Pre-Conference Tours
Hot Air Ballooning
Your day begins in the cool pre-dawn darkness as you are picked up from your accommodation in Alice Springs. During the drive to our desert launch site you will get to know the crew as they make final weather checks and explain the routine for the morning. The balloon flight takes place to the south of Alice Springs over historic Owen Springs Station adjacent to the MacDonnell Ranges. Once floating gently in the air you will appreciate the vast remoteness of the Australian Outback. Wildlife, particularly big red kangaroos are seen nearly every day as the balloon crosses spinifex grasses, mulga scrub and cattle stations. After landing you may become involved in assisting the crew as we pack the balloon or you can just take photographs, the choice is yours. The perfect place to enjoy a glass of Australian sparkling wine or fruit juice accompanied by a small selection of individually wrapped snacks, before returning to “town”. Dietary requirements on request. A great opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity of the desert and share stories with the crew and other passengers. Return transfers to your accommodation and a souvenir flight certificate completes the morning adventure.
Weather Conditions
Hot air ballooning is a weather dependant activity. The pilot’s decision with regard to safe flying conditions is final.
Where possible the balloon flight should always be booked for the first available day in the area to allow for re-booking in case of bad weather.
What to Wear
Comfortable clothing suitable for the outdoors is recommended. This includes long pants and a hat. It is dusty in the Outback, avoid wearing the colour white. Enclosed, flat heel shoes are essential. It is no colder in the balloon than on the ground, but it can be cooler before sunrise. Warm clothing will be necessary. Loose items such as dangling jewellery and scarves are not permitted once passengers reach the launch site and dis-embark from the bus.
General Health/Mobility/Weight
Whilst we have no specific restrictions concerning a person’s weight and/or mobility, all passengers must be able to walk over rough desert terrain without mobility aids, climb quickly in and out of our basket unaided and stand upright for the duration of the flight. There are no doors on the balloon basket, there are footholes (like a step ladder) to climb in and out of the basket. The basket height is approximately 1.2 metres high and the compartment you will be climbing in and out of, is only about 60cm wide and is quite snug and compact. You will need to bend and swing your legs over the top edge of the basket, to start climbing down the other side. It is our obligation to advise you of this requirement to ensure that all our passengers are safely able to join our flight. The crew may be able to assist, but they may also be busy getting the flight ready and in the event of an emergency you must be able to do this yourself.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules and regulations and Outback Ballooning’s policy prevent us from flying women who are over 12 weeks pregnant. Pregnancy must be advised in advance.
Illness and/or recent operations that may affect the person or other persons on the tour must be notified to Outback Ballooning in advance. Medication should be brought on the tour.
Any form of reduced mobility or disablement must be discussed with Outback Ballooning prior to making a booking. Each person is treated as a separate case.
The packing up tasks at the end of the flight are optional and we do appreciate assistance in these enjoyable activities. However, they do involve some lifting and participation is entirely voluntary. Passengers that are less able bodied are invited to stand back and take photos. Cameras are welcome in the balloon.
Persons with medical conditions participating in the balloon flight and pack up activities do so at their own risk.
The flight and carriage of any passenger on the day will take place at the pilot’s discretion.
Customer Cancellation Policy
The credit card used to secure the booking will be charged if:
- The booking is cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled departure time
- "No show" on the morning of the tour
- Suffer "cold feet" on the launch field
No fees apply for cancellations more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
Online Check-in
Each participant will be required to complete an online check-in waiver prior to joining our balloon flight tour. There is nothing to print. This is a web-based program. The information will be released five days prior to the balloon flight date.
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Time: 5:30am - 9:30am
What’s included: Bus Transfers, Refreshments, Hot Air Ballooning
Cost: $293 inc GST (limited spaces available)
Explore the Desert Knowledge Precinct
Join us for an immersive 2 hour guided tour of the Desert Knowledge Precinct — a unique hub of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development in Central Australia.
Participants will gain insight into the vision and realisation of the Precinct, exploring how it supports remote education, regional economic development, and desert innovation.
Highlights include:
Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre – Discover the world’s largest longitudinal dataset for solar power and learn how it’s shaping the future of renewable energy through ongoing research and field testing of emerging technologies.
Centre for Appropriate Technology’s Space Enterprises Facility – Explore how this Aboriginal-controlled organisation is driving local employment, training, and technology innovation to improve livelihoods in remote communities.
Batchelor Institute’s Desert People’s Centre Campus – Take a walk through this inspiring learning space, including its library, and see how it connects education with culture and community.
Enjoy morning tea on-site and engage in a Q&A session with Precinct members, offering a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and share ideas about innovation in the desert.
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Time: 7am – 9am
What’s included: Bus Transfers, Morning Tea, Tour Access
Cost: $65 inc gst (limited spaces available)
NOCTURNAL OUTBACK DINNER TOUR
First, enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner infused with flavours of the desert. Then step inside a large predator-proof enclosure for an evening of adventure and discovery.
Your expert guide will supply you with a specialised head torch before starting the Nocturnal Tour. Your guide will then lead you to the Mulga Walk, a large predator-proof enclosure located in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges.
Walk through a rich desert habitat full of life. Stopping to spotlight endangered animals of Central Australia showcasing their natural behaviours. Have an unforgettable evening getting up close to animals including bilby, echidna and mala.
Date: Tuesday Evening 4 August 2026
Time: 6pm
Cost: $128 inc GST
Cultural Tour at Desert Park
Be met by a Guide on arrival to begin your discovery. Be involved in interactive activities that share knowledge on belonging to and looking after the land, its plants and animals and each other.
Walk from Desert Rivers to Sand Country learning about how to find water in the desert and different tracks and tools used by desert Aboriginal people. In the Park’s Nocturnal House learn about hunting and sign language before continuing the journey to the Nature Theatre to be enthralled by birds of prey and other predators of the desert.
Date: Wednesday Morning 5 August
Time: 7am to 9am
What's included: Bus transfer
Cost: $103 inc GST
Tour the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI)
Objective: showcase the Arid Zone's agricultural production and its contribution to northern Australia's economy for conference delegates.
- Desert horticulture - citrus, date palms, melons, table grapes etc.
- Livestock and cropping production - Droughtmaster cattle and crops under pivot irrigation
- The NT Cattlemen's Association could also compliment this tour with industry insights
AZRI is a 5min drive from the convention centre. Participants will need to follow biosecurity processes on site and wear closed in footwear, a hat and sunscreen. We'll need to provide cold water in case people don't bring water bottles.
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Time: 7.00am – 9.00am
What’s included: Bus Transfers, Morning Tea, Tour Access
Cost: $63 inc GST (limited spaces available)
Other Pre and Post Conference Activities in Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
Earth Sanctuary - night time star and astronomy tours
https://www.earth-sanctuary.com.au/astronomy-tours782fcbfe
An option for a welcome event - they have great facilities set up for large functions
10 min drive from the convention centre
An evening tour costs $60 and booked online.
Kangaroo Sanctuary
https://kangaroosanctuary.com/
This place is incredibly popular - they have over 1.4 million instagram followers and the movie Kangaroo (in cinemas now) was filmed at the sanctuary and based on the life of Chris 'Brolga' Barns who owns the sanctuary and hosts small tour groups to raise awareness of their wildlife reserve.
Sunset tours are only on Wed, Thurs, Fri and must be pre-booked online, no self-drive, they provide bus transfers. Cost $155. Groups of up to 20-25 people. This is one of the best experiences I've had!
Olive Pink Botanical Gardens
5min drive from convention centre, free entry, cafe on site
Beautiful short bush walks to see birdlife, wildflowers and ecosystem learnings - people visit from all over the world to get photographs