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		Ballarat Bendigo Castlemaine The Grampians Maldon Mclaren Vale Monarto Pyrenees Strathalbyn

Victoria's 'Golden Triangle' includes Maryborough, Avoca and the Pyrenees, a particularly lovely but little-known grape-growing and wine-making region north-east of the Grampians.

BALLARAT
Flights over Ballarat usually start somewhere close to the city boundaries. Unless the winds on the day threaten to take us into thick forest such as the Creswick forest to the north and north-east, most flights take in at least some of the metropolitan area, and Lake Wendouree. Except on the calmest days when it's possible to land almost anywhere, we fly out to the extensive farmland beyond the city boundary.

After a brief celebration of each flight in or near the paddock where we land, we usually go to the Boatshed Restaurant by Lake Wendouree for a sumptuous celebratory breakfast and presentation of flight certificates. Top of Page

BENDIGO  Town Map
Flights over Bendigo usually start somewhere close to the centre of the city. Most flights take in at least some of the metropolitan area, and some of the extensive forest that surrounds Bendigo. Except on the calmest days when it's possible to land almost anywhere, we land in the hills and/or farmland outside Bendigo.

After a brief celebration of each flight in or near the paddock where we land, we usually go to the historic Gold Mines Hotel inMarong Road for a sumptuous cooked breakfast. Top of Page

CASTLEMAINE
As in Maldon, flights over Castlemaine, 35 kms south of Bendigo, require that the wind has a southerly and/or easterly component. Except on the very calmest days, winds from either the north or the west mean that we're likely to head into thick forest where a safe landing is either very difficult or impossible. Flights over Castlemaine usually start from either one of the town ovals or from open ground just south of the town. Most flights take in at least some of Castlemaine before ending in the open farmland to the north and west. Top of Page

GLADSTONE, South Australia
Ian Hogben, one of our directors and pilots, has a long-term lease on the old Gladstone gaol, and now operates it in conjunction with resident managers as a tourist attraction. With about 60 cells and almost twice as many beds, he is also able to offer low-cost accommodation to anyone visiting Gladstone, Port Pirie and nearby towns. Weather permitting and when he's there, Ian will gladly take visitors ballooning over the rolling hills around Gladstone. For more information about accommodation and ballooning in Gladstone, call the Gladstone Gaol on 08-8662 2200, or Ian Hogben on 0419 858 903.


THE GRAMPIANS Ararat Town Map
In the Grampians, we usually fly within the area bounded by Stawell, Ararat, Moyston and Pomonal, depending on what the winds are doing on the day. For safety reasons, commercial flights are conducted within close range of the Grampians, but never over them. Flights from Cathcart just west of Ararat are particularly rewarding because, on clear days, they give our passengers an extraordinarily good wide view of the mountain range, north to south.

The sumptuous champagne breakfast after the flight is usually eaten at the Halls Gap Colonial Motor Inn. For accommodation at the Colonial Motor Inn, call Rob or Lyn Brooke on 03-5356 4344 or email them at bw90853@bestwestern.com.au.
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MALDON
Flights over Maldon, 35 kms south-west of Bendigo, require that the wind has either a southerly and/or easterly component. Except on the very calmest days, winds from either the north or the west mean that we're likely to head into thick forest where a safe landing is either very difficult or impossible. Flights over the town usually start from either the central Bill Woods oval or from open ground just south and/or east of the town. Most flights take in at least some of Maldon before finishing in the open farmland to the north and west. Top of Page

McLAREN VALE, South Australia
Even though extensively cropped with vines and fruit trees, McLaren Vale is a marvellous area for ballooning when the winds are calm. It sits snugly between the sea to the west, Adelaide to the north, and the southern Mt. Lofty ranges to the south and the east. By any standard, it's pretty. It's also very prosperous, and now offers visitors a wide range of things to do and places to see.

Breakfast in McLaren Vale is eaten at McLarens On The Lake, an idyllic slice of Heaven just a short distance from the centre of McLaren Vale.

Click here for more about McLaren Vale. Top of Page

MONARTO ZOOLOGICAL PARK, South Australia
Monarto Zoological Park is a natural wilderness sanctuary and open-range zoological park, combined in a centre for conservation and enjoyment of wildlife and nature. With the blessing and support of the park management, we can now offer a package which includes a 40-minute flight over the animals, a champagne breakfast at the park's Ketabi Café, and a 1-hour guided tour of the grounds.

Please note that, because of the existence of Broomrape in the agricultural areas to the east, and because of the pointlessness of flying over the animals at high speed, we fly over Monarto only when the wind speed is blowing away from the Broomrape area at 10 kph or less. Top of Page

THE PYRENEES
Flights in the Pyrenees start from various places in the region, depending on weather conditions on the day and on the requirements of our passengers. Our favourite launch sites include Warrenmang Vineyard and the Blue Pyrenees Estate Winery, both of which offer superb facilities in marvellous surroundings. Top of Page

STRATHALBYN, South Australia Strathalbyn Town Map
Strathalbyn is set in gently undulating country close to Lake Alexandrina, and on the Angas River. With hills to the north-west, and flat grape-growing areas around Langhorne Creek to the south-east, it is a particularly lovely place to fly over. For visitors to the area, there are numerous other interesting things to do and places to see, including fine antique shops and leading-name wineries such as Bleasdale and Bremerton Wines.

Flights from Strathalbyn end with a sumptuous celebratory breakfast at Jack's Café and Bakery in High street, and presentation of smart and extravagantly worded flight certificates.

For all bookings, call 1800 730 330.

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Last updated: 21 August 2004