Dawn Drifters
Dawn Drifters
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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4.5
13 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Elise C
Greater Sydney, Australia3 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Friendly, professional and awesome experience. From the outset the team were great, directing us where to park, what to do and what to expect once up in the air. Put me and my two children at total ease. First balloon flight and it was wonderful. I would highly recommend.
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DreaminAgain
New South Wales, Australia159 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Wow! What an amazing experience!
Just loved our flight with Dawn Drifters during the Balloon Festival with around 30 to 40 other balloons.
An early start is necessary, and you need to wear covered shoes and pants. Take a jacket for the chill, although it's hot under the burners in the balloon. And don't forget your camera!
The experience starts with registering and meeting your pilot, then assisting to inflate the balloon. After climbing aboard (there were 16 of us in the basket) our flight took us from one side of Canberra to the other. All the landmarks are easily visible from the balloon. The peace and calm while drifting is beautiful, and it's occasionally interrupted by the gas burners.
Our flight went for about an hour, and we landed in a paddock. Assistants were nearby and we helped deflate the balloon and pack it up. It's all just part of the experience. Afterwards we were taken back to Old Parliament House for a champagne breakfast.
Our pilot, Ewan, was great. So knowledgeable and competent.
Fantastic experience - just do it!!
Just loved our flight with Dawn Drifters during the Balloon Festival with around 30 to 40 other balloons.
An early start is necessary, and you need to wear covered shoes and pants. Take a jacket for the chill, although it's hot under the burners in the balloon. And don't forget your camera!
The experience starts with registering and meeting your pilot, then assisting to inflate the balloon. After climbing aboard (there were 16 of us in the basket) our flight took us from one side of Canberra to the other. All the landmarks are easily visible from the balloon. The peace and calm while drifting is beautiful, and it's occasionally interrupted by the gas burners.
Our flight went for about an hour, and we landed in a paddock. Assistants were nearby and we helped deflate the balloon and pack it up. It's all just part of the experience. Afterwards we were taken back to Old Parliament House for a champagne breakfast.
Our pilot, Ewan, was great. So knowledgeable and competent.
Fantastic experience - just do it!!
Written 21 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TontoNZ
Palmerston North, New Zealand105 contributions
June 2017
The first attempt was cancelled due to fog, but we secured a spot for the next morning which was fine and -4C with little wind.
Helped set up balloon and the ride took us about 6km in an hour. We got to about 2000ft above the ground level, the view and experience were superb and the crew were great.
The balloon is actually operated by Balloon Aloft, not sure what the link is.
Also had a great champagne and buffet breakfast to finish with.
Allow yourselves at least 2-3 days as it is very weather dependent, and when they say wear suitable shoes, take heed, or do not complain about cold feet.
Helped set up balloon and the ride took us about 6km in an hour. We got to about 2000ft above the ground level, the view and experience were superb and the crew were great.
The balloon is actually operated by Balloon Aloft, not sure what the link is.
Also had a great champagne and buffet breakfast to finish with.
Allow yourselves at least 2-3 days as it is very weather dependent, and when they say wear suitable shoes, take heed, or do not complain about cold feet.
Written 9 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EVA199528
Sydney, Australia41 contributions
July 2016 • Couples
it starts by meeting at a hotel then you are taken by a shuttle bus to a take of location chosen by the pilot. He will then offload the basket of the trailer and begin inflating the balloon. They will ask for help and its great to get involved especially warming up if you are doing a winter flight it can be quiet cold at 6;30am. One of the staff took a photo then I handed my camera to another staff cant remember his name sadly he was amazing he took about 15 photos from different angles he even layed on the ground to get a up shoot of us in the basket with the balloon above those photos turned out better then the group shoot you could purchase for $15. Definitely take a camera to take lots of photos and videos. You then land which you can hardly feel. Then you help pack away the balloon you even get to go inside. Definitely a experience to once in your life. Id love to do it again just the price is a bit much. Other then that great experience. We had fun celebrating our 21st birthday with the flight to kick of our weekend.
Written 3 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ikay h
Singapore, Singapore32 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
What an amazing experience! Everyone should try. Dawn drifter/ Balloon aloft staff are nice. Hotel pickup is available. Worth the money.
Written 3 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
6 contributions
Oct 2013
Had a fantastic time. Very professional company. Enjoyed the flight. Get to be involved in the hole experience. Loved it. Thanks.
Written 22 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary_Sarah55
44 contributions
Nov 2021
The crew made a cheap joke about me and the other passengers all laughed. No awareness that they embarrassed me, give your money to a company that won't humiliate you.
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
quinni_224
Cowra, Australia2,441 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
My aunty, uncle, mother and I recently met in Canberra for a weekend together to celebrate a significant birthday for my mum ending in a ‘0’. As part of this amazing weekend we undertook a balloon flight with Dawn Drifters.
The whole encounter was incredible. Not only did we get to experience the serenity of floating above, and watching the sunrise over the nation’s capital, but we also learnt so much about ballooning and the intricate details of how the balloon is made to fly. I had no idea that the flight path is based on the direction of the wind!
Our pilot Kim, and the team Alex, Jacob and the youngster (sorry, I can’t recall their name) were extremely welcoming and made the experience even more enjoyable.
The whole encounter was incredible. Not only did we get to experience the serenity of floating above, and watching the sunrise over the nation’s capital, but we also learnt so much about ballooning and the intricate details of how the balloon is made to fly. I had no idea that the flight path is based on the direction of the wind!
Our pilot Kim, and the team Alex, Jacob and the youngster (sorry, I can’t recall their name) were extremely welcoming and made the experience even more enjoyable.
Written 20 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dayman2015
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
We flew with Dawn Drifters on Saturday 20/01/18 and it was an absolute delight from start to finish! The team and pilot were extremely welcoming, fun and knowledgeable! We are from Canberra and would recommend this to anyone from the ACT or interstate. One of the best way to see what the Berra has to offer! Thank you!
Written 7 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gdesilva
62 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
If you have time to spare and willing to spend a bit of money this is a great thing to do in Canberra. The balloon ride provides a magnificent views of Canberra in the early hours.
Just keep in mind that simply because you book a ride does not mean that the balloons will take off that day. Hot air ballooning is heavily dependant on the weather conditions. You are supposed to ring at 3:45am to find out whether the weather conditions are favourable. If it is then you meet at the take off site but then still there is no guarantee that that the balloon will take off until the captain does a weather check on site.
So the bottom line is unless you have a few days to spend in Canberra booking a balloon flight is risky as you may not get a refund unless you make prior arrangements with the company. Dawn Drifters assured us that the cost of one of of our overseas visitors will be refunded if the person could not go on due to time restrictions.
Apart from this the experience of floating around was fabulous.
Just keep in mind that simply because you book a ride does not mean that the balloons will take off that day. Hot air ballooning is heavily dependant on the weather conditions. You are supposed to ring at 3:45am to find out whether the weather conditions are favourable. If it is then you meet at the take off site but then still there is no guarantee that that the balloon will take off until the captain does a weather check on site.
So the bottom line is unless you have a few days to spend in Canberra booking a balloon flight is risky as you may not get a refund unless you make prior arrangements with the company. Dawn Drifters assured us that the cost of one of of our overseas visitors will be refunded if the person could not go on due to time restrictions.
Apart from this the experience of floating around was fabulous.
Written 4 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your review.
I would like to take the opportunity to reassure you and all other clients that any bookings made directly with our office or through our website are fully refundable in the event of bad weather causing the flight to be cancelled.
We do however have a very high success rate flying on 80 to 90 percent of all days depending on the time of year. We will of course never compromise safety by flying when the weather is unsuitable.
If you use our network of excellent booking agents you should of course check the cancellation policy with those agents.
Looking forward to another wonderful year flying over Australia's beautiful capital city.
Written 3 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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