Uluru/ Ayers Rock Hot Air Ballooning
A totally new and never before possible experience
Combine the majesty of Uluru/ Ayres Rock, the tranquillity of the desert, the colours of sunrise and the excitement of ballooning for an unforgettable memory of central Australia.
Thanks to a unique agreement with the traditional owners of the area to the south of Uluru, Outback Ballooning is now pleased to offer this exciting new activity.
Participants will be collected from their accommodation early morning and driven into the surrounding desert where the pilot will have the balloon ready for the spectacular pre dawn inflation.
Once in the air the vastness of the Australian Outback punctuated by the magnificent Uluru will become apparent. Traditional owners look after the land over which the balloon will fly. It is outside the National Park and has never before been accessible to visitors without special permits. It is an area unchanged by humans with no cattle stations, no mining and only a couple of tiny bush tracks. The harshness of the land used by generations for hunting and gathering with a few rocky pinnacles, some sacred, will fire the imagination of life in the desert.
The balloon floats as a perfect viewing platform with no turbulence, vibration or noise – other than the occasional reassuring roar of the burner.
After returning safely to this ancient land and some fun packing the balloon back into its bag there will be light refreshments accompanied by sparkling water or fruit juices.
A souvenir Flight Certificate will be issued to commemorate the occasion.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR ALL PASSENGERS
• Balloon flights DO NOT occur over the Rock itself. They take place between 10 and 25 km to the south although it is still clearly visible.
• Uluru and Kata Tjuta have enormous cultural significance for the local indigenous people, the Anangu. Strict regulations and respect for this culture precludes flights over Uluru. The area is also World Heritage listed.
• The focus of the tour is the balloon flight but the tour is a complete experience. The opportunity to travel to traditionally owned aboriginal lands which are only able to be visited by Outback Ballooning customers. Passengers will experience a unique and special part of the Australian landscape with absolutely no other tourists or tour buses.
• In the unusual case of it being too windy to safely fly clients will still enjoy a traditional lands sunrise breakfast tour of the remarkable Patji land. The cost of this tour is less than half the cost of the balloon tour. Prepaid passengers will receive a refund of the difference between this and the original price paid. Outback Ballooning clients are the only tourists with access to this tour.
Weather Conditions and Outback Ballooning’s Alternative Solution
Safety is the primary concern and in the infrequent cases of it being too windy the flights will be cancelled. This occurs with ballooning all over the world and leaves passengers disappointed with nothing planned for the morning.
Outback Ballooning’s exclusive access to the traditional homeland of the Uluru family changes all that. In the event of flight cancellation the informative guide will take passengers to the pinnacles of the Patji Rocks for a unique view of the sunrise. From there travel a short distance on the bush track to the waterhole that was home to the local people for many years. Whilst enjoying breakfast refreshments visitors will learn of the culture and strength of the people, be fascinated by the consideration of how the waterhole was shared with the animals and see how harmoniously the Anangu people lived with the environment.
Only Outback Ballooning exclusive clientele will hear the story of this land with absolutely no other tourists or tour buses.
The cost of this tour is less than half the cost of the full tour. Prepaid passengers will receive a refund of the difference between this and the original price paid. Passengers wishing to fly the following day will be able to join the whole tour without paying any more than the original price.
The pilot’s decision with regard to safe flying conditions is final.
Additional Flight Information In Brief
• The balloon flights take place over the beautiful natural desert and bush land of the Patji region south of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. The flights have been made possible because of the enthusiastic support and assistance of the Uluru family the traditional owners of the land.
• Uluru is a striking feature of the balloon flights which occur between 10 and 25km to the south of the Rock depending upon wind direction. Kata Tjuta further to the west will also be illuminated by the sunrise.
• Light refreshments are provided in the desert where the balloon lands. Alcohol is not permitted on aboriginal lands.
• A complimentary flight certificate is provided for all ‘balloonists’.
• Outback Ballooning Uluru flight souvenirs are available for purchase.
• Water is carried in all vehicles and balloons.
• The flight and refreshments allow a unique appreciation of the Uluru, Kata Tjuta region and the vast Australian desert. No other tourist vehicles or people will be seen in the ballooning area.
• There are no facilities in the vehicles or balloons so passengers should visit the bathroom prior to departure.
Prices
2012 season 1 March to 31 October
Approx 4 hour tour including 30
minute+ flight and light refreshments $450 per person
Children 6 to 16 – must be with an adult $360 per person
Sunrise breakfast and cultural tour in case of weather cancellation of balloon flight
Adult $180 Child $144
Children under 6 not generally recommended but may be considered on an individual basis.
Price includes the $25 pp mandatory Civil Aviation Safety Authority insurance.
Prices in Australian dollars.
Bookings
Toll Free Number 1800 809 790
Phone +61 (0)8 8952 8723
Fax +61 (0)8 8952 3869
sales@outbackballooning.com.au
Preferred Booking Method
- Email, generally replied to within 24 hours, or phone are the preferred methods to
check availability. - Places may be reserved by phone with details by email.
- Exact meeting time varies throughout the year and will be confirmed at the time of
booking. - Mobile phone details are collected for all passengers where possible and they should be left on overnight prior to the flight in case of last minute weather cancellations in the
morning.
Passengers should phone the office the day before the flight to confirm accommodation details and that the weather forecast for the next day is acceptable.
Tour Duration
Passengers will be with Outback Ballooning for approximately 4 hours in total.
The pre dawn journey of approximately 50 minutes, to the traditionally owned lands allows the opportunity to gain a little extra sleep or be captivated by the moonlit landscape.
Flight duration is approximately 30 minutes depending upon wind direction, speed, suitable landing sites and other flight planning considerations. A balloon can only travel with the wind
and there are very few tracks on which to meet the recovery crew in this exciting new flying area.
Flight distance will typically be between 10 and 20 kilometres.
The return drive will be fascinating as the vehicle passes sacred pinnacles of rock, sand dunes and
surprisingly dense desert vegetation on the way back to the National Park.
Number of Passengers
Each balloon carries a maximum of 10 or 16 passengers. There will only be one flight each morning.
Light Breakfast
A light breakfast of individually packaged muesli and other exotic slices, cheese and biscuits and fresh fruit accompanied by sparkling water and fresh juice – alcohol is not permitted on aboriginal lands – will be served ‘in the bush’ after every flight.
What to Wear
It is dusty in the bush. Suitable clothing not white, and a hat are recommended.
It is no colder in the balloon than on the ground but it can be chilly before sunrise. A light jacket is recommended from April to October and mid winter very warm clothes may be necessary.
Enclosed shoes and long trousers are essential as there is a possibility of landing near spinifex grass.
When and Where to Meet
Pick up will be from the entrance to passenger accommodation at Yulara.
Meeting is 1 hour before sunrise – the exact time will be confirmed when booking.
