Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning in New South Wales hasn’t always been the enjoyable recreation it is today. In 1856, Pierre Maigre advertised the state’s first balloon flight, and 15,000 people turned out to see it. They weren’t pleased when the balloon failed to lift and the riot that ensued saw one young boy dead, the balloon burnt to ashes and Maigre hiding in a nearby government building! Things are a little less chaotic now, and you can take a peaceful balloon ride over some of the most scenic spots around the state.

The city of Sydney has one of the most recognisable skylines in the world, and you can see it from a very different perspective in a hot air balloon. As the breeze gently pushes you across the sky you will see Sydney in the east, and the Blue Mountains rising up out of the horizon to the west. It’s a sight you won’t soon forget.

From the air, the Hunter Valley wine region is a patchwork of rolling green fields with a backdrop of mountain ranges. Listen to the distant sounds of rural Australia as it awakens on an early morning balloon ride, and marvel at the golden sunrise as it peeks over the eastern horizon.

Known as the ballooning capital of Australia, the small country town of Canowindra lies four hours west of Sydney. One of the largest balloon festivals takes place here every April, attracting up to fifty hot air balloons at a time. Enjoy the spectacle of seeing the twilight sky dancing with balloons, or take part in an unforgettable joy ride.