Balloons Over Mildura starts this Saturday, 4 July, and it is shaping up as one of the most colourful winter events Sunraysia has seen for a while. From 4 July through to 12 July, the skies around Mildura are expected to come alive with hot air balloons, with daily flying, competition action and plenty of chances for locals and visitors to look up and enjoy the show.
The opening Saturday also brings the Balloons Over Mildura Night Glow to the Mildura Recreation Reserve from 5pm to 8pm. Weather permitting, the glow itself is expected around 7pm, with the balloons lighting up to music and creating one of those rare night time sights that should look pretty special in the middle of winter.
Video from a previous Out and About Sunraysia visit, with the balloons at the Merbein Golf Club.
I have been lucky enough to capture the balloons before, including a previous visit out at the Merbein Golf Club, and it is one of those things that never really gets old. There is something about seeing a balloon lift over our patch that makes even familiar places feel a bit different. Sunraysia, Mildura, the river, the vineyards and the open country suddenly become a postcard.
This year’s event is not just about watching a few balloons drift past either. The program includes competition flying, fiesta flying and pilot training, bringing experienced balloonists into the region and adding another layer to the event. For the serious ballooning crowd, it is a chance to compete and sharpen their skills. For the rest of us, it is a pretty good excuse to rug up, grab the camera and enjoy something bright floating above Sunraysia.
Global Ballooning is also offering passenger flights during the event period, with sunrise and afternoon options available for those who want to see the region from above instead of just watching from the ground. It would be hard to think of a better way to see the Murray, the patchwork of farms, the town and the winter light across the Mallee.
At the time of writing, Saturday is looking cool and cloudy rather than a complete washout, so fingers crossed the rain does its bit early and leaves the balloons alone. Like any ballooning event, the final call always depends on the weather, especially wind and safety conditions, so it is worth keeping an eye on the official Balloons Over Mildura Facebook page for updates before heading out.
For locals, this is one of those events worth making an effort for. It is different, it is colourful, it brings people into town and it gives Mildura something to talk about in the middle of winter. For visitors, it is another reminder that Sunraysia is not just a summer destination. We can still put on a show when the mornings are cold and the jackets come out.
So hopefully the rain clears, the clouds behave and the balloons get their chance to rise. If they do, Mildura’s winter sky should be worth looking up for.
More details and updates: