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Scenic Flights
Queenstown Scenic Flights
Milford Sound Flights
Lord of the Rings Scenic Flight
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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.
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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.
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
Dates: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2027
$1,100
$800
From $5,940
With over 1,000+ reviews on Google & TripAdvisor, we’ve built a reputation for being the best scenic helicopter tour experience in Queenstown. Don’t believe us? Check out some reviews from our recent flyers!
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.
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
Amazing Experience with Beautiful Views One of the best experiences I have ever had! The helicopter ride was amazing and our pilot was great. The views were stunning and the cruise was also beautiful.
One of the best experiences I have ever had! The helicopter ride was amazing and our pilot was great. The views were stunning and the cruise was also beautiful.
Brittany S | TripAdvisor
An Absolute Must-Do From start to finish everything was smooth, friendly and professional. Would highly recommend, still can’t wipe the smile off our faces hours later! It’s our third time in Queenstown and our absolute top experience here, well worth the price.
From start to finish everything was smooth, friendly and professional. Would highly recommend, still can’t wipe the smile off our faces hours later! It’s our third time in Queenstown and our absolute top experience here, well worth the price.
Amy M | TripAdvisor
Absolutely incredible Stunning views of Milford sound and an unforgettable glacier landing a true bucket list experience!
Stunning views of Milford sound and an unforgettable glacier landing a true bucket list experience!
Rod Ward | Google Review
10/10 experience. 10000% worth it. Most spectacular views, our tour guide was awesome
10000% worth it. Most spectacular views, our tour guide was awesome
Terina Herbert | Google Review
The tour was so much fun and definitely worth it! We were able to land on three separate locations based on the tour we chose and it was fantastic, unlike anything we have done before. Our pilot, Jeremy, was awesome and was so knowledgeable and personable. The staff was great to work with and highly experienced. Highly recommend booking!
We were able to land on three separate locations based on the tour we chose and it was fantastic, unlike anything we have done before. Our pilot, Jeremy, was awesome and was so knowledgeable and personable. The staff was great to work with and highly experienced. Highly recommend booking!
Leatha Tuttle | Google Review
This was an unforgettable experience The highlight of my trip to New Zealand. The pilot was professional, friendly, and provided excellent explanations throughout the tour. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, with incredible views of mountains, glaciers, and Milford Sound. Landing on the glacier and experiencing the snow up close was truly magical. Everything was perfectly organized, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Queenstown. Thank you for an amazing adventure!
The highlight of my trip to New Zealand. The pilot was professional, friendly, and provided excellent explanations throughout the tour. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, with incredible views of mountains, glaciers, and Milford Sound. Landing on the glacier and experiencing the snow up close was truly magical. Everything was perfectly organized, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Queenstown. Thank you for an amazing adventure!
Estiven Bedoya | Google Review
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!
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
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
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
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!
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
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!
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
Professional & Friendly – Incredible Journey! It was very easy to book with them. Everyone we met was friendly and professional. Our pilot, Luke, was outstanding. The experience itself was the highlight of our trip. It was our first trip to NZ and without question we already wanted to come back and do another flight. We will definitely book with these guys again. Highly recommend.
It was very easy to book with them. Everyone we met was friendly and professional. Our pilot, Luke, was outstanding. The experience itself was the highlight of our trip. It was our first trip to NZ and without question we already wanted to come back and do another flight. We will definitely book with these guys again. Highly recommend.
Matthew O | TripAdvisor
