Earnslaw Burn Trip - 31 Jan 2026

On the 31st Jan 2026 I drove from Invercargill to Glenorchy arriving around 08:40 to meet up with 9 others on an organised photography trip into the head of the Earnslaw Burn by helicopter. We met at the airport and boarded our flight around 10am and after a brief flight we landed and unloaded our gear. We spent the next 5 hours taking photos of the area and its surrounds. I don't know where the time went but it was soon 3pm and the Heli-works Squirrel helicopter had arrived to pick us up and return to the airport. Then after some refreshments in Glenorchy it was time to take a 3+ hour drive back to Invercargill. My thanks go to Chris McLennan and Nikon New Zealand for arranging the trip. This was very special to be invited to join the group for the day and will always be a fond memory.

Looking at new gear, the Nikon ZR, just prior to the flight.
Looking at new gear, the Nikon ZR, just prior to the flight.
This is one of the two Squirrel Helicoptors, the other black one can be seen on the far left.
This is one of the two Squirrel Helicoptors, the other black one can be seen on the far left.
The instrument panel of Black Beauty.
The instrument panel of Black Beauty.
From the right, Dakota Brown, Chris McLennan and the Aurora McLennan.
From the right, Dakota Brown, Chris McLennan and the Aurora McLennan.
Flying over Lake Wakatipu, looking up the Dart River mouth.
Flying over Lake Wakatipu, looking up the Dart River mouth.
Travelling up the Rees Valley, with the Rees River below.
Travelling up the Rees Valley, with the Rees River below.
Lake Reid in the foreground, Diamond Lake further up, the Earnslaw Burn valley entrance on the far right.
Lake Reid in the foreground, Diamond Lake further up, the Earnslaw Burn valley entrance on the far right.
Cars are parked at the entrance to the valley from the hikers and tenters exploring the Earnslaw Burn..
Cars are parked at the entrance to the valley from the hikers and tenters exploring the Earnslaw Burn..
Entering the Earnslaw Burn valley.
Entering the Earnslaw Burn valley.
Half way up the valley, up to a dozen tents. I think this is as far as campers can pitch tents, beyond is private ground..
Half way up the valley, up to a dozen tents. I think this is as far as campers can pitch tents, beyond is private ground..
Looking up the valley, heading towards our destination..
Looking up the valley, heading towards our destination..
Looking at the head of the valley and the Earnslaw Burn glacier. We land just over the ridge in the foreground.
Looking at the head of the valley and the Earnslaw Burn glacier. We land just over the ridge in the foreground.
Alighting from the helicopter.
Alighting from the helicopter.
Wow! what scenery..
Wow! what scenery..
Getting cameras out and and looking around, to see where to start?
Getting cameras out and and looking around, to see where to start?
Gilkison Falls
Gilkison Falls
Climbed up the ridge just before the glacier, looking down the valley.
Climbed up the ridge just before the glacier, looking down the valley.
The view from the ridge, Gilkison Falls in the center.
The view from the ridge, Gilkison Falls in the center.
Another view from higher ground. Follow the track in the foreground from the left. On the ridge lies all our bags, seats and lunches.
Another view from higher ground. Follow the track in the foreground from the left. On the ridge lies all our bags, seats and lunches.
A couple of the many falls
A couple of the many falls
The upper part of the Gilkison Falls
The upper part of the Gilkison Falls
Where the Gilkison Falls drop into the stream.
Where the Gilkison Falls drop into the stream.
From ground level looking up the valley.
From ground level looking up the valley.
Gilkison Falls #1
Gilkison Falls #1
Gilkison Falls #2
Gilkison Falls #2
Mist and spray from the Gilkison Falls #3
Mist and spray from the Gilkison Falls #3
More falls.
More falls.
Falls in black & white.
Falls in black & white.
Valley view.
Valley view.
Flowing waters #1.
Flowing waters #1.
Flowing waters #2.
Flowing waters #2.
Flowing waters #3.
Flowing waters #3.
Flowing waters #4.
Flowing waters #4.
Flowing waters #5.
Flowing waters #5.
Chris McLennan and the pilot loading gear for the flight out.
Chris McLennan and the pilot loading gear for the flight out.
Looking down the valley.
Looking down the valley.
Black Beauty climbs easily up to the glacier tops.
Black Beauty climbs easily up to the glacier tops.
Cold and rugged on the top of the glacier.
Cold and rugged on the top of the glacier.
The icy tops of the glacier.
The icy tops of the glacier.
Ice patterns on the tops.
Ice patterns on the tops.
A 9 shot panorama of the ice patterns on the glacier top.
A 9 shot panorama of the ice patterns on the glacier top.
Flighing out over the tops.
Flighing out over the tops.
Heading over Lovers Leap into the valley.
Heading over Lovers Leap into the valley.
Looking down the Rees River.
Looking down the Rees River.
Coming into land back at the Glenorchy airport.
Coming into land back at the Glenorchy airport.
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