There's nothing like hot-air ballooning in the Australian outback! Read my holiday review to find out how to get there!
We got picked up at 4.30am and headed south out of
Alice Springs where we launched a small balloon with helium in it – it also had a little light inside – to watch it and see which way the wind was blowing. The pilot then decided on our launch site and we drove a few minutes longer and started to set up the balloon.
As it was February it was quite pleasant temperature-wise in the morning. Nice gentle warmth to the air (I have also taken this flight in the middle of winter….HIGHLY recommend gloves, scarves, beanies, jackets as it can be as low as minus 5 degrees due to the clear night skies in winter time!! Once the sun rises, however, you start to ‘thaw out’ and the weather is just perfect!)
As the sun rose we watched the pilot inflate the balloon and we all hopped in… You do not feel yourself lift off at all – it is so smooth and gentle!! Fact: if you are afraid of heights (as our pilot is!) you do not get the fear if in a balloon. Also no worries about getting motion sickness either (my sister gets motion sickness and she was absolutely fine).
It is so quiet up in the air as you watch the sun rise over the horizon, see birds and kangaroos moving around below you. Apart from the odd burst of flame noise from the burner it is so serene and just beautiful!! Franz, our pilot, also gave us information on balloons and how they work and also of surrounding Red Centre landmarks that we could see.
After half an hour in the air we gently landed in a clearing and began to pack up the balloon. Group participation is encouraged but no one needed a push as it was so much fun making one big long hot air balloon sausage to then put back into its ‘bag’!! I recommend wearing long pants as you get a little bit dusty!
By this time the sun was up so the flies also greeted us on the ground. We then were driven back into town to the
Chifley Alice Springs Resort where on the lawns we were met with champagne with apple and guava juice and breakfast!! OH SO DELICIOUS!! Quiche, chicken drumsticks, fruit platter, chocolate cake, cheese and crackers, tea and coffee! There were also souvenirs to purchase. (Please note as 1 April 2010 the breakfast will not be offered and held at the hotel grounds, instead they will offer refreshments, including champagne, and souvenir sales at the balloon landing site. This will greatly enhance the spectacular desert location over which you have just been flying!)
After we had our fill (there was so much food!) we were all presented with our own flight certificate and then dropped back at our respective accommodation – we got home by about 8.30/9.00am.
This is a MUST DO here in
Alice Springs for everyone! A great way to fill in a morning on your last day before catching your flight home or at any stage during your visit to the Red Centre! Being up in the sky with uninterrupted views all around you in the morning air watching the sunrise all the while feeling completely safe and at ease…..just amazing. Take a minute to check out all the details on
Outback Ballooning and treat yourself to something special!
Do you have any holiday ideas for visitors travelling to
Alice Springs? Comment below to share your Northern Territory holiday ideas!