float through the sky on a Hot Air Balloon ride

Avon Valley Balloon Flight

Experience the peace and tranquillity of a deluxe sunrise champagne balloon flight over the picturesque Avon Valley in the safe hands of WA�s oldest and most experienced ballooning company. Flights take place from April to late November.

Avon Valley Ballooning Midweek Flight

Your hot air ballooning experience begins before dawn when the winds are gentle and a new day about to begin. Flights last approximately 1 hour. After your flight you will be invited to join in the fun, and experience the ancient and mystical art of balloon "packer-uppering". The balloonists breakfast will be served by your pilot and crew. During breakfast you will be presented with your prized flight certificate and view the mornings photos taken from the Balloon.

Balloon Flight - Greater Brisbane, QLD

Experience the adventure of hot air ballooning around greater Brisbane! South East Queensland's only operator offering a unique opportunity to combine a city and country balloon flight. After being greeted 20 minutes prior to sunrise, your pilot will brief you and your fellow passengers on the morning�s proceedings. You will then be taken to the chosen launch site. You my even be able to assist with the inflation of the hot air balloon. Once the balloon is inflated, the hot air balloon will lift off for your flight. Whilst floating majestically and effortlessly, your balloon flight combines the city and country in one flight. Your balloon flight is tranquil yet exhilarating. As the world slowly awakens, you float peacefully overhead, witnessing the serenity in slow motion from the balloon basket. Breathtaking views of the Greater Brisbane region encompassing the city of Ipswich and its classic Queenslanders, heritage buildings and homes, Flinders Peak, Mt. Walker, the Great Dividing and McPherson Ranges, Mt. Tamborine, Moreton Bay, the skyline of Brisbane, Mount Coot-tha, D'Aguilar Range, Wivenhoe Dam, the Brisbane, Fassifern and Lockyer Valleys and the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers. Your flight is followed by a sumptuous sit down restaurant champagne breakfast and a commemorative flight certificate will be presented to each passenger to conclude the morning�s activity.

Balloon Flight - Hunter Valley, NSW

Indulge in the sensation that is hot air ballooning. Float like the clouds as you witness the sunrise climbing over the unforgettable horizon. Look outside the basket and the Hunter Valley is at your feet with amazing views of the vineyards and green rolling fields. Appreciate what is the most spectacular flying area Australia has to offer. As you are floating you will feel no wind as you have become the wind, simply relax and enjoy the oldest and most romantic form of flight known to man. After your flight you have the opportunity to reflect on the experience with champagne celebration. Our pilots are internationally recognised and have received various awards for their piloting ability. We are one of Australia�s oldest and largest ballooning companies, so you are in great hands.

Balloon Flight for a Child

After meeting and checking in, the pilot will determine the wind speed and direction and decide on a suitable launch site from one of over thirty sites located around the valley. You are transported to the launch site in our vehicles, and any non flying participants are welcome to follow in their own cars. At the launch site the hot air balloon will be rigged and inflated by our ground crew. You may wish to assist its part of the fun. After a final pre launch briefing, you will ascend into the sky. The ground crew follows the hot air balloon, to be on hand when your pilot brings you safely back to earth at the conclusion of the balloon ride. After the hot air balloon has landed the balloon is packed away, and you are returned to Cessnock Airport to celebrate the flight with a glass of juice and complimentary breakfast of tea, coffee, juice, quiche, fruit cake and biscuits.

Balloon Flight over Canberra

This will be 1 hour of your life that you'll never forget! Definitely the BEST way to see Canberra! After your flight, there's a champagne celebration. With 28 years of experience and a 100% safety record - we guarantee you'll love it! In flight photos are also available. Your day starts just before dawn, when you meet your fellow adventurers and we prepare you with a pre-flight briefing. We then drive you to the launch site - your pilot will decide which starting point will give you the best possible flight. It's a magical moment as the big heater breathes life into the balloon to inflate it. You are welcome to help us prepare the balloon, or take photos as we do it. Then it's up up and away for a spectacular hour drifting with the gentle morning breeze over Australia's ?garden city? capital. The balloon moves so gently you can hardly believe it's real - there's no feeling of movement or height, just an amazing all round view that is perfect for photos! The balloon travels slowly so there is plenty of time to see all the details. A slight bump brings us back to earth as we nestle into the padded basket. Our ground crew are there to help us all pack up, and then it's back to Rydges Capital Hill Hotel for the finale. There's traditional champagne - or juice if you prefer - to celebrate your adventure and a personal Flight Certificate to remember your ballooning experience. Not that you're likely to forget! Our special ?eye in the sky? photos are also available - taken with a remote controlled camera from outside the basket during your flight. An delicious full buffet breakfast at the hotel is the perfect way to complete your adventure. Breakfast is optional and can be paid on the day - $22 per adult, $11 for children up to 12 years. And....it's only fair to warn you - ballooning can be addictive! So we expect to see you again. Remember to wear adventure clothing and sturdy shoes - it is warmer rather than colder up in the balloon.

Balloon Flight with Breakfast - 30 mintues

We are a family operated business since 1986. We offer early morning 30 and 60 minute balloon flight tours, with daily departures from Alice Springs. Our tours include return transfers, the balloon flight, a flight certificate and a 4 course chicken and sparkling wine breakfast. Your ballooning adventure begins in the cool pre dawn darkness as you are picked up from your accommodation in Alice Springs. During the 15-minute drive to our desert launch site you will get to know the crew as they make final weather checks and explain the routine for the morning. At the launch site gas burners are used to inflate the balloons. The balloon flight takes place to the south of Alice Springs, between the Alice Springs Airport and the MacDonnell Ranges. Once floating gently in the air you will appreciate the vast remoteness of the Australian outback. Wildlife, particularly big red kangaroos are seen nearly every day as the balloon crosses spinifex grasses, mulga scrub and cattle stations. After landing you may become involved in assisting the crew or taking photographs as we pack the balloon back into its bag. Our buses will then travel to our outdoor setting alongside the Todd River where you will be served a 4 course chicken and sparkling wine breakfast. Between courses of marinated chicken drumsticks, quiches, fruit baskets, cheese and chocolate cake you will have the opportunity to purchase photographs taken earlier in the morning. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements should be notified at the time of booking. Transfers back to your hotel, the airport or another tour, and a commemorative flight certificate completes your morning. The $25.00 insurance fee per person, is payable on the morning of the flight and not optional. You can pay by cash, credit card, EFTPOS or Travellers Cheques. Clothing: Long pants, sturdy footwear, hat and sunscreen.

Balloon Flight, Adelaide - SA

Hot Air Ballooning is probably the most romantic form of flight. This Balloon Flight is amazing, imagine, on Adelaide's doorstep floating above the Barossa, drifting with the breeze and not a care in the world.... Dreaming? Think again! Ballooning is probably the most romantic form of transportation, from the traditional wicker basket to the champagne breakfast. Balloon flying in the morning, wine tasting in the afternoon. Sound tempting? Why not make the dream a reality and become a 'Certified Balloonatic'. Appreciate what is the most spectacular flying area Australia has to offer. As you are floating you will feel no wind as you have become the wind, simply relax and enjoy the flight. After your flight you have the opportunity to reflect on the experience over a delicious champagne breakfast at the nearest picnic spot.

Balloon Flight, Avon Valley Perth - WA

Hot Air Ballooning near Perth is a balloon flight experience that combines excitement, relaxation and wonder; it is a truly unique, and special experience with stunning views of the Avon Valley... Your morning begins before dawn when the winds are gentle and a new day about to begin. Your flight lasts approximately one hour. After your flight you will be invited to join in the fun and experience the ancient and mystical art of balloon �packer-uppering�. After everyone has checked in for their flight, we go about fine tuning the weather report and selecting a launch sight for the morning. It takes approximately 30 minutes to fully inflate the balloon. Our Breakfast venue has been specially chosen to compliment your morning�s experience. During breakfast you will be presented with your prized personalised flight certificate while being waited on by your pilot and crew. The champagne that has been selected to toast your morning�s flight is a slightly sweeter bubbly, just dry enough to stimulate the early morning palate and the fresh style ensures a great start to your day.

Balloon Flight, Byron Bay - NSW

Hot air balloon flights over Byron Bay and the breathtaking Hinterland. Rise out of the misty morning to drift dreamily through sunrise skies, you will be overcome by the beauty of the 'Rainbow Region'. Soaring majestically over an ever changing terrain stretching out endlessly underneath, you will enjoy a birds eye view of Byron�s famous headland and beaches, the massive volcanic rim surrounding Mt Warning, and far beyond to the Great Dividing Range. Hot air ballooning in Byron Bay is set in motion when a new day is about to begin. The balloon flight takes place when the air is stable and the winds are calm, ensuring a tranquil hot air balloon flight. We meet an hour before sunrise and you will be taken to the launch site, which is determined on the morning depending on the wind direction. After a short flight briefing, you are welcome to help with the inflation, or stand back and take photographs. As the sun�s first rays lighten the skies, the balloon swells, slowly taking its form... Soon after, the balloon silently takes off and starts drifting with the wind, controlled by the experienced pilot that will give you a brief introduction to how a balloon is controlled and flown. Mount Warning, the large volcano with its massive caldera dominates the horizon to the north and the endless blue ocean to the east. It is fascinating to be a part of all aspects of this ballooning experience. After landing in a farmer's field, relax and enjoy the early morning atmosphere over a complimentary glass of chilled Champagne, and a delicious breakfast at the airfield to celebrate. A personalized �Flight Certificate� is given to each passenger, which rounds off a fabulous morning. The pleasure of balloon flights is that you utilise the power of nature, becoming one with the wind as you travel with it, therefore balloons are weather dependant. This flight has a weight restriction of 100kgs.

The History of Hot Air Ballooning

The first passengers in a hot air balloon belonged to a scientist named Pilatre de Rozier. In 1783, Rozier put a duck, sheep and rooster into the basket and sent them skywards.

The first manned attempt was also in 1783 by two French brothers. Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier cruised for 20 minutes.

In 1785 a French balloonist successfully crossed the English Channel. Unfortunately de Rozier also tried to cross the Channel but died after experimenting with hydrogen.

With technology improving throughout the next 200 years, ballooning became a serious sport and recreational activity. The designs were modified and became very safe.

Many attempts to balloon across the Pacific, across the Atlantic and even around the world were successful.

Ballooning associations have been established in just about every country. With Australia's vast inland beauty, hot air ballooning is obviously very popular.

Just about every capital city has a ballooning festival and thousands of people have taken flights.

MadAboutSports can offer ballooning packages across Australia. Whether that's an early morning flight over Parliament House or a dusk flight over Ayers Rock - we have you covered.   © MAS 2007

How do balloons fly?

Balloons have two main parts.

The piece of the balloon where hot air is captured is called the envelope. Today these are usually made of strong nylon or polyester. The envelopes are made like clothing. Pieces of the material are cut into pieces and then sewn together for an air tight lock.

The burner is what creates the hot air that is captured in the envelope. Usually fuel tanks are installed in the basket. The fuel of choice for many balloonists is liquid propane.

When the gas is lit, it forces hot air into the envelope. When the envelope is full of hot air, it causes the balloon to rise. Once in the air, the balloon is at the mercy of the wind. This is why most ballooning adventures begin early in the morning or in the late afternoon as traditionally the wind isn't as strong.

To bring the balloon back to earth, vents in the envelope are opened to allow cooler air in. This combined with the natural cooling of the air is how the balloon is lowered.    © MAS 2007