Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

4.9
415

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 bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) 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 from30 Jul to 12 Aug 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Thu 30 Jul
Fri 31 Jul
Sat 1 Aug
Sun 2 Aug
Mon 3 Aug
Tue 4 Aug
Wed 5 Aug
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Fri 7 Aug
Sat 8 Aug
Sun 9 Aug
Mon 10 Aug
Tue 11 Aug
Wed 12 Aug

  • Adult$395.00
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$395.00
  • Child$250.00

Bookings close in 3 hours...

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

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

  • Adult$350.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$350.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

  • Adult$350.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

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

  • Adult$350.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00

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

  • Adult$298.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$250.00
Hot air balloon Fabulous experience! Great experience Superb experience Incroyable
1 / 133
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Authenticated Reviews

Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support

  • emergencySpectacular views of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps (30 people said this)
  • emergencyProfessional and friendly staff who enhance the experience (25 people said this)
  • emergencyThe early morning flight is worth it for the sunrise (20 people said this)
  • emergencySafe and calm experience, even for those afraid of heights (15 people said this)
  • emergencyThe opportunity to help set up and pack away the balloon adds to the fun (10 people said this)
  • emergencyGreat for special occasions or bucket list adventures (12 people said this)
  • star_shineBring warm clothing for the cooler air up high.
    Don’t miss the chance to take photos during the flight.

4.9

415 reviews

Showing all 415 authenticated Bookme reviews

Stephanie West from New Zealand wrote on 24 July 2026

Hot air balloon

Amazing experience

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Leigh Alsop from New Zealand wrote on 14 July 2026

Amazing

It was amazing, lovely people and amazing morning.

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Stephanie from New Zealand wrote on 18 June 2026

Amazing experience

Absolutely amazing experience, the guys were really friendly and helpful especially with rescheduling due to weather.

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

Hi Stephanie It was a pleasure to fly you. Thanks for taking the time to review. Pilot/CEO Michael

Steve Prescott from New Zealand wrote on 13 May 2026

Simply Amazing

An amazing experience that we'd thoroughly recommend to anyone. Michael and the team were so friendly and knowledgable. From the origins of ballooning to the history of the Hororata area, we were completely engaged for the entire flight.

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

Hi Steve It's not just a balloon flight as our knowledgeable pilots share a wealth of information about all sorts of things throughout the flight. Thanks for reviewing. Michael

Karl Schmelzer from Australia wrote on 25 April 2026

Beautiful trip

Wonderful ballooning experience over the Canterbury plains at dawn

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From Hot Air Ballooning Experience - Canterbury

We love our sunrises. Thanks for comments. Michael

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult

Child 12 years and under

*This option must be made together with another price type.
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