Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown worth booking?
Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown is a 1.5-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $850 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $850 per person
The only helicopter experience that combines a Milford Sound flyover with two incredible landings — a remote alpine peak and the cinematic Earnslaw Burn showcasing a hanging glacier.
What you get
- Hotel pickup and dropoff
- Live commentary during the flight
- Shared experience
- Pilot guide
- Scenic helicopter flight with two landings (one alpine & one exclusive Earnslaw Burn)
About this experience
The only helicopter experience that combines a Milford Sound flyover with two incredible landings — a remote alpine peak and the cinematic Earnslaw Burn showcasing a hanging glacier.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and dropoff
- Live commentary during the flight
- Shared experience
- Pilot guide
- Scenic helicopter flight with two landings (one alpine & one exclusive Earnslaw Burn)
Not included
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Queenstown
Depart Queenstown – Begin your adventure with a scenic departure from Queenstown, soaring over the glistening waters of Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding alpine landscapes.
Pass by without stopping
Milford Sound
Take in the awe-inspiring views of Milford Sound from above, as you glide past towering cliffs, ancient glaciers, and the iconic Mitre Peak, all framed by the deep blue waters of the fiord.
Pass by without stopping
Fiordland National Park
Touch down in a remote alpine location. Step out onto untouched snow or rocky terrain to capture panoramic photos of Fiordland’s dramatic peaks and valleys.
10 minutes here
Continue your journey to the spectacular and exclsuive Earnslaw Burn, an alpine valley famous for its cascading waterfalls and the magnificent hanging glacier featured in The Hobbit films. Enjoy time to explore, take photos, and soak in this cinematic landscape.
20 minutes here
Queenstown
Conclude your experience with a scenic return flight, showcasing sweeping vistas of the Southern Alps and sparkling lakes.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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
- Heliworks Queenstown Helicopter Flights
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Do the helicopter trip to Milford sounds
Best experience ever. Jacko the chief pilot was outstanding. A windy day and he is just amazing. Interactive and entertaining. Michele the host is exceptional too. Even if you a bit scared - do this!!!!
via Tripadvisor
Best experience of your life
One of the best experiences of my entire life -- and I have traveled the world. The company is expertly run from booking through goodbye, full of kind and attentive people. The flight is smooth, careful and stunning. Every seat has a great view and we rotated seats, back to front, throughout. Splurge and take the long trip. Even the lunch is gourmet. Valium was our pilots and he explained the exactly right amount, not too much, not too little. If you do nothing else with your money the rest of the year, do this.
Response from the operator: Thank you for this incredible review! We are honoured to be a highlight of your global travels. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to your pilot and the rest of our team. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you on board again someday!
via Tripadvisor
Incredilbe experience
Scotty was an excellent Pilot with great knowledge of the mountains and surrounds. He kept us newbees to Helicopter flying so calm. The food we had at the Picnic from Franks was incredible. What an amazing experience, we won't forget in a hurry.
via Tripadvisor
On top of the world
As a wedding present to my wife we set out with our wonderful pilot John aka Taupo to Milford Sound for a cruise. The cruise was amazing but the flight there and back left us speechless. John was fantastic and gave us a wonderful briefing on the history of the area as we flew over Glenorchy and Earnslaw Burn but we would have to say that the two landings on seperate glaciers were just brilliant. It truly was like being on top of the world and we now have amazing photos but also memories indelibly stamped in our brains of the the most wonderful day of our honeymoon. Truly unforgettable!! Thank you John for making the day so special.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Peter, for taking the time to share such an incredible review. We're absolutely thrilled to hear your Milford experience was such a highlight of your honeymoon, what an amazing way to celebrate. It’s wonderful to hear John (Taupo) helped make the day so memorable with his knowledge and passion for the area. Those glacier landings truly are something special, and we’re so glad you both got to experience them in perfect conditions. Wishing you and your wife all the best for this next chapter together, and hopefully we’ll see you again for another adventure someday.
via Tripadvisor
The highlight of our trip
This is why I wanted to come to Queenstown and it was better than I could have imagined. All day we could only describe it at WOW!!! Spectacular in every way. Worth every cent and I’d definitely do it again. Landing in the snow on the glacier and having a play was the absolute highlight of our trip. All the staff were friendly and helpful. We combined the cruise thru Milford Sound which was beautiful too. Dress warm!! **New travellers** Traffic in the morning from Queenstown to the helipad was a standstill. It took over 30 mins in the morning and only 10 mins back in the avo. Don’t miss your flight!!
Response from the operator: Kia Melissa Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear the flight and glacier landing were the highlight of your trip – WOW indeed! 😊 It’s great to hear you enjoyed combining it with the Milford Sound cruise, and we appreciate the helpful tips for new travellers.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $850 to $1695
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Heliworks Queenstown Helicopter Flights, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.4.
See everything Heliworks Queenstown Helicopter Flights runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown cost?
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Prices start at $850 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 Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours 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 Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 8 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 Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown?
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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 Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown?
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Around 3 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 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Milford Sound Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour from Queenstown 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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