Hot Air Ballooning at Alice Springs

Getting out of bed at 4.30 was not easy this morning but we were to be picked up at 5.15 for our hot air ballooning so it was a case of having too.  The bus was right on time but I had to make a mad rush back to the van before the bus arrived to grab another layer of clothing.  It was cold and it would be even colder in the balloon basket.

There were to be another six people to be picked up at various accomodation places around Alice Springs so we got to see quite a bit of Alice.  One person was a "no show" that is disappointing for the owners but we were told it happens at least once a month.

Because there were only seven of us they were using a smaller basket for this ride. We were told that they can accomodate up to 24 in one of the very large baskets.  We arrived at a place just past the Alice Springs Airport and a small helium ballon was sent up to the sky to check wind direction before a decision was made as whether we could fly.  All good.

The process of inflating the balloon is quite lengthy with a giant fan blowing air into the balloon to inflate it and that is followed by small amounts of hot air.  It takes around 30 minutes before we can all board the basket and set sail.  It was the perfect time as the sun was just starting to rise in the east.

It was THE most enjoyable thing I have done in a long time.  From the slow lifting off the ground, to the serenity of flying without noise.  Every now and again the pilot has to put more hot air into the balloon to gain altitude that is quite loud but it also adds a bit of warmth for a few seconds!

We drift over endless acres of grazing country and below us we can see cattle and then kangaroos.  We can see the airport in front of us with dozens of planes, from all around the world, still lining the airstrip.  You may remember during Covid this is where companies stored their planes.  At Alice Springs the air is dry that was perfect to keep the planes in good condition. There were around 250 planes at the peak.

We can see the McDonnell Range in the distance and the rising sun is casting a beautiful glow across the top of the mountains.  We fly over the old Ghan Railway Line and then over part of the Finke Desert Race track.  Our guide is great at pointing out all the points of interesting.

Finally we see our waiting vehicle in the distance and we know our journey is coming to an end.  We fly for just over an hour and I feel sad as we slowly descend.  We all enter the brace position for landing but it was hardly needed as the landing was very gentle.

Then the fun begins.  We all have to give a helping hand to pack up the balloon and basket.  It is a massive job.  I just seemed to be getting in the way so I ended up taking the photos!  It takes almost an hour to pack up the balloon and by this time everyone is looking forward to the champagne, orange juice, muffins, cheese, bikkies that have been set up by one of our guides.  Apparently it is tradition to always end a balloon ride with a glass of bubbles.  Sounds good to me!