Is a Sydney Hot Air Balloon Ride Worth It? Here's Our Take

Many come to Sydney, Australia, for its famous beaches, the iconic harbor, and that effortlessly laidback yet glamorous city lifestyle. But what many don’t realize is that just beyond the city skyline lies a different kind of beauty, with peaceful countryside landscapes and rolling vineyards.

If you’re looking for a unique way to experience Sydney, a hot air balloon ride might just be the perfect bucket-list adventure. Here, we’ll take you through the Sydney hot air balloon experience just outside the city and help you decide whether this adventure deserves a spot on your itinerary! 

Just an hour’s drive from Sydney’s central business district lies Camden Valley, a picturesque countryside in the Macarthur region and home to Australia’s first commercial balloon flight, which began over 40 years ago! One of the most popular activities there is the Camden Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight. From the balloon, you can watch the valley glow with views stretching all the way to the Blue Mountains as the sun rises over farmlands and rivers, and is a sight that’s definitely worth waking up before dawn for! 

While there’s no fixed schedule for this activity since it depends on sunrise, you can expect the whole experience to take around 3.5 to 4.5 hours (not including your commute from Sydney). This includes the safety briefing, inflating the hot air balloon, the flight itself, and, of course, a satisfying breakfast after you land! 

You have the option to self-drive (if you’re renting a car) to Camden Valley or include the shuttle bus service with hotel pickups in the Sydney CBD when you book your hot air balloon ride on Klook. The ride takes about 1 hour from the city, and upon your arrival at Camden Valley Inn on Remembrance Drive in Cawdor, you’ll be greeted by your friendly pilots and crew before heading off to the launch site. 

There are multiple launch sites throughout Camden Valley, and your pilot will decide which one is best on the morning of your flight based on the weather! Once you arrive, it takes about half an hour to inflate your hot air balloon. You can relax and take photos while it takes shape, but you’re also welcome to help with the setup! Yes, it’s early and you might still be half asleep, but there’s nothing quite like being part of getting your “aircraft” ready with the crew. Just remember to follow instructions and be careful! 

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! The morning breeze is gentle, so you’ll feel very little movement as your balloon slowly lifts into the sky, which is reassuring if you’re a nervous flyer or a little afraid of heights. The basket is quite tall, reaching well above your waist for average heights, so you’ll feel secure. There’s also no chance of overcrowding, as there’s a weight limit per basket that only fits a maximum of 24 passengers. 

Camden Valley is known for its rolling hills, so sometimes you’ll be floating just above the treetops and won’t notice that you’ve already reached heights of 2,000 feet or more, and before you know it, an hour of flight has passed! 

Depending on the wind, your balloon might land with the basket upright, or it could drag a little and come to rest on its side. Either landing type is completely normal, and while a hot air balloon landing on its side might sound a little “too adventurous,” you’ve got nothing to worry about. Your in-flight crew and ground staff are ready to help and give you a hand. Once you’re off the basket, you’re once again invited to help out and deflate the balloon! But there’s no pressure, of course; you can simply stand back and take photos for the memories! 

Ah, the breakfast celebration! There’s nothing better than a satisfying, hearty breakfast after an exhilarating adventure. The excitement of the morning doesn’t end with your hot air balloon ride, and continues at the Camden Valley Inn to enjoy breakfast with your fellow passengers and your pilot. Of course – as we all can assume – this is also the time when most would be looking through all the photos and videos from their flight, so you’ll receive your digital photo album from the ride during breakfast, as well.

Whether you’re a morning person or not, a Sydney hot air balloon ride at sunrise is definitely worth it. The full experience from helping out with setup and deflating the balloon to floating above the beautiful countryside and enjoying the breakfast celebration afterwards, it’s something you should definitely put on your Down Under itinerary! 

A sunrise adventure means you’ll be waking up well before dawn (between 2 and 2:30 AM, depending on the season), so make sure you call it an early night before the day of your Sydney hot air balloon ride! 

Australia is known for great weather but you’d be surprised how cold and chilly it can get, especially before sunrise. So wear layers you can remove as it gets warmer throughout the day. Also avoid skirts, slippers, and other restrictive clothing as you’ll be climbing in and out of the basket! 

Flights depend on the wind and sunrise schedule so make sure you arrive early. You won’t want to miss your ride because the balloon definitely won’t wait for anyone! 

The hot air balloon burners (just above the basket) can get quite warm, so wearing a hat or a beanie can help protect your head from the heat. 

You’ll be up early, so it’s a good idea to eat something light before your flight. Having a little food in your stomach can help prevent any motion sickness, and it’s definitely not as enjoyable flying on an empty stomach.

Everyone knows what a hot air balloon is, but not everyone has had the chance to actually ride one and experience what it’s like to float thousands of feet above the ground. It’s peaceful, scenic, and unlike any other kind of adventure. Watching the sunrise from above the countryside gives you a completely different perspective of Sydney and its surroundings. So if you’re headed to Australia and looking for a unique experience, a Sydney hot air balloon ride is something you definitely shouldn’t miss! 

A Sydney hot air balloon ride starts from USD $196.85, which includes the flight and a breakfast afterwards! 

While there aren’t any hot air balloon flights directly over Sydney, there are multiple hot air balloon experiences just outside the city. The closest one is the Camden Valley Sunrise Hot Air Balloon experience that’s just about an hour’s drive from Sydney. 

While there are hot air balloon flights scheduled year-round, the summer months from December to February generally offer the best weather for ballooning. Keep in mind that it tends to get windy around August and September, so although flights still operate during these months, there’s a higher chance of cancellations.