The 15 Best Melbourne Hot Air Balloon Rides Tours

1.Yarra Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with GoPro Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 506 reviews · from $355Our pick

Meet before dawn at Pullman Melbourne on the Park or choose CBD pickup, then help prepare the balloon before an hour-long sunrise flight over the Yarra Valley. Wind decides your route. Pilots such as Steve, Jacob, Pato, and Harry add clear safety guidance, while GoPro photos, a digital certificate, and optional Balgownie Estate breakfast complete the morning.

“Amazing way to kick start a new day. Awesome views. An once in a lifetime experience. However, the landing was too bumpy and uncomfortable for me. Spotted some kangaroos fighting in the grassland while waiting to go up the basket. Quite chilly in the yarra valley especially when the wind blows. The kids had fun helping to fold the balloon after the flight. Ended the flight with a hearty hot meal at the Balgownie before the long drive back to the hotel.”

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2.Hot Air Balloon Flights over Melbourne City (optional breakfast)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 403 reviews · from $369

Meet around 5:00 am, then ride in a small group of up to 12 people to a suitable launch site. Liberty Balloon Flights offers about an hour over Melbourne, with views of the MCG, Museum, CBD, and sunrise. Pilots such as Nick, Dan, and Pete explain each stage, and you may help prepare and pack the balloon. Breakfast costs extra.

“Great information before fantastic flight. Very relaxing and enjoyable. Dan and Thor were great. I know a lot more about hot air ballooning now and will encourage people to have a go😊”

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3.Melbourne sunrise balloon flight & champagne breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 270 reviews · from $400

Meet at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for an early balloon flight over the MCG, Shrine of Remembrance, Flinders Street Station, and the Yarra River. Pilots including Dom, Viktor, and Mitch handle the flight, followed by a complimentary champagne breakfast. Children six and older may fly.

“Taller people be warned! If you stand in the middle of the basket (like we did) the top of your head will get hot from the burners! My husband (6'1") had to wear the hood of his coat to avoid the burning/hot feeling. I'm 5'2" and I could also feel Read more”

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4.Melbourne Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride with GoPro Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 263 reviews · from $426

Meet at Pullman Melbourne On The Park before dawn for a roughly one-hour balloon flight over Melbourne. Your pilot may be Eddie, Steve, Darius, Dave, or Tim. Expect changing views shaped by wind, a hands-on balloon pack-up, optional champagne breakfast, and GoPro photo opportunities.

“The spectacular views across Melbourne and the quiet. Learning a little about what’s involved with ballooning. Participation was interesting. It was also a little strenuous as a 72 year old holding up the mouth of the balloon for inflation.”

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5.Yarra Valley sunrise balloon flight & champagne breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 159 reviews · from $336

Meet your pilot in Yarra Glen or arrange private Melbourne hotel pickup for an early-morning hot-air-balloon flight over the Yarra Valley. You’ll see rolling hills, valleys, and wineries from above as the sun rises, then return for a complimentary champagne breakfast. Brian and the Rainbow Balloon team are specifically praised in the available feedback.

“Excellent trip! Really enjoyed it. Shout out to Brian and the team of the rainbow balloon. You guys rock!”

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6.Melbourne sunrise balloon flight only

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · from $365

Take an early morning group balloon flight above Melbourne, with hotel pickup and drop-off or a meeting point option. Pilot Dom and ground support Jason help deliver a calm, scenic outing over the MCG, Albert Park, the Shrine of Remembrance, Flinders Street Station, and the Yarra River. Flights last about four hours and suit children aged six and older.

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7.Melbourne Premium Balloon Flight plus 5-Star champagne breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · from $377

Meet BalloonMan in central Melbourne for a 3 to 4-hour hot-air balloon flight over the Yarra River, MCG, Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens and more. After landing, enjoy a 5-star buffet breakfast with champagne. Pickup is offered, the group is limited to 10, and weather can affect departure.

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8.Balloon Flight at Sunrise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 106 reviews · 4 hours · from $364

Meet at The Hotel Windsor before dawn, ride to the launch field, help prepare the balloon, then spend about an hour above Melbourne with an experienced pilot. Look for the MCG, Yarra River, gardens and CBD landmarks as the wind carries you toward a different landing spot. English and Spanish guidance is available.

“Wow, such an awesome experience! We had a blast! Highly recommend it, especially to be able to see Melbourne from a bird point of view!”

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9.Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 3 hours · from $360

Meet at Sofi’s Lounge at the Sofitel, or choose pickup from Melbourne’s CBD, Southbank, or Docklands. After a safety briefing, fly over the CBD at sunrise with pilot Dom or another English-speaking pilot. See the MCG, Flinders Street, Eureka, and the Yarra River from the basket, with optional breakfast and champagne afterward.

“Had a wonderful experience it was so breathtakingly beautiful. Dom was amazing at this job. Would love to know if he ever did any balloon trips in the UK. Really had the most memorable experience. Thank you”

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10.1-Hour Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 210 - 270 minutes · from $400

Meet the Global Ballooning team at Pullman Melbourne on the Park about 1.5 hours before sunrise, then rise above Melbourne for roughly an hour. Your pilot provides commentary while you may help inflate and pack the balloon. The flight can pass the MCG, Federation Square, or Albert Park, depending on wind. Photos, a certificate, and balloon magnet are included.

“Was amazing. My pilot Clem was very good and very informative.”

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11.Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · 6h 30m · from $383

Meet your pilot before sunrise for a one-hour flight over Yarra Valley vineyards, farms, rivers, and historic towns. Global Ballooning Australia provides CBD transfers, pilot commentary, balloon setup, GoPro photos, a digital certificate, and breakfast at Balgownie Estate. The flight carries 4 to 24 people and depends on safe weather.

“De ballonvaart is echt fantastisch! Een prachtige ervaring die ik kan aanraden. Echter had ik 2 verschillende tijden doorgekregen, daar een vraag over gesteld, maar geen reactie op ontvangen waardoor ik 3uur te vroeg was... Ook heb ik 3 sterren aan de gids gegeven, omdat de piloot echt fantastisch was (5sterren), maar onze instructeur/gids in mijn ogen nogal irritant was. Druktemaker, theatraal, vond vooral zichzelf heel goed”

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12.Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Experience with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $395

Meet at Sofi’s Lounge at the Sofitel, or choose CBD, Southbank, or Docklands pickup. After a safety briefing, you’ll float above Melbourne’s CBD at sunrise with views of the MCG, Flinders Street, Southern Cross Station, Eureka, and the Yarra River. Pilot Dominic, a 2018 world champion, may be at the controls. Add breakfast and in-flight photos for a polished finish.

“Det hele er så godt, morgenmad efter tur er fantastik. Pilot er god til at fortælle og forberede os inden turen. Det er måske lidt for klimt at have 10 personer i hver balloon.”

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13.Balloon Flight at Sunrise with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 4 hours · from $401

Meet at Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel before dawn for a coach ride to the launch field. Help Peter and Thor prepare the balloon, then enjoy about an hour in the air above the MCG, Yarra River, gardens, and city skyline before returning for a gourmet five-star breakfast.

“I love that Peter and Thor showed and explain how the hot air balloon works, and invite whole passengers working together from a flat air to floating on the air. The city view before the sun rises is incredible, likely recommend this tour.”

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14.Melbourne Premium Balloon Flight 5-Star Champagne Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 3 hours · from $373

Meet at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne for a luxury Mercedes transfer to your sunrise balloon flight. You will float over the Yarra, MCG, Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens, Westgate Bridge, and Brighton bathing boxes. Pilot Chris has pointed out landmarks and explained the flight clearly. Return for a private Collins Kitchen breakfast with champagne.

“Amazing experience with spectacular views. Detailed safety explanation and reassurance about take off and landing. Floating above the city as the sun came up was the best feeling. Chris was knowledgeable about the area and pointed out all the landmarks. Landing was gentle despite being on the side! Back for a great breakfast with attentive staff and multiple choice. Would do this again without question.”

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15.Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon Experience with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $332Best value

Meet the Picture This Ballooning team for a preflight briefing and watch the balloon inflate before drifting above Yarra Valley vineyards, orchards, villages, and the Yarra River. The four-hour experience includes in-flight photos and video, an optional digital flight certificate, and a buffet breakfast at Yarra Valley Lodge. English and Chinese-speaking instruction is available.

“Such a breathtaking experience! Pilot made me feel very safe. He was very experienced and confident. Breakfast option was okay. Simple breakfast buffet.”

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