Perth Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning near Perth starts well before dawn, with a drive or a transfer to Northam, just under 100km east of the city. Balloons rise over the Avon Valley for about an hour at sunrise, and breakfast follows back on the ground.

Where hot air balloons fly near Perth

Balloon flights near Perth launch from Northam, a country town in the Avon Valley. It's an 80-minute drive from Perth, and a bus and a train run from East Perth Station if you'd rather not drive, although you need to travel the day before to make a dawn launch.

Once you're airborne, the valley below is rolling hills and winding streams, lit by the sunrise. You can help with the balloon's inflation before the flight and with packing it away afterwards, which is part of the morning.

Choosing a flight: drive yourself or take the Perth transfer

The choice comes down to who does the early driving. If you're happy to drive, a Liberty Balloon Flights flight with buffet breakfast meets at the Dome Cafe on Fitzgerald Street East in Northam and runs about a 3-hour morning from meeting time to return. The Australian Ballooning Company's champagne breakfast flight meets at Northam Airfield on Withers Street for a 5-hour outing, with breakfast overlooking the river.

If you'd rather not drive in the dark, a flight with breakfast and a transfer from Perth collects you from the Crown complex on Glenn Place in Burswood for a 4am session. Plan on a 7-hour outing, because that includes the road time both ways.

When balloons fly and what to wear

Flights run from early April to late November, daily subject to availability and minimum numbers. One operator doesn't fly on Wednesdays. Meeting times move with the time of year. Flight times can also change with the weather, and the supplier confirms the actual time before you go.

Shoes must be flat and enclosed, with no high heels or open toes, because the fields can be very wet and even muddy in winter. Casual clothes, a hat or beanie and sunglasses work well, and it's worth leaving your best outfit at home since packing the balloon away gets a little dirty.

More to do around Perth

A balloon flight is a morning activity, which leaves the rest of the day open for the options on the Perth activities page, such as kayaking, a V8 drive or a Segway tour. For flights elsewhere, Experience Oz lists hot air ballooning experiences across Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Where do hot air balloon flights near Perth take off?

Flights near Perth take off from Northam in the Avon Valley. Meeting points include the Dome Cafe on Fitzgerald Street East, Northam Airfield on Withers Street, and the Crown complex in Burswood for the flight with a Perth transfer.

How long is a hot air balloon flight in the Avon Valley?

The flight itself is around an hour long. Plan a 3-hour morning for a self-drive flight from Northam, a 5-hour one for a champagne breakfast flight, and a 7-hour one when the Perth transfer is included.

What time do hot air balloons take off in Perth?

Balloons fly at sunrise, so meeting times are well before dawn and shift through the season. Sessions listed for the champagne breakfast flight run from 3.30am to 4.45am, and the Perth transfer session is at 4am. The supplier confirms your time before the flight.

When is the hot air ballooning season in Perth?

Hot air balloon flights in the Avon Valley run from early April to late November. The champagne breakfast flight operates every day except Wednesday, subject to availability and minimum numbers.

Can I book a hot air balloon flight in Perth for two?

Yes. Perth hot air balloon flights are sold as individual tickets, so two adults book two tickets for the same session. Liberty Balloon Flights also sells child tickets for ages 6 to 12.

What should I wear on a Perth hot air balloon flight?

Wear comfortable casual clothes and flat, enclosed shoes, with no high heels or open toes. Bring a hat or beanie and sunglasses, and expect wet or muddy fields in winter.

What do I need to tell the operator when booking a Perth balloon flight?

The Australian Ballooning Company asks for your weight, any special dietary requirements and any recent injury or surgery when you book. It also advises people with recent back or leg injuries to check with their doctor before flying.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of a balloon flight?

Balloon flight times can change with the weather, and the supplier confirms the actual time before you fly. Cancellation terms depend on the operator: free cancellation a couple of days before for Liberty Balloon Flights, and a week before for the champagne breakfast flight.

Pick a launch point and a departure time, then book your Perth hot air balloon flight here and set an alarm for the middle of the night.