Travel Guides and Stories
Jun 12,2025
Flying to the Southern Hemisphere - Australian Journey: Hot Air Balloon Adventure
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Compared to Melbourne on Australia's southeastern coast where we first landed, Cairns is truly a tropical small city. Arriving at Cairns Airport at night, the light drizzle reminded me that I had moved from the early spring chill to a vibrant tropical land. Cairns is located in Queensland on the northeastern coast. Australians yearn for tropical Queensland just as people from other countries dream of Hainan or Malaysian islands. Nothing beats escaping work responsibilities and city noise to carefreely sunbathe on the beach and explore the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. My biggest wish in Australia was to ride a hot air balloon. This dream came true. It was an amazing experience.
Woke up at 3 AM, took a minibus at 4 AM, and arrived at the hot air balloon site in the outskirts by 5 AM
At early dawn, the silhouette of the hot air balloon was barely visible
People exercising nearby in the morning
Though it was dark, we still had to take photos with the balloon
Igniting the burners, preparing for takeoff
Our Great Barrier Reef balloon
The instructor said, "Get in the vehicle now, we're going to chase the balloon"
After ignition, the balloon looks beautiful
As daylight broke, it became even more beautiful. Everyone was excited before takeoff
Burners ignited
The balloon opposite was about to land
Cameras of all types started shooting
Various expressions
Taking off
Our pilot
Rising with the sun
Modern Australian agriculture
This guy's expression was interesting throughout
Banana plantation
Our shadow
The farmlands are so beautiful
We're about to land. Asked the pilot if we need to pay the farm owner for landing in their field - he said yes, they sign contracts every year.
Staff were already waiting to wrap up
Safe landing
A small incident during landing - the basket landed on one side first, so everyone touched down tilted
Lying in the basket looking at the balloon
Though we "fell over", everyone was excited
Staff helping people get out from the outside
Moving in sync!
Moving in perfect coordination
Be careful!
Everyone's finally out - next task: packing up the balloon
This massive thing quickly became a small ball with everyone's cooperation
First need to deflate it
The staff: one handsome Australian guy and one Japanese beauty
Everyone starts helping deflate the balloon
This guy from Shanghai was so excited, he lay directly on the balloon
In no time, the balloon was rolled up
Just moments ago we were high in the sky, now the hot air balloon has shrunk to a ball
After packing the balloon, time to pack the basket
Working together
Final group photo
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Five Days in CairnsJun 12,2025
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Journey to CairnsJun 10,2025
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