Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers + Whale Watching Cruise with Front Row View

4.8/5(18)

Belinda T

Family

Verified booking

Last week

Nic was a fabulous host for the cruise, going above and beyond to make sure we saw some whales on the day, and Jill was so lovely to our son who was initially quite nervous being out on the boat for the first time, thank you for such a great experience!

Ching H

Family

Verified booking

Sep 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent experience! We had such a wonderful experience on the whale-watching cruise yesterday. The crew members were friendly, helpful and welcoming, and the whole experience was very well organised and family-friendly. The kids loved the little drawing books they received just before getting off the boat — such a thoughtful touch! It was also great to have a clean and practical toilet on board. Everyone in our family had a fantastic time. Highly recommend! 🐋💙

Alexandria T

Family

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The knowledge of our friendly captain and the whales themselves! The day was magical and was a perfect way for our whaanau group to share an experience. We had age 1-80ish out for the day.

Carolyn A

Couple

Verified booking

Jun 2026

It's a beautiful boat with a very knowledgeable skipper and crew . We saw multiple pods of whales up close which was really amazing Also on returning the skipper extended our tour to visit some dolphins and minky whales. We would thoroughly recommend this company and we would surely return for another trip. Cheers Brendan and Carolyn Angwin

Soar over the Gold Coast at sunrise and cruise alongside whales in one easy combo with two unforgettable experiences.

Enjoy a 60-minute hot air balloon flight with views of golden beaches, green hills, and cityscapes. Round-trip transfers from Queensland and a digital photo package are included.

Set out on a 2.5-hour whale watching cruise along the Humpback Highway with open-air viewing decks, live commentary, and a sighting guarantee—get a free return voucher if no whales are spotted.

Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon

60-minute hot air balloon flight

Round-trip transfers from Queensland

Digital photo package

Whale Watching Cruise

2.5-hour whale-watching cruise

Live commentary by the crew

Sighting guarantee (Free return voucher if no whales are spotted)

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

18 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Belinda T
Family
Verified booking
Last week
Nic was a fabulous host for the cruise, going above and beyond to make sure we saw some whales on the day, and Jill was so lovely to our son who was initially quite nervous being out on the boat for the first time, thank you for such a great experience!
Ching H
Family
Verified booking
Sep 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent experience! We had such a wonderful experience on the whale-watching cruise yesterday. The crew members were friendly, helpful and welcoming, and the whole experience was very well organised and family-friendly. The kids loved the little drawing books they received just before getting off the boat — such a thoughtful touch! It was also great to have a clean and practical toilet on board. Everyone in our family had a fantastic time. Highly recommend! 🐋💙
Alexandria T
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The knowledge of our friendly captain and the whales themselves! The day was magical and was a perfect way for our whaanau group to share an experience. We had age 1-80ish out for the day.
Kelly O
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
We had a fantastic time, thank you!
Carolyn A
Couple
Verified booking
Jun 2026
It's a beautiful boat with a very knowledgeable skipper and crew . We saw multiple pods of whales up close which was really amazing Also on returning the skipper extended our tour to visit some dolphins and minky whales. We would thoroughly recommend this company and we would surely return for another trip. Cheers Brendan and Carolyn Angwin

Soar above the Gold Coast at sunrise, then cruise alongside whales in the Pacific. Two unforgettable nature experiences in one day—with transfers and free photos included.

Getting started

Your combo ticket includes a 60-minute hot air balloon flight with round-trip transfers and a separate 2.5-hour whale watching cruise. Arrive on time at each meeting point, and show your ticket upon check-in.

What to expect

Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon

Start with sunrise: Begin your morning with a magical 60-minute flight as you drift over the Gold Coast. Watch the sun rise across rolling hills, golden beaches, and sparkling waterways—all from the sky.

Soak in the silence: Enjoy a peaceful, slow-floating experience in a “walk-in” basket designed for comfort and panoramic views. Perfect for first-timers and seasoned adventurers alike.

Everything’s included: Relax with pick-up and drop-off, and capture the moment with a complimentary digital photo package sent to you after your flight.

Whale Watching Cruise

Welcome on deck: Receive a warm welcome from the friendly crew as they introduce you to the incredible humpback whale migration journey.

Whales up close: See humpbacks breaching, slapping their tails, or swimming with their calves—while your guide shares fun facts about their behavior.

Deck views: Enjoy 360° views and open-air seating for the best possible whale-spotting angles. You might also spot dolphins, turtles, or seabirds along the way.

What to bring

Whale Watching Cruise

Bring your jacket, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, seasickness medicines, and light snacks for this experience.

It's recommended to wear fully covered footwear with suitable grip, such as sneakers or deck shoes.

Accessibility

Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon

Guests with significant knee, hip or back problems must consult with the pilot prior to their flight

This experience is not suitable for pregnant women.

Whale Watching Cruise

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

This experience is not pram/stroller accessible.

Ramps are available at the venue for easy access.

Pregnant women and guests with a pre-existing medical condition or those who have been to a hospital recently must consult a doctor before booking.

Your guide dog is welcome onboard.

Additional information

Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon

Your experience may be subject to change due to circumstances such as strong winds.

Guests under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Whale Watching Cruise

In the event that no whales are sighted during your cruise, you’ll get a free return cruise valid for 12 months.

The cruise departs from Sea World Cruises Terminal, Main Beach.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display the same at each meeting point along with a valid photo ID.

Ticket redemption points

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort

Meet your driver at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.

Address: 71 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217, Australia.

Landmark: Opposite to Seaworld, park along the street and walk into the main doors into the lobby

Get directions to the meeting point

Marina Mirage

Board your cruise at Marina Mirage.

Address:Centre Management, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217, Australia.

Get directions to the boarding point