Lush green views of the Hinterland or sparkling coastal views from above is what you can expect when you sign yourself up for a hot air balloon ride on the Gold Coast.
To get you on board, we've outlined the best experiences in and around the Gold Coast that will make for an unforgettable morning.
Top picks for hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast
Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon Flight from RedBalloon
Best for: Price
Highlights:
Includes transfers from your Gold Coast hotel
Receive a personalised flight certificate after you land
Views of the Gold Coast, its rolling hills and waterways
Why you can trust our recommendations for hot air ballooning in Gold Coast
We compared hot air ballooning in Gold Coast with top brands such as RedBalloon, Adrenaline, Viator and Groupon to find the top experiences.
We put ourselves in your shoes and considered what most people would look for when booking experiences, whether it's location, price, inclusions or availability.
When possible, we'll include first-hand reviews of our hot air ballooning in Gold Coast.
Hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast: Compare experiences, locations and more
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights and jet boat rides.
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Frequently asked questions about hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast
Where can I do hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast?
All hot air ballooning experiences that depart from the Gold Coast fly over the Gold Coast region. This can include the Hinterland, wine regions, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Your specific view of the day is determined by the wind speed and direction. This will be assessed by your pilot on the morning of your flight.
How much does hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast cost?
You can expect to pay between $195 - $360 to see the best views overlooking the Gold Coast in a hot air balloon.
How high does the hot air balloon fly?
The height of your flight depends on the wind and its strength. Typically, you'll fly from 1,000-4,000 feet above ground.
How many people can fit in a hot air balloon?
While numbers may vary on the day, Gold Coast's hot air balloons fit up to 24 passengers. These are spread around the balloon with half on one side and half on the other for balance.
Is there a minimum age to fly?
Yes. Due to safety precautions, passengers must be 3+ years to fly. Typically, children under 6 fly free.
What types of clothing should I wear?
Flights take off before sunrise as this is when weather conditions are most stable. Depending on the season you're flying you may wish to bring a jumper or jacket to stay warm before the sun rises.
As you'll be climbing in and out of the basket, sturdy closed shoes are mandatory.
Wearing a hat is also advised as it can get hot standing next to the balloon's burner.
Where exactly will we fly?
The exact destination varies day by day as it's dependent on the wind speed and direction. You could fly over the Gold Coast Hinterland, its wine region and farm paddocks. If you're lucky, the wind could bring you along the coast over Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast review
Scenic, relaxing and magical – this hot air balloon ride has it all.
From the views of the hinterland to how smooth the hot air balloon ride was (it feels as though you're floating on a cloud), I was super impressed by how enjoyable and relaxing our journey was.
The hour goes by in a flash but you have plenty of time to capture the scenery, including that gorgeous golden sunrise.
What I liked
Flight length. I booked a 60-minute flight. However, looking at the terms and conditions it says that they can run as short as 40 minutes. Now I've been on hot air balloons in the past where that 60 minutes has been cut back massively leaving me quite disappointed and angry. Not here. We got the full hour in the air and weren't bored for a moment.
The sunrise. Flights are timed to be in the air as the sun rises, colouring the land below a shade of gold. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good sunrise/sunset.
Friendly and personable guides. From the moment we were picked up to drop off, our driver and balloon pilot were friendly and happy to answer our questions. (Not that we had too many.)
No long waiting times. I'd read in previous reviews that there was long waits as the bus made its way to hotels to pick up people. We were the first to be collected and I didn't feel the time was inconveniently stretched out at all.
Easy to contact for changes. I purchased two flights, one for myself and one for my husband. This was done separately but the team were happy to add him onto my itinerary post-purchase so that we could fly together.
You can bring your camera. There is a camera dangling off the balloon that takes full flight shots but you're more than welcome to bring your own phones and cameras for the ride.
WhatI didn't like
The view was a little one-dimensional. The flight path is dependent on the wind and we travelled over paddocks and small towns. The hinterland could be seen in the distance but neither the city skyline nor beach were in view.
The balloon feels packed. This is true of any hot air balloon ride but for first timers, it's important to know that you won't have the whole section of the balloon to yourself. You'll often be sharing it with four or five other people which restricts your space – though rarely your view.
Things to keep in mind
Closed shoes must be worn. This is advised when you make your booking.
The view you receive depends on the weather. There's an assumption that you'll fly over the coast but this is only the case if the winds comply. On the morning of your flight, the pilots will test for the safest route so you could wind up travelling anywhere within the Gold Coast area.
You can't bring a bag on board. Camera bags are allowed otherwise all is left in the bus. Since you don't need money, it's best to wear something with pockets and carry the essentials, AKA phone and keys, only.
Stephanie went on a 60-minute hot air balloon Gold Coast flight with Balloon Down Under on 22 February 2020. She was a guest of Klook.
Stephanie Yip was the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday. See full bio
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