Balloon flight
Season: Year-round, weather permittingHot-air balloon flight over Camden
- Sunrise over farmland, rivers and the Razorback Range
- Many flights finish with breakfast
The open farmland, river flats and wide skies of the Macarthur region make it one of the best places near Sydney to leave the ground. Hot-air balloons drift over Camden at sunrise, and skydivers fall from thousands of metres above the countryside.
Hot-air balloon flights over Camden
What happens
Balloon flights start very early, usually before dawn, when the air is calm. You meet the crew at a launch site near Camden, watch or help as the balloon is inflated, and climb into the basket with the pilot and other passengers. The flight itself usually lasts about an hour, drifting with the wind over farms, the Nepean River and the suburbs, with the Razorback Range and the Blue Mountains on the horizon.
After landing, the crew packs up the balloon, and many flights finish with breakfast in town. Allow three to four hours in total.
Weather and cancellations
Balloons only fly in light winds and good visibility. Pilots often make the final decision early on the morning of the flight, and cancellations are common, especially in windy months. Book for the start of your trip so you have time to rebook.
What to wear
- Layers: it is cold before dawn, even in summer, but warm by the time you land
- A hat, as the burner is hot overhead
- Flat, closed shoes for climbing into the basket and walking in paddocks
Tandem skydiving
What happens
On a tandem skydive you are harnessed to an experienced instructor, who takes care of the parachute. After a short briefing, you climb to altitude in a small plane, then fall freely for up to a minute before the parachute opens and you float down for several minutes, with views over the bush, farmland and, on a clear day, the coast.
Before you book
- Limits: operators set a minimum age, a maximum weight and health requirements.
- Time: allow half a day, as weather and other jumpers can cause delays.
- Photos and video: usually cost extra, filmed by your instructor or a camera flyer.
- Coast or country: some Sydney skydives land on the beach in the Illawarra, about 45 minutes from Campbelltown.
Prefer to stay closer to the ground?
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for views over the harbour, or see the region’s best views from Burragorang Lookout. Browse more tours and experiences.
