Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

About This Experience

Glenorchy Air's Fly Explore Fly is a full day from Queenstown built around a scenic flight each way and a long stretch on the ground at Mount Cook. You check in at the Glenorchy Air desk inside Queenstown Airport's main building, then fly north up the spine of the South Island with Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea on one side and Lake Pūkaki on the other. The whole trip takes about 8 hours.

Over Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park the flight gives aerial views of the summit ridge of Aoraki (3,724 m) and the Tasman Glacier, and the route also takes in the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on the West Coast. Your pilot gives commentary on the way, and you watch it all from a window seat. The aircraft then lands at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport on the outskirts of Mount Cook Village. It does not land on a glacier.

You then have up to 5 hours on the ground. The listing suggests lunch at The Hermitage Hotel, which you pay for yourself, or a walk on the Hooker Valley Track, now fully open to Hooker Lake over three swing bridges. The track is about 10 km return and takes 3 to 4 hours, so start it early in your time on the ground if the full walk is your plan.

The flight home to Queenstown follows a different path, over the tussock country of the Lindis Pass. Flights need a minimum number of passengers to operate, and free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure. Child and booster seats are available on request and baby earmuffs are provided. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Highlights

• Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea and Lake Pūkaki from the air on the flight north
• Aerial views of the summit ridge of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier
• The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on the West Coast from above
• Up to 5 hours on the ground at Mount Cook Village
• Time for the Hooker Valley Track or lunch at The Hermitage Hotel
• Tussock country of the Lindis Pass on the way home

What's Included

• ✓ Scenic flight from Queenstown Airport to Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport
• ✓ Return scenic flight to Queenstown by a different route
• ✓ Commentary from your local pilot
• ✓ A window seat for every passenger
• ✓ Child and booster seats on request
• ✓ Baby earmuffs

Not Included

• Lunch (available to buy in Mount Cook Village)
• Glacier landing (the plane lands at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport)
• Hotel pickup (you check in at Queenstown Airport)
• Parking at Queenstown Airport

What to Bring

• Walking shoes if you plan to hike the Hooker Valley Track
• Water and snacks for the walk
• Warm and waterproof layers for your time at Mount Cook
• A card for lunch in the village
• Camera or phone

Good to Know & Caveats

• This is not a glacier landing. The aircraft lands at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport, an airstrip on the edge of the village.
• Check in 30 minutes before departure at the Glenorchy Air desk inside Queenstown Airport's main building.
• Flights need a minimum number of passengers to operate.
• Suitable for all fitness levels. The Hooker Valley walk is optional and is not guided.
• The Hooker Valley Track is fully open to Hooker Lake, including the new 189 m suspension bridge that opened in July 2026.
• Infants sit on an adult's lap, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Meeting Point

Glenorchy Air check-in desk inside the main building at Queenstown Airport, 30 minutes before departure. There is no pickup; Terminal Parking A is the closest paid parking, and free street parking is on Douglas Street or McBride Street.