Duffy electric hire boats amongst Canberra’s Balloons Afloat Festival
As dawn broke over Canberra, the stillness of the morning was gently interrupted by the hum of burners and the soft ripple of water across Lake Burley Griffin. The 2025 Balloon Spectacular delivered one of those rare, perfect mornings—clear skies, crisp air, and a golden sunrise that seemed almost designed for the occasion.
We set out before sunrise aboard a quiet Duffy electric boat courtesy of Love Boats Canberra to whom Eco Boats had supplied a number of Duffy hire boats 2 years earlier. We were gliding effortlessly across the lake’s glassy surface. With no engine noise to compete, the experience felt almost surreal—just the occasional splash of a kayaker’s paddle nearby or the distant roar of a balloon firing up overhead. As the light grew, dozens of hot air balloons began to rise, their colours glowing warmly against the pale morning sky.
What made the scene even more special was the sense of shared wonder. Hundreds of other early risers had gathered on the water—kayakers, paddleboarders, and small boats drifting in clusters—each person pausing to take in the spectacle. The lake became a floating audience, all eyes turned upward as balloons of every shape and pattern lifted gracefully into the air.
From our vantage point on the comfortable Duffy, we had an uninterrupted view through the clear windows all-around. Balloons hovered low enough at times to reflect perfectly on the water, and for kayakers to hold on to the ribbons and get towed across the water’s surface. The calm weather made for ideal flying conditions, and the pilots seemed to take full advantage, drifting slowly across the lake and over the city’s iconic landmarks.
It was one of those mornings where everything aligned—the weather, the setting, and the atmosphere. Quiet, beautiful, and unforgettable, the Balloon Spectacular on Lake Burley Griffin offered a wonderful perspective of Canberra and extra special to witness from the comfort of a Duffy electric boat.
For more information on the range of Duffy electric boats, see here.
For more information on Love Boats Canberra and to book one of their stylish electric hire boats, please see here.