The best hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast for the ultimate sky-high adventure
Ever since I saw the movie “Up” in theaters, I’ve always been fascinated by traveling the skies like Carl and Russell did.
The same remains true today, even when I’m already an adult, and I’m sure many people feel the same way.
Luckily, you won’t need to gather thousands of balloons and join a risky adventure to enjoy picturesque views from the sky.
From the green hinterlands to the sprawling cityscape amid the shimmering sea, these top services are sure to provide the best hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast.
The best Gold Coast hot air balloon operators
With its lush hinterlands and azure seas, it’s no surprise the Gold Coast hosts numerous hot air balloon services. There are so many that choosing the best one can be confusing.
If you’re having these same fears, then this article is for you.
Whether you’re with family or alone, these great hot-air balloon services are guaranteed to take you on a safe but thrilling trip across the sky.
Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast
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Location: 23 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
Contact: [email protected], 0756361508
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Offering people a grand sight of the Gold Coast’s sprawling hinterlands, Hot Air Balloon Australia is the premier service for luxury and smooth aerial tours.
Its hot air balloon and vineyard wine-tasting experience is particularly popular with visitors who want to experience nature’s bounty up close. The wines are all grown in the area and produced by locals from O’Reillys Vineyard.
This is in addition to the company’s exclusive specialty packages for birthdays and proposals, complete with cakes, vineyard wine tasting, and staff members ready to help with your big surprise.
Best of all, the company’s services are open to children. An adult guardian and a written consent form are still needed, though.
Pro tip:
If you have trouble sleeping early at night, it’s better to rest after the bus picks you up at 3:00 AM since the travel time can take over an hour. The tour bus has head pillows and soft blankets, so customers stay comfortable as the ride takes them outside the city.
Go Ballooning
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Location: 216/1/10 Albert Ave, Broadbeach
Contact: [email protected], +61 1300 359 468
Hours: Open 24 hours
With over 30 years of experience, customers are guaranteed a safe and smooth aerial tour across the Gold Coast’s cityscape and hinterlands with Go Ballooning.
Its hot air balloon tours start at $347 per head, but people can add an exclusive Sheraton breakfast buffet to their package for $377.
With multiple hot air balloons under its wings, Go Ballooning offers private group air charters and a romantic VIP flight with a bottle of bubbly champagne waiting at touchdown.
Ascending 4,000 meters high, visitors can indulge in the sun casting its first rays into the picturesque hinterlands.
Both packages include a breakfast buffet, complimentary videos, photos, and a chaperone service from your hotel.
Beyond the aerial rides, people can continue the adventure in the water, thanks to Go Ballooning’s partnership with Paradise Jet Boating, Aquaduck, and Kokomo Cruises.
People can speed along the canals aboard their jet boats, take leisure trips in the channels, or witness the majestic migrating humpbacks in the open sea.
Pro tip:
Make sure to request that the hot air balloon reach its maximum height. Some balloon operators might take the scenic routes but can’t ascend higher than 300 ft due to unexpected weather conditions.
Requesting the maximum height limit ensures the operator will take the balloon to clearer areas for a safe ascent.
Balloon Aloft Gold Coast
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Location: 1/19 Industrial Ave, Molendinar
Contact: [email protected], 0438 819 788, (07) 5578 2244
Hours: Everyday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Balloon Aloft boasts having the most tour packages at the lowest price possible.
For just $249 per head, customers can enjoy a one-hour tour of the city and hinterlands with complimentary pictures to immortalize their experience.
People can also try the Balloon Aloft’s sunrise tour package for $309 per person. It includes a 5-star champagne breakfast after indulging in the city’s beauty basking under the sun’s warm glow.
The menu even offers gluten-free and vegetarian dishes.
If you don’t like a champagne breakfast, the company offers other complimentary packages that will take you to the best Gold Coast spots.
The $369 jet boat ride and the Springbrook tour for $379 are particularly popular among first-time visitors.
The company also provides its services for romantic proposals, complete with a luxury ride and a 5-star champagne meal for $1,599.
All flight operators are locals and have managed hot air balloons for years, so customers are assured of a safe trip with occasional tips and info about the city.
Pro tip:
Don’t schedule your hot air balloon trip after the rainy season. The pre-flight and weather safety check is longer after rainy days, due to potential view obstructions from low-hanging clouds.
You’re more likely to miss the sunrise during these times, as the preparations could take an hour or more. This doesn’t include the 30-minute travel time to reach the sunrise viewing destination.
Hot Air Balloon Down Under
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Location: 1/19 Industrial Ave, Molendinar
Contact: [email protected], (07) 5500 4797
Hours: Everyday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
With over 30 years of experience, customers are assured of a fun but safe trip from Brisbane to Byron Bay when flying with Hot Air Balloon Down Under.
For one, all operators have been with the company for many years and have an intricate knowledge of the city above and below.
The hinterlands won’t be the only view passengers can enjoy, as the operator takes the balloon on a leisurely tour across the suburbs and water bodies for a picturesque trip around the city.
You can even wave to the people below taking their early morning walks or take pictures of the high-rise buildings’ magnificent silhouettes in front of the Pacific, basking in an orange glow.
The company even offers free pick-up rides to visitors staying in any hotel between Southport and Broadbeach.
Pro tip:
If public transportation isn’t a problem, you can request to stay at the landing field in Beaudesert to watch the crew pack the balloon and complete your hot air ballooning experience.
What to expect on your hot air balloon experience on the Gold Coast
Hot air ballooning can be quite frightening, especially for first-timers. To ease your worries, we’ve listed some things you should expect when traversing the Gold Coast skies.
Pre-flight safety briefing
Several pre-flight checks and safety reminders can be expected, as the companies employ methods ensuring their customers’ safety.
For one, tour guides will list important safety tips during the bus ride. These include reminders to avoid jumping during the flight, keep all limbs inside the basket, and bring only a few light items aboard.
Passengers often use this opportunity to ask the guide about the specifics of the trip or take pictures of the rolling landscape throughout the hour-long ride.
Meanwhile, flight preparations are already ongoing while the passengers are on the way. Once they arrive, the last pre-flight checks take only 30 minutes as the staff distributes required safety waivers.
However, delays can be expected after stormy and windy days because the staff must wait for the winds to calm down before taking flight to ensure the passengers’ safety.
Scenic sights from the sky
The Lamington National Park is one of the more famous hot air balloon routes, thanks to its sprawling rainforest and winding mountain ridges.
The nearby Numinbah Valley is another popular destination for the bountiful flatlands nestled between Lamington and the Springbrook National Park.
On the farther side, people can admire the clear blue ocean beyond the sprawling cityscape. The sea is usually more visible in spring when there are fewer clouds to block the sight.
If you’re visiting around summer, you can still enjoy the ride a couple of thousand meters high, taking pictures of the fluffy white clouds below.
Post-flight celebrations
Most hot air balloon trips on the Gold Coast are held in the early morning, so it’s only normal to get hungry after the flight.
Thankfully, most hot-air balloon trips offer breakfast meal packages to celebrate the safe trip. The breakfast sets usually include 5-star hotel dishes, with complimentary alcoholic drinks for adult passengers.
If you bring food, you can continue the fun in the nearby parks and retreats for a closer connection with nature.
Afterward, you can journey back to the city to enjoy the thrill of whale watching or jet boat riding, depending on your chosen trip package. Most of the complimentary adventures are held in the afternoon, so there’s no need to rush.
Top tips for the best hot air ballooning adventure on the Gold Coast
If you still feel anxious about your trip, don’t worry because we understand you.
From safety reminders to practical items you might want to bring, we’ve provided a detailed breakdown of all the necessary preparations for you to have the perfect hot air balloon experience.
Wear appropriate clothing
A hot air balloon trip often means braving the cold a few thousand meters in the air. Less pressure in higher altitudes makes it harder for hot air to condense.
To make your aerial trip more fun and less chilly, wearing warm cotton-made clothes and socks can help store the heat inside you. Bringing a hoodie or a jacket is also a big help.
Avoid wearing sandals and loose clothing like a scarf and baggy clothes that can get snagged on the basket when the wind speed picks up.
Since the tour bus picks you up around midnight and early morning, it’s better to bring pillows and blankets to catch extra sleep while on the road.
Book for the best time and season
If you want to see the Gold Coast’s beauty in all its glory, it’s better to schedule your trip in spring and autumn. These seasons offer the most stable weather conditions and fewer clouds, allowing visitors to view the sprawling hinterlands unobstructed.
On the Gold Coast, spring is around September to November, while autumn often starts in March and lasts until May.
The opposite can be said during winter and summer, when the winds are far stronger, which could affect the balloon’s direction and altitude.
There are also more frequent storms in the summer that cause poor visibility, due to the low-hanging clouds and the possibility of lightning hitting the aerial vessel. As such, only a few companies offer their services around June to August or from December to February.
Complete necessary permits and paperwork
While riding a hot air balloon doesn’t require a license, executing stunts does. Skydiving from hot air balloons is one of the more popular stunts thrill-seekers often try when visiting the city.
As such, companies and the local government have instilled rules and regulations to ensure people’s safety when doing these adrenaline-pumping hobbies.
For one, skydivers have to pass the Level A License test, complete over a hundred skydives, and have at least 10 witnesses report the jump and landing before attempting solo skydives.
You might also need to schedule private rides with the hot air balloon companies, as suddenly executing the stunt unannounced could affect the ride’s balance and endanger other passengers.