FAQ

$380 per person.

Yes we can offer a 10% discount for a group of 5 or more

The flight may be cancelled if the wind is too strong, rain is expected or in low visibility conditions. We will not fly if we believe you will not enjoy the flight. If the forecast weather shows no chance of flying we will advise you 24 hours in advance.

You can ring the office during normal office hours to advise a new booking date or request a refund on the ticket.

We meet about 1/2 hour before sunrise so the meeting time varies throughout the year. You will be advised when you make the booking.

You should allow 4 hours from the meeting time.

Children need to be aged 6 years or older and accompanied by an adult to fly. They will also need to be at least 120cm tall so they can see over the top of the basket. Please also keep in mind that the burner noise can be a bit frightening to young children.

Balloons and their baskets actually come in all different sizes and our fleet of balloons range in carrying capacity from 2 passengers up to 24 passengers. Aboard our shared flights there is generally 6 – 24 passengers aboard. The exact number of passengers aboard any given flight is going to be determined by how many people are booked for the day. The layout of the balloon baskets ensures that everyone is able to have a great view. Our baskets are divided into passenger compartments with the smaller balloons having two passenger compartments (which will hold 3-4 passengers each) and 4 passenger compartments the larger balloon with 4 – 6 people in each compartment. The compartments allow for 4 or 5 adults, depending on the basket size, to stand facing outwards, to enjoy the amazing view.

There is no upper age limit, as long as you are reasonably fit and healthy with no significant knee, hip or back problems, no recent surgeries, broken bones or existing conditions that may make a balloon landing uncomfortable for you. You will be required to climb into the balloon basket using the foot holds cut in to the side of the basket, stand for one hour and, in the instance of a bumpy landing, absorb a small impact which is similar on your joints to that of jumping off a low chair. You will also need to be able to hold on to the safety handles when the balloon is landing. The possibility of a bumpy landing is also why we don’t take pregnant women.

Unfortunately not. Due to the active nature of balloon landings, ballooning is not suitable for pregnant ladies.

Balloon flights take place at sunrise as this is when the weather conditions are generally at their most stable, with light winds and cool, calm atmospheric conditions. These are the ideal conditions to ensure our flights are conducted in safe and enjoyable weather.

It is warmer in the air than on the ground. Dress in layers and wear walking shoes or sturdy flat soled shoes with warm socks.

Yes, the cost of your balloon flight includes insurance and we will not ask you to pay an insurance levy on the day of your flight. We carry air carrier liability up to $725,000 per passenger.

The founders of First Light Ballooning, John, Kim and Anton have impeccable safety records and our sister company Balloon Aloft Canberra is one of leading hot air balloon companies with over 35 years experience. We are proud of an excellent safety record and will not fly if the conditions are not suitable. We are governed by CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and fly strictly to the guidelines set down by them.

A weight calculation needs to be performed for your flight as all balloons have a maximum lift capacity. By providing your accurate weight you are ensuring that your balloon is weight-loaded correctly.

We sell open dated gift certificates and they are valid for 12 months

Sorry, accommodation packages are not currently available.

You will check-in at the advised time in the McDonalds carpark, Cnr of Pacific Highway and Spring St, Grafton. After checking in with our crew we will take you to a launch site in our vehicles. The launch site is normally within 15 mins drive. The pilots will make final weather assessments by watching small helium filled balloons and a launch site will be chosen to allow the best possible scenic flight over the Clarence Valley. The balloons are set up with your assistance if you volunteer and a flight of approximately 45 to 60 mins will be conducted. After landing the balloon is packed up and we have a champagne celebration before we return to you to our check-in point. We expect to return within 4 hours.

Wear sturdy flat soled shoes, bring a hat and sunglasses. Long trousers or slacks are preferred to shorts and avoid white clothes. Ballooning is an outdoor adventure experience and white clothes may be soiled. Don’t forget your camera which may be carried at your own risk.

There is ample parking at the check-in point.

Please ring the office and provide as much notice as possible. Refunds will not be provided for cancellations within 72 hours of the flight date.

We have had many wonderful weddings in the balloon. Please call the office to discuss your requirements.

We can offer a magic exclusive flight for 2 for a special occasion or a marriage proposal.

We can accommodate groups of up to 100 passengers per morning contact us for more details.

You can buy a gift certificate on our website and have it instantly emailed to you. Alternatively phone us on 0438 129 470 and we can email your gift certificate.

We have a number of launch sites around Grafton, from which your pilot will choose the one that will maximise your enjoyment of your Clarence Valley balloon flight. We land wherever the wind takes us including Parks, Reserves and friendly farmer’s paddocks.

Numbers vary from 4 passengers in a small balloon to 18 passengers in a large 4 compartment balloon.

We will fly from tree top height to approx 4000 feet above the ground, depending on the wind conditions on any given day.

The short answer is not many at all. Many passengers are not very comfortable with ladders or high buildings but we very rarely have a bad reaction from any of our passengers once in the air in a balloon. Most passengers are very pleasantly surprised about the calm anxiety free experience. The basket is high enough for comfort, everything happens very gently and you are not aware of any sensation of movement. Once in the air it feels like a wonderful place to be and there is some disappointment when it is time to return to earth.