Top Brisbane Hot Air Balloon Rides

Marvel at the Gold Coast from above on an exciting 30-minute hot air balloon ride! Maximize your time with a short but scenic route and float over the golden beaches, shimmering waterways and forested hinterlands on a thrilling flight. Best of all: your sunrise flight means you’ll see the landscapes at their most magical, beneath the ethereal glow of the rising sun.

The spread of the Gold Coast hinterland—its vineyards, pastures, and forest—can only be taken in from the air, which is hard to arrange yourself. Drift over it by hot-air balloon at dawn instead, picked up first from your Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach accommodation. Come back down to a buffet breakfast with sparkling wine at a local vineyard.

Climbing the Story Bridge is impossible to do on your own, and for good reason. This guided climb sets it up, starting with a safety briefing at Howard Smith Wharves before you clip onto the static line and ascend the bridge's eastern side. Reach a platform around 262 feet (80 meters) up for wide views over the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay, and the Glass House Mountains.

Your professional tour guides will deliver you to the launch site pre-dawn for you to witness the impressive scene of balloons being inflated. When the balloon is ready, step into the basket with your experienced pilot; feel the peace and serenity of floating above the countryside, see the rolling hills and open fields, set against the stunning backdrop of the rising sun. There is nothing in the world like the feeling of floating gently above the earth. Breathe in the fresh air, enjoy sweeping views of the famous Gold Coast Hinterland and Scenic Rim on one side then look towards the coast to see the skyline dotted with towering buildings - it's the best of both worlds! Your very experienced pilots will slowly guide the balloon down to the landing point, where the fun continues, we all pitch in and fold up the balloon itself, have a laugh and take some more photos. Finally we head to for a delicious hot breakfast, continental buffet beachside view

The Brisbane River, flowing directly through the city after which it’s named, is the longest river in South Queensland. Take a relaxing ruise along the river, seeing iconic sights including Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane City Center, and Story Bridge in a short amount of time. Fit a morning or afternoon departure into your vacation schedule.

Zip around Brisbane on a fun, self-balancing Segway. Cruise past Brisbane’s riverside sights, glide around the Southbank Parklands, and enjoy dramatic views of Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Choose from multiple tour durations and departure times to suit your schedule and budget. Best of all: full instruction and practice time are provided and there’s no experience necessary, so anyone can give it a go.

Animal lovers—this one’s for you. Enjoy a hassle-free day out to Australia Zoo with round-trip transfers from select Brisbane hotels. Ride comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle, then get into the zoo quickly as admission is included. Once inside, benefit from at least six hours to explore, catch live shows, and spot a variety of creatures, including tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, kangaroos, and more.

Enjoy a hot air balloon ride, champagne breakfast, and a tour of Springbrook National Park on this group tour that will last about half a day. You’ll see the sunrise from up in the air and look down on the Gold Coast below. You’ll have a full breakfast buffet with included champagne, followed by a guided walk through one of Australia's oldest forests with 2000 year old trees and waterfalls.

Enjoy a day in nature on an intimate small-group tour of the Springbrook National Park and Mount Tamborine. Visit the Natural Bridge, manmade glowworm caves, meander on Gallery Walk, and wander the impressive Tamborine Skywalk rainforest path. Native animals may pop out their heads from time to time, and stay fueled with a light lunch at a Subway. A great day out for families, couples, or solo travelers alike.

Spend a blissful day on Moreton Island exploring the beaches, reef, and dunes on this tour from Brisbane or Surfers Paradise. Travel with an experienced guide in a rugged 4WD. You’ll snorkel or bodyboard, paddle transparent kayaks, and try sandboarding on the dunes: If sea conditions are unfavorable, take a 4WD island tour. Your day includes a picnic lunch on the beach but excludes national park fees and ferry tickets.

Relax and see Brisbane from a different perspective on this half-day river cruise. Instead of navigating busy streets or planning separate sightseeing activities, enjoy a smooth ride along the Brisbane River, with live commentary and scenic views of historic and modern landmarks. Back on land, enjoy an included lunch at a nearby pub.

Skip the city in search of the wildlife of South East Queensland when you travel to the Springbrook Plateau, Numinbah Valley, and Mt. Tamborine on a full-day tour from Brisbane. Instead of being rushed along, your guide leads a leisurely walk in Springbrook National Park to see two stunning waterfalls, Natural Bridge, and a glow-worm cave. Enjoy free time at Gallery Walk to explore shops and cafes.

Delve behind the scenes at one of Queensland's best-loved breweries on this insider tour of Brisbane's XXXX Brewery. Walk through the production area, discover how the beers are created, observe the brewing process up close, then pour the perfect pint after learning from the pros. This tour includes tastings of three XXXX beers, with the option to upgrade to add burger and fries for lunch.

Discover the Brisbane River either by day or night on a 90-minute kayak tour. Enjoy a water perspective on the Story Bridge or the South Bank Parklands after learning the basics of paddling from your expert guide. If you choose the night tour, you’ll hop into illuminated kayaks and enjoy the multicolored displays on the Story Bridge or glide past the evening lights of South Bank. This kayak tour is suitable for all levels of experience and provides a fantastic look at the city’s vital waterway.

Soak up magnificent views of the Gold Coast from a spectacular vantage point: a hot-air balloon. Drift gracefully over pristine white-sand beaches, picturesque waterways, the towering skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise, and the Gold Coast Hinterland beyond during a thrilling sunrise flight. After, savor a decadent hotel buffet with Champagne. The flight’s early-morning departure means the rest of your day is free for other activities.