Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comHot Air Ballooning Tour from Cairns
based on 24 reviews
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Location: Cairns, Northern Beaches or Palm Cove, Queensland
Product code: 2990C30_C60
24 reviews of Hot Air Ballooning Tour from Cairns
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Hot Air Ballooning Tour from Cairns. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
We liked the hot air ballooning, really smooth and a fantastic sight with all the balloons in the air. Very very early start, 4am and breaky was a bit dodgy, by the time we cooked our toast most of the hot breaky had gone. There had been a free bottle of French bubbly offered online to couples instead of just a glass, however no one had told our operator!
We did the joint experience with the half day white water rafting, the rafting was good and the girl guides very friendly and upbeat, and at although not the grand rapids, it is fun. Online it does not mention these gigs do not join up. You are taken back to your hotel in between. We may have done these activities on different days if we had known. And the taxes river, air, water take your visa!
The biggest downside to this tour is the REALLY early start. Once you get over this, there are some really amazing views. We took the full hour ride, which was a bit deceiving as it was split into 2 half hour rides. Taking down the balloon was fun too.
Reviewed by: Neil K, United Kingdom, April 2008
My only disappointment was that the advertised pickup time is much earlier than the actual pick up time. It is advertised that pickup is between 5am and 5.30am but when I confirmed details I was informed that pick up was 4.10am this is not a great difference in time, but at that time of morning is great.
Reviewed by: Diane R, Australia, March 2008
The experience was fantastic with a very efficient pilot. Unfortunately we were included in a basket with non English speaking visitors who continued to talk during the pilots commentary and ignored his instructions during the landing procedure. This needs to be reviewed in future.
Reviewed by: Roger V, France, January 2009
Great outing! Very exciting and interesting. Don't bother with the one hour trip since much of the time is spent coming down, disembarking and loading the half-hour group.
We were charged an additional $50 for 'insurance' outside of what Viator charged. Those charges were not communicated up front and unexpected. All riders were expected to assist with the packing of the balloon when the ride was complete. If you didn't participate they called you out on it. Very dirty and physical work and after what we paid I felt it was inappropriate.
A really early start - 4.15am! A long time was spent in preparation with a lot of standing about for us customers. The flight was only 20 minutes and was advertised as 30 - I may be splitting hairs but it is the principle here. I do accept that weather conditions are a factor, but I did feel a little miffed at the short duration of the flight. I was also disappointed that we had to help the organisers pack up, which i was not prepared for. The champagne breakfast was delightful and made up for some of the disappointment of the short balloon flight.
Reviewed by: Keith S, United Kingdom, November 2007
The hot air balloon was great. After that, we were dropped off at Tjapukai center and were on our own for the rest. I would have skipped the rest of the tour in hindsight.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, October 2007
The white-water rafting was really excellent; the team were really good. But a number of features in the description of the balloon trip were throughly misleading and/or false. I would recommend ballooning with someone else.
Reviewed by: Nick F, Australia, August 2007
Good staff, good breakfast, and neat experience. However, this involves a VERY early wake-up: we were picked up at hotel at 4:45 a.m. Also, you do not fly over any water or reef, it is out in the bush. "Balloon-chasing" just means riding the bus, following the balloon to its landing spot so the next group can get in the basket.
Reviewed by: Douglas L, United States of America, July 2007
