Our Story

Global Ballooning provides more than balloon flights; it’s our mission to give every single passenger a sense of wonder and exhilaration.

We rise before the sun almost every day of the year because we believe there’s something magical about experiencing the world from the sky. Nothing excites us more than bringing out a child-like joy in adults and a sense of wonderment in children. It’s all part of a journey that’s finished by 9am but leaves a lifelong impression.

Join one of our hot air balloon adventures over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley or Mansfield and you’ll receive a fun, interactive, accessible and safe experience from the market leaders in hot air balloon travel.

Ready to experience the wonder ?
“You can give so much loveliness to people with the randomness of it all.”
Kiff Saunders
Global Founder

Our Story

Global Ballooning’s founder, Kiff Saunders started sharing his joy of ballooning to others in 1992, driven by making our breathtaking flights accessible to as many people as possible.

Oh boy, did he succeed!

We’ve shared a sunrise with more than 120,000 people in 35 balloons over the course of 30 years – and it never gets old. We’re proud of our safety record, and we care deeply about our guests’ experience, but for us, it’s more about the people we meet along the way and the pristine natural playground we call our office. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to give someone the experience of a lifetime over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Mansfield.

We feel lucky to experience the wonder of a hot air balloon ride every calm weather day, and to share this feeling with our passengers is a real privilege. With every magical adventure comes a sense of freedom. A new perspective on nature. Magical sunrises. An unparalleled peacefulness. Captivating passengers with mind-blowing views. Memories that last longer than a sunrise could ever stretch.

"I care that I have created a business that employs people who love their work."

Our Values

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Safety First

We have an uncompromising focus on safety. Do what is right, not what is easy.

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Deliver Wow

Always strive to achieve more! If something is not excellent, it's not finished. Committed to quality outcomes, have a thirst to learn and to improve.

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Be Adventurous & Fun

Enable joy – BE the energy you want to attract!

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Green For Our Future

Be conscious of your surroundings, be green.

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Do It Because You Love It

We love life, ballooning, our passengers & partners and our team! Our deep passion fuels our work and guides what we do.

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Better Together

The best collaborations create something bigger than the sum of what each person can create on their own.

Our Future

There’s no greater thrill than a hot air balloon ride, and at Global Ballooning Australia we’re always aiming to reach for the stars! (OK, not literally because that wouldn’t be safe, but you get our drift.)

A 100% Australian-owned family business, we pride ourselves on being the largest, safest and happiest team in the Australian hot air ballooning sector, but we have no intention of resting on our laurels.

The business’ successors are Kiff’s children – Paterson, Edward and Scarlett who are investigating the prospect of Global Ballooning Australia being registered as an online government-approved flying school training facility. This type of resource would provide a strong platform for trainees to access information and set a new benchmark for Australian ballooning, further cementing our reputation as innovators in the industry.

Awards

At Global Ballooning Australia, we strive to be the most knowledgeable, trustworthy, passionate and welcoming business in the industry.

We’re proud and humbled to say that feedback from our passengers and the tourism sector has led us to win the following accolades:

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TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is a travel website providing real customer reviews of their experience with our company.

2015 Winners

Victorian Tourism Awards (VTA)

VTA act as a development opportunity in skills training and professionalism. In November 2016 we won gold in our category, and couldn't be prouder to have won 3 consecutive years in a row and as a result, withhold a Hall of Fame award.

Kiff and Despina with Scope team at VDA

Victorian Disability Sector Awards (VDSA)

Scope Victoria nominated Global Ballooning Australia for the VDSA in 2014 for providing people living with a disability to fly in the Easy Access Basket. Global was awarded the 'Business and Community Supporting Disability Award' at the prestigious awards.

Top Bar IconMildura's Big Balloon Bash | 29th June – 7th July 2024