What better way to celebrate my birthday than to tick one of our family’s bucket list- go hot air ballooning in Gold Coast! We had long wanted to do this exhilirating adventure so when a friend told me about a promotion in Experience Oz, I straight away grabbed the opportunity.
As a parent of 4 year old twins, there were so many questions in my mind prior to booking. It took me hours of online searching but I was still left with unanswered questions. So I decided to write about common queries from mums like me (who worry about sooo many things 😊).
Here you can find answers and more detailed information from us who experienced hot air ballooning first hand.
What is the best time of the year to go hot air ballooning in Gold Coast?
Luckily here in Queensland, hot air ballooning flights operate all year round.
We booked on a winter and were blessed with a very good weather on the day of our flight.
What is the minimum age for kids to go hot air ballooning?
This depends on the flight operator but most commonly children ages 3 years old and above can fly. Some require a minimum age of 4.
However we had Go Ballooning as our flight operator and thier minimum age requirement is 3 years old.
How much does a hot air balloon cost?
We booked indirectly because of a promotion from experienceoz.com.au and it cost us A$195 per person (same price for adults and kids).
I booked their Gold Coast hot air balloon flight with bonus photo package. This includes pickup and drop off at the designated meetup location and photos.
You have an option to upgrade to a buffet breakfast after the flight for an additional cost, which was at a reasonable price. We opted not to as there are so many lovely cafes waiting to be explored around the Gold Coast.
Surprisingly Go Ballooning (the flight operator) also sent us a very nice video of the whole experience which was a total plus point!
There are lots of promotions you can find online from different booking companies. You can even book directly to any of the hot air balloon flight operators but so far in my hours of research, Experience Oz was the cheapest I could find.
How safe is hot air ballooning in Gold Coast?
Pilots operating the hot air balloon are highly experienced and skilled.
These commercial operators are also registered with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and follow strict operation guidelines.
What to expect on a hot air balloon ride?
Cancellation
Expect your flight to be cancelled, delayed or rescheduled anytime if the weather condition does not permit. This falls down to safety given flight operators only fly on an optimal weather condition to avoid mishaps.
They are more than happy to reschedule your flight without extra cost, but of course make sure you read the terms and conditions as these may vary per flight operator.
Make sure you have alternative dates planned in flying, in case the flight gets cancelled.
Meetup Time
You can expect a very early pickup time on the day of the flight. Very early means 4AM-5AM. This is because the wind and weather are at their most stable conditions.
What to Wear
It is best to put on the most comfortable clothing and shoes, depending on the season of the year. Given we had to get up very early on a winter morning-a pair of pants, a jumper, winter jacket and closed shoes/boots were most appropriate.
Once up in the air, the burner from the hot air balloon will keep everyone in the basket warm, so you might need to take your layers off.
What to Bring
Never leave your cameras behind. I brought a GoPro with me but rarely used it, so a mobile phone should suffice.
Snacks, snacks, and more snacks for kids. It’s amazing how they get hungry all the time. Don’t forget water to go with the snacks.
Bring an extra jacket or jumper in case you underestimate the cold winter morning.
We placed all of our stuff in a backpack which was very convenient with the transfers.
It is still best to pack as lightly as possible as there is less room once in the basket, and with the bus transfers packing light is always convenient.
How long does the flight take?
Give or take 4 hours for the entire experience. This includes driving to the pickup location and launch site, the ride up in the air itself (~30-50 minutes), landing, packing up the balloon and the drive back to the pickup point.
In addition to this, make sure you use the toilet beforehand.
Is hot air ballooning scary?
Surprisingly, it was a very relaxing and calm ride. Takeoff was easy as the balloon slowly rises from the ground, too slow that you barely feel anything.
Up in the air it is very quiet except when the pilot turns on the burner/fire.
The basket was very stable as well. No wobbling, swinging or anything scary like that despite people’s movements, not to mention our twin girls moving around inside the basket all the time. It was a very comfortable and slow ride.
Witnessing sunrise from up there was magical. Seeing the Gold Coast hinterland and the skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise was just breathtaking.
The Landing
The landing was what I was worried about at first. However, prior to getting on the balloon, the pilot will give clear instructions on what to do upon landing- which is to hold on to the handles with both hands and bend your knees.
Very straightforward in fact. You will expect a small bump or two, and that’s it!
Other things to know before you go
Upon booking the flight operator will ask for the total/combined approximate weight for each group. This is to know how many people can ride the hot air balloon.
There is no definite take off and landing site. They all depend on the weather condition. Pickup location varies with them, too.
This means you may need to drive to the pickup location and a bus or shuttle will pick you up (and the rest of the hot air balloon passengers) from there and drive you to the launch site. This was the case for us.
The flight operator will contact you a night before the flight for the final details and for any changes.
There are no seats in the basket, so expect to be standing up throughout the flight.
The Wrap up: Hot Air Ballooning in Gold Goast
Overall it was an experience of a lifetime. Something so memorable and so good that you just want to hold on to for as long as you can.
Would we do it again? A definite YES. In fact one of the twins cried so hard when it was time to get off the hot air balloon. Obviously she enjoyed it so much that she did not want to hop off.
Was it worth it? 100% worth the time and money.
