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Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

4.9
366
Deals from $259.00 Save $136.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Hot Air Ballooning is a magical experience and a flight with Ballooning Canterbury offers panoramic views across the fertile Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

Hot Air Ballooning is a magical experience and a flight with Ballooning Canterbury offers panoramic views across the fertile Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

Highlights

  • A hands-on experience - Passengers are actively encouraged to help the pilot with the pre-flight inflation and the packing up at the conclusion of the flight
  • An early start - Ballooning is best at sunrise, when the weather is calmest and to make the most of the beautiful morning light. Allow approximately 4-5 hours for this remarkable experience, from the time you leave your accommodation to the time you return
  • Spectacular views and fantastic photo opportunities during your one-hour flight
  • A glass of chilled champagne or fruit juice and a light snack after landing
  • In-flight photos are given to you for free by way of Facebook
  • Winners of the Selwyn Tourism Awards 2021

There is nothing quite so romantic and exciting as floating effortlessly over an ever changing landscape. Top 5 bookme.co.nz reviewed products in the South Island!

Why fly with Ballooning Canterbury? Ballooning Canterbury is a New Zealand family owned and operated business situated just outside of Christchurch.

We are passionate about flying. Michael Oakley is one of New Zealand's top balloonists. He has been flying since 1987, winning 10 national ballooning events throughout New Zealand and representing New Zealand at World Hot Air Balloon Championships.

Michael is also a keen glider pilot having represented New Zealand at World Gliding Competitions and has held New Zealand and World gliding records. Michael also holds a private pilot’s licence. Nicholas has been flying in balloons since he was 4 years old. He had his first solo flight in a balloon at 12, solo glider flight at 14 and solo power plane flight at 16 years of age. He won his first Balloon Fiesta at 14. At 22 he gained his Commercial Hot Air Balloon License and started flying for the family business. Nicholas is also a keen glider pilot, having won National Titles in New Zealand and representing New Zealand at junior and senior World Gliding Championships in Australia and Europe.

We are passionate about Canterbury. Michael and Nicholas were born and raised in the area and are also 5th and 6th generation Canterbury farmers. Their experience with flying and Canterbury's unique weather patterns gives him a wealth of knowledge to guide you through the elements you’re flying in, as well as providing insight into the fertile Canterbury Plains, river gorges and mountains passing below.

We are only 30 minutes’ drive west of Christchurch Airport. In-flight photos of your balloon flight are given to you for free by way of Facebook. We hold the Hall of Fame Certificate for 5 consecutive years of Excellence.

Adult $395.00
Child $250.00 (12 years and under)

Location

  • 2136 Bealey Road
  • Hororata
  • which is a 30 minute drive west of Christchurch Airport.

Restrictions

  • Minimum height of passengers is 1.1 meters.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the weather or anything else out of your control) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Minimum Requirements:We require a minimum of 4 people to fly. If you are booking for less than 4 people you are still able to book but please be aware there must be other passengers also booked on that day for the flight to go ahead. Sometimes we will not know until the evening prior to the flight.

    Weight Restrictions:Because a hot air balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft, it is limited to the total number of kilograms it can lift. Weight limitations vary according to the outside temperature, humidity, and the number and total weight of the passengers and pilot on board. It is extremely important for flight planning that we have accurate weights, it is a legal requirement that each person must be weighed before the flight. Please note the maximum weight for each passenger is 130 kg. If anyone is heavier than this, please contact us directly to discuss the options to accommodate them.

    Cancellation Policy:

    If you cancel within 24 hours of the flight you forfeit the full fare. If your cancellation is due to having a new medical condition which raises concerns about completing the flight safely and comfortably, or which poses a risk to other passengers, we will consider a refund upon presentation of a medical certificate. Cancellation must be made directly with Ballooning Canterbury.

    A $100 per person cancellation fee applies if you cancel with 48 hours for small groups or within 7 days of flight for large groups.

    If we cancel the flight due to weather or for safety reasons, a full refund will be given or you can change your booking to another date if space is available. (Conditions apply to flights booked via a voucher).

    When booking special BookMe hot deals, the operator in very rare occasions, not withstanding all endeavours, - may have to reschedule the time slightly if load requirements dictate and or refund.

    Please note only one balloon flight departs daily and the departure time differences are for differential fare pricing purposes. Please also note that departure times are dependent upon the sunrise and range between 5am and 6:45am.

  • What to do if you are unable to fly due to having COVID:

    Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to fly due to you having tested positive for COVID, or you are required to isolate due to being a close contact. We are happy to change your ticket to another day.

    If you are unable to go another day and have cancelled more than 48 hours from the time of the flight we will give you a full refund.

    If you have to cancel within 48 or 24 hours of the flight and would like a refund please read our cancellation policy below.

    The wellbeing of our passengers and staff is our top priority and all our staff are fully vaccinated. Thank you for doing your part in helping us do this.

    Child price applies to ages 12 years and under and over 1.1m tall.

    All flights are weather dependent. We need to be able to contact all passengers 7.30 pm the evening prior to the flight to confirm that it is operating and to reconfirm the meeting time and place with everyone. The time on you booking form is only to be used as a guideline - we will confirm this with you. If we are unable to make contact with you please call us. Due to the early nature of ballooning please DO NOT CALL AFTER 9.00 PM.

Available Bookings from 29 Mar to 11 Apr 2024

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Fri 29 Mar
Sat 30 Mar
Sun 31 Mar
Mon 1 Apr
Tue 2 Apr
Wed 3 Apr
Thu 4 Apr
Fri 5 Apr
Sat 6 Apr
Sun 7 Apr
Mon 8 Apr
Tue 9 Apr
Wed 10 Apr
Thu 11 Apr

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$320.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$259.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$320.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$259.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$320.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$259.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

366 reviews

Showing all 366 authenticated Bookme reviews

Catriona from United Kingdom wrote on 16 November 2022

Fantastic views

Must do activity if you are in Christchurch area. Well worth getting out of bed early to drift across the sky in the hot air balloon and see amazing views of green hills, snow capped mountains and the farmland and villages below.

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

Was great having you join us. Was good that we have multiple launch sites so that we could launch away from the low cloud to give you the best views.

Mark from New Zealand wrote on 23 October 2022

Hot air ballooning

Great experience. What a fantastic way to watch the sunrise

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

Thanks Mark for taking the time to review. Michael Chief Pilot

brucer3 from New Zealand wrote on 30 October 2023

Awesome Day in the Sky

Best experience ever. Get to be involved in everything from start to finish. Long flight time and Mike tells you all about the area. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

sharing the story and history of the Canterbury Plains is just part of the experience. Thanks for review. Pilot Michael Ballooning Canterbury

reneem13 from New Zealand wrote on 05 October 2023

Great way to start the day

Amazing morning with great views.

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

It sure is. Thanks for reviewing Pilot Michael Ballooning Canterbury

Charlotte T from United Kingdom wrote on 18 July 2023

Amazing experience!

I had a great time on the hot air balloon experience. It’s a once in a life time thing which was so worth it and the views were amazing. The staff were very friendly and the pilot told us facts and pointed out places from the air, as well as taking photos for everyone. Helping to set up and pack down the balloon was also very interesting and fun. My morning was idyllic.

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

So glad you enjoyed our experience Charlotte. Great review. As you said not just a ride in a balloon but an all round experience. Thanks for taking the time to review. Pilot Michael Ballooning Canterbury

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

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