Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier worth booking?
Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier is a 1-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $500 per person. It scores 58 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
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $500 per person
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 ac
What you get
- Hotel Drop-off & Pick-up (Optional)
- Seasonal scenery: flowing waterfalls in summer, snow-covered glacier in winter
- Aerial views of Queenstown
- Live Commentary on board
- Close-up views of the hanging glacier, blue ice, and cascading waterfalls
- Shared Experience
About this experience
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
What's included
Included
- Hotel Drop-off & Pick-up (Optional)
- Seasonal scenery: flowing waterfalls in summer, snow-covered glacier in winter
- Aerial views of Queenstown
- Live Commentary on board
- Close-up views of the hanging glacier, blue ice, and cascading waterfalls
- Shared Experience
- Exclusive landing at Earnslaw Burn — the only operator with landing rights (20mins)
Not included
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Queenstown
Your adventure begins at our Queenstown hangar, where you’ll check in, meet your pilot, and receive a quick safety briefing
Pass by without stopping
Skippers Canyon
Lift off and soar over the dramatic landscapes of historic Skippers Canyon, with its rugged schist cliffs and traces of old gold mining sites.
Pass by without stopping
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.
20 minutes here
Queenstown
Enjoy more breathtaking alpine views on your flight back before landing in Queenstown.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
We are located at 64 Grant Road and have plenty of FREE parking available. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time for check-in.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
We are located at 64 Grant Road and have plenty of FREE parking available. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time for check-in.
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
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- 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
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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
8 verified traveler reviews for Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Must do!!
Absolute highlight of our visit. This was spectacular. The pilot Bill was informative and friendly. The best experience
Response from the operator: Hi Hunt, Wow – what an incredible compliment! Knowing your flight was the highlight of your visit means the world to us. We're so pleased you had such a spectacular experience, and we'll be sure to share your kind words with Bill. He loves sharing his passion for the region, so we're sure he'll be thrilled to hear he helped make your adventure so memorable. Thank you for choosing to fly with us.
via Tripadvisor
Just Incredible! It’ll blow your mind!
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.
Response from the operator: 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!
via Tripadvisor
Unreal experience!...
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!
Response from the operator: 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!
via Viator
Just do it!
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
Response from the operator: 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!
via Viator
Once in a lifetime experience, exceeded expectations
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.
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
- $500 to $995
- 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 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier cost?
+
Prices start at $500 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 Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier take?
+
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 Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 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 Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier?
+
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 Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier suitable for kids and families?
+
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 Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier?
+
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?
+
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 Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Queenstown Helicopter Experience Exclusive Earnslaw Burn Glacier.
Pick your date
