With the Art of Flight Festival taking place in April, the question has to be asked: How does Benalla keeps attracting so many international events?
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It could be the incredible facilities at the airport, or perhaps the perfect flying conditions, clear skies and stunning scenery in every direction.
This time it’s the turn of hot air ballooning, with some of the world’s best pilots headed to the rose city to show what they can do.
Paul Gibbs from Goldrush ballooning is involved in the festival and said, if all went well, this would become an annual event.
“At its core it’s a big, international balloon competition,” he said.
“And it'll actually incorporate our Australian national titles this year.”
Paul said long-term locals would know this would be the fourth nationals held in Benalla, with competitions in 1993, 2007 and 2009.
“We’ve also got some international competitors coming,” he said.
“It looks like we'll have around about 30 balloons flying, and they’ll be competing for the Art of Flight International Balloon Championship.
“And alongside all of that, we've partnered with the Gliding Club of Victoria and the Benalla Aviation Museum.”
Paul said there would be fun things for locals and visitors to see throughout the event.
“One of the associated events that we’ve got on during the week is the fly into the airport,” he said.
“That’s on Sunday morning, April 12. All the balloons will be doing what’s called a key-grab.
“They’ll fly towards one of several poles that has a key on the top of it, which unlocks a surprise.
“They’ll be flying in from five kilometres out, navigating accurately in the early morning winds to pick the key off the top of the pole.
“We’ll also have some aircraft flying in, and the Aviation Museum will have a fantastic display.
“Gliding Club of Victoria will also be involved, and we’re hoping that they have some gliders and maybe even their flight simulator.”
On the competition side of things, Paul said there were a few different tasks pilots would be performing, mostly based on accuracy.
“We’re flying to the international FAI rulebook, and our objective is to determine a champion pilot at the end of the week,” he said.
“We fly for five days, every morning, and then every suitable afternoon.
“Most of the flying will be out to the north of town. We've generously been offered a paddock to launch out at Goorambat, right beside the Goorambat East Solar Farm.
“Pilots will be tasked every flight with a series of targets that they have to fly to and drop a marker or record an electronic mark as close as they can to that target.
“The competition is based on accuracy. There are a couple of other variations, but the basic task is an accuracy task.”
Paul said most competition pilots would generally fly solo, but some would have others in the basket with them.
“We have a big variety of skill within our group of competitors,” he said.
“Our top pilots have all competed overseas and are highly experienced. Some of them fly for a living.
“Then we have one of our newest competitors from Mildura, Ben Gowers, who just has 50 hours.
“I had him qualified for his private licence here in Benalla only 18 months ago.”
Paul said one of the highlights of the week would take place just down the road.
“The Balloon Glow will take place at Wangaratta Turf Club on April 11.
“Benalla Bus Lines will have a bus there and back that evening.”
Paul said there were big plans for ballooning in Benalla.
“Our dream is to host the 2030 FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championships here in Benalla,” he said.
“That would see 103 teams come to north-east Victoria, and they’d be based out at Benalla Airport for the week.”
The Art of Flight Festival takes place from April 6 to 12.
Many events are free. Tickets for the Balloon Glow in Wangaratta will cost $32.68 for those aged over 16. Children aged four to 15 will pay $14.30 and entry is free for infants.
There are family packages and early bird discounts available. Get your tickets via country.racing.com/wangaratta/calendar/2026/04/11/the-art-of-flight-balloon-glow/
Find out more about the Art of Flight Festival via art-of-flight.com