Peterborough-based Adventure Flight Co pilot Jordan Koursaris flew the two passengers at 500 feet over Lady Bay, where beachgoers saw the 1950s-biplane leave a trail and caught a glimpse of visitors from the North Pole.

"It was an honour to fly Santa, a fellow pilot, around the place," Mr Koursaris said.

But wind speeds, fuel and a hungry reindeer meant the flight had to end before its scheduled 1pm fly over.

"We had a 20 to 30 knot northerly that was pushing us out to sea, it was a bit difficult to get the right angle for the crowd to see us best," Mr Koursaris said.

A Very Different Christmas organiser Adele Griffin said she was glad the flight went ahead after weather conditions cancelled it two weeks ago.

"Santa was really happy to see all the kids from Warrnambool," Ms Griffin said.

"It is just a merry Christmas to everyone and a congratulations for getting through a really tough year."

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