Hot Air Balloon pilot with happy passengers in basket smiling to camera
Hot Air - The Best Crew on the Best Balloons

Queensland, a hotspot for hot air ballooning, is where HOT AIR's daily adventures take flight over the Atherton Tablelands' Mareeba and the Gold Coast hinterland. We've had the privilege of hosting guests from across Australia and over 27 countries. We offer convenient pickups from Port Douglas, Cairns, Palm Cove, and the Gold Coast, including Surfers Paradise. For those journeying from Brisbane and the surrounding areas, or opting for a self-drive adventure, join us at one of our official meeting points for a morning immersed in the exceptional world of hot air ballooning.

Only the best will do

Embark on a high-quality hot air ballooning adventure with Hot Air. Backed by over 30 years of experience from our founders, we're Australia's most established balloon operator. Our commitment to safety, use of state-of-the-art equipment, and world-class operational standards have set us apart. Choose Hot Air for an unmatched, exceptional ballooning experience.

The Team

As Australia's leading hot air balloon operator, HOT AIR is driven by a dynamic and expert team. From our seasoned Chief Pilot steering us through the skies, our adept Senior Pilots ensuring smooth flights, to our tireless Flight Support Crew who maintain our state-of-the-art balloons. It doesn't stop there; our Drivers deliver comfortable and safe ground transportation, while our innovative Marketing team spreads our passion for flight. At the helm, our savvy Management team navigates the business landscape, and our diligent Reservations and Accounts teams ensure seamless interactions and transactions. Together, we create an uplifting and unforgettable ballooning experience.

Hot Air Balloon Staff
Australia's Most Popular Balloon Ride

It's a big claim but its true - more people fly with us than with any other balloon operator in Australia and not just sometimes, it's every year from 2005 to now.  Combining Queensland year round environment with a very low cancellation rate due to the stable wind and weather, we are able to fly most days of the year, not just seasonally.   This leads to some of the best pricing available to customers.

Fundraising $20 DonationFundraising $20 Donation

Tell us your favourite Charity or Fundraiser & HOT AIR will donate $20 for EVERY adult ticket you book.  Please tell us the location of your nominated Charity/Fundraiser and our payment of total donations will be made on the 25th of every month to each charity, community group, fundraiser nominated. Donations available when you book DIRECT by phone or online only, sorry donations not possible for tickets booked through booking agencies.

All conditions at www.hotair.com.au/conditions

More Choice of flights on more days of the year

Hot Air offers a full range of ballooning experiences and connects with multiple partner tours so that you can make the most of your day. Our full experience hot air balloon flight also includes photos, includes, pre-flight drinks, includes post-flight sparkling wine - all at no additional cost. 

Hot Air also offers a luxury option with chauffeured private transfers, 5 star breakfasts at Sea Temple Resort in Palm Cove or O'Reilly's Canungra Vineyards in the Gold Coast Hinterland - special treats for special times. Private charters are also available using our extensive fleet of balloons

Standards and Safety

Hot Air employ Australia's largest team of full time hot air balloon pilots - all our Hot Air Balloon flight crew are a qualified and professional team, working hard to provide a quality, safe, memorable experience for each and every passenger.  We are continually looking to improve our service and standards and complete training and development programs on an ongoing basis with a companywide safety culture reflecting best practice. 

These standards for hot air ballooning uphold & reflect the full Ballooning safety standards in Australia, highly regarded internationally & monitored by the Civil Aviation & Safety Authority CASA.  This includes a strict regime of fatigue management, DAMP, initial pilot training and licensing, regular companywide safety meetings,  workplace health and safety officer,  recurrent training and check flights, frequent audits by CASA of our facilities and records, an Air Operators Certificate is issued to Hot Air by CASA and monitored by them.

Customer Service Experience

You'll find a reliable, responsive, knowledgeable and caring approach from all of our team here at Hot Air Balloon.  

Our online experience offers you the comfort of dealing directly with the operator that will be flying you not a third party reseller, our terms and conditions on rebooking and refunds for your gift vouchers are more flexible than anywhere else online.  Our website allows 24x7  for live customisation and immediate email of a PDF to you so you are ready to give your voucher immediately, followed up if needed with a printed copy express posted to your door.

Our phone service answers reliably 7 days a week and every day of the year from 8am till 8pm and also during your early morning pickup for your balloon ride.

Professional Ballooning Association of Australia - PBAA

Hot Air were founding members of the Professional Balloon Association of Australia and play an ongoing role in the management committee and advisory committees on regulations and safety improvements.