Milford Sound scenic flight from Queenstown: Five glaciers

Fly past Rob Roy, Bonar, Jura, Volta, Dart, Olivine and Donne Glaciers in one hour

A one-hour scenic flight from Queenstown over Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, guaranteed to pass at least five major glaciers on the way to Milford Sound. The flight includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a pre-flight briefing with the pilot, and live commentary during the flight. No landing or cruise in Milford Sound is included. Weather can cancel the flight, in which case you get an alternative date or full refund.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic flight over glaciers and Milford Sound

• Pre-flight briefing with pilots
• Take off and view Coronet Peak
• Fly over Shotover River and Skippers Canyon
• Head north into Mt Aspiring National Park
• View Mount Aspiring and Upper Volta Glacier
• Fly west over Southern Alps into Fiordland National Park
• Fly down glacier alley and view Mt Tutoko
• Overhead flight over Milford Sound
• Experience Milford Sound beauty
• View Mitre Peak
• Fly east over Southern Alps towards Queenstown
• View Lake Te Anau
• Cross Southern Alps and fly over Greenstone Valley
• View Lake Wakatipu and Remarkables mountain range
• Land back at Air Milford base

The experience

The flight leaves Queenstown with a pre-flight briefing that walks you through what you'll see. After takeoff, you pass Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's main ski fields, then follow the Shotover River and Skippers Canyon, where gold was discovered in the 1860s and made it the world's second-highest gold-bearing river. From there the route heads north into Mt Aspiring National Park, where Mount Aspiring itself rises at 10,000 feet with six related glaciers, the Upper Volta being the largest.

The flight then crosses the main divide of the Southern Alps into Fiordland National Park, tracking west down glacier alley past the Olivine Ice Plateau. Mt Tutoko, Fiordland's highest peak at over 8,900 feet, comes into view with the Donne and Age Glaciers nearby. You pass directly over Milford Sound (Fiordland's most northerly and dramatic fiord), and see Mitre Peak rising straight out of the water to 5,560 feet, a vertical gain of just over a mile. On the return, the route crosses back over the Southern Alps, passes Lake Te Anau to the south, and descends through the beech forest of Greenstone Valley before emerging above Lake Wakatipu for the final approach to Queenstown.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located hotels, and you're back at your accommodation by around 9:30am. Bring a jacket and camera. The flight is subject to weather. If conditions cancel it, you can reschedule or get a full refund.

What’s included

• Live pilot commentary throughout the flight.
• hotel pickup and drop-off for centrally located hotels.
• full pre-flight briefing with the Air Milford pilot.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Air Milford

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or a separate transfer to the airfield. The flight leaves from Queenstown itself, so it fits into a morning before the rest of your day starts.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What glaciers will I actually see on this flight?

The flight is guaranteed to pass at least five major glaciers. The itinerary names Rob Roy, Bonar, Jura, Volta, Dart, Olivine and Donne among others, depending on the route and conditions on the day.

Does the flight land in Milford Sound or include a cruise?

No landing or cruise in Milford Sound is included. The flight passes directly over Milford Sound and Mitre Peak from the air before returning to Queenstown.

How does pickup work if I'm staying in Queenstown?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located Queenstown hotels. The pilot will brief you before takeoff, and you'll be back at your accommodation by approximately 9:30am.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day?

The flight is subject to favorable weather conditions. If poor weather cancels the flight, you can choose an alternative date and time or receive a full refund.