Every year as dawn breaks over the Mornington Peninsula, Somers becomes a stage for an extraordinary spectacle: the Balloon Festival. This annual event invites adventurers and dreamers alike to witness a sky bristling with colorful hot air balloons lifting gently against the cool Australian breeze. The wide open fields play host to balloons of all shapes and sizes, their vibrant canopies catching the first light and casting long, playful shadows over the dew-speckled grass.

The setting itself demands respect—a broad expanse of coastal farmland cupping the tranquil Western Port Bay. The breeze shifts like a quiet conversation, gently coaxing balloons upward while the bay's currents dare you toward the horizon. It's not just a festival; it's an engagement with the elements that reminds you how wild the sky can be.

For those planning to attend, the festival typically spans a weekend in mid-April, when the weather strikes a rare balance—cool mornings that warm to comfortable afternoons. Arriving early to catch the pre-dawn balloon inflation is a practical move. This moment carries a hushed intensity; the burners ignite with a roar, while the silk balloons inflate, their voices growing louder and prouder as they prepare to take off.

Footwear should be sturdy yet flexible—expect grassy fields possibly mottled with morning dew or soft mud depending on overnight rain. Hydrate before you arrive, but pack snacks and plenty of water as onsite options can be limited. The festival provides an accessible environment for families, casual visitors, and balloon enthusiasts. However, it also offers quiet corners where you can appreciate the visceral pulse of adventure alongside seasoned pilots navigating thermals and eddies.

Watching the balloons drift over the bay, their colors mirrored on the water’s surface, reveals a profoundly practical beauty in this dance between air and earth. If you’re lucky, a panoramic breeze will shift the fleet toward the Somers foreshore, where the coastal scrub greets each balloon like an old friend, waving and embracing the changing shapes overhead.

Participate as an observer, or book with ballooning companies onsite for a tethered ride – a taste of the gravity-free thrill that this festival celebrates. Be mindful of weather updates; the Victorian winds can be temperamental, and cancellations are a sign of respect for safety, not disappointment.

Whether you’re capturing photos, exploring nearby walking tracks through forested ridges, or simply grounding yourself in the moment while the sky becomes a canvas, the Mornington Peninsula Balloon Festival is a living reminder of how adventure thrives where nature remains fiercely itself.