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At Global Ballooning Australia, responsible tourism means protecting the landscapes we fly over – Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Mansfield and Mildura, reducing our environmental impact, supporting local communities and creating inclusive experiences.
We are proud to hold Sustainable Tourism Accreditation through the Quality Tourism Framework, recognising that sustainability is embedded across our business and that we meet national standards for responsible and ethical tourism.
Our commitment is to care for people, places and the planet, while helping ensure the extraordinary experience of ballooning can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Protecting our Environment
Global Ballooning Australia has partnered with Greenfleet since 2013, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions associated with our operational vehicle and balloon fleet while supporting native forest restoration across Australia.
In FY2025/26, we offset 73.1 tonnes of CO₂. Since our partnership began, we have offset 1,443 tonnes of carbon and supported the equivalent of 4,317 trees.
Passengers can also contribute to Greenfleet projects when booking their balloon flight.
As our use of technology evolves, so does our approach. We also make an additional contribution through Greenfleet to account for the environmental impact associated with our use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the business.
Renewable Energy & Energy Use
We continue to reduce energy use across our offices and operational facilities through solar power, energy-efficient lighting and responsible energy management.
We regularly review our energy consumption and look for practical opportunities to improve efficiency.
Reducing Waste
We aim to reduce waste throughout our business by:
- Using digital booking confirmations and gift vouchers
- Minimising unnecessary printing
- Using recycled paper
- Reusing and recycling materials
- Continually reviewing opportunities to reduce waste
Protecting the Land We Fly Over
Hot air ballooning has a unique relationship with the land. Our launch and landing locations change with the wind, making responsible land use and strong relationships with landowners essential.
Our pilots carefully select and rotate sites where possible to minimise impact on farmland, parkland and private property. We work closely with landowners, councils and Parks Victoria and promptly address any impact caused by our operations.
These relationships help protect the landscapes that make ballooning across Victoria possible.
Responsible Ballooning Operations
Environmental responsibility extends to the everyday decisions we make behind the scenes.
We use tank water to clean balloons, high-pressure cleaning equipment to reduce water consumption and 100% liquid propane rather than a propane-butane LPG mix.
We also continually review our vehicles, equipment and operational practices to identify opportunities to use resources more responsibly.
Creating Inclusive Experiences
Accessible & Inclusive Ballooning
Responsible tourism is also about making extraordinary experiences welcoming and accessible to more people.
Over the years, Global Ballooning Australia has supported passengers with a wide range of accessibility needs, including people who are autistic, blind or have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, and people with significant physical disabilities, including quadriplegia.
Our approach is centered on the individual. We work with passengers, families, carers and support people before their flight to understand their needs and provide a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience.
GBA introduced Australia’s first Easy Access Basket in 2012, featuring a door, seating and harness system for passengers with limited mobility. In 2025, we invested in a second Easy Access Basket, expanding our ability to make hot air ballooning accessible to more passengers.
Learn more about accessible hot air balloon flights
Welcoming People from Around the World
Inclusion goes beyond physical accessibility. We want every passenger to feel welcome, respected and comfortable being themselves.
Global Ballooning Australia warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, including members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Our diverse team provides passenger support in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Japanese and French, helping international visitors navigate their experience with greater confidence.
We are committed to welcoming people of different backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities and continually improving how we communicate with and support our passengers.
Supporting Our Communities
Responsible tourism is an ongoing commitment.
We will continue looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact, protect the landscapes we fly over, create more inclusive experiences and support the communities in which we operate.
Our aim is to help ensure the places we share from the air can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
