Arrivals & Departures Up, up and away in the NT

Fly with 23 of your mates in a hot air balloon, the biggest in Australia and possibly the Southern Hemisphere.

Alice Springs-based Outback Ballooning has launched a new hot air balloon which offers capacity for 24 passengers and a pilot.

The balloon’s basket is divided into four separate passenger compartments plus one exclusively for the pilot and includes seating, with passengers able to be seated for both take-off and landing, as well as for the duration of the flight.

The new balloon was handmade by Cameron Balloons in Bristol, England which has manufactured more than 12,000 balloons since the early 1970s. 

About 2500m of fabric was sewn up by about 16km of thread to make the balloon envelope.

Early morning flights are conducted over the outback and provide an opportunity to view the desert sunrise. 

Flights take off about 15km south of Alice Springs, adjacent to the MacDonnell Ranges and over the Owen Springs Cattle Station. The experience finishes with champagne and light refreshments.

Fact File

• A 30-minute balloon ride costs $295 and one hour is $390. 
• For more information and bookings see outbackballooning.com.au
• For more information on the Northern Territory see northernterritory.com