Mark Mortensen, Balloons at Sunrise (SINGLE SHOT 2025)

Photographed from the heights of Canberra’s Arboretum, the first light of day spills across the horizon, casting the city in a warm golden glow. The Enlighten Festival has drawn early risers to Lake Burley Griffin and beyond, each eager to witness a scene that feels almost dreamlike. Dozens of hot air balloons drift gracefully across the sky, their silhouettes painted against the sunrise. The stillness of the morning is broken only by the soft hiss of burners and the quiet murmur of awe from onlookers. It’s a spectacle that rewards the pre-dawn start—a celebration of colour, light, and the gentle rhythm of a new day rising over the capital.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.