Every Balloon Aloft Flight is Carbon Neutral

Balloon Aloft is proud to be the first hot air balloon company in Australia to include carbon offsetting in every ticket sold.

From the moment guests are picked up from their accommodation or meeting location, every part of the experience is carbon neutral, including vehicle transport and the flight itself.

To achieve this, we partner with Greenfleet, an Australian not-for-profit environmental organisation dedicated to restoring native forests and capturing carbon emissions through biodiverse reforestation projects across Australia and New Zealand.

For the emissions we cannot eliminate directly, Greenfleet helps us offset them through the planting of native forests that restore ecosystems and protect wildlife habitats.

In 2025 alone, Greenfleet’s forests removed 675,582 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.

Since partnering together, more than 3,000 native trees have already been planted on behalf of Balloon Aloft passengers, with more added every year.

These trees contribute to the Strzelecki Nature Link on Boonwurrung Country in South Gippsland, helping restore critical wildlife corridors and koala habitat using locally native tree species.

The result is more than just carbon reduction. These forests also improve biodiversity, soil health, and water quality while creating safe passage for native wildlife.

So when guests fly with Balloon Aloft, they’re not only experiencing Australia from above. They’re also helping care for what’s below.

At Balloon Aloft’s head office and balloon storage facility in Lovedale, Hunter Valley, sustainability begins behind the scenes.

Our operations run on an 8.4kW solar grid system with storage batteries that cover 100% of our energy requirements.

By harnessing renewable solar energy, we significantly reduce our reliance on traditional electricity sources and lower our overall environmental footprint.

For us, investing in renewable energy is about ensuring that future generations can continue enjoying the same beautiful landscapes we are privileged to fly over today.

Water conservation is another important part of our sustainability journey.

Balloon Aloft’s head office operations are fully reliant on harvested rainwater collected from our office and balloon hangars.

This rainwater is stored in tanks and used for cleaning, drinking water, operational needs, and even bushfire preparedness.

Rainwater harvesting helps reduce strain on local water supplies, decreases runoff and erosion, and provides a more sustainable long-term water source for our operations.

It’s one of many small but meaningful ways we work to minimise our impact on the environment.

Our Lovedale property in the Hunter Valley was once a former vineyard and hobby farm. Over the past decade, our team has worked to regenerate the land by planting hundreds of native trees and restoring natural waterways across the 50-acre property.

These efforts help strengthen wildlife corridors connected to nearby National Parks and provide important habitat for local species.

The regeneration work also includes removing invasive plant species and restoring native vegetation to improve ecosystem health and water quality.

By caring for the land we operate from, we hope to contribute positively to the environment that surrounds us.

Sustainability at Balloon Aloft extends into our everyday operations.

We follow a strong reduce, reuse, and recycle philosophy across the business, including:

• Digital bookings and confirmations to reduce paper usage
• Recycling old technology, cartridges, and electronics
• Composting food scraps from breakfasts and office operations
• Using worm farms and veggie gardens
• Avoiding plastic single-use glasses on flights

Even the smallest operational choices can make a meaningful difference over time.

Balloon Aloft’s “Tread Lightly” philosophy guides how we interact with the natural environments we launch and land in.

When our balloons land, we ensure every site is left exactly as we found it. That means removing litter, respecting farmland and ecosystems, and minimising disruption to wildlife and local communities.

We also encourage our passengers to follow the same principles throughout their experience.

We believe tourism should leave a positive impact, not a negative one.

Since 2017, Balloon Aloft has proudly supported Sea Shepherd as official ambassadors.

You may have spotted the striking Sea Shepherd balloon flying at festivals and events across Australia and internationally, helping raise awareness for marine conservation and ocean protection.

Sea Shepherd works globally to defend marine wildlife, combat illegal fishing, and protect ocean ecosystems through direct action and environmental advocacy.

Beyond raising awareness, the Balloon Aloft team also participates in local beach cleanups and conservation initiatives to help protect Australia’s waterways and marine life.

Protecting the oceans is deeply connected to protecting the broader environment we all share.

In July 2024, Balloon Aloft became the first balloon ride operator in Australia to receive Sustainable Tourism Certification through Ecotourism Australia.

This certification recognises our ongoing commitment to:

• Environmental responsibility
• Supporting local communities
• Celebrating Indigenous culture
• Sustainable management practices
• Reducing environmental impact

We also achieved a 97% score on Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, which measures tourism businesses across environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and management pillars.

While we’re proud of these milestones, sustainability is an ongoing journey. We continue looking for new ways to improve our operations and reduce our impact year after year.