Aoraki Balloon Safaris Methven

Aoraki Balloon Safaris has been operating since 1992, with its base at Methven (by Mt Hutt) on the Central Canterbury Plains, which is considered NZ’s finest ballooning location.

Hot Air Ballooning is the air adventure giving you a tranquil and majestic flight, which no other aircraft can offer. It is the ultimate adventure, touched with serenity and romance. Beginning with the awe-inspring balloon inflation, your sedate and mystical flight unfolds.

Activity Options

Premier Plains Flight

• Flights are generally flown around day-break, when air conditions are usually clear, calm & stable.

• Having met at dawn, you will be driven in a 4WD to a suitable launch site chosen by your very experienced New Zealand licensed pilot.

• Following a detailed flight briefing, you will then be invited to assist the pilot and crew to prepare the balloon for flight.

• Once aboard the wicker basket, your magical flight begins.

• The launch is so gentle you will hardly realise you have left the ground.

• The peace and gentleness of ballooning will surprise you & Methven flight views are unsurpassable.

• As you drift along with the breeze, the scenery slowly changes until, after approximately an hour in the air, it is time to land.

• The successful completion of the flight is celebrated with a champagne-styled buffet breakfast, as a picnic in the field, generally served by a suitably attired waiter with a silver tray.

Custom Flights – Flights Over or Near Christchurch

• Weather, patronage and other circumstances depending, Aoraki Balloon Safaris with Balloon About New Zealand are able to fly over or near Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City.

• If you are staying in conveniently located accommodation without transport, pick up can arranged.

• Should the weather not be suitable for a city flight, you will be taken out to the neighbouring countryside of Burnham, Dunsandel, Darfield, Oxford, or Rangiora, depending on the days airflow.

• After the flight & a celebratory glass of sparkling wine or fruit juice, you will be returned to the city.

• Allow up to 3.5 hours for the complete experience. This flight experience is of lesser value than the Premier Plains Flight offered from Methven.

Rakaia Gorge Safari

• An awe inspiring flight over the foothills and farmland to the breathtaking gorge cliffs, where it is possible to descend into the river chasm, then rise up again to land on one of the nearby sheep stations. The flight is a must for the discerning hot air balloon venturer.

Non-Flying Ground Fare

• A special non-flying ground fare for those who don’t wish to fly, yet participate in everything else involving these spellbound ventures.

Conference Flights

• Conference flights for large groups using the double/treble hop method, for which the Canterbury Plains are ideally suited.

VIP Executive/Dignitary Flights

• VIP Executive/Dignitary Flights, with special arrangements for a chef-attended champagne-style barbecue breakfast.
  Or return to a restaurant-arranged champagne-style breakfast.

Other Flights

• Mt Hutt Ski Field to the plains flight
• High altitude flights up to 7,000 metres (23,000 feet)
• Extended cross-country flights over rolling farmland, for up to 3 hours
• Parachute jumps by special arrangement

* Special conditions apply to the above flights

Why Aoraki Balloon Safaris operate over the Canterbury Plains

• The Canterbury Plains are the finest place in NZ for Hot Air Ballooning. Nestled well inland, the prevailing breeze from the Southern Alps gently ushers flights out across the plains, which are renowned for varieties of arable crops, sheep, deer, beef, even llama, alpacas, and ostriches!

• The Methven location allows the balloons to be flown to higher altitudes for a portion of the flight without any restrictions. Excellent fine day views of the entire Canterbury Plains (a full 300km panorama), include pristine Mt Cook (Aoraki) and National Park mountains.

• Marvellous views abound of the Rakaia River, one of the world’s finest braided river systems. No other balloon company in New Zealand can offer this outstanding experience, and much more.

Balloons

Aoraki Balloon Safaris has six balloons of which five are AEROSTAR International balloons, which hold 8 -14 passengers. These balloons are constructed at the Aerostar Factory in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA, they are well made and constructed to strict FAA standards.

Location

Methven, New Zealand. Methven is only 1 hr 5 min, or 94km SW from Christchurch city.

Transfers to Methven by air or road from Christchurch can be arranged on request. If you have your own vehicle, rental car or camper van you are much better off using these as you are then not obligated in returning immediately to Christchurch, and can either continue travelling south or return to the city via the inland scenic route and Rakaia Gorge.