😳 Taking a hot air balloon ride for the first time is always a mix of excitement and nerves!
In Cairns, joining a hot air balloon tour isn’t just about booking a spot and showing up on the day.
🚌 You’ll need to choose your hotel pick-up point when booking, prepare for an early-morning departure, and manage your schedule carefully — a few details that first-timers might overlook.
🌜 Since the hotel pick-up happens well before sunrise, you might find yourself wondering, “Will the bus really come on time?”
From the early transfer that takes nearly two hours to reach the launch site, to where you should store your belongings and what to wear — there are quite a few things that can feel confusing if it’s your first time.
✏️ In this article, I’ll walk you through everything based on my real experience joining a hot air balloon tour in Cairns — from how to book to what the actual day looks like.
It was our second visit to Australia as a family, and this time, with a bit more experience and confidence, we could enjoy the local activities even more freely.
💡 If you’re planning to experience a Cairns hot air balloon ride for the first time — especially with kids or family — this guide will help you understand the booking process, what to expect on the day, and how to make the most of your unforgettable morning in the sky.
Cairns Hot Air Balloon Tour Experience – A Morning to Remember
The hot air balloon tour in Cairns is one of those “once-in-a-lifetime experiences” that travelers often dream about.
🌅 Floating quietly above the vast tablelands while watching the sunrise paint the sky in shades of gold and orange — it’s a truly magical, out-of-the-ordinary moment that stays with you long after the flight ends.
✏️ In this section, I’ll share what the actual tour day was like when I joined the Cairns hot air balloon experience with my six-year-old daughter.
From the early-morning pick-up to the breathtaking moments in the sky, here’s a detailed look at how the morning unfolded and what you can expect along the way.
🌅 Where the Cairns Hot Air Balloon Tour Takes Place
The hot air balloon tours in Cairns take off from the Atherton Tablelands, around the town of Mareeba, located more than an hour’s drive inland from the city center.
This highland region is famous for its calm weather and stable winds throughout the year, making it one of the best places in Australia for hot air balloon flights.
The tours are operated exclusively by Hot Air Balloon Cairns — the only company offering this experience in the Cairns area.
Their staff are true professionals, from hotel pick-up and registration to on-site guidance and drop-off. The teamwork among the crew members creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where every guest feels taken care of and at ease.
💡 If you’re planning to ride a hot air balloon in Cairns, Hot Air Balloon Cairns is the one and only operator to go with.
🚌 Early Morning Pick-Up and Transfer to the Launch Site
The Cairns hot air balloon tour starts before dawn — it’s definitely an early morning adventure!
When we joined in late October, our day began around 3:30 a.m., waiting outside our designated hotel for the pick-up bus.
🚌 The bus makes several stops around Cairns, collecting other participants one by one before heading inland toward Mareeba in the Atherton Tablelands.
Once you leave the city, the road becomes winding and hilly. It’s still pitch dark outside, so there isn’t much to see from the window.
The drive takes over an hour, and since it’s so early, the best thing to do is simply relax and rest your eyes.
💡 If you easily get motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take motion-sickness tablets before departure.
🚾 Before reaching the launch site, there’s a short restroom and waiting break at the Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre — about a 15-minute drive from the actual take-off area.
This is your last toilet stop before the flight, so make sure everyone goes before leaving. There won’t be another restroom break until the tour ends, roughly three hours later.
🚌 During the short stop, staff members will give a quick briefing about the next steps.
As we continued driving, the faint outline of giant balloons appeared against the dim sky.
Slowly, the huge balloons began to inflate — and that’s when the excitement truly began.
🎈 Balloon Inflation and Breathtaking Moments in the Sky
Before takeoff, the crew worked seamlessly together, using powerful burners to fill the giant balloon with hot air.
🔥 The deep roar of the flame and the sight of the balloon slowly rising upright was already spectacular — the excitement started even before we left the ground.
Once everyone had climbed into the basket, it was time for lift-off.
The moment we left the ground was surprisingly calm — no shaking, no sudden movement — just a gentle, floating sensation as if we were drifting with the wind.
⛰️ As we gained altitude, the fields of Mareeba disappeared beneath us, wrapped in soft morning mist. In the distance, mountain ranges stretched across the horizon. Then, as the sun rose from the east, everything below turned a brilliant shade of gold — a view so beautiful it left everyone in quiet awe.
📸 During the flight, an external camera attached to the balloon captured a group photo from above.
When the pilot shouted, “Wallaby!,” everyone smiled and waved for the picture — a fun little moment that made the experience even more memorable.
The photos are later available to download for free from the official website.
The entire flight lasted about one hour, moving gently with the wind, which means the scenery changes slightly every day depending on the direction.
🌅 From the golden sunrise and the sea of clouds to the sight of kangaroos hopping across the fields below — the peaceful silence and the glow of the morning light made this an unforgettable experience, unique to Cairns.
🥂 After Landing – Teamwork, Celebration, and the Journey Back
Before landing, both the pilot and the ground crew gave us a short briefing on the proper landing posture.
The touchdown itself was gentle — the basket bounced lightly on the ground but stayed upright without any issues.
(On windy days, the basket can tip slightly, but as long as you follow the instructions, it’s perfectly safe.)
💡 After landing, everyone joined in to help with the pack-up process — deflating and folding the enormous balloon.
We even got to step inside the laid-down balloon for photos, which felt like exploring a giant colorful tent.
For kids, this part was pure fun — like tidying up a huge balloon after a great adventure.
🥂 Once the work was done, it was time for a light refreshment break.
With a drink in one hand and snacks in the other, everyone chatted with the pilot, crew, and fellow passengers.
The friendly team made this little “after party” feel warm and memorable — many people took photos together to capture the moment.
On the way back, most passengers took a short nap on the bus. We returned to the hotel around 10:00 a.m., still feeling the excitement of having experienced such an incredible view — all before breakfast time!
After a short rest, we headed out again to explore Cairns for the rest of the day.
👧 My six-year-old daughter, who joined me on the flight, never seemed scared — in fact, she was full of joy from start to finish. After we got back, she said with a big smile, “I want to go again!”
For us, this became one of the most unforgettable highlights of our family trip to Australia.
How to Book a Cairns Hot Air Balloon Tour (and What to Know Before You Go)
Joining a hot air balloon tour in Cairns is an unforgettable experience — but the booking and preparation process can feel a little different from other activities.
You’ll need to select a pick-up location, confirm your travel details in advance, and complete a few simple steps before the day of your flight. For first-time visitors, these details might seem a bit confusing at first.
💡 Based on my own booking experience, this section walks you through some useful tips and step-by-step advice to make your reservation smooth and stress-free.
💻 Recommended Booking Sites for the Cairns Hot Air Balloon Tour
You can book the Cairns hot air balloon tour through several major travel platforms.
Among them, “Viator” and “Klook” are the most reliable and widely used options. Both offer secure online booking, multiple language support, and clear cancellation policies — perfect for international travelers planning activities in Australia.
✅ For English-speaking travelers, “Viator” is the most recommended option.
It’s one of the world’s leading platforms for tours and experiences,
and the hot air balloon rides in Cairns are among their top-rated morning adventures.
Check tour details on “Viator”
💡 On Viator, you can also find special combo packages that include other popular attractions in Cairns.
✅ One of the best deals you can find is the Hot Air Balloon + Cairns Aquarium Ticket bundle.
These combo deals provide much better value than booking each activity separately, and they make it easy to plan your day without the hassle of juggling multiple reservations.
*Note: The Viator booking page mentions “Pickup and drop-off from all Port Douglas hotels”, but as of now, transfers are available only from hotels in Cairns city. Be sure to double-check your pick-up area when booking.
🚌 How to Choose Your Pick-Up Location
When booking your tour, you’ll see a drop-down list of hotel options for the pick-up location.
Scrolling through the long list can be a bit time-consuming, so the easiest way is to type your hotel name directly into the search box — this will instantly narrow down the options.
🔽 Here’s what the Viator booking screen looks like.
✅ If you haven’t decided on your hotel yet, select “I’ll decide later.”
Once your accommodation is confirmed, you can go to the 🔗 Hot Air Balloon official booking management page, enter your reservation details, and update your pick-up location later in the same way.
(The Room Number field is optional, so you can leave it blank.)
※Room Number欄の入力は任意なので空欄でもOKです。
✅ If your hotel is not listed:
Most major hotels in Cairns are covered, but some smaller or apartment-style accommodations may not appear on the list.
In that case, it’s best to choose a large nearby hotel along the main streets as your alternative pick-up point.
For example, when I stayed at Cairns Reefside Retreat, it wasn’t listed in the options.
So I selected the neighboring Mantra Trilogy, a large hotel nearby — and the pick-up went perfectly smoothly.
📩 Before Your Flight: What to Do After Booking
About 10 days before the activity, you’ll receive an email titled “Action Required: Important Hot Air Ballooning Pre-Travel Info.”
📩 This message includes a few pre-travel steps that you’ll need to complete before the flight:
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Watch a short safety video explaining important precautions.
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Enter the names of all passengers joining the flight.
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Check your official pick-up time on the operator’s website.
📱 To confirm these details, visit the 🔗 Hot Air Balloon official booking management page and enter your booking number and last name to access your reservation. From this page, you can:
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Verify the exact pick-up time,
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Update your pick-up location if you haven’t selected one yet,
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Check the weather forecast for your flight day, and
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After the tour, view and download your flight photos for free.
📩 The night before your flight, or even in the early hours of the morning, you’ll also receive an SMS reminder with a link to track your shuttle bus in real time.
This system helps you confirm your vehicle location and wait confidently at the correct spot on the day of your flight.
👧 Age and Height Guidelines for Families with Children
The minimum age requirement for the Cairns hot air balloon tour is 3 years old.
However, from my experience, height matters just as much — perhaps even more — than age.
✏️ My eldest daughter was six years old and just under 120 cm (about 4 feet) tall at the time.
She could peek over the basket’s edge to see the sunrise, but needed to stretch a little to view the scenery below.
Lifting small children too high can be unsafe, so it’s better to let them stand on their own and enjoy the view comfortably.
When deciding whether to join with young kids, consider both age and height, as well as overall safety and comfort.
What to Wear and Bring for Your Cairns Hot Air Balloon Tour
The Cairns hot air balloon tour starts very early in the morning, around 3–4 a.m., with departures from your hotel and takeoff from wide open fields in the countryside.
🤔 Many first-timers wonder: “What should I wear?” or “What can I bring on the flight?”。
Here, I’ll share what we personally found to be the best clothing, must-have items, and on-site tips — not just “nice to have,” but truly essential for a comfortable and trouble-free morning.
🧥 Dress for Early Morning Chill and Easy Movement
The tour begins before sunrise, in the soft light of dawn.
🥶 While Cairns has a tropical image, the inland area of Mareeba, located on higher ground, can get quite chilly in the early morning.
Check the forecast on your booking page the night before and dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes.
When we joined in October, the temperature at dawn was around 15°C (59°F).
A long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a light jacket were just right for keeping warm without overheating once the sun came up.
🥾 For footwear, sneakers are essential.
The launch and landing sites are open fields — sometimes grassy, sometimes muddy — so avoid sandals or heels at all costs.
Your shoes and pant legs might get a little dirty, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or muddy.
📸 Handy Items to Bring
Hot air ballooning is basically a hands-free experience, so it’s important to be selective about what you bring.
- Hat:
Depending on where you stand in the basket, you might feel the heat from the burner above your head. Choose a hat with a strap so it doesn’t blow away in the wind. - Sunglasses:
The sunrise can be dazzling, and sunglasses help both for comfort and for better photos. - Camera / Smartphone:
You’ll definitely want to capture the views! A selfie stick is also fine to bring.
Since your phone keeps searching for a network, the battery drains faster than usual — switch to airplane mode to save power until you arrive.
Passports, cards, and cash are best kept in a neck pouch or small strap wallet that you can wear under your jacket.
Bags aren’t allowed on the flight, so a compact hands-free option is the safest choice.
More on valuables and restroom tips in the next section.
🧳 Managing Your Belongings and Restroom Tips
During the flight, bags and backpacks are not permitted. You’ll need to leave them on the shuttle bus before takeoff.
🚌 The bus is locked during the flight, so theft isn’t a major concern — but it’s still best to keep valuables with you in a small neck pouch or waist bag. Store it discreetly under your clothing so it doesn’t get in the way during the flight.
⚠️ About restrooms:
Before heading to the launch area, there’s a restroom and waiting stop at the Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre, about 15 minutes by car from the takeoff site. This is the last toilet stop before the flight.
Once you leave this point, there won’t be another restroom for roughly three hours, until after the tour ends. If you’re traveling with children, make sure everyone goes here before departure.
And as tempting as it is to grab a coffee early in the morning, avoid drinks with caffeine — they’re diuretics and might make the wait uncomfortable later on!
Conclusion: Experience the Magic of a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cairns
🎈 The hot air balloon tour in Cairns is more than just an exciting sightseeing activity — it’s a peaceful and unforgettable way to welcome a new day from the sky.
Floating gently above the vast landscape as the world below awakens, you’ll find yourself surrounded by golden light and quiet wonder — a moment that truly feels timeless.
👧 For my six-year-old daughter, it was the morning she “flew in the sky” for the very first time — a memory that will stay with her forever.
💡 If you’re planning a visit to Cairns, make sure to include this experience in your itinerary.
Yes, the early wake-up might sound tough, but the reward — watching the sunrise from above the clouds — is absolutely worth it.
🦈 You can also find combo packages that include a Cairns Aquarium ticket — often at a lower price than booking separately.
If your schedule allows, it’s a great way to extend your morning adventure after the flight.
