The 11 Best Hot Air Balloon Flights in Australia

1.Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 647 reviews · from $284Our pick

Rise before dawn for a 45 to 60 minute Go Ballooning flight over the Gold Coast city or hinterland, guided by pilots such as Murray or Ben. Pickup, a photo and movie package, and an optional balloon pack-up are included. The accessible basket has doors, so you do not need to climb over the side.

“With Ben & crew, it was a flawless experience. From a timely pickup at Sheraton, to the launch site - very professional and friendly. We take off just before sunrise and witness the birth of a new day at 7,500 ft. The song of the wind on your Read more”

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2.Cairns Classic Hot Air Balloon ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 575 reviews · from $355

Start before dawn with hotel pickup, then float over the Atherton Tablelands as sunrise lights up farms, rivers, and forest. Your pilot, possibly Josh, Frank, or Neil, provides commentary while the crew handles the launch and landing. Expect at least 40 minutes in the air, balloon pack-up games, photos, a light breakfast snack, and a certificate.

“This was such a lovely graduation gift for my daughter! Everything ran like clockwork from the pick-up time to the drop-off time, so professional. It was such a wonderful experience floating in the air and the views were spectacular! I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or if I would have fear of heights, sometimes I do. I got used to it pretty quickly like within 10 minutes and was able to relax and let go of the rope hold. We dropped down low to look at wallabies and follow the Barren River, and then way up high to soar on the air currents. I've never done anything like…”

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3.Yarra Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with GoPro Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 506 reviews · from $355

Meet early at Balgownie Estate or arrange CBD pickup, then ride a Global Ballooning Australia bus to a wind-selected launch site. Help inflate and pack the balloon before about an hour in the air with a pilot such as Steve, Jake, or Pato. Download complimentary GoPro photos afterward, with an optional buffet breakfast at Balgownie Estate.

“Jake piloted a lovely ride over Yarra Valley and kept us informed about what we could see along the way. He also made sure we got some variety: we saw the sun on a cloudy morning, inside a cloud, and 360° views of the farmland below. TRead more”

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4.Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 446 reviews · from $355

Start before dawn with hotel pickup, watch the balloon inflate, then float over the Gold Coast hinterland at sunrise with live commentary. After helping pack the balloon, enjoy a buffet breakfast, sparkling wine, vineyard visit, wine tasting, photos, and an alpaca experience before returning to your hotel.

“This is the second time we have taken a balloon trip with this company and on both occasions we had an amazing time. The experience was well organised, thoroughly recommend!”

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5.Hot Air Balloon Flights in Perth (Avon Valley) with breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 439 reviews · from $265

Meet in Northam before dawn for a sunrise balloon flight over the Avon River and surrounding farms. Pilots such as Nick, Dan, Pete, and Paul guide the flight, explain ballooning, and invite you to help set up and pack away the balloon. The morning ends with breakfast, coffee, and time for questions.

“It's such a beautiful thing to do. You're out of bed & on the road pre-dawn. See moonset & then sunrise. Float amongst the clouds, then above and below. Balloon set-up and pack-up participation, get involved. Landing is quite a bump but also quite manageable if you follow instructions, even for a senior citizen. You won't be cold up there if it's not cold on the ground.”

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6.Early Morning Ballooning in Alice Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 426 reviews · from $265

Meet the Outback Ballooning crew before dawn for hotel pickup, balloon inflation, and a quiet flight above Alice Springs. You may fly for 30 or 60 minutes, depending on your booking. Pilots such as Jason and Duncan share local history and point out wildlife and the MacDonnell Ranges. Sparkling wine, fruit, cheese, and pastries follow.

“The experience was really well organised from pick up through to drop off. Duncan picked us up and was very welcoming upon boarding. Very chilled and laid back. Jason was our pilot for the day. I was very confident in his flying anRead more”

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7.Hot Air Balloon Flights over Melbourne City (optional breakfast)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 403 reviews · from $369

Meet around 5:00 am for a dawn flight with Liberty Balloon Flights over Melbourne. You may see the MCG, Melbourne Museum, the CBD, and the city waking below. Pilots such as Nick, Dan, Pete, and Thor have led flights, with safety briefings, in-flight guidance, and hands-on balloon setup and pack-down. Breakfast at Hotel Windsor costs extra.

“Excellent trip. Very well organised with regular contact from the balloon company (Liberty). Be prepared for a very early start (ours was 4.15). Friendly & experienced pilot & support crew. You are involved in preparing for the flight & clear up Read more”

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8.Melbourne sunrise balloon flight & champagne breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 270 reviews · from $400

Meet at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for a dawn balloon flight over central Melbourne. You’ll see the Yarra River, MCG, Shrine of Remembrance, Flinders Street Station, and Albert Park from above, with pilots including Dom, Viktor, and Mitch involved in the operation. The flight lasts about three hours including transport and breakfast, and children six and older may fly.

“WOW, just WOW. What an incredible experience - the company were very professional, our pilot Dom was a super star, the views (and photos we took!) were absolutely amazing. The breakfast at Sofitel afterwards was also fantastic, a great way to finish up. I highly recommend Picture This Ballooning and the flight over Melbourne City.”

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9.Melbourne Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride with GoPro Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 263 reviews · from $426

Meet at Pullman Melbourne On The Park before dawn for a safety briefing and roughly one hour in the air. Your balloon may pass above the CBD, Yarra River, MCG, parks, and inner suburbs, depending on the wind. Pilots such as Eddie, Steve, Darius, Dave, and Tim guide the flight, with GoPro photos and an optional champagne buffet breakfast afterward.

“This was my favorite part of our trip! The ride was gorgeous!!! The guide took pictures of our group so we got to take home some great photos! The weather was beautiful and the champaign breakfast was great! This is something you'll remember forever! Great way to view beautiful Melbourne!”

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10.Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 243 reviews · 4 hours · from $258Best value

Meet your English-speaking crew before dawn for a 30 or 60-minute balloon flight over Alice Springs. Pilots such as Duncan, Jason, and Kaitlyn explain the flight, point out the MacDonnell Ranges, and help you spot kangaroos. After landing, enjoy snacks, sparkling wine, fruit juice, and a commemorative certificate.

“this was my first ever balloon flight and I loved it. our pilot Duncan, was very experienced and full of information answering any questions asked. I was a little nervous but excited to experience this activity and I hope I have the chance to do this again in a different area. sailing across the cold morning skies of Alice Springs was a truly memorable memory for me. highly recommend.”

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11.Hot Air Balloon Flights Geelong (The Great Ocean) + Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · from $294

Meet at Rydges Geelong at 5:00 am for transport to the launch field. You will spend about an hour floating over Geelong, the coastline, and Bellarine Peninsula, with time to watch the balloon being prepared. The experience ends with a buffet breakfast at Rydges Hotel. The small group is limited to 22 people.

“We enjoyed the whole thing. Watching and participating in the set up and learning how the pilots work out the course was fascinating.”

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