Australia’s vast expanses and stunning coastlines make for spectacular bird’s eye sightseeing. Depending on the package you book, your hot air ballooning flight can include a gourmet breakfast, a flute or two of champagne and complimentary photos. In this article, we’ll look at several great places to go hot air ballooning in Australia and describe what you might see from your flight. (Photo "Perth Panoramic View" by garytamin)
Melbourne
Visitors to Melbourne have a unique option for urban sightseeing by hot air balloon. Trips leave at dawn or slightly before to make sure that the balloon gets the right morning air currents. When you’re searching for the best accommodation for your trip, check if your balloon operator will pick you up at the hotel. If not, you may want to stay closer to the meeting point to avoid being late. Despite the inconvenience of waking up early on your holiday, it’s worth it to watch the sun rise over the city. Even if you’ve seen the city from a helicopter or small aeroplane before, you’ll agree that the ballooning experience is quite different because of the soft sounds and motions of hot air ballooning.
From the balloon, depending on the flight path, you’ll be able to see the sinuous turns of the Yarra River, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Park and the parks and gardens that dot the city. In the autumn, the changing colours of leaves on trees in the parks and along the streets can be spectacular, even from on high. Bring a pair of binoculars or a long camera lens to try to suss out which is your hotel, and watch the city wake up as more cars take to the roads. (Photo "Melbourne" by timobalk)
As any Australian knows, Melbourne has a bad reputation for changeable weather patterns. So, it’s a good idea to come to your hot-air-balloon ride prepared for a mix of temperatures and precipitations. If the weather is truly inclement, your ride may be put off or cancelled.
Hunter Valley
If you’re in New South Wales and fancy a trip aloft, a visit to the Hunter Valley can easily combine a ballooning ride with a vineyard tour. While waking up early enough for a dawn sightseeing trip might be a challenge if you tasted a few choice vintages the night before, the breathtaking views are worth it. On your flight, you’ll drift over the area’s farms, towns, and famous vineyards. The undulating slopes of the nearby mountain foothills are so small and perfect from up above that they seem like the toy setting for a model train set.
Of course, when you’re not in the air, there’s still plenty to do in the Hunter Valley. You can use your time in the air to pick out interesting landmarks to visit after you touch down. Wine tours are the most talked about activity, but people also go cycling, golfing and horse riding.
Brisbane
Many visitors to Queensland mark a ballooning trip near Brisbane as one of their favorite sightseeing activities. Balloonists here can schedule trips that go over the city itself or above the surrounding countryside. From the balloon, one of the most impressive sights is the mountains to the south of Brisbane that form the Ipswich Scenic Rim. This area features rainforests and farmland, so the topography is usually very green — a wonderful contrast with the deep blue sky above and the dark strips of tarmac running through the landscape. Alternatively, some balloon rides from Brisbane will take in the coastline of Australia. Whatever it is you hope to see, don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the sights. (Photo "Brisbane City" by liqfx)
Alice Springs
For the most distinctly Australian balloon sightseeing adventure, watch the sun rise over the bush as you drift by Uluru and Kata Tjuta, two of Australia’s most distinctive natural landscapes. Kangaroos bounce far below in the scrub, while all around you is the deep-blue sky. Taking a hot air balloon ride in the center of Australia is an unforgettable experience. Balloons may not fly directly over Uluru, because it is a sacred site, but even so, balloonists get a great view of this cultural and national landmark.
Know Before You Go
Check with balloon tour operators if anyone in your party has special considerations due to age or disability. Children younger than 6 years old may be prohibited from flying, as may passengers with medical issues.
Because of the early morning flying times some operators, but not all, will provide breakfast. Ballooning is a special sport that is dependent on the weather. Even if a trip has been scheduled, a change in the weather may result in the trip being called off the night before or morning of the event.
About the Author: Jemma Martin lives and works in Melbourne, where she recently took her fifth hot air balloon trip. Enchanted by these whimsical wind transport vehicles, she is determined to log more hours in the air.
