Adult $1,005
Child $710
Duration 70 Minutes
Landing Alpine & Glacier
Flight 107

Lord of the Rings + Glacier Explorer

No one knows Middle-earth like we do. This is the ultimate experience for followers of Tolkien’s legendary world. Visit the filming location of the opening scene of The Two Towers, followed by a glacier landing alongside the Misty Mountains. Fly over Glenorchy and the Dart River towards Mt Earnslaw — known as Isengard in the films.

No one knows Middle Earth like we do

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was involved in the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, and now you can step into the world of Middle-earth on a breathtaking helicopter adventure. Soar over the stunning Shotover River gorge — the iconic ‘Ford of Bruinen’ — and glide above the awe-inspiring landscapes of Isengard, Lothlórien and more. Land high on a glacier, surrounded by the majestic ‘Misty Mountains’, and feel the thrill of standing in the heart of the ‘Redhorn Pass’. With a second alpine landing, you’ll truly immerse yourself in these unforgettable movie locations.

Throughout your flight, you’ll receive a booklet to help you identify and learn about the famous filming spots. Whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or simply seeking an extraordinary escape, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is sure to take your breath away.

  • Experience the Fort of Bruinen at the Shotover River
  • Views of Mt Earnslaw and it’s hanging glacier
  • Fly with pilots involved in the actual filming of the blockbuster movies

Dates: 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2026

Adult (over 12 years)

$1,005

Children (0 - 11 years)

$710

Private Charter (Airbus Squirrel)

From $5,430

Flight Enquiry

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Highly recommend

Fantastic time with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters today for our 50 minute glacier experience. Highly professional and good communication all throughout the day. Special thanks to Jeremy our pilot who was knowledgeable and helpful. Five stars.

Nigel Swavley | Google Review

Bucket list trip!!!

Absolutely amazing! The views were breathtaking and having the opportunity to land on a snow covered mountain was a dream come true. Our pilot was friendly and very thorough in his explanations and knowledge of what we were seeing. He helped take pictures and definitely ensured our safety. Take off and landings were very smooth. I highly recommend this trip!

Debra L | TripAdvisor

Incredible experience!

Our flight with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was absolutely out of this world! The views were just stunning — truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our pilot, Alfie, was fantastic — friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole flight so much fun. Highly recommend this incredible experience!

Carlee Jones | Google Review

Amazing once in a lifetime experience. A MUST do, especially with this company

Our pilot was extremely gentle but showed us all what was on offer there and back. He pointed out interesting and spectacular features of the trip. Offering information as we went. And throwing in a few sneaky adrenaline rush’s. So much fun and amazing views. Got to see wild goats on the way back. Flew close but not too close to the mountains. Was very mindful of a nervous passenger. Could not recommend this company highly enough, from pick up on the bus to flying to getting us to the cruise on time and flying us back. So safe, leaving a once in a lifetime experience in our minds. Awesome company and experience

Kylie T | TripAdvisor

A Sure Hit for All Ages!

Well run operation. The fly/cruise/fly tour by helicopter to Milford Sound is a must do. The scenery on the flight is spectacular and the cruise on Milford Sound is so scenic with steep canyon walls and lots of waterfalls. The staff were always smiling, genuinely love their jobs, and make every effort to assure each and every guest has a fun and memorable experience. Kurt was our pilot and he was informative along the way and did a great job keeping the ride comfortable.

I’ll be back the next time I visit Queenstown!

Mark B | TripAdvisor