5 top tips before you go ballooning

We all go ballooning for different reasons

Hot air ballooning can be some or all of the following to different people;

• romantic
• exciting
• thrilling
• peaceful
• calm
• an adventure
• an enthusiastic group celebration
• an intimate shared event.

With such a wide range of emotional experiences that contribute to a memory of what a hot air balloon flight personally means to us, advice on how to prepare to go ballooning can be complicated.

Luckily, we've been flying hot air balloons for decades, and our pilots and support teams go ballooning every day. This depth of expertise means that we have some EXCELLENT tips for you to ensure that when you go ballooning you'll be ready to enjoy the morning.

Tip 1 - Consider your clothing

Hot air ballooning is an outdoor activity. Balloons launch from paddocks, fields, airstrips, farms - in fact any large, flat, outdoor area free of obstacles. You MIGHT be launching from a manicured sports oval with very short grass through to long grass in a farmer's field. However, BOTH may be damp with overnight dew. Similarly, the landing site could be any wide open area. 

The important point here is to ensure that you are dressed in suitable footwear and clothing that you don't mind getting a little damp or covered in loose grass. 

Tip 2 - Take a hat

It might be dark when you arrive at the launch site, but as you go ballooning and the day unfolds, the sun may have a bite to it. Not only does a hat protect against the sun's rays later in the morning, it gives relief against the heat from the balloon's burners during their lengthy pre-take off use. Once you're in the air, the burners are used for much shorter bursts.

Tip 3 - Take sunglasses

As above, once you're in the air and the sun is making its presence known, the low angle of its rays may be beaming straight into your basket! This makes for fantastic photos of course, but you'll most definitely want to break out the sunnies.

Tip 4 - Take a camera

This one is obvious. We know for many people that go ballooning, it may be one of only a few times they ever do it. For some, it's a bucket list item - a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make sure you have a record of it! You don't need a super expensive camera and lens kit - it might just be your phone - but make sure you take it with you to capture the entire morning.

Tip 5 - Take a snack

Even if you've had something to eat before you go ballooning, time flies (as will you!) when you're having fun, and with the excitement, upon landing again, the first thing you might crave is a quick snack. If you tuck a snack bar or similar into a pocket, you'll be able to keep the energy levels up. If your package includes breakfast, this will keep you going until your reach the breakfast venue where you'll have more than enough delicious food to top off the morning.

Now go ballooning with confidence!

That's it! Five must-consider things to prepare before you go ballooning on the Gold Coast. Now, you might have other things to prepare for (selfie stick, spare lens for a camera, engagement ring for that proposal (!) - but these will be different depending on you. By making sure you understand these 5 top tips before you set your early morning alarm, you'll be ready and able to take on the adventure of hot air ballooning!

To go ballooning now check out our most popular Gold Coast hot air balloon packages here.