Who would believe that a simple wicker basket, the whoosh of hot air burners and 200 years of history could leave such a spell on you? Be it floating over the city sky or the lovely patchwork of the wine regions. These majestic aircraft hark back to an unhurried era; yet offer the safest and most memorable sightseeing in today's world.
Over the past 20 years, we have assembled a dedicated team to ensure the best ballooning tours experience available today, and have carried over 60,000 passengers.
Hot air balloons are based on the very basic scientific principle that warmer air rises in cooler air.
A burner fuelled by propane gas is positioned under an open balloon envelope to heat the air and make the balloon rise. When the parachute valve at the top of the envelope is opened some to the hot air escapes, and the balloon sinks. The hot air won't escape from the hole at the bottom of the envelope because buoyancy keeps it moving up.
The colorful balloon envelope is usually made of nylon or polyester, the same type of cloth that parachutes are made of.
The balloon rides with the wind, and to move in a particular direction, the pilot ascends and descends to find the appropriate wind direction. Pilots call the weather service to get a rough idea of which way the balloon will travel, and how they should maneuver once they're in the air. Members of the hot air balloon crew follow the balloon by car to see where it lands to collect the passengers and equipment, usually about 15 miles from the launch site.
A flight in a hot air balloon is a unique experience. Maybe you want to plan a romantic surprise, celebrate a special anniversary or launch a product. Whatever the occasion, the actual flight lasts approximately an hour; the memories last a lifetime...
Hot air ballooning has captured the imagination of people everywhere.
Listed below are comments from some of the passengers who have flown with us over the years
• one of the most serene, enjoyable activities I've ever experienced
• truly magical, marvelous time, brilliant, a truly splendid experience
• the countryside is beautiful. Being in a balloon is just awesome!
• there's something incredibly adventurous about having the course of your
• travels charted by the wind as you skim above trees and rooftops as if in a dream
• I thought I had entered a paradise. On a bright clear, September morning, woods, farms, houses lakes and roads seemed transformed by magic into a fairyland
• ballooning is Just Plain Fun
• floating in a hot air balloon feels as if you're suspended in the wind.
• the perfect "special occasion" celebration
• I loved it! It's one of the best birthday presents I ever had
• the flight was even more magical than I'd anticipated. The ride was so smooth and the view amazing
• one of the most thrilling experiences of my life
• floating over the beautiful countryside was so serene... I would recommend to anyone to try this at least once
About The Author: Peter Gill is the CEO of Balloon Sunrise, Australia's oldest professional hot air ballooning company. Balloon Sunrise was founded in 1986, becoming the first commercial hot air ballooning operation in Australia. By choosing a Balloon Sunrise hot air ballooning tour you have chosen to fly with Australia's most experienced and professional ballooning operator. Balloon Sunrise offer hot air balloon rides over the great city of Melbourne, the beautiful Yarra Valley and various regional locations in Victoria.
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