Up, Up and Away in a Hot Air Balloon!

I’ve wanted to go up in a hot air balloon for ages, at least five years, but probably as far back as I’d seen the colourful, gentle giants floating through the air. I can say with no exaggeration whatsoever that the experience was transcendental!


Me and a few complete strangers (laugh): I'm the only one doing the peace sign!

We were probably in the air for about an hour … We had to be at the Hilton on the Park at 5.15 am (!) and we were back in the van after the flight around 7.19 am. Between those two time points, we had the flight and also set up and put away the balloon. We had to help, but it was kinda fun.


Can you see the lady in the flame?

I had no idea that there was a massive flame overhead in the balloon, which every now and then would flame and give out a blast of magma-like air!


The flame overhead! Watch your eyebrows!

Thank goodness I had a hat on, although I expected to need it for the cold! The weather was actually quite mild. We were told that was because we simply went with the wind so there was no windchill factor.

Seeing the sights of Melbourne from above as you gently float through the air is something everyone should experience. In fact, there’s no way that I can amply describe this wonderful journey using ‘just’ words so I’ll stop typing and let my photos (some of the 335 I snapped in an hour, laugh!) do my talking for me!


Floating free, just a few balloons and me ...


Companion balloon and 'Lego' world


Melbourne Town ...

It's a day on and I still can't stop smiling. Do yourself a favour and book your ride on the winds today!

All for now from

Renée Barber
Your roving (high flying) Melbourne correspondent