National Ballooning Championships 2023

The skies over Northam in the heart of WA’s picturesque Avon Valley will become a colourful vista of hot air balloons in May, 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 and 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. The week will also include a History of Ballooning display, Ballooning Photographic Gallery, and a Star Gazing event where visitors will learn Aboriginal cultural stories of the night sky in a telescopic travel back in time.

An Elevate Festival highlight is the Balloon Glow, a spectacular display of balloons tethered to the ground, inflated and fired up after dark (weather permitting).

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.

Dates: 6 to 13 May 2023
• Elevate Festival – 6 May
• Practice flights – 6 and 7 May
• Competition flights – 8 to 13 May

Time: Competition flights - sunrise and late afternoons (4-5pm)– weather permitting
Elevate Festival from 4pm

Location: Elevate Festival – Henry Street Oval, Northam
National Ballooning Championships - Northam, The Avon Valley, Western Australia. The course stretches 30 x 40km across
the Avon Valley.

Website: www.northamballooningevents.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northamballooningevents.

Tickets: Free to attend.

Visitor information: Northam Visitor Centre, contact 96222100 or email tourist@northam.wa.gov.au.

Media contact: Janine Pittaway, jpittaway@brightcommunications.com.au