights you will encounter on arrival in Fiordland National Park is Mt Tutoko, at over 8,900ft / 2,700meters it is Fiordland's highest peak. There are two main glaciers to view here the Donne and the Age.
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Milford Sound
Your scenic flight will then take you of an overhead of Milford Sound itself. Milford Sound is Fiordland's most northerly of 14 fiords and also it's most dramatic.
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Milford Sound
Experience the beauty of Milford Sound
Mitre Peak
View the highest peak in Milford Sound, Mitre Peak. It impressively rises directly out of the water of the fiord, to it's summit at 5,560ft / 1,690 meters, which is just over a mile of vertical gain!
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Lake Te Anau
The flight path then begins to track east over the Southern Alps and back towards Queenstown. New Zealand's second largest lake, lake Te Anau can be viewed stretching out to the south.
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Lake Wakatipu
After once again crossing the main divide of the Southern Alps, the route traverses the beech forest filled Greenstone valley, before emerging above Lake Wakatipu. Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's longest lake, with Queenstown nestled on it's shores.
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View the Remarkable mountain range and Queenstown, before landing back at the Air Milford base for your drop-off back to your accommodation by approximately 9.30am.
Pass by without stopping
After leaving Milford Sound the flight path tracks south, down the Arthur valley. At the head of this valley, the Sutherland falls can be viewed, this is New Zealand highest waterfall, falling impressively 1,900ft / 580 meters to the valley floor below.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Please provide us with your accommodation details and we will advise accordingly.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 70 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Please provide us with your accommodation details and we will advise accordingly.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Air Milford
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date/time or full refund
- Do not forget to bring a jacket and your camera
- Infant 0 - 1 years of age fly free of charge, when the infant is sat on a parents lap, with an infant lap belt. If an infant requires their own seat, then a child ticket must be purchased
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 58 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
58 verified traveler reviews for Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Awesome lifetime experience
Well worth the time and expense, such an amazing visual experience that is hard to explain. The Flight just shows how beautiful and absolutely pristine this country is.
via Viator
Best Queenstown Experience
We took the 5 Glaciers and Milford Sound. The weather was good when we took the flight. Emma is a really good pilot, with a smooth flight and landing, a very good experience for those who want to experience Milford Sound from the air. The clouds are the highlight of the flight, feels like we are floating in cotton balls! A must-do experience when you visit Queenstown! Tom and Emma are very warm and friendly.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome views and exterience
The views of the mountains were awesome, the pilot was friendly and provided a great flight. The office staff were helpful and friendly.
Response from the operator: Kia ora, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring our beautiful backyard, and that your pilot helped make the flight even more memorable with their commentary and service. It's also wonderful to know our office team made you feel welcome and looked after throughout your experience. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to fly with us again in the future! Best wishes, Air Milford
via Tripadvisor
The best views with the best pilot and the best plane!
After several postponements due to weather (fortunately we were in town for several days), with staff staying in contact and keeping us up to date (thanks so much!), we finally got our flight. And what a flight. Pilot Antony was great, very friendly, explained everything quickly and simply, and took us on such a good flight. Due to small group (just four of us), we got the Cessna 206, so got live interactive commentary. Weather in our favour so we could see for miles, got to see everything and more. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
AOTEROA AT IT BEST AGAIN
Highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a thrill and what an experience. Staff are super friendly right from the start till we landed back at the base. Definitely will be doing this AMAZING 👏 EXPERIENCE
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $465 to $655
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight cost?
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Prices start at $465 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Queenstown is not rushed.
Is Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 58 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight?
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Around 20 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Queenstown can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Milford Sound and Big Five Glaciers Scenic Flight start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Queenstown within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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