Accessible & Inclusive Ballooning
Everyone deserves to experience the wonder of flight
At Global Ballooning Australia, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the magic of hot air ballooning in Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.
For us, inclusion means seeing the person, not just the booking. Our team listens, understands and adapts wherever safely possible, helping every passenger feel welcome, respected and supported.
Australia’s first Easy Access Basket
In 2012, Global Ballooning Australia launched Australia’s first Easy Access Basket (EAB), designed to help passengers with physical disabilities or reduced mobility experience a hot air balloon flight alongside their family and friends.
Unlike traditional balloon baskets, which require passengers to climb over the side, our innovative EAB features a dedicated entry door, making it easier to enter and exit. It also includes customised seating, passenger harnesses and a supportive grab handle suspended from the burner frame.
The Easy Access Basket is one of the ways we are working to make accessible ballooning in Victoria possible for more people.
Accessibility starts with understanding
Every passenger is different, so our local Reservations Team takes the time to understand your individual needs before your flight.
We can provide additional assistance and time for passengers with reduced mobility, accommodate mobility aids on our buses, and support passengers who may feel nervous about flying or heights.
We also welcome passengers of all cultures, identities, relationships and family structures. Our team provides English and Mandarin customer service, with WeChat support available for Mandarin-speaking passengers.
Our aim is simple: to make you feel comfortable, informed and supported from booking through to landing.
Is the Easy Access Basket suitable for you?
If you’re considering an accessible hot air balloon ride in Melbourne or the Yarra Valley, please speak with our team before booking.
The EAB is designed for passengers with certain mobility requirements, but specific safety and transfer requirements apply. We’ll discuss your individual circumstances and explain what is possible.
While safety always comes first, we’ll do our best to help you experience the wonder of ballooning.
Easy Access Basket – Important Information
The Easy Access Basket (EAB) is available Monday to Friday in the Yarra Valley, excluding public holidays, and is subject to availability and suitable weather conditions.
To ensure the experience is safe and comfortable for everyone:
- The basket can accommodate up to 10 passengers, with seating for up to two passengers requiring the EAB. With two passengers seated, the space is cosy. We limit EAB passengers to two per flight.
- Passengers using the EAB must be accompanied by a carer, support person, family member or friend who will share the experience and fly in the same basket.
- Wheelchairs cannot be taken into the balloon basket. Passengers using a wheelchair will need to be able to transfer from their wheelchair into the EAB seat.
- The EAB has specific operating and safety requirements. As ballooning is dependent on suitable weather conditions, a flight may occasionally need to be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice. If this occurs, we’ll work with you to arrange another suitable flight time.
- Wheelchair-accessible transport is not currently available from our meeting point to the launch or from the landing site. Passengers requiring wheelchair-accessible transport will need to arrange their own suitable vehicle. Our team can assist by recommending a local driver or accessible transport provider where possible, and your arranged transport can follow our ground crew during the flight.
Before booking
Please contact our local Reservations Team before booking so we can confirm EAB availability and talk through your individual requirements.
Once booked, we’ll provide you with our specific Easy Access Basket terms and conditions. These must be read, signed and returned at least one week before your flight.
We’re happy to talk through your needs with you and answer any questions before you book.
The Easy Access Basket journey…
It hasn’t always been smooth flying for GBA’s Founder, Kiff. In January 2010, Kiff was in a near-fatal motorbike accident. He woke up in the Royal Melbourne Hospital and with life-threatening injuries began a yearlong recovery process. As he entered the long road of rehabilitation, having to learn to walk again, he feared that he might never again return to being a commercial balloon pilot.
Whilst in rehab, Kiff met specialist injury lawyers, Peter Burt and Clara Davies, who began acting for him in his TAC claim. Having never previously acted for a balloon pilot, Burt and Davies embarked on research into a day in the life of a hot air balloonist. This involved them experiencing an early morning flight over Melbourne and subsequent discussions about what was involved. During his journey back to health, many discussions were had and a bond was formed. This led to Kiff’s epiphany to build Australia’s first Easy Access Basket, allowing those who live with a disability to experience a lighter than air balloon flight over Melbourne and to improve quality of life in the process.
Global Ballooning Australia and Burt & Davies jointly funded the design and production of Australia’s first commercial disabled passenger balloon. It is an innovative and altruistic joint venture intended to provide happiness to those who would otherwise be denied.
This project required a first of its type balloon basket to be designed and constructed by an Australian balloon manufacturer and certified airworthy by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Global Ballooning Australia amended its operating procedures after making a successful safety case to CASA and thereby obtaining an exemption against the regulations prohibiting the flight of handicapped persons in commercial hot air balloon operations.
Other ways we support our passengers.
Extra Time & Assistance
Some passengers may benefit from a little more time, assistance or reassurance throughout their experience. Our team is happy to take things at a comfortable pace and provide support wherever safely possible.
Language and culture
We welcome passengers from around the world. We have multilingual team support with team members who speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese to help passengers feel comfortable and understood. Mandarin-speaking passengers can also connect with our team through WeChat before their flight.
LGBTQIA+ inclusion
We welcome all identities, relationships and family structures. Whether you’re travelling with a partner, family, friends or on your own, you can expect to be treated with warmth and respect.
Dietary requirements
Our breakfast partners cater for a range of dietary requirements. Let us know your needs when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.
Nervous passengers
If you’re nervous about your first balloon flight or have a fear of heights, you’re not alone. Our pilots and ground crew are experienced in providing reassurance, answering questions and helping passengers feel comfortable.
Communication that works for you
Our team is available through phone, email, WhatsApp, WeChat, social channels and the GBA mobile app, so you can communicate with us in the way that works best for you.
Have a question or a specific need?
Tell us what you require and our local team will take the time to understand your circumstances and explain what we can safely do to help.
