Melbourne Sunrise Hot Air Balloon & Breakfast Flight

Drifting Above Melbourne at Sunrise: Balloon Flight Over the MCG

You rise before dawn, drift above the Yarra River and MCG as the sun breaks over Port Phillip Bay and the CBD, and float past the Eureka Skydeck from above. After landing, a crew drives you to a premium buffet breakfast at the Amora Hotel Riverwalk Richmond to wind down. The whole experience runs around two to three hours from start to finish, including the flight and the meal.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Inflate hot air balloon
• Watch sunrise over Melbourne
• Float above Yarra River
• Pass Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Pass Eureka Skydeck
• Enjoy buffet breakfast at Amora Hotel

The Experience

You lift off before the city wakes. The balloon rises steadily, the Yarra River spreading out below in soft light, and within minutes you're floating high enough that the streets shrink to a grid. The MCG sits there like a massive oval thumbprint on the landscape, and Port Phillip Bay stretches behind it, still catching the first orange of the sun. This is the Melbourne sunrise hot air balloon flight — and it's nothing like seeing the city from ground level or even from the Eureka Skydeck observation deck. You're moving, drifting, suspended in the quiet between night and day.

The whole thing starts early. You arrive before dawn, watch the crew inflate the balloon with those long, controlled bursts of flame that warm the air inside the envelope, and then you step into the basket. There's no harness, no straps — just you, three or four other passengers, the pilot, and the open sky. The ascent is gentle enough that you barely feel it happening until you look down and realize the streets have fallen away. From up there, the CBD skyline catches the sunrise in layers — first the edges glow, then the glass buildings light up gold, then the whole thing turns pink. You're drifting over landmarks you've walked past a hundred times, seeing them from an angle that doesn't exist on any postcard.

The flight lasts around an hour, though time moves differently when you're floating. The pilot points out the MCG, talks about the city's layout, and if the light is right and the conditions cooperate, you'll get in-flight photography — images the crew emails to you after you land. There's no engine noise, no vibration, just the occasional soft roar of the burner and the sound of wind moving past the basket. It's peaceful in a way that surprises people who expect it to feel thrilling.

When you come down, the crew meets the balloon and guides it to the ground. From there, you're driven to the Amora Hotel Riverwalk Richmond for a lavish buffet breakfast — the kind with fresh pastries, fruit, eggs cooked to order, and enough coffee to ease you back into the day. You sit there still half-floating, still thinking about that view, and the whole morning feels like it happened in someone else's life.

What’s included

• Hot air balloon flight at sunrise over Melbourne's CBD, Yarra River, MCG and Port Phillip Bay.
• in-flight photography (available at pilot's discretion, emailed post-flight).
• ground crew briefing and balloon inflation.
• transport to the Amora Hotel Riverwalk Richmond.
• lavish buffet breakfast with fresh pastries, fruit, cooked-to-order eggs and beverages.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Go Wild Ballooning

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Melbourne from a perspective most visitors never get — the sunrise from above — and prefer a calm, meditative experience over an adrenaline rush. The early start and the fixed breakfast time mean you don't have to plan the morning yourself; you just show up and float.

Top questions

What time does the hot air balloon flight depart?

Flights depart before sunrise. Exact pickup times vary by season, but you'll be collected early morning and briefed on the ground before liftoff.

How long is the actual flight?

The balloon flight itself lasts approximately one hour, with an additional hour or so for ground briefing, inflation, and landing procedures.

Is the breakfast included?

Yes. After landing, you're transported to the Amora Hotel Riverwalk Richmond for a lavish buffet breakfast as part of the package.

Will I get photos from the flight?

In-flight photography is available on most flights at the pilot's discretion. Images are emailed to you after the flight.

How many people fly in one balloon?

Small groups fly together. Exact numbers vary, but baskets typically carry a pilot plus a handful of passengers to keep the experience intimate.

Is this suitable if I'm not very fit?

The flight is suitable for all physical fitness levels. There are no strenuous activities — you step into the basket and float. Check with the operator if you have specific health concerns.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the flight.

What's the weather policy if conditions are bad?

Hot air balloon flights depend on calm wind and clear conditions. If weather is unsafe, flights are typically rescheduled to another date at no extra cost.