Glenorchy Air is a New Zealand scenic flight airline based in Queenstown.
We provide scenic flights from Queenstown and Glenorchy to many destinations around the South Island including Milford Sound, where you can also take the cruise. We also fly to Fiordland, Mt Cook, the Glaciers, the penguin and albatross colonies of Otago's east coast and to New Line Cinemas, Lord of the Rings movies location sites in the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand.
Take a look at what Notes of a Northerner thought of her recent flight to Milford Sound with us.
Photo Credit: Sophie Piearcey
It really is the most incredible time for a scenic flight across the Southern Alps into Milford Sound... Winter is most definitely upon us, the temperature has dropped, the peaks are capped with snow and so we begin our winter schedule for our flights to Milford Sound.
Photo Credit: Southern Discoveries
We think there’s no better way to hang out in the fiords than on a kayaking adventure. Exploring from sea level truly offers a different perspective to the grandeur of the towering peaks, sheer sides and spectacular waterfalls.
If you’re lucky you’ll get up close and personal with the local wildlife too, Milford is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins.
Get involved in the magic of Milford Sound this winter with one of our two kayaking options. Catering for the first-time paddler or the more seasoned kayaker, we have trips suitable for everyone.
Whichever you choose you’ll be in a small group with experienced professional local guides who love sharing their extensive knowledge with you.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join us on a flight of a lifetime and a spectacular kayak, spaces are limited.
In partnership with Southern Discoveries Fly/Cruise & Kayak/Fly giving you the full Milford experience right out to the Tasman Sea on board a scenic cruise paired with an hour of paddle time as well as visit to the underwater observatory and includes lunch.
DEPARTURE: 10:30am
DURATION: 6 Hours (approx.)
PADDLE TIME: 1 hour (plus 1hour 45 minute cruise)
PADDLE RATING: EASY
AGE LIMIT: Double kayaks are available so children 5 years and older can join in with an adult
In partnership with Rosco’s Fly/Kayak/Fly go further an embark on a big loop of Milford Sound and paddle approx. 10k over 3-3.5 hours. Taking in all the highlights, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and photograph waterfalls.
DEPARTURE: 9am
DURATION: 8 hours (approx.)
PADDLE TIME: 3-3.5 hours
PADDLE RATING: MODERATE
AGE LIMIT: 14+
Lake Quill: The location of the Helicopter gun fight in Fallout, and one of the captive lakes seen on our return journey from Milford Sound.
The newly released blockbuster boasts a star studded cast, including household names such as Tom Cruise, Henry Cavil, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson. As impressive as the cast is we feel that it played second fiddle to some of the breath taking filming locations. Milford Sound, Glenorchy and Queenstown, were all used in the exhilarating helicopter scenes that Cruise spent two years getting his licence to create. These filming locations just so happen to be exactly where we fly over on our way to Milford Sound.
With stunning scenery in every direction, it’s no surprise that this part of the world has become popular with film makers. Most notably the home of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, Central Otago and Fjordland has since played host to The Water Horse (2007), Wolverine (2009), Top Of The Lake (2013) and Alien Covenant (2017).
Having an sterling track record in the film industry, some of the most impressive scenery in the world, and special aviation laws that accommodate “stunt flying”, it was a no brainer to record the helicopter scenes for the latest instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise here. Watching the movie gave us an exhilarating, and terrifying, perspective on a flight that we’re so familiar with. While we won’t be trying to recreate any of Cruise’s stunts in out fixed wing planes it was definitely fun to watch.
If you would like to get an aerial view of all the incredible places mentioned above, without having to dangle from a rope a few thousand feet above the ground, then get in touch, we’d love to have you!
