Balloon spectacular brings capital city skyline to life

Skies above the nation's capital have erupted in a riot of colour and movement with the launch of Canberra's annual hot air balloon spectacular.

To the delight of onlookers lining the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the skies filled with the lighter-than-air craft shortly after 6am on Saturday.

A flotilla of kayaks, rafts, tinnies and other small boats took in the view directly below.

The balloons are expected to rise over Canberra each morning until next Monday, if conditions allow.

Formerly known as the Canberra Balloon Festival, the much-loved spectacular traditionally sets off every March 15 from the lawns of Old Parliament House.

However in 2025 the aerial regatta launches from the green space between the National Science and Technology Centre, better known as Questacon, and the National Portrait Gallery.

The reason for the break with tradition is the ACT government view that the spectacular is enough of a drawcard to warrant a standalone event, rather than forming part of the city's annual Enlighten Festival.

Each year up to 50 balloons lift off daily at dawn in part as acknowledgement of Canberra's birthday on March 12, with Australia's bush capital turning 112 this year.

The conception of the free community event for Australia's bicentenary in 1988 involved the balloons simultaneously firing up their burners in the early morning to create an airborne likeness of candles on a cake.

It's now one of Canberra's favourite events, according to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

"It's an event that tends to see a lot of people get up very early to see balloons take off," he said.

"However they then also enjoy a breakfast down at John Dunmore Lang Place … It's a much bigger launch site, so there'll be room for more".

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined the celebrations in 2024 with fiancee Jodie Haydon shortly before announcing their plans to marry.