The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is confirmed to return in March 2024 as part of the Enlighten Festival. This event is a fantastic showcase of hot air balloons from all over Australia, offering breathtaking views of Canberra at sunrise. Here’s an overview of the best way to marvel at the hot air balloons and make the most of the event, including how to score tickets to the passenger flights!
What to Expect From the Canberra Balloon Spectacular 2024
The Canberra Balloon Spectacular 2024 is set to light up the skies with a wide array of hot air balloons from Saturday, 11 March. The festival will run for 9 days until Sunday 19 March. Spectators will be able to marvel at hot air balloons floating across the city for free. They take off from the lawns in front of Old Parliament House, providing a stunning backdrop of iconic national buildings and the serene Lake Burley Griffin.
The event will start at dawn on a daily basis, allowing spectators to witness the balloons inflate and ascend into the sky, gradually illuminating as the sun rises. If you’re not a fan of 6 am starts, you can still get a chance to see the balloons – they’re in the sky for approximately 3-4 hours, finishing around 9:30 am.
It’s important to note that the balloons only fly if the weather conditions permit. Rain or winds above 10km an hour mean no balloons! Daily announcements about whether the balloons will launch and fly are made at around 6.00 am and published via the Enlighten website.
Best Locations to View the Hot Air Balloons Over Canberra
Anywhere around the lakeis a safe bet if you want a great view. My personal favourite spot is near the National Library of Australia, which offers panoramic views of the balloons as they drift over the lake and the Parliamentary Triangle. Another popular spot is the lawns of the Old Parliament House, where you can watch the balloons prepare for takeoff up close. For a different perspective, the Kings Park and Patrick White Lawns also provide fantastic vantage points. Remember that the balloons travel with the wind, so their path can vary each morning. In my opinion, it’s well worth going for multiple mornings and trying different vantage points!
How to Get in on the Action With Passenger Flights
If you’re looking to experience the Canberra Balloon Spectacular from the sky, passenger flights are available for booking. These flights give you the opportunity to be part of the spectacle, floating above Canberra and enjoying the city’s landmarks from a bird’s-eye view. To book a flight, visit the official websites of participating balloon companies, like Balloon Aloft Canberra.
Balloon Spectacular flight prices are $395 per person on the weekends and Canberra Day (Monday, 11 March) or $345 per person on weekdays. I recommend booking tickets as soon as possible due to the high demand during the festival period.