From humble beginnings in Mansfield, Victoria, to international acclaim, Global Ballooning Australia has spent over three decades soaring above Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, and beyond. As Australia’s only fourth-generation aviation family-owned ballooning company, every milestone reflects the Saunders family’s dedication, skill, and love for adventure.
Picture: David Caird
1992: The Humble Beginning
Global Ballooning Australia officially launched in Mansfield with one balloon, one pilot – Kiff Saunders – and his dog. What started as a modest adventure quickly grew into the company that would redefine hot air ballooning across Victoria, offering breathtaking sunrise flights over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.
1994–1996: Early Achievements and International Recognition
- 1994: Kiff became an Australian Ballooning Federation flight examiner, authorised to issue commercial balloon pilot licences. He is one of very few examiners in Australia and has audited and trained majority of Australian pilots.
- 1995: Achieved a historic Australian-first by flying over Mt Kosciuszko and the Snowy Mountain Ranges, holding the Australian Absolute Altitude Record at 33,000ft.
- 1996: Became a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), represented Australia in World Ballooning Championships, and established the first commercial passenger balloon flights over Kathmandu. Kiff also consulted in China, New Zealand, and Qatar, expanding his international expertise.
2002: Hall of Fame Induction
Kiff Saunders was inducted into the Australian Ballooning Hall of Fame for his exceptional contributions to aviation. Around this time, Global Ballooning Australia also made its mark in television and film, including appearances on Australian Story, sharing their adventures with audiences nationwide.
2011–2015: Innovation and Pioneering Expeditions
- 2011–2013: Recognised as Tourism Awards Finalist each year.
- 2012: Introduced an Easy Access Basket, allowing passengers living with disabilities to experience balloon flights. Led the first commercial ballooning expedition to the North Pole with Quark Expeditions aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory.
- 2013: Managed operations for the globally-acclaimed Skywhale balloon for Canberra’s Centenary, attracting worldwide media attention.
- 2014–2015: Won consecutive RACV Victorian Tourism Awards, flew the Skywhale in Ireland, partnered with Greenfleet to offset carbon emissions, and managed high-profile events including a tethered balloon for Quark Expeditions at the North Pole and the AFC Asian Cup balloon operations across Melbourne and Australia.
2016–2020: International Recognition and Technological Advancements
- 2016: Flew the Skywhale in Brazil and was inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.
- Launched Australia’s first ballooning mobile app, streamlining communication for passengers.
- 2018: Scarlett Saunders became the youngest female balloon pilot to complete a solo flight at 17. The team also flew over Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s largest mountain region.
- 2019: Paterson Saunders secured 3rd place at the Australian National Ballooning Championships, and Scarlett shattered the previous altitude record of 10,000ft with a 23,000ft solo flight over Deniliquin. Sanshiro Ishihara joined as the only Japanese balloon pilot in Australia, and Kiff competed in the prestigious Gordon Bennett gas balloon race in Europe.
2021–2023: The Next Generation Soars
- Scarlett Saunders (21) became Australia’s youngest female commercial balloonist.
- Kiff earned his European (EASA) gas balloon licence, completing 4 flights and 15 landings, and competed in the Gordon Bennett Cup, flying 647.3 km from Switzerland to Hungary.
- Kiff participated in Europe’s largest balloon festival, the Grandest Mondial Air Balloons, alongside 400+ balloons.
- Scarlett placed 7th at the 5th FAI Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championship.
- Eddie Saunders won the 23rd National Ballooning Championships in Northam, Western Australia. Paterson Saunders placed 4th. Scarlett Saunders, the youngest competitor, placed 6th and was named Rookie of the Year.
- Kiff and his three children undertook daring flights over Mt Kosciuszko, showcasing their family’s fearless spirit.
2024–2025: Continued Excellence and Global Recognition
- Eddie Saunders ranked 6th at the World Ballooning Championships in Hungary (out of 120 pilots), placing 1st among eight Australian pilots. This marks the first time three siblings from the same family have represented a country at a world ballooning championship.
- Eddie took home first place at Saga’s 38th Pacific Cup, 2025 in Japan (competing against 69 pilots worldwide) – one of the world’s most prestigious and time-honoured hot air ballooning championships – the first ever Australian win in the Pacific Cup and only the fifth time an international pilot has claimed the title in the event’s 38-year history.
- GBA received TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and flew its oldest passenger, 103 years old.
- Kiff competed in the Gordon Bennett gas balloon race, covering 1,027 km from Germany to France.
- Edward Saunders & Jacob Brown (Global Ballooning pilot) placed 12th out of 105 pilots at the World Hot Air Balloon Championships in Slovenia.
- Featured on Time Out’s 2024 recommended experiences list.
Experience the Milestones Firsthand
From sunrise flights over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley to daring international expeditions, Global Ballooning Australia continues to set the standard for hot air ballooning in Australia and across the world. Join us to be part of a legacy built on passion, family, and adventure.
