Your Balloon Adventures Hot Air Ballooning Experience

If the weather forecast is good for flying, then we start very early the next morning when the winds are most favourable.

We start about 2 hours before sunrise. So you may want to stay in the Barossa Valley the night before your flight.

Just remember that ballooning is extremely weather dependent, and the flight may be cancelled. 

Ballooning is an outdoor activity. Dress more for a day on the farm rather than a day in the city. Dress in appropriate comfortable clothing for the season, and for the overnight minimum temperature. It will be no colder in the balloon than on the ground.

• Flat soled walking shoes are best, no high heels or open toed footwear please. In cooler months a change of shoes may be needed due to wet dewy grass.
• A hat is recommended as the burner gives off considerable heat. If you do not have a hat, you may purchase a Balloon Adventures hat at our reception centre.

• Bring your reading glasses if you require them.
• A few extra dollars for souvenirs that are available during breakfast.
• Don’t forget to bring your cameras as there will be some amazing photo opportunities along the way. The Barossa Valley is famous for having some of the most gorgeous landscapes in all of South Australia.

Ballooning is EXTREMELLY weather dependent

YOUR FLIGHT MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO UNSUITABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS. Safety is our first concern, and we will not fly if conditions are unsuitable.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE ON (08) 8562 3111 BETWEEN 5:00 PM AND 5:30 PM THE EVENING BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED FLIGHT TO CHECK IF THE FLIGHT IS STILL GOING AHEAD. 

The most common reason for cancelling a flight is wind speed. Anything more than light winds is too fast. Other conditions that will keep us grounded include very hot days, rain, total fire ban, low visibility (fog/extremely low cloud) and thunderstorms.

Your pilot and crew will meet you approximately 2 hours before sunrise (The time varies throughout the year).

Barossa Balloon Adventures reception centre address is 71 Stonewell Road, Nuriootpa (SEE MAP), which is approximately 75 km north east of Adelaide, South Australia.  More information and directions here…

Once everybody is assembled and signed in, your pilot will give you a briefing. You then have a chance to use the toilet before we board the 4WDs and head off.

Now the adventure really begins. We will drive to a strategic spot to check the wind to see which launch site will be the best one to use for the day.  The launch site is chosen according to the wind speed and direction. We have a dozen different launch sites around the region available to use. The decision on which one to launch from will be made on site taking into consideration the localised surface winds and the upper gradient winds.

The topography of the landscape also affects the lower level surface winds. This means we may drive as little as 2 kms or up to as much as 65 km to find a suitable launch site.

Plan A is to fly over the Barossa, but sometimes the weather conditions don’t allow that to happen, but we do have a Plan B, which is to fly over the Murray River.

We know it’s early but now is a good opportunity to get to know your pilot and crew and ask any questions you may have.

Once we arrive at the launch site your pilot will give you a quick safety briefing. Then the team will inflate the balloon ready for take-off. You are welcome to join in with the preparation and discover how we get these huge balloons in the air. This whole process takes about 40 minutes.

At about sunrise the balloon will be fully inflated and ready for flight. Jump on board, and then it’s up, up and away! Wave goodbye to the ground crew, they will follow the balloon and meet you when you land. Time to relax … 

Experience the serenity and enjoy the amazing views of the countryside as the sun is rising. You will fly for about an hour before landing somewhere down wind.

Once you have landed your crew will meet you and it’s time to pack the balloon away. This takes about half an hour or so to pack away back on to the trailer. Feel free to join in the fun, or stand back and take the opportunity to take a few more photos. Hop back in our 4x4 vehicles and it’s back to the reception centre for breakfast

We return to our reception centre about 4 hours after we have left. The morning ends with a delicious Barossa breakfast back at the reception centre. It is for our own private use with a view over Penfolds Stonewell vineyards. Relax and chat with your fellow passengers and pilot about the morning's events, whilst sipping sparkling wine and indulging in the best Barossa produce.

• Barossa SmokeHouse Butchers traditionally smoked bacon
• Barossa SmokeHouse Butchers German bratwurst sausage
• Oven roasted tomatoes with Barossa Valley Cheese Co feta
• Sauteed mushrooms with garden fresh herbs
• Free range eggs
• Tanunda Bakery sourdough bread
• Barossa Coffee Roasters coffee

We can cater for gluten free, vegetarian and vegans. Just let us know if there are any dietary requirements at time of booking.

Please tell us if someone is celebrating their Birthday and we will provide a delicious Birthday cake at the breakfast – at no extra cost.

During breakfast you have an opportunity to purchase photos of your flight on a USB. We also have hats, beanies and stubby holders. 

To wrap up the morning’s experience, we will present you with a personalised flight certificate.