Cairns Ballooning Tour with Great Adventures Outer Barrier Reef Tour

The TourExperience the best of both worlds in one day; combine a Sunrise Ballooning on the Atherton Tablelands and experience the Great Barrier Reef on an activity platform which we call a 'pontoon'. 

Your day starts with an early morning (pre-dawn) pick-up from accommodation, to transfer up along the Kuranda Range Road and onto to the Atherton Tablelands to arrive at the ballooning grounds near Mareeba. The ballooning location has been specially chosen to offer the most reliable hot air balloon departures available in the whole of Far North Queensland, protected by the Great Dividing Range with its peaks and valleys, winds and precipitation levels are generally far lower than around the Cairn's coastal areas.  

After the balloons are inflated it's time to fly! Your balloon gently floats above the tips of blue gums and paper bark trees with the wide open spaces of the Atherton Tablelands below with fantastic 360 degree views! Here's the real benefit of ballooning on the Atherton Tablelands, the views are absolutely stunning! 

Your Hot Air balloon pilots are very experienced and trained to Australia's highest standards, so enjoy the freedom of balloon flying while they attend to your safe and gentle ride. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and some of our unique local wildlife as you go. Binoculars are on board to capture sightings of local birdlife too.

Come back to earth gently then continue the fun by helping us pack up . After ballooning you will be transferred back into Cairns to the Reef Fleet Terminal to check-in with your Reef Tour operator, prior to departing to the Great Barrier Reef located activity platform at Norman Reef. 

On arrival guests are offered a variety of activities included in the fare or elect to do optional activities at additional cost. 

Snorkel directly from the semi-submerged snorkel platforms into beautiful coral gardens. It’s easy, fun and one of the best ways to experience the amazing underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Be sure to watch the snorkelling demonstration or just ask one of the vessel's friendly crew for some tips to get the most out of your experience. Snorkel in confidence as lifeguard safety officers are always on hand to supervise. Your snorkelling equipment, including mask, snorkel, fins and buoyancy vests are all available on the platform. If you would like to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef, you can join a guided snorkel tour as an optional activity.

Take the included Semi-Submersible coral viewing tours where participants can explore the vibrant reef from the comfort of the air-conditioned semi-submersible coral viewing tour with informative commentary. As the semi-sub meanders slowly through beautiful coral gardens, you’ll experience the remarkable life below the surface. The semi-sub tour takes approximately 25 minutes and departs every 30 minutes, or as announced, from the rear of the platform.

Visit the Underwater Observatory built into the lowest decks of the platform, from the underwater observatory you will be able to view corals, giant clams and be mesmerised by a myriad of colourful fish and marine life before your eyes. Here you can visit and explore at your own pace or join the Eco Reef talk with the Marine Naturalist. 

Diving activities are available on-board as on optional extra at additional expense. Diving from the Outer Reef activity platform is suitable for first time divers to experienced divers. Dive sites are chosen for the conditions, water clarity and marine life on the day of travel to ensure the best dive and in-water experiences. For certified divers travelling with non-diving companions, reef platform experiences are a great option. While you dive amongst some of the highest marine biodiversity in the world, they can participate in a variety of platform activities including the choice of an Introductory Dive (no license required, available on completion of a dive medical statement).

Your Outer Barrier Reef tour also includes, morning & afternoon teas along with a hot and cold buffet lunch. Tea & coffee is served on-board the vessel prior to departure and on-board the activity platform. The vessel and activity platform both offer bar facilities for the purchase of snacks, drinks and souvenirs. 

Arrive back into Cairns at approximately 5.15 / 5.30 pm after a fantastic reef experience, to be transferred back to accommodation.  
Itinerary05.00am (approximate)
Door to door transfers, pick-up at hotel accommodation in air-conditioned coach for your special package tour (one hour transfer to ballooning destination - pickup times confirmed on booking).

05.30am
Experience the fun & unique sensation of hot air ballooning in the Atherton Tablelands, Australia. Enjoy the picturesque landscape at sunrise and your 30 minute hot air balloon ride where you can really breathe in the wide-open spaces! Boasting Australia's largest fleet of balloons and a fun and highly trained crew to ensure you maximise the fun of your morning ballooning tour.

07.30am
Keep an eye out for wallabies, kangaroos and other local wildlife, seeing them from high in a hot air balloon, is something you’ll never forget.

08.00am
Return and Landing, balloon pack-up games and lots of laughs.

9.30am
After hot air ballooning, your coach transfer takes you to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, to allow participants to check in with Great Adventures at check-in counter. Boarding is at 10.10am.

10.30am
Depart Reef Fleet Terminal for the Outer Barrier Reef platform. On the way you can enjoy morning tea as well as seeing informative reef presentation and snorkelling demonstrations.

12.30pm
Arrive at the Outer Barrier Reef platform. Choose your reef activities including semi-submersible coral viewing, Snorkelling directly from the platform, underwater observatory for coral and fish viewing. Other (optional) activities are also available from the pontoon including helicopter scenic flights, suba diving & scuba-doo.

1.00pm-2.30pm
Enjoy a delicious hot & cold buffet lunch including, prawns, cold meat platters, hot buffet dishes (including a vegetarian option), fresh salads and fruit platters as well as tea & coffee. After lunch enjoy more free time to enjoy the great barrier reef.

3.45pm-5.30pm
Return back to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal via Green Island. Enjoy afternoon tea along the way. Then your transfer back to yourTour Includes

• Cairns & Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation transfers
• Spectacular 30 minute Hot Air Sunrise Balloon Flight
• Expert interpretive commentary
• Cross Country Balloon Chase
• Free Commemorative Balloon Flight Certificate
• Drop off at Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns to Reef Tour operator 
• Fast, stable catamaran transfers to the Outer Barrier Reef located pontoon
• Full use of Snorkelling Equipment including tuition and bouyancy vests
• Semi-Submersible Submarine Coral Viewing Tour with commentary
• Underwater Observatory (built in to lower level of pontoon) with viewing windows
• Hot & Cold Buffet Lunch served at Outer Barrier Reef
• Morning & Afternoon Tea 

Rates - Valid 01st of April 2022 to 31st of March 2023Cairns & Northern Beach Transfers for ballooning and to Reef Fleet Terminal are included - For Great Barrier Reef Tour 

• Adult AU$573 per person Includes Ballooning Insurance Levy +  Government Reef Tax amount 
• Child AU$423.00 per person Includes Balloning Insurance Levy + Government Reef Tax amount 

Important Booking Notes

Your Ballooning Tour includes a coach transfer from accommodation and drop off at the Reef Fleet Terminal to check-in at the Great Adventures Counter.  However, as this packages contains 2 tours, you can choose to be dropped of at the Reef Fleet Terminal for the Great Barrier Reef Tour and make own way back to accommodation at the end of the day (self check-in at The Reef Fleet Terminal)  - or - you can choose to book the tour with return coach transfers from Cairns City Accommodation including return coach transfers for both the Ballooning & Great Barrier Reef Tours (with return coach transfers from Cairns City Accommodation) - or - you can take the tour with return coach transfers from Cairns Northern Beaches Adommodation for both the Ballooning & Great Barrier Reef Tours (with return coach transfers from Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation).

Please use Comments Box to specify if you require return coach transfers from Cairns or Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation or if you would prefer to Self Check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns and make own way back to accommodation at the end of your day on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Ballooning Insurance Levy amount is payable to Ballooning Operator prior to ballooning tour on morning of departure and Government Reef Tax amount is payable to Reef Operator on check-in at check-in counter prior to departure. 

Please use Comments Box on Booking Form to indicate if any Optional Activies onboard Great Barrier Reef tour are required.  
Optional Reef Tour Activities - Rates Valid 01st of April 2022 to 31st of March 2023Guided Snorkel ToursA Guided Snorkel Tour is a great way to maximise your experience on the Great Barrier Reef. Explore and discover the wonders of the reef with a knowledgeable guide by your side (equipment included)

Snorkel Tour Rates

• Adult AU$72.00
• Child (aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$38.00
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 -14 years of age) AU$182.00

Introductory DivingIf you have never dived before and would like to experience the magic of SCUBA, we offer introductory dives with highly qualified dive instructors. The only requirements are that you are aged 12 years and over and pass an onboard medical questionnaire and participate in a 30 minute dive brief!

Introductory Diving Rates

• 1 Introductory Dive (All equipment provided) AU$184.00

Certified DivingFor certified divers travelling with non-diving companions, reef platform experiences are a great option. While you dive amongst some of the highest marine biodiversity in the world. Your Certified Dive includes full gear hire and dive briefing!

Certified Diving Rates

• 1 Certified Dive (All equipment provided) AU$130.00  
• 2 Certified Dives (All equipment provided) AU$190.00

Helicopter Scenic FlightsFor a different and spectacular perspective of the jewel like Outer Barrier Reef, a 10 minute helicopter flight is available from the pontoon moored at Norman Reef

Optional 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight Rates

• 10 minute Reef Scenic Flight (from Pontoon) AU$199.00 per person 

What To Bring 

• Comortable walking shoes for ballooning tour
• Camera, hat, sunsreen, sunglasses & water bottle 
• Casual outdoor layered clothing (white clothing not recommended due to bush environment)
• Beach towel, swimwear, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and additional spending money for snacks, drinks & souvenirs
• Change of dry clothing for trip home onboard coach after in water activities 

Tour Conditions

• All times are an indication only, please note that times do change summer/winter/spring, exact start times given on receipt of your full booking details
• General Mobility -: It is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and company requirement that passengers must be able to climb into the basket unaided, so that in the event of an emergency passengers are also able to climb out of the basket unaided.
  Medical Conditions: Passengers with medical conditions should check their suitability to fly prior to booking
• The Operator recommends that pregnant persons do not fly in a hot air balloon
• The Operator will not carry passengers who have participated in a scuba dive the day before their balloon flight
• 100% charge applies if passengers fail to fly on the morning booked - 24 hours notice is required for changes.