Melbourne: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight & City Views

Summary

Early morning balloon flight above Melbourne city’s rooftops

You’ll rise before dawn for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Melbourne, floating quietly above landmarks like the MCG and city rooftops as day breaks. With a local guide handling everything—including return transfers—you’ll experience both calm and excitement in equal measure. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s seeing Melbourne wake up from an entirely new angle.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost bailed when my alarm went off at 4am. But then, standing in the chilly dark on a random patch of grass just outside Melbourne’s CBD, watching our balloon slowly fill up—there was this weird excitement in the air. The burners whooshed and flickered orange against the night, and someone nearby whispered something about coffee (which I still regret not grabbing). Our pilot, Greg, checked all the ropes twice and cracked a joke about “not missing the city”—I laughed even though I was mostly nervous.

We drifted up so quietly that I barely noticed we’d left the ground until the field shrank away below us. The city was waking up—tiny cars moved along empty streets, and somewhere far off you could hear trams rattling. Greg pointed out the MCG—massive from above—and later the Melbourne Museum, its roof catching this soft gold light. He told stories about how balloon flights over Melbourne are kind of rare for big cities; apparently it’s one of the only places you can float right over skyscrapers like that. The wind decided where we went (Greg kept glancing at his little wind reader thing), so every flight is different.

I didn’t expect how peaceful it would feel, honestly. No engine noise, just occasional bursts from the burner and people whispering like they didn’t want to wake anyone down below. At one point I caught this smell—sort of toasted air mixed with eucalyptus? Could’ve been my imagination but it felt very “Melbourne morning.” When we landed (in a random park, which Greg said was normal), everyone clapped awkwardly and laughed. My hands were freezing but my face hurt from smiling so much. If you’re thinking about a hot air balloon flight over Melbourne… well, I still think about that view whenever I see the city skyline now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne

• Experience peaceful balloon flight
• Float over Melbourne city
• See Melbourne Cricket Ground
• View Melbourne Museum and city
• Enjoy early morning city sights

Top questions

How long does the hot air balloon flight over Melbourne last?

The flight lasts approximately one hour.

Are transfers included in this Melbourne hot air balloon tour?

Yes, return transfer to the meeting point is included.

What landmarks can you see during the flight?

You can usually see the MCG and often get good views of Melbourne Museum and the city center.

Is there commentary or guidance during the flight?

Yes, in-flight commentary and guidance are provided by your local pilot or guide.

Is breakfast included with this tour?

An optional breakfast is available but not always included by default.

Is this hot air balloon ride suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Do I need to be very fit to join this tour?

This activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Where do most flights take off from in Melbourne?

The exact launch site depends on wind direction but is usually near central Melbourne.

What’s included

Your morning includes return transfer to the meeting point, a roughly one-hour hot air balloon flight drifting over Melbourne with in-flight commentary from your local pilot or guide—plus an option to add breakfast if you want to keep soaking in that early city glow afterwards.