Bucket-list dreams afloat: new Coast tourism venture will send adventurous spirits skyward

A new tourism venture will allow patrons to take their adventurous spirit to new heights and see the Sunshine Coast from a different perspective.

A new hot air balloon will be prominent in our sky this spring, courtesy of Sunshine Coast Ballooning and RE/MAX Australia.

The Sunshine Coast RE/MAX hot air balloon, able to accommodate 12 passengers at a time in the basket, is being launched Thursday morning.

Inflation begins before dawn and the balloon will be tethered up to 20 metres at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The balloon will offer charter flight experiences over Maleny to Caloundra, Eumundi to Noosa, and everywhere between to fulfill bucket-list dreams.

The average tranquil flight is for one hour as the balloon is sent skywards from anywhere between the Glass House Mountains and Gympie, depending on wind conditions.

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The hot air balloon is an initiative of the Sunshine Coast’s three RE/MAX real estate businesses: RE/MAX First in Caloundra, RE/MAX Property Sales in Nambour and RE/MAX Hinterland in Maleny.

RE/MAX has the largest balloon fleet in the world and the Sunshine Coast balloon is its second in Australia, with the other based on the Gold Coast.

The Australian-made balloon is the fifth for Sunshine Coast Ballooning and the largest in its fleet.

Its manufacturer, Kavanagh Balloons, is recognised as one of the major balloon makers in the world today.

92.7Mix FM’s Mark and Caroline will be on hand at the Bokarina stadium event launch from 6-9am, offering a flight for two to lucky Sunshine Coast listeners in a live on-radio auction.

Another four double tickets will be auctioned during the breakfast show in the lead-up to Christmas, with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Australia.

RE/MAX Australia managing director Joel Davoren said his company was excited about seeing its name fly high over the region through the collaboration with Sunshine Coast Ballooning.

“RE/MAX balloons take to the skies in close to 30 countries worldwide and I think our Sunshine Coast balloon might take the fleet to more than 120,” he said.

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“And while RE/MAX is the No.1 globally recognised real estate brand, this is also a tourism initiative and a commitment to the Sunshine Coast community, and we hope that the balloon will bring lots of joy and excitement to both locals and visitors.”

To find out more about flight experiences in the RE/MAX hot air balloon, contact Sunshine Coast Ballooning on mobile 0432 182 873 or visit the website.

• The volume of the balloon is 260,000 cubic feet of air, which means more than one million basketballs can fit inside.
• It can lift over 2000kg in weight.
• Hot air balloon flights are always early morning as the wind conditions are the most stable and predictable.