Avon Valley Balloon Ride from Perth with Breakfast & Pickup

4.96

(254 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be wide awake before 4am, but there I was—half asleep in the hotel lobby in Perth, clutching my coffee like it was a lifeline. Our driver (I think his name was Mark?) greeted us with this gentle “morning!” that made me feel less like a zombie. The drive out to Northam was quiet—just the soft hum of the van and a sky that slowly started to change color as we left the city behind. I remember thinking: what if I fall asleep and miss everything? But honestly, nerves kept me alert.

When we got to Avon Valley, the air felt colder than I’d expected—crisp enough that you could see your breath while they prepped the hot air balloon. There were maybe a dozen of us, all shuffling around in jackets, trying not to look too nervous or excited. The crew let us help unroll the balloon if we wanted (I tried, but mostly just got my hands dirty). When the burners fired up, there was this deep whoosh and sudden heat on my face—kind of comforting, actually.

Lifting off was quieter than I thought it’d be. No engine roar or anything—just a slow drift upward until suddenly you’re above patchwork fields and that early morning mist curling along the river. Our pilot pointed out little farms below; someone waved from their porch (maybe used to seeing balloons float by). There’s this weird mix of silence and tiny sounds—the wind moving past your ears, birds waking up somewhere far below. I still think about how small everything looked from up there.

After landing (which was bumpier than I’d imagined but nobody seemed to mind), we all piled into a country café for breakfast. Eggs, toast—nothing fancy but tasted better after being outside for hours. People swapped photos and stories; someone spilled tea laughing about their “graceful” landing pose. On the drive back to Perth I dozed off for real this time, sun on my face through the window. So yeah… if you’ve ever wondered about a hot air balloon flight over Avon Valley, it’s not just about views—it’s about those odd little moments in between.