Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon Flight: Six-Meter Basket with Doors

Australia's only hot air balloon basket has doors: no climbing over the edge to board.

A hot air balloon flight over the Gold Coast with pickup from your hotel, approximately 45-60 minutes in the air, and a photo package at the end. Go Ballooning's basket is six meters long with doors on the side, so you step in rather than climb over the edge. The route follows wind patterns over either the city or the hinterland. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight experience

• Bus pick up early morning
• Drive to take off site
• Balloon flight over Gold Coast
• Receive photo package
• Bus drop off at pick up location

The experience

The bus arrives between 3:00am and 4:30am. The exact time depends on the season and comes via SMS the night before. You're picked up from your hotel and driven to the launch site while the crew prepares the balloon. Once airborne, you have roughly 45 to 60 minutes aloft, with the basket giving you plenty of room to move around and frame your own shots. The wind decides whether you drift over Gold Coast city or the hinterland. Either way, the height and the stillness of early morning make the landscape look different from anything you see from the ground.

The doors mean you don't have to swing a leg over the side or squeeze past other passengers to get in. You just step through. The basket itself is six meters long, so there's actual space to shift your weight and position yourself for photos without bumping elbows. At the end of the flight, you get a photo package to take home. The crew handles the landing and drives you back to your pickup point between 7:30am and 9am.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• approximately 45-60 minutes of flight time.
• a photo package at the end of your flight.
• live guide in English throughout the experience.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Go Ballooning

Is this one for you?The 3am start gets you airborne during the calmest, clearest light for photography, and hotel pickup from Gold Coast accommodation means you won't need to arrange separate transport to the launch site.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup on the morning of my flight?

Pickup happens between 3:00am and 4:30am depending on the season. Go Ballooning sends the exact time via SMS the night before your flight, so you'll know when to expect the bus at your hotel.

How long am I actually in the air?

The in-air flight time is approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The full experience, including pickup, transport to the launch site, and return to your hotel, takes about four hours from start to finish.

Can I bring my own camera, or do I have to use the photos they provide?

You can bring your own camera and take as many photos as you want during the flight. The basket is six meters long, giving you room to move and frame your shots. You also receive a photo package at the end of the flight.

Does the route change, or do you always fly over the same area?

The flight path depends on wind patterns on the day. You'll fly over either Gold Coast city or the Gold Coast hinterland: the crew decides based on conditions to give you the best experience.