Overview
- Time: Approx. 1.5hrs prior to sunrise & between 2.30-3pm for afternoon flights
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Meeting place: Sunrise flights Alzburg Resort (View Map)
- Afternoon flights Delatite Winery (View Map)
- Duration: Approx. 60min flight; total experience 3-3.5hrs.
- Free Parking: at the meeting venues.
What to Expect
The Night Before
Your pilot will post a flight update on the Global Ballooning mobile app advising the updated weather information and exact meeting time.
Sunrise flights: expect to receive this the night before your flight by 6pm.
Afternoon flights: expect to receive this on the morning of your flight by 9.30am.
You will then be asked to check-in for your flight via a link on the mobile app.
Morning of the flight
The Global team will meet you at Alzburg Resort for your sunrise flight OR Delatite Winery for your afternoon flight at the designated time. There will be one last weather-check in readiness for your flight and then we’ll take you through a short flight briefing.
Launch Site
We will drive to the launch site, which is determined by the wind direction on the morning. It takes around 30 minutes to inflate your balloon. You are welcome to assist with the balloon setup or watch and take photos as the sun begins to rise. Your balloon will awaken as our pilot fires up an inflation fan and lets cold air pump the balloon up. When the balloon is cold inflated looking a bit like a beached whale, the pilot stands behind the burner and fires it up with gas. Now you’re ready to board!
Flight
As the sun rises you will gently float up into the sky for approximately an hour. We often hear how surprised passengers are with the feeling of security and the fact that there’s effectively no sensation of movement. During the flight your pilot will take you on a journey over Mansfield. At the foothill of Mt Buller, located 2.5 hours from Melbourne city, you’ll meander across the unforgettable High Country at varying heights of up to more than 3000 feet. Your pilot uses the wind direction and speed at different heights in order to steer the balloon. Have your camera ready to experience the wonder!
Landing & Pack Up
Your pilot will choose a landing site based on conditions, access and suitability. As the balloon approaches the ground, a vent is released at the top of the balloon letting the hot air escape – make sure you look UP to see the beauty of the air escaping. In calm winds, there may be a “stand up landing”, meaning that the balloon will calmly rest on the ground with little to no impact. In moderate winds, the balloon may drag with moderate to high winds & you’ll experience the fun of a lay-over landing. Global’s ground crew will greet you as your balloon lands. Deflating the balloon is the best part. Get involved by rolling over the top of the envelope and help push the air out or watch from a distance.
Back to the meeting place
Once we’re packed up, it’s back to the meeting place.
Your pilot will post complimentary photo memories of your experience on the Global Ballooning mobile app for you to download.
If you’d like local breakfast venue recommendations worthy of a visit, just ask!
