AUSTRALIA · BALLOON FLIGHTS
Melbourne flies over the city itself, the Yarra Valley over vineyards and Cairns over cane country. These 15 are compared on season, flight length and which ones end in a winery breakfast.
Start before dawn with Go Ballooning and rise above the Gold Coast for about 45 to 60 minutes. Wind decides whether you fly over the city or hinterland. The accessible basket has doors, and you receive a photo and movie package. Reece, Casey, Ben, Murray, and other crew members are named in the tour feedback.
“very luxury and enjoyable hot air balloon value for money experience is awasome overall is the best.”
Start before dawn with hotel pickup and a flight over the Atherton Tablelands as the sun rises. Your pilot points out farms, rivers, wildlife, and nearby balloons. After landing, help pack the balloon, enjoy a light snack with bubbly or juice, and receive digital photos plus a flight certificate.
“The crew were good and ensured we had a good experience....right from hotel pick up to the balloon ride”
Meet before dawn at Pullman Melbourne on the Park or choose CBD pickup, then help prepare the balloon before an hour-long sunrise flight over the Yarra Valley. Wind decides your route. Pilots such as Steve, Jacob, Pato, and Harry add clear safety guidance, while GoPro photos, a digital certificate, and optional Balgownie Estate breakfast complete the morning.
“Amazing way to kick start a new day. Awesome views. An once in a lifetime experience. However, the landing was too bumpy and uncomfortable for me. Spotted some kangaroos fighting in the grassland while waiting to go up the basket. Quite chilly in the yarra valley especially when the wind blows. The kids had fun helping to fold the balloon after the flight. Ended the flight with a hearty hot meal at the Balgownie before the long drive back to the hotel.”
Start with a 4am hotel pickup from Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach, then watch a giant balloon rise over forests, farms, vineyards, and lakes. Your pilot provides live commentary, and the flight ends with balloon pack-up, breakfast and sparkling wine at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, wine tasting, and an alpaca visit.
“Great experience, Richard our bus driver an offsider was unreal and jay our pilot was excellent. Will be going again!!”
Meet in Northam before dawn for a sunrise flight over the Avon River and nearby farm country. Your pilot explains ballooning, helps you feel at ease, and may invite you to assist with setup and pack-down. The roughly four-hour experience ends with breakfast, coffee, and time for questions.
“The ballooning experience was amazing and we were celebrating my daughter’s 30th. The aeronautic staff were awesome. The food included after in Dome was VERY average and they did not offer much of a selection for a celiac (my daughter). Maybe the buffet is not a great idea. Overall great and would go with Liberty again. Natalie”
You’ll leave Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach before dawn for a sunrise balloon flight over vineyards, forests, lakes, and pasture. The morning continues at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley with a hot breakfast, sparkling wine, cellar-door tasting, and digital photos. Guides such as Rob, Kelly, Gavin, and pilot Dhawal have been praised for friendly commentary and calm professionalism.
“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!”
Meet the crew before dawn for a 30 or 60-minute hot-air balloon flight above the Alice Springs Outback. Watch the balloon inflate, drift toward sunrise with pilots such as Jason or Duncan, look for Red Kangaroos, then help pack up before enjoying sparkling wine, fruit, cheese, and pastries. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
“This was amazing! Saw the sunrise over the Outback. Everyone was very professional and we felt very safe. I would definitely do it again.”
Meet around 5:00 am, then ride in a small group of up to 12 people to a suitable launch site. Liberty Balloon Flights offers about an hour over Melbourne, with views of the MCG, Museum, CBD, and sunrise. Pilots such as Nick, Dan, and Pete explain each stage, and you may help prepare and pack the balloon. Breakfast costs 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 Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for an early balloon flight over the MCG, Shrine of Remembrance, Flinders Street Station, and the Yarra River. Pilots including Dom, Viktor, and Mitch handle the flight, followed by a complimentary champagne breakfast. Children six and older may fly.
“Taller people be warned! If you stand in the middle of the basket (like we did) the top of your head will get hot from the burners! My husband (6'1") had to wear the hood of his coat to avoid the burning/hot feeling. I'm 5'2" and I could also feel Read more”
Meet at Pullman Melbourne On The Park before dawn for a roughly one-hour balloon flight over Melbourne. Your pilot may be Eddie, Steve, Darius, Dave, or Tim. Expect changing views shaped by wind, a hands-on balloon pack-up, optional champagne breakfast, and GoPro photo opportunities.
“The spectacular views across Melbourne and the quiet. Learning a little about what’s involved with ballooning. Participation was interesting. It was also a little strenuous as a 72 year old holding up the mouth of the balloon for inflation.”
Leave Perth at 4:00 am for Northam and a sunrise balloon flight over the Avon Valley. You can help prepare and pack away the balloon before breakfast. The small flight group is capped at 15, with Perth transfers included. Guides may include driver Thor and pilot Dan.
“A fantastic balloon flight. We enjoyed it immensely. Started with predawn balloon prep followed by scenic sunrise from 4000 ft. Well organized and conducted by a trained crew. Well worth the price”
You’ll leave Alice Springs before dawn for a 30 or 60-minute hot air balloon flight over the Central Australian Outback. The crew handles weather checks and flight safety, then serves sparkling wine, juice, fruit, and light snacks after landing. Pickup is included, and you may help pack away the balloon.
“Book this trip - heaps of fun to see the sunrise over Australia. We were so lucky to see kangaroos hopping through the landscape below. Packing up the balloon afterwards was part of the fun - good snacks after the trip. There were also some nice and useful souvenirs for sale at the end (bring cash or a bank card).”
Meet at Ipswich Visitor Information Centre at 4:00 am, ride to a weather-dependent launch site, and spend about an hour floating above Brisbane, Ipswich, the Scenic Rim and Somerset. A chief pilot with more than 30 years of experience leads the flight. Help inflate or pack the balloon, then enjoy breakfast, sparkling wine and a flight certificate.
“Fantastic. Tour operators are professionals. I felt safe and enjoyed every minute!”
Meet Windward Ballooning at 105 Withers St in Northam before dawn. Your pilot and crew take you to the launch site, inflate the balloon in the dark, and guide you over the Avon Valley at sunrise. After landing, return for a champagne breakfast. The flight lasts about four hours in total.
“It is a unique experience, with breathtaking panoramic views! The only cons is the chilly morning and there is not bathroom in the place where we landed. Apart from that, everything is perfect including the breaky.”
Meet at Rydges Geelong at 5:00 am for transport to the launch field. You’ll help watch the balloon take shape, then spend about an hour above Geelong, the coast, and Bellarine Peninsula before returning for a buffet breakfast. The small group can include up 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.”
Every place in the catalogue where a basket goes up on a clear morning.
