Melbourne: Hot Air Balloon Flight & Champagne Breakfast

4.92

(124 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not scared of heights, right?” That’s what our pilot, Simon, asked while we shuffled into the balloon basket before dawn, still half-asleep and clutching coffee. The air smelled like cold grass and something sweet from nearby bakeries starting up. I didn’t expect how quiet it would be—just the occasional whoosh from the burners and a soft laugh from someone else in our group when we drifted right over the Yarra River. Melbourne looked tiny, almost like a toy city laid out for us: MCG glowing in early light, trams crawling along streets I’d walked yesterday.

I kept trying to spot my hotel but got distracted by the Royal Botanic Gardens—patches of green that looked painted on. Simon pointed out Eureka Tower and those Brighton bathing boxes (they really do look as colorful as everyone says). The wind decided our path, which felt weirdly freeing. We floated past Westgate Bridge and watched morning joggers become little dots. Someone tried to take a selfie but dropped their phone back into the basket—cue nervous laughter. Honestly, I thought I’d be more anxious up there, but it was just peaceful and kind of surreal.

Landing was bumpier than I expected (Simon called it “a classic Melbourne touchdown”), but we were all grinning like idiots by then. The best part? That 5-star champagne breakfast at Collins Kitchen in the Grand Hyatt after—proper coffee, eggs cooked every way, pastries that tasted even better after being up in the sky. I probably ate too much but nobody was judging. Still think about that view sometimes when I see clouds now.