National Ballooning Championships

The skies over Northam in the heart of WA’s picturesque Avon Valley will provide a colourful vista of hot air balloons when the 23rd Australian National Ballooning Championships returns to Northam for a week of spectacular hot air balloon flying, events and displays.

From 6 to 13 May, the nation’s top hot air balloon pilots will descend on the town in the heart of the Avon Valley, on Ballardong Nyoongar country, to test their skills to secure a spot in the World Championships.

Ballooning fever will be in full flight during Championships week, starting with the Elevate Festival on 6 May – a hot air balloon-themed event. The week will also include a History of Ballooning display and a Star Gazing event where visitors will learn Aboriginal cultural stories of the night sky in a telescopic travel back in time.

There’ll be live music, food stalls, family entertainment as well as a chance to meet the hot air balloon pilots.

Flying enthusiasts can catch the competition flights at sunrise and again in the late afternoons (weather permitting) from a number of vantage points as pilots coast over the Avon Valley.

Organised by Northam Ballooning Events and supported by Tourism WA and The Shire of Northam, the National Ballooning Championships is a fantastic day out in the Avon Valley. Save the dates and experience the magnificent display of colour and skill.