If you ask a Canberran what their favourite month of the year is, they will sit and ponder for a few minutes before answering ‘March’.

Indeed, Canberra in March is just starting to cool down, the foliage on our tree adorned streets is starting to turn all hues of red and we all look forward to a week of early mornings followed by our skies being peppered by hot air balloons from across the globe.

This year, 2020, the Skywhale will be returning to Australia and doing its maiden voyage as part of the National Gallery of Australia collection.  She will be tethered on the 7^th of March and will launch (weather dependent) on the morning of the 9^th March.

If you are planning your visit to Canberra around the Balloon Spectacular we have a few ‘local’ tips to make the most of your time here.

Plan your trip for the first weekend of the Balloon Spectacular

The first weekend overlaps with the Enlighten Festival and the Good food Night Noodle markets.  If you arrive in Canberra on Friday night and stay the weekend you can be part of the night and early morning festivities.  On Friday night some of the balloons will tether on the lawns of Reconciliation Place. 

Check the Enlighten social media channels at 6am before heading out

Balloon flights are weather dependent, and as such there are mornings when they will begin their flights from locations other than Reconciliation place or not fly at all.  The Enlighten website, Facebook page and twitter account will post each morning whether flights will occur. You can also contact Access Canberra on 132281 from 6:15am. Most balloons have launched by 7:30am so plan to arrive by 6:30am to catch them and the sunrise.

Work out your travel arrangements to get to the launch site

There is limited parking and road closures around Reconciliation Place (the main launch site).   We don’t recommend parking at the National Library as it can get very congested, instead try the car park closest to the Australian Heritage Council off Dorothy Tangney Place and near the National Archives of Australia. There are several hotels in the area that are within walking distance and at this time of the year, the weather is pleasant enough to walk.

Get breakfast after the balloons have launched

Don’t miss the balloons launching by standing in the queue for coffee or breakfast.  Instead, enjoy the magic as they lift and float off and then head out for food. There are various stalls at the launch site that will be serving hot breakfasts.  Make sure you bring some cash with you as they don’t always take cards and the ATM on site has sometimes had technical difficulties. Canberra is a progresive city and we recommend bringing a keep cup to cut down on waste.

Questacon’s cafe ‘Atomic’ is also open from 8:30am and serving hot breakfasts.

Stick around for sunrise and explore the Parliamentary Triangle

Once the balloons have launched, see the sunrise and then head out to the National institutions within the Parliamentary Triangle.  Within walking distance is the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, The Museum of Democracy (Old Parliament House), The National Library, The National Archives of Australia and Parliament House.

What you need to know

• The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is on from the 7^th until the 15^th March 2020

• If you are into photography, read our article ‘Best vantage points to photograph Canberra’s Balloon Spectacular’ for the best vantage points
• Atomic is located within Questacon and opens at 8:30am. They have a full breakfast menu.

It is no secret that for many Canberrans, March is their favourite month of the year; it certainly is for me.  The temperature is starting to cool down, the leaves are beginning to turn those autumnal hues of gold, orange, red and brown, and it is the month where both night owls and early birds can have some fun in the city.

The month has kicked off with Enlighten and the Night Noodle market, and right now you can explore the Parliamentary triangle at night time and see the light projections on the facades of the National Institutions in the area.

for many Canberrans, March is their favourite month of the year

For early birds though, the fun begins on the 12th of March (weather permitting) and continues until the 20th when our skies come alive with balloons lifting off from Reconciliation Place and then drifting with the wind towards the outer edges of Canberra.

The Balloon Spectacular starts at around 6AM with most balloons having taken off by 7AM (it takes just 10 to 15 minutes to inflate a balloon).  The sky lights up not just with the rising sun, but also with the floating people movers and it creates a beautiful sight.  Here are our top spots to capture some great photographs of the event.

Old and new Parliament House offers a Spectacular backdrop for the lifting balloons

Reconciliation Place

This is the hub of all activity.  Here, you can get images of the crowds and the balloons as they prepare to lift off; from unpacking the basket and balloon, to heating the balloon, to actual take off.  Additionally, you can get great shots of the balloons with Old Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin as the backdrop.

The hub of all activity – reconciliation Place

A balloon is filled with warm air – the flame is bright and fiery, so make sure you stay behind the ropes.

Rond Terrace

Directly across the lake, on the North side, is Rond Terrace.  There is limited parking, so arrive early or go by foot.  From here you can photograph good reflections of the balloons as they glide over the water (so long as the lake is moderately still).  You can also grab a wide shot of the whole festival.

Sunrise provides some golden tones to add to your photographs

National Museum of Australia

On the West side of the lake, from the National Museum of Australia, you can see the balloons crossing the lake.  Depending on the time, you can obtain golden hour tones as the sun begins to rise, and generally there are kayaks and standup paddleboarders on the water that add to the atmosphere.  Best of all, some of the balloons like to hover low across the water, making for some unique pictures.

Kayaks and stand up paddleboarders add to the festival feel

Black Mountain Peninsula

Also on the West side of the lake, Black Mountain Peninsula can be a long shot if the wind is not

going the right way.  If it is though, you will get some great sun shimmer on the water with the balloons dotting the sky.

Dotting the sky as the sun settles, the view from Black Mountain Peninsula is quite striking

Dairy Farmers Hill, National Arboretum

One of my favourite places in Canberra throughout the year, during the Balloon Festival you can photograph the city, the lake and the sky with unobstructed views.  Again, if the wind is going in the right direction and the balloons manage to fly over the Arboretum, you will capture close ups with the city.

Depending on the wind and where you position yourself you can get some close up shots

Have you been to the Spectacular before?  Let us know your favourite spots in the comments below.

Things to remember:

• The Balloons will only fly if wind conditions are right
• EventsACT puts a broadcast through local radios, Access Canberra (13 22 81), and their Twitter and Facebook accounts at 6AM
• Check wind direction or ask the operators on the day which way they will be flying to make sure you can go to the best vantage point
• Canberra mornings can get chilly, make sure you come prepared
• There are stalls serving coffee and food, bring cash
• There will be road closures, so plan where you will be parking before you arrive
• Use this link if you are looking for information about where to stay in Canberra