The Canberra Balloon Spectacular

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular takes place each year in early March, with the balloons launching from the lawns of Old Parliament House. Once the balloons are airborne, they fly across Lake Burley Griffin and the surrounding hills.

Canberra Balloon Festival
Balloons Over Lake Burley Griffin

During the annual Canberra Balloon Spectacular, around 30 giant balloons take to the air each morning at dawn. Over the next nine days of the spectacular, weather permitting, they fly. Some with passengers, some with just a pilot or two. There is, however, no guarantee of them flying every morning, as rain or strong wind can ground them. The balloons fly best in winds of 4-10 kms an hour and will never take to the sky in winds of 18km or more. We were extremely lucky with the weather on our flight. Light winds and sunshine were the order of the day.

The next day, a front came through with rain and high winds, and the balloons were grounded for the next two days.

Canberra Balloon Festival
Balloons Over Lake Burley Griffin

The first morning, we headed down to Lennox Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The Balloons were taking off quite near to where we set up, so we were able to photograph them quite close up as they rose over the trees and crossed the lake.

The giant 38.7m Tyrannosaurus Rex balloon was one of the stars of the spectacular – making his first appearance in Australia.

balloons over the national museum
Looking towards the National Museum and Telstra Tower on the opposite shore
dragon breath
Dragon Breath
Taking To The Air

This year – when the balloons took flight, I planned to be in one of them. That my booking for my first ever balloon flight happened to fall on Friday 13th did give me pause for thought. However, following my rule of trying something new, each holiday I take, I bit the bullet and booked. Our flight was in the yellow Canberra balloon, piloted by Gary from Balloons Aloft.

up up and away with balloons aloft
Up, Up and Away with Gary and Balloons Aloft

The balloons started inflating around 6.30 am, and we were in the air by 7 am. The flight was smooth and totally fantastic. We rose silently (apart from the sound of flame bursts) to a height of approximately 3000 ft. With a multitude of balloons all rising at the same time, it sounded like a flock/herd? of dragons taking flight. In spite of the early morning, it wasn’t cold in the balloon, as you had the whoosh of gas and bursts of flame warming your head, keeping you warm.

Canberra Balloons

Gliding over the landscape, with balloons below and above us, was an unforgettable experience

qatar balloon
Passing by
balloon sunrise
Sunrise from the balloon

The flight itself took around 45 mins before landing (reasonably gently) on the lawns of the National Arboretum. From there, we were taken back to the hospitality tents for breakfast put on by the Lions Club (and included in the price of our ticket). Balloons Aloft also supplied everyone with a certificate for the flight as well as champagne for those who wanted it. I did 😉

landing at the arboretum
Safe Landings

The whole event totally whetted my appetite to do it again. I loved the flight and cant wait to go up again… now, the question is, where to do it?

Best Spots To Photograph The Balloons

There are lots of great vantage points to see and photograph the balloons; our favourites were:

  • By the lake opposite the National Museum. This is one of the first places the balloons reach, and they pass in front of you quite close
  • Opposite the new playground/Park area on Barrine Dve (North side of the Lake), again looking over the water to the Museum in the west
  • Black Mountain Peninsula – there is a vantage point on the left-hand side. In most instances, the Balloons will head toward you from the Parliament lawns, but it depends on the wind! The downside to this spot is you may end up with the sun rising behind the balloons, but if this is the case, you will get good silhouettes! If they drift more to the south of you, then it’s all good.
Balloon Aloft

We flew with Balloon Aloft, and they were great. Very professional, and really appreciated the hot cooked breakfast at the end of our flight

Ph: 02 6249 8660 

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© Bevlea Ross