FAQ's

You will be flying with Melbourne’s most experienced team. You can rely on our Chief Pilot – Chris Shorten a Melbourne native to show you the best that Melbourne has to offer.

Your hot air balloon ride over Melbourne followed by a 5-Star Champagne Breakfast at the Grand Hyatt Per Adult is $488.00 or per Child is $428.00.

A. Your hot air balloon ride over Bendigo followed by a Champagne Breakfast at Balgownie Estate Winery Per Adult is $488.00 or per Child is $428.00.

Yes, the perfect balloon surprise for that someone special. For full details of our balloon ride gift vouchers and gift packs read our gift cards page. Or simply Purchase and Download now.

Our flights over Melbourne and Bendigo average an hour in the air most mornings. An exact flight time or flight path cannot be guaranteed as hot air balloons fly with the wind.

Absolutely, whether they want to watch the balloon take off or join us for breakfast, ask our staff as to how we can best accommodate your needs.

From the time we meet you in the Main Lobby of Grand Hyatt Melbourne, or the car park at Balgownie Estate Winery to when we get back to our Champagne breakfast at Grand Hyatt or Balgownie Estate Winery, you are with us for about 4 hours. In Summer we are finishing up around 8.30 – 9.00 a.m. and in Winter, we would wrap up everything around 10.30 a.m.

In Melbourne we meet our passengers in the Main Lobby of Grand Hyatt (42-44 Russell St.) and In Bendigo we meet in the car park at Balgownie Estate Winery (46 Hermitage Rd, Maiden Gully). The meeting time is one hour prior to sunrise. Please keep in mind that sunrise times vary throughout the year; exact meeting and departure times will be clarified with you the day prior to your flight.

In the event of a flight cancellation, you will receive a text message notifying you. Otherwise, it’s all systems go!

We fly on every fine weather day, so you can make a booking for any day of the week, we can only fly when the weather permits.

We regularly take ten passengers per basket, everybody gets a window seat, there’s plenty of room to move around and swap places during the flight. The basket is padded with suede to enhance your comfort during the flight.

Take off points are only determined on the morning of your flight when we have a full understanding of the prevailing weather conditions in Melbourne or Bendigo. Hot Air Balloons fly with the wind so with our local knowledge, we will determine the most appropriate launch site to take in the best of Melbourne or Bendigo on the day of your flight. Transportation is then provided from Grand Hyatt in Melbourne or Balgownie Estate Winery in Bendigo to the selected launch site.

From the moment we launch, the pilot is maneuvering the aircraft through the various layers of air currents to determine the most suitable flight path. Only in the first ten minutes of the flight do we really make the decision as to exactly where we will be choosing to target for a landing. This mystery is what makes modern hot air balloon rides such an exciting adventure.

Generally up to 2000 feet. It all depends on the different layers of wind directions on the day – Your pilot can steer the balloon by altering the balloon’s altitude in search of the best wind direction on the day.

We thoroughly recommend the ambiance and delicious food at Grand Hyatt in the Collins Kitchen, or the restaurant at Balgownie Estate Winery the perfect way to celebrate your flight and chat with your pilot for the morning. However, it is OK to book a flight without breakfast at a discounted rate (please see various packages available)– or inquire at time of booking.

No, you won’t feel any colder during your balloon flight than you feel on the ground. In fact because we have three enormous gas burners right above us in the balloon and as you fly with the wind, you won’t feel any wind chill. That’s why we say hot air ballooning should be compulsory in wintertime.

If for any reason you need to cancel or change your flight date, Balloon Flights Over Melbourne/BalloonMan requires a minimum of three (3) full business days notice to refill your places on that date. A business day does not include weekends or public holidays. Group bookings of four or more passengers require a minimum of five (5) full business days notice to cancel. If we cancel a flight due to unsuitable weather, you are welcome to re-book your flight for another day or receive a refund, less $25pp booking fee. Please see full Terms and Conditions.

Passengers failing to turn up for their flight are considered “NO SHOWS” and will not be re-booked or refunded.

Tickets are valid for 12 months for use from their date of purchase. Some flights donated by Balloon Flights Over Melbourne/ BalloonMan may have limited validity and certain conditions on their usage.

Gift Cards are valid for 36 months (3 years).

Discounted special tickets and gif cards always have their own unique expiry date.