Aoraki Balloon Safaris, is the Principle Leader in the New Zealand Tourism Industry for this unique adventure. Aoraki’ have operated since 1992, with their main base at Methven (by Mt. Hutt Ski Field) on the Central Canterbury Plains.

This is well recognised as “New Zealand’s Finest Ballooning Location”. It is well away from the restrictions of flying over or near Christchurch City and International Airport. It has a full 300km fine day panorama of the entire Canterbury Province and Plains farmland, from way north of Christchurch City to south of Timaru City, pristine views can be obtained of Mt. Cook/Aoraki and the National Park mountains. This location allows a full 360 degrees of air movement to be flown. The region is well known as the “Granary of New Zealand” with a large range of seed crops grown, many for export. The world’s finest example of a Braided River System is alongside, the Rakaia River, for which the famous Jet Boat was designed for negotiating.

“Aoraki” a Maori word meaning “Cloud Piercer”

The ‘Magical’ Sky Experience

There are three mysteries when you go ballooning. You don’t know where you are going, you don’t know where you are going to land, and you don’t know whom you’re going to meet, because you are floating wherever the air current happens to takes you.

Floating over 5000 feet in a balloon basket above the central Canterbury Plains could be just the incentive to buy a Gift Voucher for your special person or corporate gift with Aoraki Balloon Safaris, whose balloon adventures have proved popular for those special occasions. We often get repeats from the same people or company so no more need to be said – it has obviously done what they wanted it to do!”

Based in Methven, just 70 minutes (94kms) comfortable driving from central Christchurch City, Aoraki Balloon Safaris was started in 1992. The company has since taken some noted clients sky high including Treasurer of the American Republican Party Larry Reid, famous Japanese actress Michiko Hada, Warbirds pioneer Sir Tim Wallis, Tri athlete Steve Gurney, All Blacks Gary Whetton and John Preston, All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen, MP Phillip Burden, several TV personalities like Bernadine Oliver-Kirby, Phillip Leishman, Eric Young and Guinness Book Of Records holder Florence Laine who flew with Aoraki Balloon Safaris at the age of 102 years 3 months making her the oldest known person to have ever flown in a hot air balloon! Plus many other noted people. NZ Army Band have played Christmas carols over some Canterbury towns prior to Christmas. To have Christmas music come from the sky above has to seen and heard to be believed.

Methven flight views are unsurpassable. As you drift along with the breeze, the scenery slowly changes. The Canterbury Plains are renowned for the many varieties of arable crops and sheep, deer, beef, dairy cattle, even llama, alpacas! The Methven location allows our balloons to be flown to higher altitudes for a portion of the flight without any restrictions. An Aoraki Balloon Safari is certainly a unique experience not to be missed.

All balloon flights begin with participants helping to get the balloon ready including the awe-inspiring balloon inflation, ready for launching. Flights are generally flown around daybreak when air conditions are traditionally clear, calm, cool and stable. From 5am around the longest day, to 7.30am around the shortest day. Once aboard the wicker basket the magical flight, which typically lasts around 60 minutes, begins. Upon landing and the balloon packed up a buffet champagne style picnic breakfast is enjoyed by ballooners in a field, with a waiter in a top hat and tails and enthralls people with stories about the history of ballooning. Generally this is in the field where the balloon lands.

Four words frequent the passenger description of their venture:

* Tranquil
* Romantic
* Enthralling
* Exciting

Aoraki Balloon Safaris is a member of New Zealand’s Leading Attraction’s Group, Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism, Tourism Industry Association, AA Rewards programme, an is a NZTO gold member.

A range of packages is offered including Conference Flights for large groups, VIP Executive/Dignitary Flights and have many balloon weddings. Aoraki Balloon Safaris can also put together exclusive tailored flight packages on request.

Balloonists’ Prayer

As the early balloonists did not know a lot about the air they believed in the possibility of demons that might strike disaster on them or incurring the wrath of the god and being struck by thunder or lightning. They always prayed prior to the flight as follows:

May the winds welcome you with softness,
May the sun bless you with his warm hands,
May you fly so high and so well, that God joins you in laughter and sets you gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth.
- Author unknown.