Following the successful delivery of the 2015 and 2017 National Ballooning Championships, the skies of Northam will again be filled with hot air balloons between 6th - 13th May 2023 for the 23rd Australian National Championships, and again between 2nd - 9th September 2023 for the 5th Women's World Hot Air Ballooning Championships.

Shire of Northam President Cr Chris Antonio said “Northam is Australia’s premier hot air ballooning destination. This exciting and prestigious event adds another reason to visit the Avon Valley region and explore beautiful Ballardong country as well as all that the town of Northam has to offer".The Shire of Northam congratulates the organising committee ‘Northam Ballooning Events’ for the outstanding work they have done to secure these events.

23rd Australian National Championships

The Shire of Northam will be delivering a number of unique ballooning themed activities during the Championships including the exciting "Elevate" Community festival on Saturday 6th May 2023, which includes the visually spectacular ‘Balloon Night Glow’. Please click HERE for more information.

Along with ‘The History of Ballooning’ display at the Northam Visitor Centre, a Ballooning Photographic Gallery, and a Star Gazing event. Hear Aboriginal cultural stories of the night sky followed by a "Beginner's Guide to Astronomy" and a closer look through telescopes as you travel back in time.

Follow the link to see the Pilots & Balloons for the National Championships.

5th FAI Women's World Hot Air Ballooning Championship

Our new web page for this event is under construction, and information will be updated in coming weeks.

In the interim, Pilot Competitors can email us as per contact detail below, to request a brochure with information on participation, and entry requirements.

Please enjoy this short video showing the beautiful scenery and perfect ballooning conditions of Northam and the Avon Valley. It was made to accompany Northam's bid to host the Women's World Championships in 2021; but Covid intervened, and we now look forward to seeing everyone in September 2023.

See the Women's World video HERE

Follow the link to see the Pilots & Balloons for the Women's World.

Competition flights (tasks) require pilots to exercise skill in maneuvering their balloons over a set course with goals, targets, scoring areas, time and distance limits. Good results in competition tasks are achieved using the variation of winds at different altitudes to fly in the direction of a goal and accurately approach the target. Balloons do not land on the target itself. Crew members aboard the balloons drop markers onto or as close to the target as they can fly. The markers are small sandbags with streamers attached. We ask you to not touch the markers or move them as this may adversely affect the score of the pilots and their competition results.

Please click the below images for more information:

For Visitor information & Community events (including Balloon Night Glow): Visit the Northam Visitor Centre or contact them on (08) 9622 2100 or email tourist@northam.wa.gov.au