Four colourful hot air balloons float in a clear blue sky above Cairns, with part of a tree visible in the upper left corner of the image—capturing the breathtaking experience of a Hot Air Balloon Ride before relaxing with a 3 Course Lunch.
Back Highly recommendedVerified as Loop's Top 10Last reviewed October 2026

Cairns Classic Hot Air Balloon Flight

from A$495
5 hours
Cairns
All Ages (3+)
Free Cancellation (72 hours prior)

Rise over the Atherton Tablelands at sunrise on a classic hot air balloon flight from Cairns. Watch the balloon inflate in the paddock, float with live commentary from your pilot, then toast your landing with sparkling wine or juice. Door to door coach transfers have you back in Cairns by mid morning.

  • Four colourful hot air balloons float in a clear blue sky above Cairns, with part of a tree visible in the upper left corner of the image—capturing the breathtaking experience of a Hot Air Balloon Ride before relaxing with a 3 Course Lunch.
  • Four colourful hot air balloons, including one with a koala design and another with a kangaroo sign, float in the sky above trees at sunset, capturing the enchanting spirit of a hot air balloon ride over Cairns.
  • A man and woman stand in a hot air balloon basket during a breathtaking balloon flight over Cairns, smiling and looking out at the landscape; another red balloon floats in the background.
  • A yellow hot air balloon floats above a tree-lined road near Cairns, with houses on one side and fields on the other, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
  • Two people in a hot air balloon basket take photos of colorful balloons floating over a lush, green landscape under a blue sky with clouds—a breathtaking adventure and one of the unforgettable things to do in Cairns. | Aussie Loop
  • A large orange hot air balloon with people inside embarks on a breathtaking balloon flight above a grassy field at sunrise; in the background, another hot air balloon featuring a kangaroo design floats gracefully, capturing the vibrant spirit of Cairns.
  • Two orange hot air balloons with kangaroo designs are floating in the sky at sunrise or sunset above a tree-line, capturing the magic of a hot air balloon flight over Cairns.
  • A yellow hot air balloon with a large red kangaroo illustration is being inflated on a grassy field in Cairns; another yellow hot air balloon is in the background, ready for an early morning balloon flight.
  • A couple pose together in a hot air balloon basket during a breathtaking Cairns balloon flight, with a scenic landscape and another vibrant hot air balloon visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A person with long hair looks at the sunrise from a hot air balloon basket during an unforgettable balloon flight over Cairns, with another yellow hot air balloon visible in the sky.
  • View from a hot air balloon with a yellow canopy, showing several other balloons floating over the stunning Cairns landscape at sunrise or sunset—a truly unforgettable balloon flight.
  • Four colourful hot air balloons float in a clear blue sky above Cairns, with part of a tree visible in the upper left corner of the image—capturing the breathtaking experience of a Hot Air Balloon Ride before relaxing with a 3 Course Lunch.
  • Four colourful hot air balloons, including one with a koala design and another with a kangaroo sign, float in the sky above trees at sunset, capturing the enchanting spirit of a hot air balloon ride over Cairns.
  • A man and woman stand in a hot air balloon basket during a breathtaking balloon flight over Cairns, smiling and looking out at the landscape; another red balloon floats in the background.
  • A yellow hot air balloon floats above a tree-lined road near Cairns, with houses on one side and fields on the other, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
  • Two people in a hot air balloon basket take photos of colorful balloons floating over a lush, green landscape under a blue sky with clouds—a breathtaking adventure and one of the unforgettable things to do in Cairns. | Aussie Loop
  • A large orange hot air balloon with people inside embarks on a breathtaking balloon flight above a grassy field at sunrise; in the background, another hot air balloon featuring a kangaroo design floats gracefully, capturing the vibrant spirit of Cairns.
  • Two orange hot air balloons with kangaroo designs are floating in the sky at sunrise or sunset above a tree-line, capturing the magic of a hot air balloon flight over Cairns.
  • A yellow hot air balloon with a large red kangaroo illustration is being inflated on a grassy field in Cairns; another yellow hot air balloon is in the background, ready for an early morning balloon flight.
  • A couple pose together in a hot air balloon basket during a breathtaking Cairns balloon flight, with a scenic landscape and another vibrant hot air balloon visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A person with long hair looks at the sunrise from a hot air balloon basket during an unforgettable balloon flight over Cairns, with another yellow hot air balloon visible in the sky.
  • View from a hot air balloon with a yellow canopy, showing several other balloons floating over the stunning Cairns landscape at sunrise or sunset—a truly unforgettable balloon flight.

Quick read before you book.

  • Watch the balloon inflate in the paddock at first light
  • Float over Tablelands farmland and rainforest fringed ranges at sunrise
  • A fresh launch site each morning, chosen to suit the wind
  • Lend a hand packing the balloon away after landing
  • Back in Cairns by mid morning with the day still free

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.9 Stars|973 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. The pickup is very early, so plan an early night, as the sunrise is well worth it.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Door to door air conditioned coach transfers from most Cairns accommodation
  • Classic hot air balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands
  • Expert commentary from your pilot
  • Pre flight refreshments
  • Glass of sparkling wine or juice on landing
  • Signed commemorative flight certificate
  • Digital photo package (subject to availability)

Commonly asked questions.

Pickup is pre dawn, usually between about 3.50am and 4.30am depending on the season, from the lobby of most Cairns accommodation. Your exact time is confirmed after booking, and you are back by around 9.30am to 10am. Not driving? Our guide to getting around Cairns without a car covers the rest of your stay.

Most flights last between 39 and 65 minutes in the air. Your pilot adjusts the flight to the conditions on the day and always puts a safe landing ahead of a set time.

Balloons only fly in suitable conditions, and if your flight is called off you will hear by about 5pm the day before. You can then choose another date or a full refund.

Cancel more than 72 hours before your flight for a full refund. Inside 72 hours the full fare applies, and missing the morning of your flight is charged in full.

Children must be at least 3 years old to fly, and anyone under 17 needs to travel with an adult. Passengers who are 13 weeks or more pregnant cannot fly.

You need to climb in and out of a basket about 1.2 metres high using footholds, stand for the whole flight and take the landing position, so wheelchairs cannot be carried. If you weigh over 100kg, mention it when booking so the crew can balance the basket.

Dress as you would for a casual bush walk: sturdy closed shoes, layers, a hat and sunglasses, as it warms up quickly after sunrise. Bring a camera and some water, and leave bags behind, as they cannot go in the basket.

Yes. With notice, the coach can drop you at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Skyrail or a city cafe instead of your hotel. For a ready made combo, the balloon and Bad Fishy jetboat adventure pairs your flight with a ride on Trinity Inlet.

More about this tour.

This is the balloon flight in its purest form: a pre dawn pickup from your Cairns hotel, an hour on the coach up to Mareeba, and a front row view as the crew fire up the burners and the balloon rises off the paddock in the half light.Your pilot picks the launch site each morning to suit the wind, then lifts you over the Atherton Tablelands as the sun comes up. Farmland and rainforest fringed ranges roll out below, so keep an eye on the paddocks for wildlife. Most flights last between 39 and 65 minutes, with commentary from your pilot the whole way.Once you touch down, you raise a glass of sparkling wine or juice, collect your signed flight certificate and help the crew pack the balloon away. Your digital photos are ready the same day, and the coach has you back at your accommodation by around 9.30am to 10am with the whole day still ahead.Want lunch to follow? The balloon ride with a three course lunch adds a waterfront meal, and our guide to things to do in Cairns will fill the rest of your stay. Explore the details, check availability for your dates and book your morning in the sky.

Additional info.

  • Pickup is pre dawn, usually around 4am from Cairns city hotels; your exact time is confirmed after booking.
  • Minimum age to fly is 3 years.
  • Pregnant passengers from 13 weeks cannot fly.
  • Wear closed shoes and layers, and skip white clothing.