Hot Air Ballooning - Melbourne City Flight

One of the great joys of ballooning is its tranquillity as you float with the breeze feeling absolutely no sensation of movement. You have become the wind...drifting across the morning skies as the first rays of golden yellow bright orange and rose pink light reflect off the clouds. Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay; the perfect backdrop for an early morning flight over Australia’s second largest city. Depending on the winds we may fly over the CBD which is laid out in a large rectangular grid like pattern on the northern banks of the Yarra River. Or we may head over the inner suburbs parks and gardens to discover why Victoria is labelled the Garden State. The air is usually much cooler and more stable during the first few hours of the morning hence the reason for the early start. As the sun rises it warms up the ground which can only absorb so much heat before it starts to radiate the extra heat back. This is one of the causes of wind currents and turbulence. We need to fly our balloons while the air remains stable and not affected by the day's wind. This is our "weather window" and it is also dependant on the time of year. Your pilot will deliver a short briefing explaining the adventure on which you are about to embark upon. You will then be transported to the launch site where you may help preparing the balloon for flight or stand back and the beauty of the grand envelope unfolding on film. The actual launch of the hot air balloon usually takes no more than half an hour after arrival at the launch site. The basket is laid on its side and the brightly coloured fabric is pulled out of its bag. Flying wires from the "envelope" are attached and the whole system is given a "walk around" inspection by the pilot. Initially a large fan is used to direct cold air into the envelope - later the burner is fired thus heating the air already in the balloon. As the warm air expands the enve