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.
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.
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.
Great experience. What a fantastic way to watch the sunrise
Thanks Mark for taking the time to review. Michael Chief Pilot
sharing the story and history of the Canterbury Plains is just part of the experience. Thanks for review. Pilot Michael Ballooning Canterbury
Amazing morning with great views.
It sure is. Thanks for reviewing Pilot Michael Ballooning Canterbury
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.
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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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.