Flying Tours of Middle Earth

If you’re in New Zealand, then you have to add visiting the filming locations of Lord of the Rings to your list… And what better way to see them than by air! With Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, you can fly through the land that helped bring Tolkien’s vision to life, with expert pilots who were in fact part of Peter Jackson’s filming crew.

On your tour you’ll be taking to the air to see some of the films most iconic locations and recognisable landscapes. Take the Glacier Explorer route, where you’ll fly over the Shotover River gorge, where the Isengard fortress stood tall and Saruman met his gruesome end. Follow in the footsteps of the Fellowship as you land alongside the Misty Mountains in the mountains behind Glenorchy, the gateway to the spectacular Mt Aspiring national park. Get a sense of what it would be like to cross the Redhorn Pass, where the Fellowship attempted to cross the narrow mountain path. The Middle Earth Queenstown route will explore the stunning highlights of the Wakatipu Basin, admiring Lake Alta where the Fellowship fled towards Lothlórien, as well as the mountain which featured in the escape of the Rohirrim refugees.

All of this and more awaits you in Queenstown, a perfect activity for any of the Tolkien fandom or anyone who’s looking to experience the best of New Zealand’s spectacular environment.

• Tickets start at $415 per adult, $290 child.
• A coach is available to pick you up from most accommodation in the Queenstown area.
• Flight durations vary but usually around 1 hour.