What to Expect on the Day
1
Pre-dawn meet or pickup
You meet at the launch field or are collected before sunrise, when the air is calmest.
2
Inflation and take-off
You watch the crew inflate the balloon and lift off gently as the sun comes up.
3
The flight
For about an hour you drift over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps, snow peaks and valleys all around, the pilot rising and dipping with the wind.
4
Sparkling wine and breakfast
After a soft landing, most flights finish with a sparkling-wine toast and a winery or buffet breakfast.
What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
✓ Bring
- Warm layers for the cool morning
- Closed flat shoes for the field
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera or phone with a wrist strap
- Cash for a tip
- Your booking voucher
✗ Leave behind
- High heels or loose sandals
- Loose scarves without straps
- Selfie sticks and tripods (often not allowed in the basket)
- Large bags, since basket space is tight
- Drones (restricted near the launch sites)
How to Choose a Good Balloon Operator
What good operators do
- Hold a CASA (Australia) or CAA (New Zealand) balloon operator licence
- Postpone or cancel when the wind or visibility is marginal
- State the basket size and meeting point clearly
- Include a sparkling-wine toast and, usually, breakfast
- Have consistent, verified reviews
Red flags to avoid
- Overload a large basket or hide the passenger count
- Pressure you to fly in borderline weather
- Bury a costly transfer or breakfast add-on in the small print
- Offer no free cancellation or weather refund
- No clear licence or authorisation
