Cairns & Atherton Tablelands: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Pickup

Summary

Sunrise balloon flight over the tablelands with wildlife and local stories

You’ll wake before sunrise for a hotel pickup in Cairns, then float above Atherton Tablelands on a hot air balloon ride at dawn—spotting wildlife and sweeping over fruit orchards. Help pack up with your guide after landing, enjoy bubbly or juice plus a light breakfast snack, and return with digital photos as proof you really did it. It’s quieter—and stranger—than you’d expect.

What’s the experience like?

"Don't worry, the kangaroos are more scared of us than we are of them," our pilot joked as we climbed into the basket in the chilly dark. I was still half-asleep when the driver picked us up from our Cairns hotel—there’s something surreal about rolling through quiet streets before dawn, all of us bundled up and whispering like it was a secret mission. The air smelled faintly sweet, like damp grass and something floral I couldn’t place. By the time we reached the launch field on the Atherton Tablelands, a soft pink line was just starting to show on the horizon.

I didn’t expect how gentle the takeoff would feel—one moment we were grounded, next we were floating up and everything below looked toy-sized. Our guide pointed out lines of mango trees and banana crops; someone else spotted wallabies hopping through misty fields. There was this hush up there, broken only by bursts from the burner and a few nervous laughs (mine included). The main keyword for this trip really is “hot air balloon ride Cairns”—but honestly, it felt less like a ride and more like drifting through someone else’s dream. At one point, I caught a whiff of lychee orchards as we passed over—a tiny detail that stuck with me.

Landing was bumpier than I expected (nobody tells you about that part), but everyone cheered anyway. Then came the weirdly fun bit: helping pack up the balloon with the crew. Our pilot tossed jokes around while we tried to fold what felt like acres of fabric; my arms still ache thinking about it. Afterward, they handed out bubbly or juice—nothing fancy but somehow perfect—and a light breakfast snack while we swapped stories with other travelers. There’s an easy warmth to these early mornings in Queensland, even if your fingers are cold.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot air balloon flight over Tablelands

• Meet driver at pick-up location
• Transfer to hot air balloon site
• Fly over Atherton Tablelands at dawn
• Spot wildlife and crops below
• Land and pack up balloon with crew
• Driver returns you to accommodation or chosen drop-off

Top questions

How long does the hot air balloon ride last?

The flight time is a minimum of 40 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cairns hot air balloon tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop off in Cairns or Northern Beaches is included.

Can children join this hot air balloon ride?

Children aged 3 years and under are not permitted to fly.

What wildlife can you see during the flight?

You might spot wallabies, kangaroos, birds, and other local animals at dawn.

Is food provided on this day trip from Cairns?

A light breakfast snack is included after your flight.

Are digital photos included in this experience?

Yes, you'll receive a digital photo package as part of your booking.

Where does the hot air balloon fly over?

The flight takes place above Atherton Tablelands near Cairns.

What should I wear for a hot air balloon ride in Cairns?

Dress warmly for early morning; closed shoes are recommended due to dew on grass.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup from Cairns or nearby beaches in an air-conditioned vehicle, at least 40 minutes flying above Atherton Tablelands at sunrise with a local guide pointing out wildlife and crops below, participation in packing up the balloon after landing (with plenty of laughs), light breakfast snacks plus bubbly or juice afterward, digital photos to keep, insurance levy coverage throughout, GST included in price, and drop-off back to your accommodation or another central location if you prefer.