Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
Escape to peace and tranquillity with a hot air balloon flight over the Canterbury Plains.
Your day starts early. Ballooning is best at sunrise, when the air is calmest and light finest. You'll be contacted the evening before to confirm time and place.
Meet the team at the Hororata base, just 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport, then transfer to the best launch site for the day, chosen for the best views based on the weather.
Family-run since 2012. Chief Pilot Michael Oakley has flown since 1997, A New Zealand Champion who has represented New Zealand at the World Hot Air Balloon Championships. Son Nicholas has flown since age 4 and now flies commercially alongside him.
Flight time is about an hour over the Canterbury Plains, with views to the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. It can be hands-on: help the crew inflate the balloon and pack it away after landing.
Back on the ground, celebrate with chilled bubbly or juice, fresh muffins and seasonal fruit.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point: 2136 Bealey Road, Hororata. Look for the orange flashing light above the sign at the gate. Exact meeting time confirmed by the pilot the evening before, based on sunrise.
Itinerary
-
1
Ballooning Canterbury base, Hororata: meet the team at 2136 Bealey Road, 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
2Canterbury Region
Canterbury Plains: the crew drives the group to the day's launch site, chosen on wind and weather. Approximately one hour in the air, with stunning views across the Canterbury Plains from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3Canterbury Plains
Landing paddock, Canterbury Plains: location varies with the day's flight path. Celebrate with bubbly or juice, muffins and fruit.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Hororata (Pass by)
Return transfer to Hororata base: the crew returns the group back to conclude the experience.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Exact meeting time confirmed by the pilot the evening before, based on sunrise.
- Wear warm clothing and sensible, closed footwear.
- Allow 3 to 4 hours in total. Flying time is approximately 1 hour.
- Hands-on experience. Helping set up and pack away isn't compulsory if you're unable.
- Maximum passenger weight is 130kg. Contact the operator directly if you're heavier.
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Exact meeting time confirmed by the pilot the evening before, based on sunrise.
- Wear warm clothing and sensible, closed footwear.
- Allow 3 to 4 hours in total. Flying time is approximately 1 hour.
- Hands-on experience. Helping set up and pack away isn't compulsory if you're unable.
- Maximum passenger weight is 130kg. Contact the operator directly if you're heavier.
- No upper age limit, but you should be fit enough to stand for about an hour.
- Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Minimum height 1.1m. Infants not permitted.
- Flights are weather and minimum-passenger-number dependent.
- If pregnant, disabled, or recently had surgery, email ahead to check suitability.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
