Duration4 hrsi
Start & End TimeVaries
Pick-Up & Drop-OffNot included
Minimum Age7 years
MealsIncludedi
Start & End LocationPokolbiniWhat's Included
- Get up to $30 cash back per person when you book with us
- 50-60 min sunrise hot air balloon flight over the picturesque vineyard-clad landscapes of the Hunter Valley
- Delicious post-flight gourmet breakfast & champagne celebration at Peterson House
- Digital In-flight Photography to remember your incredible adventure
- Pre-flight briefing from the pilot so you know what to expect
- Departs from the meeting point at Peterson House, 2457 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
Please note: These bookings go on request. Once you receive your confirmation of payment, we will confirm within 72 hours or contact you for an alternative
Starting times will vary depending on sunrise. The time will be reconfirmed, when you call the operator the day prior.
What to Expect
Balloons have been flying over the scenic Hunter Valley for over forty years. Located just 2 hrs north of Sydney and 45 min from Newcastle, the Hunter Valley - Australia's premier vineyard region - offers the perfect backdrop for the flight of a lifetime.
The Hunter Valley balloon flights begin at sunrise and take in views of the picturesque wine regions of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury or Broke. Your pilot and crew will be on hand to welcome you when you arrive at the meeting point of Peterson House at the designated time. Feel free to ask any questions about your flight as you sign in. See how the pilot checks the morning's local wind conditions and listen while they give you a short flight briefing.
Then, your adventure begins with a short trip to your launch site. This is determined by your pilot and depends on the wind direction in the morning. There are over a dozen launch sites to choose from in the lower Hunter Valley. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know your pilot and crew and ask any questions you may have.
It only takes around 20-25 minutes for the balloon to be inflated and standing upright, ready for boarding. You are welcome to help with the balloon setup or simply stand back and take photos as your aircraft takes shape and comes to life.
As the sun rises over the beautiful Hunter Valley, you will ascend into the sky in your colourful balloon. Your balloon will float gently along with the breeze and in your basket you will feel completely secure with virtually no sensation of movement. During your flight, you may find yourself drifting just above the treetops then, moments later, effortlessly ascending to heights of 2000 feet or more. Make sure you have your camera ready to capture views from a perspective like no other.
Depending on the wind speeds on landing, your balloon may touch down with the basket upright, and the balloon above your heads or, in a light breeze, the balloon basket may drag a short distance, with the basket coming to rest on its side. Both landing types are completely normal and lots of fun.
The Ground Team will be on hand to greet you as your balloon lands. Join in as they deflate the balloon by squishing the air out, or feel free to stand back and take photos of all the fun.
Finally, it's back to Peterson House, where the excitement of the morning continues over a gourmet champagne breakfast on the deck of Restaurant Cuvee overlooking the vines. So relax and enjoy a glass of champagne with your fellow passengers and your pilot as you celebrate your exhilarating morning. Plus, you'll get to take home complimentary digital in-flight photography to remember this incredible adventure.
Hot air ballooning is an adventure activity, and whilst there are no fixed timelines, your entire experience, including breakfast after the flight, should take approximately 4 hrs.
Where we Visit:
- Hunter Valley
- Peterson House
Please note: These bookings go on request. Once you receive your confirmation of payment, we will confirm within 72 hours or contact you for an alternative
Frequently Asked Questions
Children need to be aged 7 years or older and accompanied by an adult to fly. They will also need to be at least 120cm tall so they can see over the top of the basket. Please also keep in mind that the burner noise can be a bit frightening to young children.
There is no upper age limit - as long as you are reasonably fit and healthy with no significant knee, hip or back problems, no recent surgeries, broken bones or existing conditions that may make a balloon landing uncomfortable for you, and you are not currently pregnant, then you should be fit to fly. You will be required to climb into the balloon basket using the footholds cut into the side of the basket, stand for one hour and, in the instance of a bumpy landing, absorb a small impact which is similar on your joints to that of jumping off a low chair. You will also need to be able to hold on to the safety handles when the balloon is landing.
At the time of booking, whether online or over the phone, you will be asked to confirm that all members of your party are fit & well with:
- No significant knee problems,
- No significant hip problems,
- No significant back or neck problems,
- No recent surgeries or broken bones,
- No other existing conditions that would preclude them from following the pilot's instructions; Assuming the landing positions with knees bent when instructed to do so, Absorbing a small bump when the ballooning is landing or would prevent them from holding on to the safety handles when the balloon is landing.
- Are able to stand for one hour unassisted,
- Do not weigh more than 140kg individually and children do not weigh more than 50kg individually,
- Are not currently pregnant.
The Operator flies single T and double T partition baskets of all different sizes ranging from 2–24 passengers. These basket layouts provide plenty of personal space as they are purpose-designed to accommodate large and small group sizes in perfect comfort, whilst also allowing all passengers to stand against the side of the basket, ensuring everyone gets a great view.
If your balloon flight is cancelled by The Operator due to unsuitable weather conditions then you are welcome to rebook anytime within the 12 months validity period of your voucher.
The Operator schedules flights all year round from most locations, however, the summer months generally provide the very best weather for ballooning with the majority of the flight proceeding in these months. August and September are traditionally quite windy and the crew will often see a higher proportion of cancellations in these months.
Balloons float with the breeze and will move in the same direction as the airflow. As this airflow usually changes direction with altitude, your pilot can change the height of the balloon in order to steer. Whilst the pilot can make every effort to determine where it will land in advance, it is all dependent on the wind on the morning of the flight.
Clothing suitable for walking or hiking is recommended with enclosed, waterproof shoes. It's also suggested you bring a hat and sunglasses as well as your camera.
The balloon ride itself is usually 50 – 60 minutes in duration. The total time you are with the crew on the morning of your flight is approximately 4 hours. This includes a flight briefing from your pilot, completing some paperwork, travelling to and from the launch and landing sites and the breakfast afterwards.
A weight calculation needs to be performed for your flight as all balloons have a maximum lift capacity. By providing your accurate weight you are ensuring that your balloon is weight loaded correctly.
Balloons are incredibly versatile so on the morning of your flight you might find yourself flying anywhere between treetop height and 2 or 3 thousand feet.
The Operator is not permitted to fly any Passenger who is unable to embark or disembark the balloon basket unassisted. The balloon basket is approximately 1.2 metres high, with two footholds for use when climbing into the basket. Staff will be in attendance to supervise Passengers climbing into the basket but may not assist anyone to enter the basket.
Passengers should have no significant knee, hip or back problems, no recent surgeries, broken bones or existing conditions that may make a balloon landing uncomfortable.
Policies
- The Customer acknowledges that hot air ballooning is weather dependent. If The Operator considers, in its sole discretion, that weather conditions are unsuitable or unsafe to proceed, it may cancel a scheduled Flight at any time prior to launch
- The Operator is not permitted to fly any Passenger who is unable to embark or disembark the balloon basket unassisted. The balloon basket is approximately 1.2 metres high, with two footholds for use when climbing into the basket. Staff will be in attendance to supervise Passengers climbing into the basket but may not assist anyone to enter the basket
- The minimum age is 7 years, all children 16 years and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult, & all passengers must be able to see over the side of the basket
- Pregnant women & people recovering from major surgery are not permitted to fly
- The maximum weight is 140kg
- All participants must sign a waiver
In the unfortunate event that you should have to alter or cancel your booking certain fees & conditions apply:
- Cancellation between 72 hours and 7 days prior to a scheduled flight incurs a $25 fee per passenger
- Cancellation more than 7 days prior to a scheduled flight incurs a $25 fee per booking
- Cancellation within 72 hours of a scheduled flight are non-refundable
In the event of a weather cancelation by Balloon Aloft, you will be given the option of a refund or a reschedule to any of the Balloon Aloft locations.
Flight dates may be rescheduled by the customer as follows:
- Within 72 hours prior to the scheduled flight, changes are not permitted
- More than 72 hours prior to the scheduled flight, a $25 fee per passenger will apply
- Tickets are transferrable to another passenger, so long as Balloon Aloft is notified of the name and estimated weight of the replacement prior to the scheduled flight.
- No-shows are non-refundable and unable to be rescheduled
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