Australia · BALLOONS
Good balloon flights fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Rise before dawn for a Gold Coast balloon flight with Go Ballooning. Fly over the city or hinterland, depending on wind, with pilots such as Murray, Ben, Reece, or Casey. The basket has doors, and your package includes flight photos and video.
“Unfortunately it didn’t happen. The hot air balloon people tried on 3 separate days to get us airborne. The weather wasn’t good enough. Now awaiting refund of monies”
You’ll leave Cairns around 4:00 am for a sunrise balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands. Expect expert commentary, views of farms and wildlife, a light snack, bubbly or juice, digital photos, and a hands-on balloon pack-up with the crew.
“So much fun! Can’t say enough good things about the sunrise hot air balloon experience in Cairns! Our family LOVED it!”
Meet early at Pullman Melbourne on the Park or arrange CBD pickup, then help prepare a balloon before a roughly one-hour flight over the Yarra Valley. Your pilot, possibly Steve, Jake, Harry, or Pato, posts GoPro photos to the app. Add a buffet breakfast at Balgownie Estate.
“I would give it a 6-stars review if I could. Initially we were informed by operator that the activity was canceled due to bad weather, but we were allowed to re-schedule to following day. And the activity was great, from pickup to flight & buffet breakfast & return transfer. Appreciated the operator team crew, everyone worked well to let all of us have an enjoyable time.”
Meet in Northam before dawn for a hot-air balloon flight over the Avon River and farming country. Your pilot explains ballooning, invites you to help set up and pack away, and joins you for questions and coffee before breakfast. Flights last about four hours and depend on wind and weather.
“My Husband and I had an awesome time. The staff involved are making you feel safe and comfortable. A big thank you.”
Start before dawn with hotel pickup from Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach, then rise over vineyards, forests, lakes, and pasture as the sun comes up. Your pilot provides commentary, and the morning ends with a hot breakfast, sparkling wine, cellar-door tasting, and digital flight photos at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley.
“The views were beautiful, the team was very knowledgeable and professional and breakfast at winery topped it off perfectly.”
Start before dawn with hotel pickup from Alice Springs, then watch the crew inflate the balloon before a 30 or 60 minute flight over the red centre. Pilots such as Jason and Duncan point out local landmarks and wildlife. After landing, enjoy fruit, cheese, muffins, sparkling wine, and optional help packing the balloon.
“Wonderful opportunity to watch the sunrise Every one made sure we had a great experience. I would definitely recommend”
Meet near central Melbourne around 5am, then follow the Liberty Balloon Flights crew to a suitable launch site. Your pilot may include Nick, Dan, or Pete. Help prepare and pack the balloon, then enjoy about an hour above the CBD, MCG, Museum, and sunrise. Hotel transfers, breakfast, and photos cost extra.
“Great information before fantastic flight. Very relaxing and enjoyable. Dan and Thor were great. I know a lot more about hot air ballooning now and will encourage people to have a go😊”
Meet at Pullman Melbourne On The Park for a roughly one-hour sunrise flight with Global Ballooning Australia. Your pilot may be Eddie, Steve, Darius, Dave, or Tim. Expect changing city views, a small basket of up to 10 people, a safety briefing, photo opportunities, and optional champagne breakfast.
“It was only AMAZING!!! I would do it everytime again!!”
Meet your English-speaking crew before dawn for a 30 or 60-minute balloon flight above Alice Springs. Pilot Duncan and crew members such as Jason, Caitlin, or Kaitlyn have helped make these flights smooth and friendly. After landing, help pack the balloon away, then enjoy sparkling wine, snacks, and a flight certificate.
“I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a hot air balloon ride during my trip to Australia, and it truly became one of the highlights of my journey. The adventure was made exceptional not only by the breathtaking views but also by the fantastic team behind it. The pilot and crew were not only skilled professionals but also incredibly friendly and made the entire experience even more enjoyable. The picturesque landscapes unfolding beneath us left me in awe, and the tranquility of the early morning flight added to the magic of the moment. The attention to detail by the pilot made me feel safe and allowed me to fully immerse…”
Meet Floating Images at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre at 4:00 am for a roughly one-hour sunrise balloon flight. See city and country views across Ipswich, the Scenic Rim, Somerset, and the Great Dividing Range, then return for a sit-down breakfast, sparkling wine toast, and flight certificate.
“It was something to tick off their bucket list and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, company was great with information of the area they went across and breakfast was a great treat to top off the morning.”
Meet at Rydges Geelong at 5:00 am, ride to the launch field, and spend about an hour floating above Geelong, the coastline, and Bellarine Peninsula. The small group is capped at 22, with transport, insurance, and a buffet breakfast at Rydges included.
“A serene and uplifting experience, facilitated by a great team. A wonderful way to see the beauty of Geelong and surrounding areas.”
Ride a hot-air balloon above Melbourne with BalloonMan, taking in the Yarra River, MCG, Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens, Westgate Bridge, and Brighton bathing boxes. The 3 to 4-hour experience includes pickup offered, a mobile ticket, and a 5-star champagne breakfast.
“We had booked the trip and it was cancelled due to the weather. I am sincerely appreciated the Balloonman team, the organizer, who always kept in touch with us til the refund granted.”
Join Liberty Balloon Flights for a dawn ride above Melbourne. Meet at The Hotel Windsor, help inflate the balloon, then spend about an hour over the CBD, MCG, Yarra River, parks, and gardens. Experienced pilots such as Nick, Dan, and Pete have guided past flights, with safety kept front and center.
“These men are great team and great service and great friendly guys they have given us all. Very thoroughly explain and clear instructions. I love it so much and very impressive what I see during the ride up the sky in Hot Air Balloon. Thank you all guys”
Meet before dawn for a safety briefing and balloon inflation, then fly over Pokolbin, Lovedale, and Rothbury as the sun rises. Pilots such as Sam, Blake, and Byron have led recent flights. After landing, continue to Peterson House for breakfast and sparkling wine.
“The whole experience was amazing right from the start all the way to the breakfast at the end”
Meet the Balloon Aloft team at The Farm Byron Bay before sunrise, help inflate the balloon, and float for 45 to 60 minutes above the coast, farms, and national parks. The flight ends with a cooked breakfast at Three Blue Ducks, with weather guiding the launch time and location.
“Absolutely fantastic. Would highly recommend the whole tour was so well run we felt completely comfortable from the outset. We initially were very nervous. However as soon as we met the whole team we knew we were in safe hands. The hot air balloon was sturdy and we had the best time and got some amazing photographs. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Pick a coast, a rock or a cellar door.
