Watch hot air balloons at Canberra Spectacular
Canberra, Australia • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Dec
13°C – 28°C, warm temperatures with low humidity and balmy nights, high crowds, peak season
13°C – 28°C, warm temperatures with low humidity and balmy nights, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Participants must climb into the basket unassisted and stand for the duration of the flight.
Participants must climb into the basket unassisted and stand for the duration of the flight.
Value for money
Medium
Free viewing is great, but flights are expensive.
Free viewing is great, but flights are expensive.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
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Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Sunrise
Couples loved the magical sunrise with the balloons. Great for a memorable morning!
Picturesque Views
The views were stunning! Perfect for couples to capture beautiful photos together.
Festive Atmosphere
The festive atmosphere and food trucks made for a fun, romantic date morning.
Weather Dependent
Launches depend on weather, so couples should be prepared for potential disappointment.
Early Start
The early start time might be a challenge for some couples. Worth it though!
Limited Parking
Parking can be hard to find, which may cause some unnecessary stress for couples.
How to book
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Hours of operation
Monday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Friday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Exoerience the vibrant Canberra Balloon Spectacular.
Catch the fascinating highlights of Canberra Balloon Spectacular.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
12-28°C
Early summer features warm temperatures and increased precipitation, with occasional thunderstorms.
Early summer features warm temperatures and increased precipitation, with occasional thunderstorms.
Closed
The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is not held during this month.
The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is not held during this month.
Recommended
Despite the festive atmosphere and warm weather, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular does not occur in December.
Despite the festive atmosphere and warm weather, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular does not occur in December.
January
HIGH
13-28°C
Warm temperatures with low humidity and balmy nights.
Warm temperatures with low humidity and balmy nights.
Open
High demand may lead to limited availability; early booking recommended.
High demand may lead to limited availability; early booking recommended.
Recommended
January offers warm weather ideal for outdoor activities, but expect higher prices and crowds due to peak tourist season.
January offers warm weather ideal for outdoor activities, but expect higher prices and crowds due to peak tourist season.
February
MEDIUM
13-27°C
Warm temperatures with slightly higher humidity and occasional rainfall.
Warm temperatures with slightly higher humidity and occasional rainfall.
Open
Generally good availability; booking in advance is still advisable.
Generally good availability; booking in advance is still advisable.
Recommended
February provides warm weather with fewer crowds and more affordable prices compared to January.
February provides warm weather with fewer crowds and more affordable prices compared to January.
March
MEDIUM
11-25°C
Mild temperatures with comfortable days and cool nights.
Mild temperatures with comfortable days and cool nights.
Open
Good availability; booking in advance is recommended.
Good availability; booking in advance is recommended.
Recommended
March offers pleasant weather and moderate crowds, making it a favorable time to visit.
March offers pleasant weather and moderate crowds, making it a favorable time to visit.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Transport Canberra buses, including routes 2 and 6 (Parkes Place East), provide direct access to the event. Other routes (4, 5, 7, 10, 57, 58, 59, 180, 181, and 182) stop nearby.
Walking
Recommended
Walking is a viable option, especially for those staying nearby, with paths along Lake Burley Griffin, including the 'bridge to bridge' central loop.
Bike
Canberra's cycling paths, including the Lake Burley Griffin circuit, offer a scenic route. Bike racks are available, but bikes are not permitted on the launch site.
Boat
GoBoat offers self-drive electric picnic boats from Queen Elizabeth Terrace in Parkes and Kingston Foreshore, providing unique views of the balloons.
Car
Driving is possible via Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue, but parking is limited near John Dunmore Lang Place. Public car parks are available at the National Library, Questacon, Old Parliament House, and the Treasury Building.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available throughout Canberra for direct transport to John Dunmore Lang Place.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Not allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required