FLOATING IMAGES HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS

Welcome to Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights

Discover the magic of hot air ballooning with Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights, the closest hot air balloon company to Brisbane – just a short drive west of the city centre and within easy reach of Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Operating since 2001, we offer a boutique, all-inclusive ballooning experience that combines stunning city and countryside views with a personal touch.

Each one-hour, sunrise flight carries a maximum of 10 passengers, ensuring an intimate and five-star experience. Every flight is personally piloted by owner and Chief Pilot Graeme Day – otherwise known as G’Day – who has amassed over 32 years of ballooning expertise across three continents, and has been running this business since it began. Graeme’s passion for ballooning and deep local knowledge – not to mention his cheeky wit – create an unforgettable journey for all. Supported by a skilled ground crew, our flights are guided by safety and professionalism as we adhere to Australian Civil Aviation Safety Approved (CASA) standards.

Floating Images operates one flight per day, with flexible options to suit your needs. Choose from flights with or without a delicious post-flight breakfast, or opt for private and small-group charters. Our experience is perfect for independent leisure travellers, couples, luxury seekers, and small groups looking for a transformational, nature-based adventure.

A hot air balloon ride with Floating Images is a unique way to celebrate special occasions, such as anniversaries, engagements, weddings, birthdays and graduations. Or maybe you’re organising a special event to reward your work colleagues, or looking for that distinctive gift for someone special. Whether you’re creating memories with loved ones, friends or colleagues, this bucket-list adventure is one you’ll all cherish forever.

Conveniently located for travellers exploring South East Queensland, Floating Images is an ideal addition to your itinerary, seamlessly bundling with other local attractions. Experience the perfect blend of luxury, nature and adventure with Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights – where every flight is an unforgettable voyage.

The Floating Images Ambience

The Floating Images Hot Air Balloon experience is thoughtfully curated to foster tranquillity and connection with nature. Imagine the quiet of the early morning, when the world is still and the horizon begins to blush with the dawn of a new day. This peaceful stillness sets the tone for a magical journey above South East Queensland’s breathtaking landscapes.

Owner and Chief Pilot Graeme Day is the heart of this unique experience. On every flight, Graeme shares his deep knowledge of the region and his passion for ballooning, with a well-rehearsed commentary that enriches your understanding of the sights below and the mechanics of flight above. His personable, professional demeanour ensures passengers feel both safe and inspired.

While every flight path and sunrise is different, depending on the weather and the wind direction, the constant is Graeme’s dedication to creating a transformative and inclusive adventure. Reviews from delighted passengers often highlight the unforgettable beauty of the scenery, the smoothness of the ride, and the personal touch of having Graeme guide every aspect of the journey. With stunning photographic opportunities from the 360-degree panoramic view and an unmatched sense of calm from floating in the morning sky, this unique experience is designed to leave you with memories to cherish.

Whether you’re marvelling at the first glow of dawn, spotting kangaroos bounding across open fields, or enjoying a celebratory breakfast after landing, Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights promises an experience that is serene yet exhilarating.

Setting the Scene

Your adventure begins in the quiet pre-dawn hours of the morning at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, where the air buzzes with anticipation and the promise of an exciting day ahead. The pilot and crew warmly greet you, check you in, and ensure you’re ready for the journey. While you prepare, watch as the pilot releases a small helium balloon with a glowing LED light into the dawn sky. This charming ritual determines the wind direction and reveals the day’s perfect launch site.

Passengers then board a company four-wheel-drive vehicle for a short trip through Ipswich’s peaceful outskirts to the launch site. As the first light begins to tinge the sky, the crew springs into action. The colourful balloon envelope is unfurled, and the gentle hum of fans fills the air as cool gusts breathe life into the balloon. You can choose to join the setup process – feeling the texture of the balloon envelope and basket – or simply marvel as the balloon slowly grows into a towering, imposing vessel, capturing the moment in photos and videos.

Once the balloon stands upright, warmed by the burner’s soft roar, the experience becomes tactile: the suede edges of the cane and wicker basket, the warmth radiating from the burners, and the grounding feeling as you climb aboard. Following a safety briefing and a quick landing prep talk, the crew releases the ropes. Gently, almost imperceptibly, the basket begins to rise, and the ground slips away.

A Skyborne Serenade

As the balloon ascends, the horizon transforms into a canvas of luminous reds and oranges. The world awakens beneath you, with suburban sprawl, rolling hills, winding rivers and patchwork farmlands illuminated by the rising sun. Passengers are inevitably awestruck by the amazing panoramic views and the serenity of gliding almost silently through the sky. There’s no rush – just the quiet whisper of the breeze, punctuated occasionally by the burner’s gentle roar, providing a sensory complement to the visual feast.

Your Chief Pilot, Graeme, shares his local knowledge and ballooning expertise with wit and warmth, explaining the science of ballooning and pointing out key landmarks below. Marvel at sights you’ve never seen from this perspective before: the Bremer River snaking through Ipswich or the grandeur of the Great Dividing Range on the horizon. From your lofty perch, you’ll survey Queensland’s oldest provincial city, Ipswich, with its elegant heritage buildings and classic Queenslander homes. Further afield, Brisbane’s skyline shimmers in the distance, and natural wonders like Flinders Peak, Mount Tamborine and Wivenhoe Dam come into distant view.

Each passenger is invited to take in the region’s unparalleled beauty, where cityscapes give way to pasturelands and unspoiled countryside – a perfect blend of nature and human endeavour. Graeme’s insights into local geography, history and the area’s hidden gems ensure this experience is as enriching as it is awe-inspiring.

A Toast to the Journey after Landing

As the flight concludes, the balloon gently descends to a safe landing site selected by your pilot. Passengers are asked to assume the landing position – a moment of shared camaraderie – before the basket touches down with a soft bump. The burner is extinguished, and the crew soon arrives to help with packing up. The deflation process is a sight to behold, as the massive balloon envelope gracefully collapses to the ground. Guests are invited to help pack it up, squeezing the air out and returning the colourful fabric to its bag.

The morning continues with a drive back to the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, where passengers follow the crew to the Fourth Child Restaurant. Here, a freshly prepared cooked breakfast awaits, with options ranging from hearty classics to dishes catering to various dietary needs like vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free. Enjoy your meal with a steaming cups of coffee or tea, sharing stories from the flight with fellow passengers.

Over breakfast, browse inflight photos, ask Graeme more about the art of ballooning, or get tips on exploring Ipswich and South East Queensland. The morning concludes with the presentation of a personalised commemorative flight certificate, a token of an adventure that will stay with you forever.

How to Get Here

The meeting point for Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights is the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, located at 14 Queen Victoria Parade. With the light, early-morning traffic, it’s a 30–45 minute drive from Brisbane or a 75-minute drive from the Gold Coast. Free parking is available at the Information Centre, including one designated accessible parking space.

Due to early morning flight times, taking public transport isn’t an option. Taxi or rideshare services are therefore the best alternatives for guests without their own vehicle. Alternatively, we recommend arriving in Ipswich the day before the flight and staying overnight nearby. If guests don’t have a car, we provide post-flight transfers to either the train station or the Fourth Child Restaurant for breakfast. The restaurant is a 500-metre walk from the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre.

Accessibility

At Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights, we are committed to providing an enjoyable and inclusive experience for all guests. However, due to the nature of ballooning and its operational environment, certain limitations exist. The balloon basket is not wheelchair-accessible, and passengers must be able to climb into and out of the basket unaided. The basket sides are approximately 1.2 meters high, with footholds for use. Similarly, the vehicles used for transfers are four-wheel drive vehicles designed for use on rural properties, and require passengers to climb in and out of them.

An accessible bathroom is available at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, which has Braille signage and is open 10 to 15 minutes before the meeting time. Post-flight, the Fourth Child Restaurant has an accessible toilet with baby change facilities.

Our Chief Pilot, Graeme Day, has extensive experience accommodating passengers with diverse abilities, including those who are blind, living with low vision or with hearing loss. Guests with specific needs are encouraged to inform us at the time of booking so we can make appropriate arrangements or adjustments. Passengers who need them should bring their own aids like earplugs or sensory kits.

Due to aviation safety regulations and the noise of the burner, service dogs cannot accompany passengers in the balloon basket. However, Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, located in an on-leash dog-friendly park, has plenty of grassy areas for dog toileting.

For any questions or to discuss specific needs, please contact our team: we are keen to make your adventure as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. For comprehensive details on accessibility, please visit the Accessibility page on the Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights website under Plan Your Trip.