Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
Queenstown, New Zealand

Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

Outty Ranking 68 5.0 · 28 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $558
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Outty Ranking

68/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air worth booking?

Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air is a 8-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $558 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 28 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
68 / 100
Rating
5/5 (28)
Duration
8 hours
From
$558 per person

Depart over the Remarkables, track along the Oreti River across New Zealand’s vast southern farmland before reaching the stunning Southern Coast. Fly over Foveaux Strait passing Dog Island and Ruapuki Island before landing on Ryan’s Creek Airstrip on the hill overlooking the Oban township. This is an unguided day on Stewart Island where you can choose how to spend your day. From an adventure-packed itinerary to spending a leisurely day birdwatching or walking. All additional activities are to be booked directly by the customer and are not included in the package. Any activities should be booked between 10:45am - 3:30pm. Enjoy fresh fish and chips from the Kai Kart or local eatery Sit back and relax on your flight back to Queenstown after enjoying the real ‘island life’ adventures. Experience it all from your window seat!

What you get

    About this experience

    Depart over the Remarkables, track along the Oreti River across New Zealand’s vast southern farmland before reaching the stunning Southern Coast. Fly over Foveaux Strait passing Dog Island and Ruapuki Island before landing on Ryan’s Creek Airstrip on the hill overlooking the Oban township. This is an unguided day on Stewart Island where you can choose how to spend your day. From an adventure-packed itinerary to spending a leisurely day birdwatching or walking. All additional activities are to be booked directly by the customer and are not included in the package. Any activities should be booked between 10:45am - 3:30pm. Enjoy fresh fish and chips from the Kai Kart or local eatery Sit back and relax on your flight back to Queenstown after enjoying the real ‘island life’ adventures. Experience it all from your window seat!

    What's included

    Included

    • Child/booster seats available on request, baby earmuffs also provided
    • Your knowledgeable, highly skilled local pilot will provide interesting and informative commentary
    • Return transfers from Ryans Creek Airstrip (Stewart Island) to Oban township
    • Departures from Queenstown Airport

    Not included

    • Lunch - available to purchase in on the island
    • Airport Terminal Parking fee $20

    What you'll see and do

    1. Stewart Island

      Return flights from Queenstown to explore the island paradise that is Stewart Island for a day. You have the flexibility to do your own thing, the island is full of hidden treasures.

      300 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Queenstown

    Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure at our desk inside the main building. Queenstown Airport Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in. For the closest free on-street parking please head to Douglas Street or McBride Street.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure at our desk inside the main building. Queenstown Airport Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in. For the closest free on-street parking please head to Douglas Street or McBride Street.

    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 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Minimum numbers required to operate this flight
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult

    Photos

    Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air, photo 2Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air, photo 3Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air, photo 4Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air, photo 5Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air, photo 6Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Organization

    4 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    28 verified traveler reviews for Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    27
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Travel40981056439 · July 2026

    10/10 exceptional flight!

    By far the best activity we did in the South Island. A phenomenal experience from start to finish. The views were incredible, the commentary from Annabelle the pilot was perfect. The staff were super friendly and helpful, patient with the children and even allowed our 10yr old son to sit in the copilot seat. On the cruise we saw dolphins and seals, ate nice food and enjoyed more interesting commentary. Overall highly recommend this trip and Glenorchy Air. Thank you again!!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review and great to hear that you had such a wonderful time with Annabel and got to see the Dolphins and seals in Milford Sound! We always love hearing what a wonderful time our guests had, and we hope the rest of your holiday was fantastic!

    via Tripadvisor

    C341NXsandys · April 2026

    A fantastic journey to Stewart Island

    We would have liked to stay a few nights on Stewart Island but were short on time, so this day trip seemed ideal. Our pilot was great and explained all of the land features and history as we travelled as well. He gave us ideas of what to do during our time on the island and was very helpful. The weather was perfect too. We took a van tour around the island and found a good place to have some fish and chips. We enjoyed the museum there as well. Our pilot was excellent and made it a great experience!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a lovely review! We’re so pleased to hear that a day trip to Stewart Island was the perfect way for you to experience it, even with limited time. It’s great to know your pilot helped bring the journey to life with insights into the landscape and history, and that you felt well looked after throughout the day. It sounds like you made the most of your time on the island too, from the van tour to enjoying some classic fish and chips and visiting the museum. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to your pilot. Thanks again for choosing Glenorchy Air. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure!

    via Tripadvisor

    karin c · March 2026

    Highly recommend

    Well organized, on time. Our pilot was great and took good care of us

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your review, we really appreciate it the support. We’re glad to hear everything was well organised on the day and that you had a great experience with your pilot. Thanks again for flying with us!

    via Tripadvisor

    lazydaisy5 · January 2026

    Wonderful

    Excellent day w/ Glenorchy Air. Pilot Isabel did a great job and took care of us the whole day. Thnx. We can highly recommend this. Caecilia and Ralf

    via Tripadvisor

    Trail51095346227 · January 2026

    An epic Stewart Island Day Trip!

    My day with Glenorchy Air and Real NZ on the Stewart Island Ultimate Day Trip was nothing short of incredible from start to finish. Right from booking, Elliot at customer service was absolutely fantastic – friendly, informative, and so helpful in answering all of our questions, which made planning the day stress-free. On the day, Megan, our pilot, delivered an amazing flight experience. She was professional, knowledgeable, and made the scenic journey to Stewart Island so special. The views flying over The Remarkables and Foveaux Strait were breathtaking, and the landing at Ryan’s Creek Airstrip was smooth and comfortable. Once on Stewart Island, the Real NZ team guided us through both the Village & Bays Tour and the Ulva Island Explorer with genuine passion and insight. The combination of cultural history, stunning nature, wildlife encounters and the guided walk on Ulva Island was truly unforgettable. Everything ran seamlessly and felt well organised. This trip is a bucket-list experience that we would recommend to anyone visiting Queenstown. Highly recommended!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your detailed and wonderful review! ✈️🌊 We’re delighted to hear your Stewart Island Ultimate Day Trip was incredible from start to finish. Elliot will be pleased to hear his help made planning stress-free, and Megan will be glad you enjoyed the scenic flight over The Remarkables and Foveaux Strait. It’s fantastic that the Real NZ team made your time on Stewart Island so memorable with the Village & Bays Tour and Ulva Island Explorer. We’re thrilled everything ran smoothly and that the combination of wildlife, scenery, and culture made it a true bucket-list experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $558 to $959
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    10
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.7.

    See everything Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd runs

    Why this scores 68

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)96
    Review evidence (18% weight)46
    Booking momentum (14% weight)38
    Value for money (12% weight)34
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)60
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.

    How much does Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air cost?

    +

    Prices start at $558 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 Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air take?

    +

    Plan for about 8 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 Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?

    +

    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 Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?

    +

    Around 10 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air 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, Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown. 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.

    What is included in Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?

    +

    Included: Child/booster seats available on request, baby earmuffs also provided; Your knowledgeable, highly skilled local pilot will provide interesting and informative co; Return transfers from Ryans Creek Airstrip (Stewart Island) to Oban township; and Departures from Queenstown Airport. Not included: Lunch - available to purchase in on the island; and Airport Terminal Parking fee $20. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?

    +

    Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure at our desk inside the main building. Queenstown Airport Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?

    +

    Across 28 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities, organization. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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