It’s early in the morning and you’re standing in a field watching a massive balloon inflate, and you’re left wondering “how” and “my bucket list wish is coming true”! There’s something almost surreal about rising before dawn, driving through quiet country roads and watching a balloon come to life with fire and fabric in an open field. The anticipation builds from the moment you arrive at the launch site, and honestly that pre-flight excitement is half the magic.
As it inflates and the burners roar to life, it feels like you’re about to step into a dream. Hot air ballooning is more than just the views and the thrill of floating, it’s also the whole journey that creates this incredible sense of quiet adventure. The early morning hours are ideal for ballooning, generally offering calm winds and stable weather, the 2 things that are essential for a safe and serene flight. There’s a reason people say the world looks different from above at sunrise.
That peaceful moment as the ground drifts away? It’s something that stays with you long after your feet are back on solid ground.
The Anticipation Before You Fly
Here’s what nobody tells you about hot air ballooning and that is the weather becomes your new best friend. The days leading up to your flight are all part of the experience, and you’ll find yourself (along with the Chief Pilot) checking the forecast with the enthusiasm of a meteorologist. You’ll typically receive instructions the evening before, confirming the meeting time and location and there’s this lovely flutter of anticipation that comes with it, and that’s perfectly natural.
When you arrive on flight day, watching the crew work is genuinely fascinating. From laying out the massive envelope to firing up the burners, it’s a well practiced and systematic procedure, as the balloon transforms from a bundle of fabric into this towering, graceful giant ready to take flight! There’s a certain camaraderie that forms during this time as everyone’s sharing in the excitement, asking questions, snapping photos and soaking up this unique atmosphere that only exists in those pre-flight moments.
The Flight – Calm, Quiet and Completely Breathtaking
Once everything’s ready, you’ll climb aboard the basket and then it happens! The ground doesn’t drop away dramatically like in the movies. Instead, it gently falls away and the world simply opens up beneath you. There’s no sudden jolt, no engine noise roaring in your ears, just the occasional burst of the burners and the surprising hush of the wind.
The fact that flying in a hot air balloon is remarkably smooth often catches most first timers off guard. You don’t feel like you’re moving at all. You’re simply floating, often without any real sensation of direction or speed. It’s this peaceful stillness that surprises people the most because you expect adventure, but you get serenity with a view. There is no motion or travel sickness with ballooning.
The Greater Brisbane region, taking in Ipswich, Scenic Rim and Somerset is an ideal location to fly, with a contrast of city and country views. Whether you’re gliding above farms, the suburban sprawl, forests, mountains or winding rivers, the changing landscape below and surrounds creates this stunning, ever shifting panorama. Your pilot will often rotate the basket so everyone gets their moment with the best angles and trust me, every angle is the best angle up there.
Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights specialises in the personal and professional boutique ballooning experience, with no more than 10 passengers per flight whether it’s a shared flight with others or an exclusive private flight for your own group. Each flight flown by the Chief Pilot and founder of the business, Graeme Day, who has over 33 years ballooning experience over 3 continents, 24 years of which have been flying the Greater Brisbane region skies.
You’ll spend about an hour in the air and during that time, something shifts. Everything slows down. There’s time to actually breathe, to reflect, to just be present in a way that feels increasingly rare in our busy world.
Touching Down, Every Landing Tells Its Own Story
Here’s where things get interesting as every balloon landing is completely unique, and that unpredictability is part of what makes the whole experience so special. A soft, stand up landing is common when winds are light, almost like stepping off a curb. But if there’s a bit more breeze then the basket might drag a little or even tip slightly on impact. Our pilot chooses the landing spot based on wind direction and speed, which means you literally never land in the same place twice and that’s all part of your unique story.
Once you’re safely on the ground, the chase crew appears like magic to help pack down the balloon and transport everyone back to the starting point, and a welcoming hearty freshly cooked, after-flight restaurant breakfast. It’s this satisfying end to such a tranquil flight, often filled with stories, laughter and those final photos before reality kicks back in.
Quick note for anyone planning to bring spectators, while friends or family are welcome to watch and photograph the launch, spectators are welcome to follow the balloon ground support vehicle in their own cars whilst the balloon is floating along, however if the balloon lands on private property and not a public park, access to the landing site will not be permitted. All are welcome to attend the after-flight restaurant breakfast too. Spectators after the take off site either follow along for the chase, stay or gather and go back to the meeting point or a café, which gives them their own little social gathering while you’re floating around up there.
Why This Adventure Will Stick With You Forever
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, ticking something off your bucket list or just craving an experience that’s completely different from your everyday routine, a hot air balloon flight sits in this perfect sweet spot. It’s adventurous without being terrifying, peaceful without being boring and memorable without being overwhelming.
Just be sure to dress comfortably, wear closed shoes, bring your camera and let the experienced crew guide you through everything else. The rest is pure magic. For a more personalised and intimate flight experience, Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights provide hot air balloon rides led by an experienced local pilot, Graeme Day, with over 33 years ballooning experience, who knows these skies and this scenery like the back of his hand. It’s an incredible way to see the landscape from a completely new perspective and honestly, it’s the kind of experience you’ll find yourself talking about for years to come.
Recent Comments