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Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

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Experience the wonder of floating over the vast Canterbury Plains. Harness the elements of heat, wind and air to dip low over the brilliant blue Rakaia River, flying alongside the snow-tipped 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

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 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 more than 14 years of experience, winning 10 national ballooning events throughout New Zealand and representing New Zealand at the World Hot Air Balloon Championships. Michael is also a keen glider pilot with 26 years of experience of soaring in the area.

We are passionate about Canterbury. Michael was born and raised in the area, a 5th generation Canterbury farmer.

Michael's experience with flying, Canterbury's unique weather patterns and the local landscape 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 operate three balloons: a Cameron-133 for special occasions or a small number of passengers, a Cameron 210 and a Cameron Z-275, which can carry up to 16 passengers and is outfitted with the latest technology. What balloon we fly on the day all depends on the number of passengers we have booked.

*** Departure Location ***

2136 Bealey Road, Hororata, which is a 35 minute drive west of Christchurch Airport.

 

Please note:

  • We can fly from a number of different locations in the Canterbury area; all flights are weather dependent.

  • Are you a first time or slightly nervous flyer? Not to worry - we will look after you. We want you to have the most enjoyable experience possible and we have flown with all types of passengers. Please tell us if you have any concerns.

  • For visitors to Christchurch, who do not have their own transport and are booked on full fares we offer courtesy transfers from central hotels/motels in Christchurch or out west Riccarton/Airport areas. Note: If you are booking on a discounted fare there is an additional charge of $20.00 per person. This can be paid the morning of the flight. When booking please advise if you require a transfer and where you will be staying so we can advise if we do pick up from there. Please note we do not pick up from private addresses. If you are self driving our address is 2136 Bealey Road, Hororata, which is a 35 minute drive west of Christchurch Airport.

  • Due to our flights being weather dependant we need to be able to contact all passengers after 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.

  • Please note we do require a minimum of 2 people to fly and to provide transfers. If you are a single person 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.

  • When booking special bookme hot deals, the operator in very rare occasions, not withstanding all endeavors, - 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.

    • Adult $395.00
    Child $320.00

    Restrictions

    • Minimum height of passengers is 110cm (3.6 feet)

    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

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

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

    Fabulous Experience
    Fabulous Experience
    Jo Fincham from NZ
    Worth trying
    Worth trying
    Nasca from NZ
    A must-do in South Island!
    A must-do in South Island!
    Natalia from Australia
    A must-do in South Island!
    A must-do in South Island!
    Natalia from Australia
    A must-do in South Island!
    A must-do in South Island!
    Natalia from Australia
    Amazing
    Amazing
    Yu Guo from China
    Amazing
    Amazing
    Yu Guo from China
    Fascinating Experience
    Fascinating Experience
    Sheenam Gupta from India
    Fascinating Experience
    Fascinating Experience
    Sheenam Gupta from India
    Fascinating Experience
    Fascinating Experience
    Sheenam Gupta from India
    Up up up and away
    Up up up and away
    Cherill Williams from NZ
    Up up up and away
    Up up up and away
    Cherill Williams from NZ
    Up up up and away
    Up up up and away
    Cherill Williams from NZ
    One of the best experiences in my whole life.
    One of the best experiences in my whole life.
    Bruna from Brazil
    One of the best experiences in my whole life.
    One of the best experiences in my whole life.
    Bruna from Brazil
    Amazing
    Amazing
    Tanya Neville from NZ
    Beautiful float over the landscape
    Beautiful float over the landscape
    Andrew McTaggart from Australia
    Beautiful float over the landscape
    Beautiful float over the landscape
    Andrew McTaggart from Australia
    Up up and away
    Up up and away
    Rachel Harris from Australia
    Excellent
    Excellent
    brendan maule from NZ
    Best Birthday experience
    Best Birthday experience
    Antonio Kralj from NZ
    Best Birthday experience
    Best Birthday experience
    Antonio Kralj from NZ
    Best Birthday experience
    Best Birthday experience
    Antonio Kralj from NZ
    Fantastic experience
    Fantastic experience
    Ivy from Singapore
    Awesome balloon trip
    Awesome balloon trip
    Heather Van Hull from United States
    Amazing birthday gift
    Amazing birthday gift
    Janine Natzke from NZ
    It couldn't have been a more perfect
    It couldn't have been a more perfect
    Jemima Wiersma from NZ
    It couldn't have been a more perfect
    It couldn't have been a more perfect
    Jemima Wiersma from NZ
    It couldn't have been a more perfect
    It couldn't have been a more perfect
    Jemima Wiersma from NZ
    Landed and sipping champagne!
    Landed and sipping champagne!
    chris fowler from Australia
    Awesome
    Awesome
    Helen from NZ
    Awesome
    Awesome
    Helen from NZ
    Awesome
    Awesome
    Helen from NZ
    Fantastic!
    Fantastic!
    Kati from United States
    Fantastic!
    Fantastic!
    Kati from United States
    Fantastic!
    Fantastic!
    Kati from United States
    Definitely worth a try!
    Definitely worth a try!
    Karyn Aw from Singapore
    Definitely worth a try!
    Definitely worth a try!
    Karyn Aw from Singapore
    Breathtaking view
    Breathtaking view
    Aaron from Singapore
    Worth the experience
    Worth the experience
    Aditya from India
    We are raving fans
    We are raving fans
    Wendy Macdonald from Australia
    Must do thing
    Must do thing
    Boshan from China
    Must do thing
    Must do thing
    Boshan from China
    Must do thing
    Must do thing
    Boshan from China
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    Ballon Flight 05/05/2018
    Murray Smith from NZ
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    Incredible!!
    Incredible!!
    Bri Fairley from United States
    Incredible!!
    Incredible!!
    Bri Fairley from United States
    Incredible!!
    Incredible!!
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    MUST DO
    Cheryl from NZ
    MUST DO
    MUST DO
    Cheryl from NZ
    Perfect.
    Perfect.
    Adam Roennbaeck from Sweden
    Sunrise at 2000ft
    Sunrise at 2000ft
    Suzanne from NZ
    Amazing and professional
    Amazing and professional
    Fiona Sanders from Australia
    Surreal
    Surreal
    Theresa Meikle from United States
    Amazing!
    Amazing!
    Theresa from Germany
    Amazing!
    Amazing!
    Theresa from Germany
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    Canterbury Ballooning - 01 July 2016
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    Canterbury Ballooning - 01 July 2016
    Canterbury Ballooning - 01 July 2016
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    Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

    5 Stars
    247
    4 Stars
    9
    3 Stars
    1
    2 Stars
    0
    1 Stars
    3

    4.9

    260 reviews

    Read all 260 authenticated reviews for Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

    Showing all 260 authenticated Bookme reviews

    Geraldine from New Zealand wrote on 30 March 2019

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    Mrs

    Excellent!...will tell others...Mike had great ballooning skills and very informative knowledge of area covered...it helped that we had perfect weather conditions on our flight day!😁

    This review helped me

    From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

    Gad you enjoyedwhat was a stunning morning. The flight is just a part of the experiewnce. We try share our knowledge and history of the area you are floating over.

    Eleanor from New Zealand wrote on 06 March 2019

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    Ballooning Canterbury is awesome

    Fantastic, fun, professional and very safe-feeling trip. Wonderful - would fully recommend.

    This review helped me

    From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

    Thanks Eleanor for your review

    Grant from New Zealand wrote on 04 March 2019

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    Up Up and Away

    Really enjoyable flight. Pilot made flying the Balloon look easy. Well worth it the views were beautiful. Go for it.

    This review helped me

    From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

    Thanks Grant. Yes the views are stunning.

    Matthew Baier from United States wrote on 27 March 2019

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    A must-do!

    Amazing Experience - Would highly recommend to anybody spending time in the Canterbury/Christchurch area! Probably one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done

    This review helped me

    From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

    So glad you enjoyed your experience.

    Jemima Wiersma from New Zealand wrote on 07 March 2019

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    It couldn't have been a more perfect

    My dad's 70th birthday present was a hot air balloon trip. The morning couldn't have been more perfect. The pilot and ground crew were lovely, the flight was stunning and sunrise over the plains was spectacular. I highly recommend this tour

    It couldn't have been a more perfect It couldn't have been a more perfect It couldn't have been a more perfect

    This review helped me

    From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

    What a great idea for your dads 70th. So glad we made it an enjoyable one.

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