On the day
What to expect on the day of your Balloon Flight
A hot air balloon flight with Floating Images offers a serene and memorable start to the day, combining gentle adventure, scenic beauty and authentic personal service. Your morning begins at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre carpark, where you will meet Chief Pilot Graeme Day and the professional crew who will guide your experience from start to finish. After a brief introduction, guests are transported in the in-flight program vehicles to the selected launch site. Here, you are welcome to participate in the inflation process, gaining insight and, hands-on appreciation into the preparation and teamwork that bring each hot air balloon flight to life.
As dawn approaches, and the burner ignites, the balloon rises and the landscape expands beneath you in soft morning light. The transition from ground to sky is calm and gradual, offering a moment to take in the stillness of the early morning. The gentle rise from ground to flight is smooth and peaceful, allowing you to immediately sense the stillness and clarity of the air around you.
Soon, you are floating above a spectacular panorama that stretches across the Greater Brisbane region. The views soon unfold in every direction: the Ipswich countryside, the Scenic Rim’s rolling ranges., the winding Brisbane and Bremer Rivers, the Somerset region’s farmland, the vibrant suburbs and the distant outline of Brisbane’s skyline, all forming the scenic backdrop.
Across this changing panorama, commentary from Chief Pilot Graeme Day — founder, operator, and a ballooning specialist with more than 33 years of experience — enhances your understanding of the landscapes and the tradition of ballooning.
With no more than ten passengers on each flight, the experience remains personal, comfortable and unhurried. This boutique style of ballooning allows space for connection, celebration, reflection and appreciation of the landscape below — whether you are marking a milestone, celebrating a special occasion, sharing a meaningful moment with someone special, or simply seeking a calm and uplifting way to begin the day. The approximate one-hour flight offers a balance of silence, gentle movement and uninterrupted views, creating an atmosphere that many guests recall long after landing and describe as both uplifting and grounding.
Upon landing, guests are invited to participate in the pack-down process, although this is optional. The in-flight program transport then returns you to the meeting point, where the morning continues with an optional restaurant breakfast, providing time to reflect, enjoy local hospitality and celebrate your shared experience. Your flight also includes a commemorative certificate as a keepsake, full insurance, GST, and complimentary parking at the central meeting point, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience from beginning to end.
To enhance your adventure further, optional extras are available. In-flight digital photos, taken from a remote-controlled camera mounted on the balloon, offer a unique record of your morning from an elevated perspective. These images may be pre-purchased or selected during breakfast. Additional breakfast places can also be arranged for friends or family wishing to join you after the flight. For groups of four or more participants, tailored quotes or discount codes can be provided upon request.
From the first welcome to the final farewell, the experience spans approximately three to four hours and is crafted to be smooth, memorable and rewarding. For those seeking a boutique ballooning experience led by an expert pilot, Floating Images offers a thoughtful and immersive way to appreciate the natural beauty of Greater Brisbane and Ipswich — and a compelling reason to begin your day in the sky.
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Ensuring your safety
Safety is our priority and we will not fly if weather conditions are not suitable. If your flight is cancelled because of unflyable weather conditions, then you may rebook for another day or receive a full refund. For more information on Floating Images Health & Safety click here
As weight is an important factor in a hot air balloon; passengers weighing 110 Kg or over attract a 50% surcharge. Due to safety factors, pregnant women or passengers weighing over 130kg cannot participate in hot air ballooning. Please refer to our Floating Images Accessibility & Inclusion link or our FAQ passenger Limitations for more information
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Launch site and meeting times
Meeting times vary throughout the year as it is dependent on sunrise. Upon booking your balloon flight, you will receive a letter of confirmation stating the actual meeting time of the day.
Floating Images’ meets & greet all passengers in the car park of the IIpswich Visitor Information Centre, Queens Park, 14 Queen Victoria Parade, Ipswich, Queensland
Please note: This is a free car parking site.
Launch site will vary dependent on wind speed and direction of the day to allow city to country or country to city flights to be undertaken.
Estimated Meeting Times
| Nov to Dec | Jan to Feb | Mar to Apr | May to Jun | Jul to Aug | Sep to Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.00 – 4.15 am | 4.15 – 4.45 am | 4.45 – 5.15 am | 5.30 – 6.00 am | 5.30 – 5.15 am | 5.00 – 4.30 am |
Restaurant breakfast and flight certificate
Included in your ballooning program is a hot cooked restaurant breakfast at the Fourth Child Restaurant, 215 Brisbane Street, Ipswich. During your breakfast, your pilot will present you with a personalised commemorative flight certificate and downloaded onto our laptop computer the in-flight balloon camera photos for viewing during breakfast, where you may purchase the balloon photos to conclude the morning’s activity.
What to bring and wear
We recommend comfortable layers of outdoor clothing to match the season, a hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes for the morning dew. Please don’t forget to bring a camera / video camera to capture this wonderful experience (these items are your responsibility at all times). Bring plenty of film and charged batteries. NB. No Open foot wear, (thongs / sandals) or high heels are permitted for safety reasons. We strongly recommend not to wear white clothing.
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What’s Included in Your Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight?
We pride ourselves on offering a boutique ballooning experience that feels intimate, personal, and carefully crafted. Here’s what you can expect when you book with us:
- Meet the Chief Pilot and crew at the convenient meeting point in Ipswich, the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre carpark.
- Approximate 1-hour scenic balloon flight: Glide silently over Ipswich, Scenic Rim, and Somerset regions, transitioning from city views to lush countryside.
- Boutique flights with no more than 10 passengers: Enjoy a personalized and intimate atmosphere away from crowded tours.
- Pilot-led flights with Chief Pilot Graeme Day: Benefit from the expertise, safety, and stories from the founder, operator & Chief pilot for every flight, with over 33+ years’ experience.
- Personalized in-flight commentary: Learn about the landscapes, history, and ballooning itself while drifting over stunning terrain.
- Participate in balloon inflation & deflation (optional): Get involved and become a part of the magic of ballooning by helping with the setup and packing down of the balloon process, making it a hands-on part of the adventure.
- Restaurant breakfast after the flight (optional): Savor a delicious breakfast to celebrate your flight and to round off your morning
- Transportation and free parking: We provide easy in-flight program transport to and from the meeting point, from launch to landing, plus free parking at the central meeting point.
- Personalized commemorative flight certificate: Take home a keepsake of your special adventure.
- Full insurance and GST included: Fly with confidence knowing all safety and legal requirements are met.
Your entire experience will take approximately 3 to 4 hours, allowing you to soak in every moment from pre-flight preparations to the celebratory breakfast.
Optional Extras & Group Bookings
Make your experience even more memorable with optional extras such as:
- In-flight Digital photos: Capturing the magic of your ballooning adventure with a range of stunning photos taken during your flight using a remote-controlled camera mounted on the balloon, offering a unique perspective of your journey.
- Additional breakfast participants for friends or family joining after your flight
