Glenorchy Air · Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park
Glenorchy Air flies a long scenic route from Queenstown over Skippers Canyon, the Dart River valley and the glaciers around Mount Tutoko, walks you through beech forest to a cruise and flies a different way home, in about 4.5 hours. Pick it if the air is the point and you have a spare day for weather.
The flight is the long list. Coronet Peak and Skippers Canyon first, then the Shotover River and Lake Wakatipu. Up the Dart River valley into Mount Aspiring National Park. Over the Olivine Ice Plateau, Mount Tutoko and the Tutoko Glacier, out to the West Coast and the Tasman Sea, then down into Milford, with the pilot talking you through it and a window seat guaranteed. From the airstrip you walk through beech forest to a Southern Discoveries boat for a cruise listed at 1 hour 45 minutes (up to 2 hours), and the flight home takes a different path.
It is rated 5.0 from 336 reviews, with 5.0 for the pilots, 5.0 for transport and 4.8 for value, and reviewers name their pilots one by one. Weather is the honest catch. Gayle's first booking was cancelled, and her advice is the best line on the page: "book at the beginning of your stay". Sue flew but could not land at Milford. The listing's AI summary says some travellers want clearer advance word on weather changes and timing, and the page does not spell out what happens on a cancelled flight the way the plane and boat listing does, so read the terms before you pay.
At $450 it is $26 cheaper than the plane and boat day and about half an hour shorter. The weight limit is stricter at 140 kg. The listing names tea, coffee, hot chocolate and water on the cruise and no food, so pack a snack, and wear shoes you can walk in for the forest path. The operator gives $1 per passenger to the Kea Conservation Trust.
Collected from one of a long list of hotels, or meet at the Queenstown Airport terminal building. Your confirmation says which.
Coronet Peak, Skippers Canyon, Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River valley, the Olivine Ice Plateau and Mount Tutoko, then the coast and down to Milford.
From the airstrip to the cruise on foot. Insect repellent helps here.
Up to 2 hours the length of the fiord, past Stirling Falls and Mitre Peak, with seals, penguins and dolphins possible.
Back across the World Heritage area to Queenstown, about 4.5 hours after you set off.
★★★★★Definitely the highlight of our holiday. Isabel was so good, clear commentating with interesting information. Perfect weather and smooth flight. Unfortunately first booking was cancelled, bad weather so book at the beginning of your stay. We loved it!
★★★★★Highlight of my NZ holiday and in particular the flight was one of the best and most moving experiences I have ever had.
★★★★★Excellent day trip. Spectacular scenery and to experience it from both the air and water was amazing. The operation was seamless from start to finish with excellent commentary from both pilot and captain.
★★★★★I had a fantastic experience on my Milford Sound flight and cruise tour! Meghan was a friendly, knowledgeable and highly skilled pilot who made the entire trip enjoyable and memorable.
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It happens; one reviewer's first booking was cancelled. Check the terms on the booking page and book at the start of your stay so you can move. See weather and cancellations.
Coronet Peak, Skippers Canyon, the Shotover River, Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River valley, Mount Aspiring National Park, the Olivine Ice Plateau, Mount Tutoko and the Tutoko Glacier, the West Coast and the Tasman Sea. The return takes a different path.
The tour is not suitable for people over 140 kg. The plane and boat day allows up to 150 kg.
From a list of select hotels, or at the Queenstown Airport terminal building. Read how pickups work before the day.
Ready to book
A fixed-wing flight over Skippers Canyon, Tutoko Glacier and the Olivine Ice Plateau, a walk to the boat and a cruise, back in about 4.5 hours.
Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly by Plane & BoatTwo scenic flights on different routes, a guaranteed window seat and a 2-hour cruise, back in about five hours.★ 4.9 · 5 hours · from $476
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