One of the greatest things about the region is the fact that you can do literally any sports here. Apart from iconic activities such as commercial bungy jumping and jetboating that originated here, other activities include white water rafting, snowboarding, paragliding, skydiving or ballooning.
Sunrise Balloons, a family-owned and operated company which has been flying in the region since 1998 schedule daily flights all year round, weather permitting. The flights take place in the valleys between Queenstown and Arrowtown and you'll be treated by one of the best views you had ever seen. After all, it's no coincidence Peter Jackson chose New Zealand as the location for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. And you will get to see some of them: The Ford of Bruinen; Dimrill Dale; The Gates of Argonath; The Pillars of the Kings, all in full beauty.
Flights are at dawn when the air is cool and calm and apart from the movie locations, you'll be treated to views of The Remarkables that are, as the name suggests, remarkable by nature or Mount Tutoko, the highest peak in Fiordland National Park. All Sunrise Balloons's pilots are CAA certified and flight tested annually. Hugh McLellan, the chief pilot and owner of Sunrise Balloons, has over 1500 hours in hot air balloons and over 2000 hours in fixed wing aircraft. The company use high-quality balloons Kavanagh and Lindstrand. You will be in good hands.
All in all, Queenstown is not to be missed and is definitely the place for a balloon ride. And what better start to the day than a morning ride topped off with stunning and scenic landscape all year round. Whether for fun or taking some of the most stunning photographs you will ever take, this trip is worth every penny.
Photos: ©Sunrise Balloons
Source: http://www.ballooningnz.com
