
Cairns & the Tropical North
Cairns Hot Air Balloon Flight and Jet Boat Ride
Sunrise balloon views over the Atherton Tablelands followed by a fast 35-minute jet boat ride on Trinity Inlet.
4 hours to 6 hours
A$555.00

Scenic flights are often the splurge experience that turns a good trip into an unforgettable one. For backpackers, they are usually less about transport and more about seeing Australia’s landscapes in a way that is impossible from the ground. Coastal flyovers, reef views, dramatic rock formations, remote terrain, and sweeping city or regional panoramas can all feel completely different from the air. Because they sit at the more premium end of the budget, scenic flights are usually worth choosing carefully. This subcategory is here to help backpackers think about when an aerial experience makes sense, what kind of scenery it suits best, and why some flights become genuine bucket-list moments. If you are considering scenic flights in Australia as part of a bigger trip, this page will help you understand the appeal and compare the style of experiences available.
Things to do
Discover scenic flights in Australia for backpackers, from coastal flyovers to unforgettable views over iconic landscapes.

Cairns & the Tropical North
Sunrise balloon views over the Atherton Tablelands followed by a fast 35-minute jet boat ride on Trinity Inlet.
4 hours to 6 hours
A$555.00
Cairns & the Tropical North
A one-hour scenic flight over two reef systems, with sweeping Great Barrier Reef views and regular marine life sightings.
Up to 1 hour
A$829.00
Cairns & the Tropical North
A scenic flight covering both the reef and rainforest, with views of Green Island, Vlasoff Sand Cay, Kuranda and Barron Falls.
1 to 4 hours
A$619.00