Bad weather may have kept the balloons on the ground but nothing could keep the spectators in bed this morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
From Brisbane to Beerwah, keen spectators turned out to witness the launch. Notching up hundreds of kilometres and hours behind the wheel, Queenslanders were out in full force this morning.
Len and Kay Fletcher from Ipswich travelled down for the challenge, but not before taking in another unique event.
"We also came for the Booligal Sheep Races and now we're staying here for rest of the week," Mr Fletcher said.
"We were here yesterday morning too and it was great."
Travelling from Caboolture and Beerwah, Paul Oudeman and John Lawton also took in the sights.
"It's a bit of a trip but why not- we're having a good time," Mr Oudeman said.
Another Queensland couple, Andrew and Lyn Fletcher from Dalby also travelled to Canowindra this year after visiting Canberra in 2014.
"We went to Floriade this year and we put the balloons on our list for this year," Mr Fletcher said.
While they may not have been taking photos of the balloons this morning, Canowindra still put on a spectacular sunrise for both locals and travellers all keen to keep the cameras clicking.
Volunteering as an observer for the first time was Ray Tobin from Albury who was keen to take some snaps.
He brought six cameras along because he wanted to watch and photograph balloons but was still yet to put them to the test.
"It was very daunting at first but the more I do it, the more enjoyable it is," he said.
"I didn't realise how much tech there was in the balloons and how controlled they are. How skilled the pilots are is just mindblowing."
The Canowindra Internatinal Balloon Challenge is expected to recommence this afternoon, weather permitting.