July 12
At 4:30 AM we departed for a hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands (an agricultural area above the ridges and rainforest of Cairns.) The trip from Cairns was about an hour to a farm field where we saw the balloon inflated and floated above the countryside at dawn. Three balloons were launched, so we could see other balloons while we were enjoying the trip. We saw kangaroos jumping in the fields, mango groves, cattle, and ranches. It was worth getting up so early!
