A view is always exhilarating, and you can enjoy the best views of all when you take to the sky on a scenic or joy flight.
When it comes to flying machines in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounds, you’re spoilt for choice. From the serenity of hot air ballooning and gliding to the vintage appeal of Tiger Moths and the adrenaline-charged adventure of WWII fighter jets, there’s an aircraft for every vista-seeker.
Hot air ballooning
Fly Me to the Moon
Take a champagne breakfast hot air balloon flight over Brisbane with uninterrupted views of the city and surrounding areas. This award-winning operator is one of only four companies in the world permitted to fly balloons over a city. Note: Book two weeks in advance to ensure flight availability.
Floating Images
Floating Images can take you on a spectacular balloon ride taking in both Ipswich CBD and its scenic surrounds, followed by a champagne breakfast. Book a basket for two and take in the best views of South East Queensland’s Scenic Rim and its World Heritage-listed national parks.
Balloons Above
Balloons Above will float you over the patchwork fields of the Lockyer Valley, then nourish you with a French style champagne breakfast on the verandah of their classic Queenslander.
Classic aircraft flights
Flying Fighters Adventures
Fulfil your need for speed and adventure and take to the skies in a WWII fighter jet. Visit the onsite museum where you can view classic aircraft restored to fully operational condition. Located in Archerfield, about 20 minutes from Brisbane.
Mustang Flights
Live the dream of flying in one of the greatest warplanes ever built. With Mustang Flights, you can fly in a real, full-size P-51D Mustang Fighter Plane. Experienced pilots can take you on a smooth, gentle flight or demonstrate aerobatic manoeuvres that were used in combat fighting - it's up to you. Wirraway and Winjeel flights are also available. Based at Caboolture Airfield, 30 minutes north of Brisbane. Or hop aboard a Nanchang warbird, also at Caboolture Airfield. Make a booking with Caboolture Recreational Aviation.
Antique Airways
Go the nostalgia route as you take a joy flight in an authentic Tiger Moth. These classic biplanes carry only one passenger so if you’re with a group, while away the waiting time, imbibing hot or cold beverages on the verandah of the Antique Airways office/waiting room - the original Redcliffe Aero club building - which has been restored in period décor of the 1930s. Choose from a scenic flight around the peninsular or an adrenalin-pumping aerobatic flight. Flights take off from Redcliffe Aerodrome, 20 minutes north of Brisbane.
Tiger Moth Joy Rides
Whether you want a pleasant scenic joy flight or a heart-stopping aerobatic adventure, viewing the Gold Coast upside down from 4000 feet (if you dare!), Tiger Moth Joy Rides can satisfy most flights of fancy. You’ll be flying in a vintage bi-plane, which first flew in 1931, wind in your hair, wearing Biggles-style hat with goggles. Fabulous! Formation Flights are available for passengers who want to fly together. Located at Pimpama, 35 minutes north of Surfers Paradise.
Aero Dynamic Flight Academy
Aero Dynamic Flight Academy, based at Caboolture Airfield, 30 minutes north of Brisbane, also offer Tiger Moth joy flights over the beaches of Bribie Island or the Sunshine Coast.
Modern aircraft flights
FreeFlying
Enjoy the thrill of flying in a high-tech Carbon Fibre sports aircraft or an open-cockpit trike, the ultimate thrill machine. Flights range from 20 to 50 minutes and you can choose between three “adventures” - a quick trip down the Redcliffe foreshore, then back to the aerodrome for couple of laps in either a Carbon Fibre sports aircraft or the agile and exciting trikes; cruising over Moreton Bay in a Texan Top class aircraft or a trike while keeping an eye out for dolphin, dugong or even whales; or the popular 50-minute joy flight from Redcliffe, over Deception Bay, with magnificent views of the Glasshouse Mountains, Bribie Island, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Located at Redcliffe Aerodrome, 20 minutes north of Brisbane.
Airsport Queensland
Take a flight in an Open Cockpit Drifter, soaring over rolling farmland, mountains, glassy lakes and small country towns. Wave to friendly farmers on their tractors, and follow creeks and rivers as they wind through rolling hills and villages. Or if you’re feeling brave, feel the adrenaline rush as your instructor puts this flying machine through its paces. Experience stalls, sideslips, incipient spins and tight turns. Located at Boonah, a 90-minute drive south-west from downtown Brisbane.
Redcliffe Aero Club
Redcliffe Aero Club offers a range of scenic flights including the Blue Lagoon, Moreton Island and Bays Natural Wonderland Scenic Flight. This scenic flight for up to five passengers allows you to enjoy your time together with friends as you take the cruise over beautiful Moreton Island. Highlights of the hour-long flight, which departs from Redcliffe Airport, include Cape Moreton Lighthouse, Flinders Reef, Blue Lagoon and the Tangalooma Wrecks.
Gliding
Gliding Adventure Flights
Experience the exhilarating feeling of soaring like a bird while gliding over the spectacular scenery of Moreton Bay and Bribie, Moreton and North Stradbroke islands. During the flight you'll be sitting next to your pilot in the front seat of the glider and will have plenty of opportunities to take photographs and talk on the flight radio. You can even have a go at the controls and fly the glider yourself. Flights take off from Caboolture Airfield, 30 minutes north of Brisbane.
Helicopter joy flights
Helicopters aren’t just for rock stars and millionaires - join the “heli-set” as you move forward, backwards, sideways or hover in these fun flying machines.
Austcopters
Austcopters combines scenic flights with gourmet dining. They’ll whisk you away in a high-powered helicopter into the Maleny mountains for a three-course gourmet lunch, deposit you on your own deserted island to enjoy a seafood feast or serve up champagne at sunset on Stradbroke Island. Located in Archerfield, about 20 minutes from Brisbane.
Airwork Helicopters
Airwork Helicopters, based at Caboolture, also offer joy flights along the Sunshine Coast and hinterland.
Gold Coast Helicopters
Gold Coast Helicopters provide scenic tours from Coolangatta Airport and Conrad Jupiters Casino Rooftop Heli-Pad. Fly along the golden beaches of the Gold Coast, passing Currumbin Point enroute to Burleigh Head's national park and foreshore escarpment. Or take the “Tweed River Meander” - an exhilarating flight over the Mt Warning foothill ranges towards Tumbulgum, a cedar-logging village established in the 1840s. The “Sights of Surfers Paradise” gives you a bird’s-eye view of the famous beach city while the “Mt Warning/Springbrook Spectacular” provides an easy lift to one of the world's oldest and largest extinct volcanoes towering 1,100 metres above the Tweed Valley coastline. Note: minimum of two adults per flight.
Seaplanes
Gold Coast Seaplanes
Taking off and landing on water is a unique thrill. Gold Coast Seaplanes offer a wide range of scenic flights and day-trips. See the sand, surf, high-rise towers of Surfers Paradise or rise above the spectacular coastal and hinterland scenery of the Gold Coast. The seaplanes operate from the Broadwater just in front of the main Southport shopping area.
Have you been lucky enough to take any of these adventurous trips? If so, tell us about your thrilling experience.
