Global Ballooning Returns to Mansfield with Rare Winter Afternoon Flights

Global Ballooning Australia is bringing back one of Victoria’s most scenic experiences — hot air ballooning over Mansfield and the High Country, with a rare twist: winter afternoon flights.

What’s New
- Season: May to September 2026
- Flights: Both sunrise and golden-hour afternoon flights — unusual in Australia due to weather conditions.
- Scenery: Snow-dusted alpine peaks, mist-filled valleys, rolling farmland, and crisp winter skies.
- Heritage: Founder Kiff Saunders first flew over Mansfield in 1992; now the next generation of the Saunders family is involved in operations.

Why It’s Special
- Afternoon flights are almost unheard of in Australian ballooning, making this a rare dual-flight experience.
- Visitors can enjoy two perspectives of the High Country: the soft morning light and the golden evening glow.
- Expected to boost winter tourism, encouraging longer stays with nearby wineries, breweries, farm gates, alpine villages, and luxury stays.

Voices from Global Ballooning
- Eddie Saunders: “Flying over Mansfield in winter is unlike anywhere else in Australia. The light is softer, the valleys fill with mist, and on clear days you can see all the way to the alpine peaks.”
- On afternoon flights: “Visitors can now experience the High Country in two completely different and equally spectacular ways.”

This revival not only adds a new layer to Mansfield’s winter tourism but also celebrates the continuity of a family-run business that helped shape ballooning in Victoria.