Goulburn residents will have a unique chance to see Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhale and Skywhalepapa hot air balloons up close at Seiffert Oval, Goulburn on Saturday 30 November.

Hosted by Goulburn Regional Art Gallery in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia, this early morning event is part of the Skywhales Across Australia tour.

The morning will start with gates opening at 4am, allowing visitors to watch the balloons inflate before their sunrise launch. Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, each designed to capture imaginations, take on added significance together, creating what Piccinini describes as a “relationship and narrative.” She encourages visitors to bring along friends and family, relax with a picnic, and enjoy the spectacle as the “Skywhale family” rises into the sky.

“This is an incredibly exciting and ambitious event for the Gallery, and a wonderful way to cap off the artistic program for 2024,” says Yvette Dal Pozzo, Director of Goulburn Regional Art Gallery. “Patricia Piccinini is one of Australia’s best-known artists, and we’re thrilled to host the iconic Skywhales here in Goulburn.”

Following the launch, the Gallery will offer family-friendly activities, inviting people to connect with the artwork in a relaxed and interactive setting. The event is free to attend, but tickets are essential, follow this link for tickets. Visit Goulburn Regional Art Gallery’s website or call (02) 4823 4494 for more information.