In late August and September, the canola fields around Victoria transform into cheery, golden landscapes. You can walk among them, and take it all in. But, what about flying over them? Brighten up your day and take an unforgettable hot air balloon flight over the yellow canola fields. Goldrush Ballooning has a series of limited Canola Flights, where you’ll soar over the golden fields of northeast Victoria. These flights are available in Benalla, about 2.5 hours away from Melbourne.
Canola Flights
On this magical experience, you’ll float over the canola fields around the towns of the North East Silo Art Trail, such as Goorambat, Devenish, Dookie and St James. Soak in the gentle glow of sunrise, and look out at the flowering crop below. Along the way, you’ll also take in views of Mount Buffalo and the High Country in the distance.
Your journey begins at Benalla Airport, where you’ll meet up with the crew and get driven to the launch field. If you’d like, you can get involved with the inflation of the balloon. Climb aboard once it’s ready, and receive a safety briefing. Glide through the skies and take in the vibrant colours. There will be in-flight photography available, to help capture the memories. Once you land, celebrate with a glass of Prosecco or juice, and nibble on some chocolates. The ground crew will drive you back to Benalla.
The flight itself lasts for one hour, but the total experience can take three to four hours, including the safety briefing and the balloon inflation. These flights are suitable for those aged six and up, and the experience needs a minimum of four guests to go ahead.
After your flight, stick around and explore the area. Hop in the car and travel along the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail, where you can admire these striking murals from the ground. For art indoors, check out the Benalla Art Gallery. Stretch your legs in the Benalla Botanical Gardens, or explore the expansive Winton Wetlands, which is packed with all sorts of outdoor adventures like walking, cycling, birdwatching and stargazing.
Key details:
đź“…The Canola Balloon Flight runs for a limited season, from late August to September.
🎫$395 for adults, $375 for children aged 6 to 15
đź“ŤMeet at 35 Samaria Rd, Benalla VIC 3672
For more information, click here.
