Hot air balloon company Outback Ballooning in Northern Territory’s Alice Springs has launched the largest hot air balloon in Australia.
Offering capacity for 24 passengers plus pilot, the new balloon’s basket is divided into four separate passenger compartments, plus one for the pilot, and includes seating, with passenger able to be seated for both take-off and landing, as well as for the duration of the flight.
Currently the largest commercial hot air balloon operating in Australia and potentially the southern hemisphere, it was handmade by Cameron Balloons in Bristol, England, which have manufactured more than 12,000 balloons since the early 1970’s.
Approximately 2,500 metres, or more than 2.5 kilometres of fabric, sewn up by approximately 16 kilometres of thread, makes up the impressive balloon envelope.
Early morning flights are conducted over the spectacular outback landscape, providing an opportunity to view the desert sunrise. The flights take off south of Alice Springs, adjacent to the scenic MacDonnell Ranges and over the historic Owen Springs Cattle Station, concluding with champagne and light refreshments.
Outback Ballooning has carried around 250,000 passengers in its 30 years’ of operation, and is one of the longest established ballooning businesses in Australia.
