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Balloon Flight, Barossa Valley Adelaide - SA
The Experience
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.
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Gifting this experience.
This Experience is perfect as a gift to a loved one, friend or colleague.
Top 3 facts on Gift Vouchers:
- Gift Vouchers are valid for 6 months from date of purchase
- You don’t have to pick a date straight away you can leave it open dated so the recipient can choose their own date.
- Gift Vouchers can be delivered via an instant email voucher (free) or a beautifully presented Gift Box (additional $15 incl express post)
Additional InfoYou will travel with South Australia's premier and longest operating hot air ballooning company. They operate 7 days a week all year round, weather permitting.
DurationFlying time is approximately 45 – 60mins. The whole time you are actually with us is between 4 and 5 hours - from the time we pick you up from the meeting point to the time we drop you back at that same meeting point. Dress CodeWe recommend you wear comfortable casual clothes, sturdy shoes and a hat. Don’t forget your camera!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does a balloon fly?
A. Hot air balloons fly because hot air rises. Hot air rises because it is less dense than the cooler air around it and so it tends to 'float' on the cooler air. We use a burner to heat the air in the balloon until it is hotter than the air outside the balloon. Once it is, the balloon will rise, carrying us with it. If we were to allow the balloon to cool it would begin do descend as it becomes the same temperature as the outside air. If we were to let some of the hot air out of the balloon the same thing would happen because there would no longer be enough hot air in the balloon to lift us. Gas balloons work on a similar principle except that they use helium gas, which is less dense, and therefore lighter, than air to achieve the same effect.
Q. How high do you fly?
A. How high we fly depends, (like so many things in ballooning), on the winds on the day. At different heights there are different wind layers in which the wind has different speeds and directions. On an average flight we go from tree-top level up to between one and four thousand feet, (several hundred meters). Some people have gone as high as 60,000 feet or more.
Q. How big is a balloon?
A. There are many different sizes of balloon from small, one person balloons to very large ones that can carry twenty people or more. Sports balloons average between 65,000 and 105,000 cubic feet and carry from three to six people. These balloons when inflated vary in height from eighteen to twenty-seven metres and are between thirteen and eighteen metres in diameter. We have 3 different size balloons, one of 120 000 cubic feet, the 2nd of 180 000 cubic feet and our biggest is 300 000 cubic feet.
Q. What happens if the weather is bad?
A. If your pilot decides at any time that the weather is not suitable for a great flight, then we don't fly. Once or twice a year we even get to the stage of having the balloons ready for take-off and the weather changes to the point where we cannot fly. If your flight does not happen because of the weather you can rebook another date.
Q. What is it like to fly in a hot air balloon?
A. Hot air ballooning is like floating over the earth suspended in a basket that barely moves. The experience is so quiet and peaceful, that passengers have been known to whisper to each other. If you were to close your eyes you would not know if you were ascending or descending.
Q. Why do you fly so early in the morning?
A.Although we need some wind to fly the balloon we can't fly if there is too much. We fly in the early morning because the winds are at their calmest then. Also, a lower ambient temperature means that it is easier to get the balloon off the ground and keep it in the air because we don't have to heat it to such a high temperature. This in turn means we don't use so much gas and can fly for longer. And besides, the valley looks so pretty at sunrise.
Q. Is it cold during the flight?
A. You will be no colder in the balloon than when you are on the ground. The burners are located above your head and, as you will be moving with the wind, there is no wind chill..
Q. How many people can the balloon carry?
A. The largest balloon is licensed to carry up to sixteen passengers plus the pilot but it also has a weight limit, so sometimes we get to the weight limit before we get to the 16 passengers. Our middle size balloon can lift up to eight to nine passengers and our smallest can lift up to five passengers plus the pilot.
Q. Do weather conditions affect a balloon flight?
A. Unlike powered flight, hot air balloons depend on wind currents and wind direction to travel from one point to another, so inclement weather such as gusty or high winds and rain can prevent a flight from taking off. In the event of possible inclement weather, passengers will be notified the night before when they ring their pilot; Should the flight not proceed, then you will be able to reschedule the flight for anther convenient date.
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