Ballooning Cairns and Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef

9 Reviews
Ride Highlights
  • 🎈🚌 Spectacular Hot Air Balloon ride & Coach Transfers from selected locations
  • 🥤 Complimentary cold beverage
  • 🍾 Glass of sparkling wine and Juice
  • 🥐 Light snack on landing
  • 🍽️ Smorgasbord lunch
  • 🐠🏊‍♂️ Snorkelling equipment provided
  • 🛳️ Return Wavepiercer cruise
  • 🐟🔍 Underwater observatory fish & coral viewing
  • 🐚👀 Coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels
Pre dawn pick up

Pick-up at hotel by a Hot Air Balloon Cairns coach for your special package tour, one hour transfer, pickup times confirmed on booking.

06.30am

Experience the fun & unique sensation of hot air ballooning in the Cairns Highlands (previously called the Atherton Tablelands). Enjoy the picturesque landscape at dawn, enjoy 40-60 minutes flying time. Breathe in the wide-open spaces! We have Australia's largest fleet of balloons and a fun and highly trained crew to maximise the fun of your morning.

07.50am

Return and Landing, balloon pack-up games and lots of laughs.

08.30am

Your balloon driver will ensure that you meet the Quicksilver transfer coach to Port Douglas. You will travel along one of the most scenic coastal routes in Australia so sit back and enjoy the scenery for the 50 minute drive.

09.00-09.15am

Arrive to check in at the Quicksilver office which is located at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Port Douglas. There you will be issued with your boarding pass and the friendly staff will advise you which dock you need to make your way to board.

Take a walk along the marina and grab a bite to eat or a coffee at one of the lovely local cafes (at your own expense) before you depart to the Outter Barrier Reef. Now is a good time to double check you have a hat and sunscreen or buy them from the shops in the Marina. 

9.30am - 10am

Board Quicksilver's Wave piercing luxury catamaran and friendly crew will take you to the world famous Agincourt Ribbon reef apart of the extrodinary Great Barrier Reef. for your cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. 

Relax aboard the boat and enjoy a complimentary tea, instant coffee and light morning tea refreshments for your 1.5 hour journey. Options to sit both inside and outside the cabin, it is up to you, both will allow you to travel in comfort and style. Yes you can leave your bag, towel and personal items on your seat and move around, we do suggest taking only the card or money you need to buy souvenirs, a wine or ice-cream for the day.

During this time while the vessel is traveling smoothly to the reef, you can discuss with Quicksilver staff any additional experiences you may wish to add on to your day including helicopter flights, Ocean walking or try scuba diving, these can be added on at your own additional expense. The Agincourt reef pontoon will be your final destination where you will spend the day exploring the amazing underwater world first hand, you will feel as though you have embraced paradise here. 

Tip - Marine presentation will be inside the cabin on the main deck, great way to learn about the reef and marine life 

11.30am

Arrive at Agincourt Reef Pontoon to enjoy 3 and 1/2 hours of the Outer Barrier Reef. All your snorkeling equipment including snorkel and mask, flippers and optional stinger suits are available for you to use through the day. For extra piece of mind they also have life jackets and other floatation devices for your to swim with. If you don't want to get in the water a semi-submersible is included with this special package, there is also an underwater observatory located on the pontoon. There is something for everyone! 

Tip - Take advantage of the complimentary stinger suits as they are also good for additional sun protections as well as sunscreen. 

12.00 noon

A tropical smorgasbord lunch is served with both hot, cold and vegetarian options. A treat of freshly cooked prawns are also available to add to your day on the ocean.

2.30pm

Photographer throughout the day will be taking happy snaps of you above and below the water. All photos will be on display on the deck for your to choose from and purchase. Print outs and downloads of your special memories will be available on your arrival back to Port Douglas. 

3.00pm -3.30pm

Remember this is the exact time the boat departs the reef pontoon and so give yourself enough time to shower the salt water off, change into dry clothes and find a spot on the deck or in the cabin to relax, watch a reef video, even have a nap after your big day on the reef. Self service complimentary tea, coffee and light refreshments are available or treat yourself to an ice-cream or celebrate with something from the bar for your transfer back to Port Douglas. 

4.30pm -6pm

Arrive back to Port Douglas and say goodbye to the friendly team for your day aboard their Quicksilver boat. Transfers will leave from the marina back to your Cairns accommodation. 

  • Free door to door airconditioned coach transfers to most Cairns accommodation, hotels & resorts  (Transfer Details here)
  • Spectacular Hot Air balloon ride
  • Expert interpretive commentary
  • Cross Country Hot Air Balloon Chase
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride Commemorative Certificate
  • Morning and afternoon teas on board
  • Reef presentation by marine biologist.
  • Hot and cold tropical smorgasbord lunch.
  • All snorkelling equipment provided.
  • Return Wavepiercer cruise from Port Douglas
  • Qualified snorkelling safety officers on hand
  • Underwater observatory fish & coral viewing
  • Coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels
  • Fish feeding [conducted by crew]
  • Your ticket
  • Walking shoes
  • Camera
  • Dress casual outdoor layered clothing. White clothing not recommended.
  • Peak Hat & sunglasses
  • Bottle of water
  • Swimming costume
  • Sunscreen
  • Spending money
  • $7.00 per person to pay EMC Levy to reef operator

Tour Conditions:

  • Prices are valid for travel until 31st March 2024. Conditions of Travel.
  • Prices may vary by day, season, and/or availability. Price is displayed at checkout. 
  • For Passengers with Weight or Mobility queries please phone us to discuss before booking online.
  • Pregnant persons beyond 3 months (13 weeks) of pregnancy are not permitted to fly.
  • Prices are $AUD per person.
  • All times are an INDICATION only. Please note that times do change summer/winter/spring, exact start times given on receipt of your full booking details
  • 100% charge applies if passengers fail to fly on the morning booked. 24 hours notice is required for changes. Re-booking is subject to availability and possible at a fee, please ask us.
  • Classic flight provides a full flight experience to suit the prevailing flying conditions
  • Where photos are included in your package, these are subject to availability. Conditions of Travel, 21.4.
  • For self-drive (drive to meet us) please check and plan your drive according to QLD Dept. of Transport and Main Roads Current Conditions.
4.8
9 Reviews
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5
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Excellent experience! Wonderful guides! Beautiful picturesque, calm and peaceful moments! Very safe and experienced teams for a fantastic morning of Hot Air Ballooning!
Bernice C
5
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We can't thank the team at Hot Air enough for making this one of the best experiences we've ever had on a holiday.
Owen F
5
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This tour was amazing! Large catamaran made the trip out to the reef easy and comfortable. Lunch on board was excellent. Semisubmersible trip was great-lots to see. All staff were very helpful.
Julie R
4
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This trip was exceptional and weather was good,because this does help, all activities out at the reef were excellent. What a day!!!!!!
Lewis A
5
No votes yet
verified-purchase
During our recent Hot Air Balloon flight and trip to the Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver, we are deeply touched by the personalized customer service of both companies. Both companies excelled and we will certainly recommend to anyone of our friends traveling to Cairns. We will just have to recommend getting a good night's sleep before their day begins! Thanks again.
Lucy Hock, Singapore
1/2
 

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