Sunrise Balloon Flight over Melbourne followed by a Yarra Valley Wine Experience
A sunrise balloon flight over Melbourne is a truly remarkable experience. There are few major cities in the world that can be traversed by hot air balloon and there certainly is no better way to take in Australia's second largest city. In the early morning light you will drift by the array of parks and gardens that make Melbourne the world's most liveable city. As the city comes to life you will look down on some of the cities iconic sporting venues like the MCG, Melbourne Park and Albert Park racetrack. If you are looking for a romantic soft adventure that gives you a peek at city life from a totally different angle, then ballooning over Melbourne is a must.
Complimentary city pickups are available from every major motel/hotel. Balloon flights over Melbourne appeal to people of all ages, young and old alike. We offer complimentary transfers from all central city hotels and drop off at the first meeting point for your winery tour pick up.
Morning of flight:
We meet at Hilton on the Park half an hour before first light (you will be advised of the exact time the evening before your flight). Your pilot will give you a short briefing. You will then be transported to the launch site where you may help with the launch, or stand back and take pictures. Then away we go, drifting gently over the city of Melbourne in our beautiful balloon. Your flight will last for approximately one hour. Afterwards you will be transferred to St Paul’s Cathedral where you will meet up with the Australian Wine Tour Company tour group.
PLEASE NOTE: Breakfast afterwards at the Hilton Hotel is not included in this package. If time permits and clients wish to enjoy a champagne breakfast the cost is $25 per person payable to Global Ballooning on the morning of the flight.
Yarra Valley Wine Experience:
After your balloon flight, Global Ballooning will take you to St Paul’s Cathedral where you will meet up with the Australian Wine Tour Company tour group. Your tour guide will teach you the finer points of wine tasting, what we like to call the ‘ Swirl, Sniff & Slurp,’ to ensure you get the most out of your afternoon of wine tasting. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable cellar door staff will then take you through their range of benchmark award winning wines.
Next stop is Rochford’s Wines, home to ‘Day on the Green’ concert events. While the cellar door staff shares some of their favourite wines with you, your lunch is prepared. Sit down to a delicious meal accompanied by a glass of wine, tea/coffee and bread, and enjoy the view.
After lunch you will visit Yering Farm, a small family owned boutique winery which is one of the few wineries in the Yarra Valley that uses only fruit picked from their vineyards in their wines. Yering Farm uses traditional wine making methods and offers a pioneering Australian ambience in the cellar door which has a fascinating display of antique wine making tools.
Last stop of the day is Domaine Chandon, home to the Australian operations of French Champagne Company Moet et Chandon. After a tour of the winery where you will learn how sparkling wine is made enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and tasty light shared platters of cheese, relish and crusty breads.
IMPORTANT:All passengers must phone Melbourne City duty pilot the night before flight between 6.00pm and 6.30pm on Melbourne flights: 0488 686 555, Yarra Valley flights: 0488 686 444 to confirm weather forecast and pick up time from city hotel. If flight is cancelled AWTC tour will proceed and clients must be advised to contact AWTC on 1800 996 414 to arrange alternate pick up location.
