Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or planning a big, romantic gesture, hot air balloon rides are an excellent way to embark on an airborne adventure and enjoy some truly stunning bird’s-eye views. Fortunately, you don’t need to book a bucket-list-worthy (and expensive) trip to Cappadocia for this fabulous experience. You can fly slow and steadily through the skies right here in NSW in the sleepy town of Canowindra which prides itself on being the hot air balloon capital of the country. More flights take place in this small country town than any other place in Australia annually and it even has its own dedicated hot air balloon festival that’s worth driving out for.
Canowindra, NSW
With a small-town community vibe, historic pubs and old-world charm, Canowindra is a welcome escape from city life. Its main street — Gaskill Street is heritage-listen because it has retained most of its 19th-century buildings. It’s also home to wineries and a museum called Age of Fishes which houses an interesting collection of fish fossils.
Its biggest claim to fame is its hot-air balloon rides and the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge which sees some of the southern hemisphere’s biggest hot-air balloon events populating the skies at dawn and dusk. It takes place from Saturday, April 20 to Sunday, April 28 so don’t miss out. The event also includes night markets where you can eat, drink and enjoy all the action in the sky as the balloons light up to synchronised music.
Visitors are welcome to take a hot air balloon flight through the year and cruise over charming countryside landscapes and sprawling vineyards and enjoy a breathtaking perspective of NSW.
How to get there
Canowindra is located near the picturesque town of Cowra, known for its sprawling Japanese gardens — the largest in the southern hemisphere and just over half an hour west of Orange.
The best way to get there from Sydney is by road, which should be around a 4-hour drive. Read more about it here.