This great partnership has seen the launch of the Hunter Valley’s largest hot air balloon capable of carrying 24 passengers and allowing the best panoramic views of the Hunter Valley wine region.

The hot air balloon has been a work in progress since February 2019 which involved designing the balloon envelope colours and Spicers Retreats artwork with Spicers Guesthouse, General Manager Mark Whitnell.  Once approved the task was handed to Kavanagh Balloons the only Australia commercial hot air balloon manufacturer to bring the vision to life.

The new balloon is 525,000 cubic foot in volume and has an incredible lift capability of 4300 kilograms. The basket carries a pilot and 24 passengers with unobstructed views of the Hunter Valley while in flight and at 5.6 metres in length is the biggest basket available in Australia.

Building a hot air balloon generally takes 1 to 3 months to complete depending on the size and detail of the design. A talented team at the Kavanagh Balloons factory hand cut and sew all the components together ensuring the finished product is perfect and ready for hours of enjoyment by its passengers and on lookers.

On the 9th December the Spicers Retreats balloon took flight over the Hunter Valley for the first time. The balloon will now be operated as part of the Beyond Ballooning fleet and be a highlight in the Hunter Valley skies over the next few years.