Cairns Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride (Self Drive to Mareeba)

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A classic hot air balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands at first light, meeting at the Mareeba Heritage Centre or with return transfers from Cairns.

Days

About 5 hours, sunrise

Age

3 and over

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Mareeba Heritage Centre / Mareeba Heritage Centre, or Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Self-drive to Mareeba or return coach from Cairns hotels, then coach to the launch and landing sites

Meals

Light snack with sparkling wine or juice on landing

Route

Map of Cairns Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride (Self Drive to Mareeba)

View map

Included experiences

Atherton Tablelands — sunrise hot air balloon flight
Balloon inflation display
Balloon pack-up after landing
Wildlife spotting from the air

Cairns Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride (Self Drive to Mareeba)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

BEFORE DAWN: MAREEBA

The day starts in the dark. Drive yourself up to Mareeba and meet the crew at the Mareeba Heritage Centre, or take the option with a return coach from Cairns, which climbs the range to the Tablelands for you. Mareeba sits on the Barron River about 400 metres above sea level, and its name is said to come from an Aboriginal word meaning "meeting of the waters". The air up here is cooler and calmer at dawn than on the coast, which is what a balloon pilot wants. An air-conditioned coach takes you on to the launch site, where you watch the crew lay out the envelope and fill it with hot air as the sky starts to lighten.

SUNRISE OVER THE ATHERTON TABLELANDS

Climb the foothold ladder into the basket and lift off as the sun comes up. Below you the Atherton Tablelands spread out in a patchwork of farms and bush, with rainforest-covered ranges along the skyline. Around Mareeba the farms grow mangoes, avocados, sugar cane and coffee, and from the air you can pick out the neat rows of orchards from the paddocks. The balloon drifts with the wind, so no two flights follow the same line, and the pilot talks you through what you are seeing on the way. Keep watching the ground: kangaroos and wallabies are often out grazing in the early light, and mist can sit in the low gullies.

LANDING, PACK-UP AND A TOAST

The pilot brings the balloon down in an open paddock, and then everyone gets involved. The crew run the pack-up as a game, squeezing the air out of the envelope and rolling it back into its bag. Then it's time for a glass of sparkling wine or juice and a light snack to mark the flight, and you receive your commemorative certificate. Your digital photo package is emailed to you the same day. The coach takes you back to the Mareeba Heritage Centre, or on down the range to Cairns if you chose the transfer option, with the finish time depending on the season and sunrise.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Drive yourself to the Mareeba Heritage Centre, or take the option with a pre-dawn pick-up from selected Cairns locations.
Minimum age: 3 years. Children 3 to 12 must be with an adult; 13 to 17 year olds may fly alone but need a responsible adult with them for the tour.
Fitness: You must climb the 1.2 metre foothold ladder into the basket without help and stand for the whole flight.
Please note: Not suitable for pregnant women or anyone who dived the day before. Check with your doctor first if you have a medical condition or access needs. Nobody may fly impaired by alcohol, drugs or prescription medicine. Handbags and backpacks can't be carried in the basket, so please don't bring large bags. From April to October it is cold at sunrise, so dress warmly. Timings change with the seasons; your booking confirmation has your schedule.

What to bring

Your ticket
Closed-in walking shoes and long pants (no heels, slippers or skirts)
Layered casual outdoor clothing and a jacket; avoid white
Peaked hat and sunglasses
A fully charged camera
Bottle of water

What is included

Pick-up from the Mareeba Heritage Centre, or round-trip hotel transfers by air-conditioned coach from selected Cairns locations
Air-conditioned coach transfers to the launch and landing sites
Classic hot air balloon flight
Commentary from the crew
Digital photo package, emailed the same day
Commemorative certificate
Cold drink, plus sparkling wine or juice and a light snack on landing

Not included

Transfers to and from Cairns, if you drive yourself to Mareeba

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A fabulous day out with excellent views over Mareeba and the Tablelands, and friendly staff. An experience you won't forget.

Michelle Jarvis Verified· Travelled 12th May 2024

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(5/5)

My first balloon flight and it was amazing. We even saw mobs of kangaroos bounding around below. The best way to see the beauty of Cairns.

Punam Peri Verified· Travelled 20th October 2019

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