How long is the trip?

The experience runs about nine hours from pick-up in Queenstown to return; expect around five hours in the canyon and helicopter transfers.

Is previous canyoning experience required?

No—guides provide full instruction and all technical equipment, though participants should be comfortable with heights and have medium fitness.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 16 years old; those aged 16–17 require a responsible supervisor aged 21+ and a guardian signature.

Pick up is from your Queenstown accommodation; the operator handles transfers to Glenorchy airport as part of the itinerary.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancellations require 48 hours notice in writing to: info@canyoningnewzealand.co.nz.

Is photography allowed?

Yes—bring a secure, waterproof case for your camera or phone; guides can advise on safe moments to shoot during non-technical sections.

Earnslaw Heli-Canyoning: Full-Day Glacier Flight & 80m Abseils from Queenstown | Guided Tour | Helicopter

The Earnslaw Full Day Heli Canyoning Adventure lands you in the heart of the Earnslaw Burn, a raw alpine catchment above Glenorchy on the edge of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand’s South Island. Beginning in Queenstown, this full-day trip pairs a scenic helicopter transfer and glacier flight with an extended canyon descent through rock walls cut by ice and meltwater. It’s an immersive alpine scramble, equal parts technical challenge and cinematic scenery.

The morning lift-off from Glenorchy airport starts the day: a 20-minute helicopter crossing slices across firred ridgelines and the famous Valley of Hanging Glaciers. From the air the canyon reads like a cross-section of ice and stone—hanging glaciers, steep cirques and ribbon waterfalls feeding crystal-clear streams. After landing at the canyon rim your guides run a focused safety briefing and kit you up; all technical equipment is provided, and experienced guides lead every move.

Canyoning time means picking a line down the canyon through set pieces—cascade swimming holes, natural slides, and a series of abseils that culminate in a towering 80-metre descent. The rock is sculpted grey schist and alpine conglomerate, wetted by glacier-fed torrents that carve slick, sculpted channels. You’ll be moving on rope, on foot and through water, alternating exposure and sheltered pools; expect long views, raw alpine airs and constant geological drama.

Practical details are straightforward: the day runs about nine hours, with pick-up from Queenstown accommodation—Pick up is from your Queenstown accommodation—at 08:15am and a late-afternoon return. No prior canyoning experience is required, but a medium level of fitness, comfort with heights and the ability to walk and scramble over uneven terrain in a wetsuit are essential. Participants must be at least 16 years old; guests aged 16–17 require a responsible supervisor aged 21+ and a guardian signature. For cancellations note: 48 hours notice required in writing to: [email protected].

What sets this outing apart is the combination of helicopter access and genuine alpine canyoning. Few places offer glacier flights, valley landings, and multi-pitch abseils within a single itinerary—plus small group sizes and professional instruction that make steep exposure accessible to adventurous beginners and seasoned descent addicts alike. The return helicopter ride and drive back across Rees Valley and Lake Wakatipu close the loop with sweeping panoramas that reframe the day’s exertions.

By dusk you’re back in Queenstown with photos, a well-earned picnic memory, and a taste of the high-country that most visitors never see—waterfalls you’ve descended, hanging ice you’ve flown past, and a canyon route you’ll be telling friends about for years. Bring a sense of curiosity, a sturdy pair of boots for the approach, and an appetite for big vertical lines—this day is about earned views, technical exposure, and stories that always stick.

About Canyoning New Zealand

Canyoning New Zealand operates from Queenstown, Otago, delivering guided canyoning adventures and training across the region. The company runs a variety of trips that range from short, beginner-friendly experiences to multi-day instructional courses. Signature offerings include the Gibbston Valley Half Day Canyoning Adventure, Gibbston Valley 3hr Self Drive trip, multiple full-day options in Mt Aspiring National Park (Mt Aspiring Full Day, Mt Aspiring XXL, Mt Aspiring MAX), a Glenorchy Paradise Full Day Canyoning Adventure, a Queenstown Cliff Jumping, Abseil, Swim 3hr Adventure, and a 6-Day canyoning course led by a qualified NZOIA trainer.

Guides lead activities such as abseiling, waterfall descents, natural waterslides, cliff jumps, climbs, and whitewater swims. All guided trips include specialist canyoning equipment and safety briefings; equipment rentals are available for responsible, experienced adults who meet the rental guidelines. The 6-Day course focuses on skill development and can support participants seeking independence or certification.

Activities occur in established canyoning locations across Queenstown and Mt Aspiring National Park, with picnic lunches provided on full-day itineraries as described in trip summaries. Canyoning New Zealand emphasizes experienced supervision, site-specific safety procedures, and positive outdoor experiences for a wide range of participants, from beginners to experienced canyoners. Prospective guests should consult trip pages for specific fitness, age, and booking requirements, and bring appropriate personal items such as swimwear, footwear, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Some full-day trips include guide-captured photos and scenic photo opportunities for participants to keep. Booking information, exact meeting points, and fitness notes are available on each trip listing online.