Hunter Valley is located in New South Wales, Australia, about a 3-hour drive from Sydney. As you gently ascend in a hot air balloon with the first rays of dawn, surrounded by the misty valley, and bathed in the morning sun, it feels like stepping into a fairyland!

What time is the hot air ballooning and where do the hot air balloons take off in Hunter Valley?

Generally, you should reach the assembly point at Peterson House around 4:00 AM and find your pilot. If you’re comfortable driving at night and can wake up early, you can also depart from Sydney city on the same day. A couple in our balloon actually left Sydney around 1:00 a.m.

We recommend arriving in the town of Cessnock a day early. We stayed at this motel as shown in the sixth picture. The advantage is that there’s a McDonald’s nearby, and it’s a 10-minute drive to the assembly point at Peterson House, which is very close. The downside is that it’s quite small with basic facilities.

It’s really cold at 4:00 a.m., so make sure to dress warmly! Long sleeves and a jacket are a must. You have to wait for the balloon to inflate. The assembly is at 4:00 AM, and then you take a bus to the launch site, arriving around 5:00 AM. The balloon can usually be fully inflated and take off around 5:40 AM.

How long are balloon flights?

You’ll spend a little over an hour in the air, but the most exciting moments are during takeoff and landing. After a while, the scenery can become a bit monotonous, but there will be ups and downs during the flight, and you’ll have opportunities for photos. After landing, you can purchase photos. It can get cold up there, so you can stand closer to the burner when it’s on for warmth.

Do you sit or stand in a hot air balloon?

During the flight, be cautious not to touch the gas tanks and the burning apparatus. When landing, it’s essential to bend your legs and have your hands on the edge of the basket or on the poles to prevent falling or getting hurt. Also, don’t stand up immediately after landing, as the balloon may bounce once or twice before settling down. Children should weigh less than 50 kilograms; otherwise, they need to purchase tickets at the adult price.

Hunter Valley Hot Air Balloon Flights booking

There are two options available, one for $349, where you can reschedule in case of weather issues but no refunds, and the other for $369, where you can get a refund if the flight is cancelled due to weather conditions.

Booking Website: Ballon Aloft – https://balloonaloft.com/locations/hunter-valley