Balloon Aloft celebrated the fourth and final day of its annual Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta today with a spectacular launch over the vineyards.
Over thirty hot air balloonists from around the country took to the skies after taking off from Binnorie Dairy, Lovedale at sunrise. The balloons flew for around an hour, travelling 7km in a north westerly direction and landing west of The Vintage at Pokolbin.
Event organiser Matthew Scaife said he was thrilled with this morning’s flight which finished the event on a real high. "Conditions in the Hunter Valley were perfect today. It was really a breathtaking experience to be on board one of the many balloons as they floated together at dawn over the vines. There was certainly no end of photographic opportunities," he said.
Over 160 passengers were on board one of the 30+ balloons flying in today’s fiesta with over 500 passengers flying over the course of the four day event. There were also hundreds of spectators who were delighted by the scene of the balloons drifting above them.
"This year’s fiesta has been our biggest and best yet," said Matthew Scaife. "We have certainly been overwhelmed by the response from passengers and spectators alike. People are already looking to book in for next year’s fiesta which is fantastic."
For those lucky enough to be on board this morning’s flight, celebrations continued afterwards at Peterson House with a gourmet breakfast and Champagne tasting.
