Soar, glide, & fly above it all—Queenstown’s skies are open to every kind of explorer
Queenstown’s dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and glacial lakes create a natural stage for unforgettable aerial adventures. As you lift off, the landscape opens in a way the ground can’t reveal. You see sharp alpine ridgelines, bright turquoise rivers, and wide high‑country basins stretching into the distance.
Because of this variety, Queenstown offers airborne experiences for every traveller. You can feel the rush of a high‑altitude skydive, glide quietly above vineyards, or explore remote alpine terrain by helicopter. Moreover, each option gives you a new perspective on the region.
Judge & Jury Village sits only a short drive from Queenstown Airport and major launch sites. Therefore, you can enjoy peaceful rural nights while spending your days soaring above one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.
Leap, glide, and soar — Queenstown’s ultimate parachute‑powered adventures await
Skydiving
Skydiving in Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most iconic adrenaline experiences. The region offers tandem jumps over dramatic alpine landscapes, and operators maintain world‑class standards. NZONE Skydive is the leading company, and it has over 32 years of experience. It has also completed more than 350,000 jumps.
Their drop zone sits at the foot of the Remarkables, and many consider it one of the best places in the world to jump. Visitors can choose heights up to 15,000 ft, which gives a full minute of freefall at 200 km/h. After that, you glide under canopy across the Wakatipu Basin.
Because of the skilled tandem masters and strong safety standards, Queenstown skydiving offers a reliable and unforgettable adventure. It also provides advanced photo and video packages, so travellers can capture every moment of the experience.
Paragliding
Paragliding in Queenstown is one of the region’s most breathtaking air adventures. Two leading operators offer world‑class tandem flights over the Wakatipu Basin. As a result, guests can enjoy views that few experiences can match.
G Force Paragliding is Queenstown’s original gondola‑launched operator. It takes off from the Skyline complex and offers smooth, scenic flights with sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
For a higher‑altitude launch, Skytrek operates from Coronet Peak. This is New Zealand’s highest commercial take‑off point at 4,100 ft. Because of this elevation, guests enjoy wide panoramas and the choice of gentle glides or adrenaline‑filled manoeuvres.
With expert pilots, stunning launch sites, and strong safety standards, Queenstown paragliding delivers an unforgettable way to see the region from above.
Walks in Gibbston Valley
Hands‑On Plane Experiences
Queenstown is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can do more than admire the landscape from above. Here, you can take the controls of a real aircraft. With skilled instructors and alpine scenery all around you, these hands‑on flying adventures blend adrenaline, learning, and freedom.
Learn to Fly NZ operates from Queenstown Airport and specialises in introductory lessons for beginners. After a simple briefing, you step into a modern training aircraft with your instructor beside you. Once in the air, you are invited to take the controls. You learn how to turn, climb, and feel the aircraft respond. As a result, the experience offers a genuine taste of what it feels like to be a pilot. You also enjoy views of lakes, mountains, and the dramatic ridgelines that define Queenstown.
Whether you want to try a new hobby, tick off a bucket‑list goal, or choose a more immersive option than a scenic flight, these lessons deliver a memorable encounter with the skies. Judge & Jury Village is only a short drive from the airport, so it’s easy to enjoy a calm rural stay alongside a high‑altitude adventure.
Gliding
Gliding offers a serene and elemental way to experience flight. There is no engine and no noise, only the natural lift of the air carrying you across Central Otago. Although not based in Queenstown, the Central Otago Flying Club in Alexandra provides excellent gliding experiences. It is also within easy reach of Judge & Jury Village.
Your adventure begins with a tow into the sky. When the rope releases, the engine noise disappears, and the experience changes instantly. You hear only the wind and feel the smooth sweep of the glider’s wings. Skilled instructors use thermals and ridge lift to guide you over rugged hills, river valleys, and wide‑open landscapes. As a result, many guests describe the experience as meditative and exhilarating.
Some flights also allow you to take the controls under your pilot’s supervision. This offers a simple and safe introduction to the art of silent flight. It is perfect for travellers seeking something peaceful, unique, and deeply connected to the land. With easy access from Queenstown and Gibbston, gliding is a calm and beautiful contrast to the region’s more adrenaline‑filled air adventures.
Rise with the dawn and drift above a world painted in gold.
Hot Air Ballooning at Sunrise
Hot air ballooning in the Queenstown region offers a peaceful and awe‑inspiring way to see the landscape. The ascent is slow and graceful, and the dawn sky feels completely still. Sunrise Balloons operates these early‑morning flights, and the launch site is only a short drive from Judge & Jury Village.
As the burner warms the air, the balloon lifts gently from the ground. You rise into soft colours and wide horizons. The flight drifts over vineyards, river terraces, and mountain ranges that shape Central Otago. Soon, the first light spreads across the Remarkables, Lake Hayes, and the rolling hills of the Wakatipu Basin.
Unlike high‑adrenaline air adventures, ballooning focuses on serenity. The journey is quiet and unhurried, so you can take in the full scale of the region’s beauty. Experienced pilots share stories and point out landmarks as you float with the breeze. You may also reach heights that reveal the grandeur of the Southern Alps.
After landing, guests enjoy a celebratory drink and time to relive the morning. For couples, families, and anyone seeking a gentle yet unforgettable experience, hot air ballooning is one of the most enchanting ways to begin a day in Queenstown.
Scenic Flights around Queenstown
Sightseeing air tours in Queenstown offer an unforgettable way to see the South Island’s dramatic landscapes. The flights showcase the soaring peaks of the Southern Alps and the deep fiords of Milford Sound. Whether you choose a helicopter or a fixed‑wing plane, you enjoy views that are only possible from the air.
These tours reveal glacier‑carved valleys, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and remote wilderness areas. Many operators also combine aerial views with alpine landings or Milford Sound cruise connections. As a result, you get a seamless and memorable adventure.
It is one of the best ways to experience the region’s most iconic natural wonders in a single, breathtaking journey.
Helicopter Scenic Tours
Helicopter scenic flights are one of the most iconic ways to experience Queenstown. These flights offer access to alpine peaks, glaciers, and remote wilderness that you cannot reach by road. Several operators provide world‑class experiences, including The Helicopter Line, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, and Heliworks Queenstown.
The Helicopter Line focuses on panoramic views of Lake Whakatipu, the Remarkables, braided rivers, and ancient glaciers. Their tours range from short alpine loops to longer Fiordland journeys. Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters offers premium experiences with glacier landings, Milford Sound overflights, and cinematic landscapes seen in major films.
Heliworks Queenstown specialises in luxury adventures and exclusive access to remote Fiordland locations. As a result, each operator offers something unique. Whether you land on a snowy ridge, hover beside towering waterfalls, or fly deep into the Southern Alps, helicopter tours deliver a high‑impact and unforgettable way to see the South Island from above.
Plane Scenic Tours
Fixed‑wing scenic flights offer a smooth and expansive way to explore Queenstown and the wider South Island. These flights provide unbeatable views of Fiordland, Mt Aspiring National Park, and Milford Sound. Plane tours also fly higher and further than helicopters, which creates sweeping panoramas of valleys, lakes, and rugged mountain ranges.
Operators such as Air Milford and Glenorchy Air are well known for their Milford Sound flight‑and‑cruise packages. These tours combine breathtaking aerial routes with time on the water in the heart of the fiord. As you fly, the aircraft follows dramatic mountain passes that reveal hidden waterfalls, hanging valleys, and untouched wilderness.
For guests seeking a calm and photography‑friendly experience, plane scenic tours are ideal. They offer long, uninterrupted views and a spectacular way to discover the South Island’s most iconic natural wonders.
Why Stay at Judge & Jury Village?
Located in Gibbston Valley, Judge & Jury Village offers a peaceful, character-rich retreat just minutes from Queenstown’s air adventure operators. Here’s why it’s the perfect base:
Ready to take off? From freefall thrills to alpine serenity, all within reach of your front door