The Global Team are incredibly lucky to have gained a new partner - Zonzo Estate, who have 2 new balloons with us, one in Melbourne and the other in the Yarra Valley. Amber Saunders from Zonzo Estate has given us some insight into the history and their partnership with us - Give us a brief run-down/history of Zonzo Estate… In March 2007 we opened our restaurant located on the property of Train Trak Winery and last year we purchased the vineyard from Train Trak and renamed it “Zonzo Estate”. Our restaurant is open for lunch between Wednesday...

It is with great delight that the Global Ballooning Australia team again was awarded the WINNER of the Tour/Transport Operator in Victoria at the RACV Tourism Awards on Monday the 16th November. Clearly this recognition of excellence is not something that is achieved without the incredible support of our industry partners and our passengers. Thanks to you all for being an integral part of the Global Ballooning family - we ask you to share this achievement with us.   We take great delight in working with companies that share our commitment to the wider tourism industry, community, ethical tourism, sustainability, work-place recognition and...

Thought you had ‘done it all’ in Melbourne, think again! The Global Girls have summed up your ultimate ‘to do list’ to end your holiday with a bang… 1. Lacking energy? Start the day with a refreshing and rejuvenating Tai Chi session at Federation Square. Exercise your mind, body and soul with expert instructors in Fed Square. Tai Chi is a type of martial art and very well known for its defence techniques and health benefits. The martial art has evolved over the years into an effective means of alleviating stress and anxiety. It has been considered to be a...

In January 2015, the 'Continental Tires' sponsored AFC Asian Cup hot air balloon took to the skies in Australia. Kiff, the owner of Global Ballooning Australia managed the production of the balloon and was the pilot for this project, which was built in Spain in just three weeks to be ready in time for the Asian Cup. This soccer ball shaped balloon flew in five major match cities in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Gold Coast and Brisbane to celebrate the football festival.  

Thought you had ‘done it all’ in the Yarra Valley, think again! The Global Girls have summed up your ultimate ‘to do list’ to end your day with a bang…   1. You haven’t fully indulged until you have tasted the handmade farmhouse cheeses at Yarra Valley Dairy. Visit their original 100 year old milking shed, overlooking stunning Yarra Valley views for tastings of cheese and local wines, delightful produce; such as award-winning relishes and jams, accompanied by fresh baked bread & local meats – talk about the REAL dairy experience. www.yvd.com.au   2. For a mix of...

Find out why booking a balloon flight with Global Ballooning Australia is an easy choice - knowing you are choosing the BEST in the business makes it all the more worth while!   1. Global Ballooning Australia has been successfully operating for 23 years now – we live & breathe Melbourne!  We have an impeccable safety record which is due to our commitment to operate Australia's best maintained fleet of balloons. Our Maintenance Manager, Barry Ward has attended maintenance courses at the two leading balloon manufacturers, Cameron Balloons in Bristol, England and Kavanagh Balloons in Sydney.   2....

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams. MTILP has been a whirlwind journey of emotional intelligence, inner strengthening of personal development, resolutions, positive techniques and techniques training us to be leaders. Tasks throughout the development of the course gave me an insight into the human mind and an appreciation of the little things in life. After each session my brain was exploding from an incredible amount of learnings and thoughts, which revolved around organisation, goal setting, positive thinking, values and team work.  ...

Flying Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa I write this article for Aeronotes on my lap top, sitting in front of my pilot’s house at Fig Tree Camp in August 2014, Maasai Mara Kenya. This is my third season here and the lure of flying over the Savanah and escaping a Melbourne/Yarra Valley winter finds me here again. The flying is spectacular and to see the enormity of the large herds of wildebeest and zebra that migrate here from the Serengeti when aloft is fabulous. However, what really makes this experience worthwhile for me are the African people; I have more friends here...

In 2012 Global Ballooning Australia was the first commercial company to offer ballooning at the North Pole. Kiff Saunders and Viktor Myazov drove from Moscow to Murmansk to join the Quark Expeditions Team as a part of their ultimate arctic adventure.  The trip to 90 degrees north was aboard the largest nuclear icebreaker in the world - 50 let Pobedy (50 years of Victory). This incredible ship is able to move at 14 knots through 1 metre of ice. The voyage takes 5 days to reach the North Pole with the ship stpping along the way to allow passengers to watch Polar Bears wondering...

Global Ballooning Australia were recognised this year at the Victorian Tourism Industry Awards as the states best Tour Company for 2014. After many years of being a finalist in this category the incredible work undertaken by the team at GBA to provide our customers with a tourism experience of exceptional quality has been recognised by the comprehensive judging panel of industry experts. The criterion for the judging panel to make their decision is extensive. Not only do they look at the delivery of the product but also safety & risk management, community service, sustainability and contribution to the vibrancy of Victoria's Tourism Industry. We are extremely proud...