The annual Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Fiesta returns from 3rd to 5th October 2026, bringing 20 to 30 hot air balloons together over the valley each morning for one of the region’s most spectacular sunrise sights.
Now in its 13th year, the fiesta turns an already beautiful Hunter Valley dawn into something distinctly whimsical, with passengers aboard the balloons releasing bubbles as they float above the vineyards.
30 hot air balloons over the vineyards
The fun begins at sunrise, when a fleet of colourful balloons takes to the sky above the Hunter Valley. From the air, passengers will have sweeping views across the vineyards and surrounding countryside.
As the balloons drift over the valley, passengers will use bubble blowers to create a cascade of bubbles mid-flight, adding a playful spin to the traditional sunrise balloon experience.
“It’s such a special feeling being on board the balloons as they float over the valley together at dawn with the bubbles adding an extra layer of magic,” says Balloon Aloft organiser Matthew Scaife.
“It really is an awe-inspiring experience and a must-do for anyone visiting the Hunter Valley over the October Long Weekend.”
Sunrise flight with champagne after
Touching back down is just the beginning of the morning’s celebrations. Following the flight, passengers will head to Peterson House Winery for a Champagne Breakfast, with breakfast and sparkling wine tasting alongside the pilot and fellow passengers.
Scaife says the combination of balloons, bubbles and breakfast is what makes the fiesta particularly special. “We’re thrilled to bring back ‘Balloons and Bubbles’, which will see passengers creating a magical cascade of bubbles from the balloons mid flight, followed by a ‘Champagne Breakfast’ when we return to the ground.”
However, You don’t need to be in the air to enjoy the spectacle. The launch and flight locations can change depending on the morning’s conditions, with Balloon Aloft updating its Facebook page each morning with details on where people can watch the balloons take off and fly over the valley.
So, for photographers, families and anyone who simply wants to experience the sight of dozens of balloons appearing above the vineyards at dawn, the view from the ground offers its own kind of magic.
The Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta sells out
The annual event has become a popular fixture on the Hunter Valley calendar, and Balloon Aloft says flights sell out each year.
Balloon Aloft has operated since 1980 and describes itself as Australia’s most experienced and awarded hot air ballooning company. The family-owned operator offers sunrise flights across several Australian destinations and also provides accessible balloon flights for people with limited mobility, including wheelchair users.
With limited places available for the October long weekend, anyone hoping to experience the Balloons & Bubbles flight from the sky will need to book ahead. You can book the Balloons & Bubbles experience through Balloon Aloft’s website.
Fresh from the World Hot Air Ballooning Championships in Poland, organiser and pilot Matt Scaife is back in the Hunter Valley for this year’s fiesta.
Come sunrise this long weekend, he’ll be back above the Hunter Valley, surrounded by a sky full of colour, vineyards below and bubbles floating through the morning air.
Key details
- What: Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Fiesta — Balloons & Bubbles
- When: 3rd–5th October 2026 (Long Weekend)
- Where: Hunter Valley, NSW
