About the Festival
Celebrated over a period of 9 days, Canberra Balloon Spectacular is held at the Lawns of Old Parliament House in Parkes, near the National Library of Australia. It is not only one of the best but also one of the longest running hot-air ballooning festivals in the world.
The 2016 Canberra Balloon Spectacular will commence on 12th March, and will run for a period of nine days until 20th March. The events start early morning at 6:15 when the pilots start inflating the individual balloons before making them rise in the air. Needless to say, this creates a breathtaking spectacle in the sky. Every year, Canberra Balloon Spectacular features balloons with a special shape or theme. This year too, the festival will add some special themed balloons. For instance, there will be a balloon inspired from the famous animated movie “UP” by Disney and Pixar.
Getting to the Festival
There are a number of ways by which you can reach the festival. Airlines such as Virgin Blue and Quanta offer flights to and from the different capitals in the country. However if you are driving, Canberra won’t disappoint you as the routes are scenic. Reaching the venue in the city itself is without any hassles as there are hardly any traffic problems. Travelling intercity by public transport such as Countrylink trains and commuting by ACTION bus within the city is easy as well as pocket-friendly.
Other Tips
Parking facilities are good at Parliamentary Zone. If you are travelling by bus, check out ACTION bus routes and timetables on their official website. You can buy delicious breakfast from the Belconnen Lions Club during the event. You can also buy food items and hot beverages such as coffee and Dutch pancakes. Remember to get your camera to capture the mesmerising spectacles of the balloons flying in the sky. Remember to dress up in warm clothing as the mornings are colder than the rest of the day.
