Brisbane Classic Hot Air ballooning with vineyard breakfast, self drive meet at Nerang or Canungra

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A sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Brisbane hinterland, then a hot breakfast at O'Reilly's Vineyard. You drive yourself to the coach meeting point at Nerang or Canungra.

Days

About 6 hours, from early morning

Age

From 3; under 13s fly with an adult

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Nerang or Canungra / Nerang or Canungra

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Self-drive to Nerang or Canungra, then coach and hot air balloon

Meals

Full hot breakfast with sparkling wine

Route

Map of Brisbane Classic Hot Air ballooning with vineyard breakfast, self drive meet at Nerang or Canungra

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Included experiences

Brisbane hinterland — sunrise balloon flight
Mt Tamborine and Lamington National Park — views from the air
O'Reilly's Vineyard — breakfast and cellar door tasting
Mountview alpacas

Brisbane Classic Hot Air ballooning with vineyard breakfast, self drive meet at Nerang or Canungra

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: NERANG OR CANUNGRA

This one starts with a drive in the dark. You make your own way to the coach meeting point at Nerang or at Canungra, the small town in the valley below Lamington National Park, where the Australian Army has trained soldiers for jungle warfare since 1942. The coach takes you on to the launch site. Watch the crew unroll the balloon and fill it with air from fans, then fire the burners until it rises upright above the basket. When it's ready, step into the basket with your pilot as the sky starts to glow over the hills.

SUNRISE OVER TAMBORINE AND LAMINGTON

The balloon lifts gently and you drift with the wind over the rolling hills of the hinterland as the sun comes up. On the skyline sits Tamborine Mountain, a plateau about 550 metres high, what is left of a volcano that erupted some 23 million years ago. Further south rise the forested ridges of Lamington National Park, declared in 1915 and now part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Your pilot talks you through the landscape below, and in the still morning air it is quiet enough to hear birds and cattle on the ground. Then the pilot brings the balloon down to land.

BREAKFAST AT O'REILLY'S GRAND HOMESTEAD

Breakfast is at O'Reilly's Grand Homestead and Vineyard, run by the O'Reilly family whose guesthouse in Lamington National Park has welcomed visitors since 1926. The homestead has wide verandahs and high ceilings, and breakfast is a full hot one with a glass of sparkling wine. Afterwards, take a stroll through the grounds, try the wines at the cellar door, or say hello to the alpacas from Mountview Alpaca Farm, which live at the vineyard. Alpacas were domesticated in the Andes of South America thousands of years ago. When you're ready, the coach returns you to your car at Nerang or Canungra.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Self-drive to the coach meeting point at Nerang or Canungra.
Departure time: Early morning; times change with the seasons and are on your booking confirmation.
Minimum age: 3. Children 3 to 12 must fly with an adult; 13 to 17 year olds can fly alone but must have a responsible adult for the whole tour.
Fitness: You need to manage steps, climb into the basket and stand for the whole flight.
Please note: No flying after 12 weeks of pregnancy, if you went diving the day before, or if your judgement is impaired by alcohol or drugs. Check with your doctor first if you have a medical condition or access needs. Handbags and backpacks can't go in the balloon, so don't bring large bags. If the camera fails, there is no refund for photos.

What to bring

Your ticket
Walking shoes or closed-in shoes, long pants (no heels, slippers or skirts)
Casual layered clothing, not white, and a jacket; warm clothes from April to October
Cap and sunglasses
Camera or charged phone
Bottle of water

What is included

Hot air balloon flight
Expert commentary
Return air-conditioned coach transfers from Nerang or Canungra
Full hot breakfast and sparkling wine at O'Reilly's Vineyard
Entry to O'Reilly's grand homestead and grounds
Digital photo package
Pilot-signed commemorative certificate
Air insurance levy ($30)

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

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.

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 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 1 review

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)

We met the bus at Nerang at about 3:40am and it was right on time. A light breeze made the flight comfortable, then we had a fresh buffet breakfast at a vineyard beside an alpaca farm. Worth it.

MengBu uu Verified· Travelled 30th October 2024

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