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Throw out whatever you know about what a hot air balloon is supposed to look like.
The countdown is on, with the first Mudgee Hot Air Balloon Festival happening in just a couple of weeks.
The festival runs from Saturday, May 25 to Friday, May, 31 with a variety of events and activities being held during the week-long event.
The festival will kick off at Glen Willow on the weekend of the 25th with the Mudgee Night Glow - where the balloons will light up their burners at night, all set to music.
But if you think the only balloons you'll see are the traditional kind, think again.
A giant hot air balloon called The Skywhale will appear in the skies of Mudgee starting at the Night Glow.
According to Balloon Aloft, the balloon was designed by Australian sculptor Patricia Piccinini as a special commission for the Centenary of Canberra in 2013 and is heading to Mudgee for the family night glow event.
"The special shape hot air balloon is at least twice as big as a standard size hot air balloon and is 34 metres long by 23 metres high. The balloon itself weighs half a tonne and was made using 3.5 kilometres of fabric. It took 16 people seven months and more than 3.3 million stitches to design and make," event organiser Matthew Scaife said.
"It is truly an extraordinary piece of artwork produced by a world recognised artist. We are so excited to be bringing this amazing balloon to Mudgee."
The Skywhale won't be the only out-of-the-ordinary ballooon to make an appearance during the night glow event. The other balloons include the heart shape balloon, the Nudie balloon, the Ova balloon which is shaped like an egg and the amazing Air Force "Jet Fighter Helmet" balloon which is sure to be a real hit with the kids.
Each one will be tethered with their burners lighting up the balloons against the night sky.
