Ballooning is an audience participation activity and you will be encouraged to assist with the set up and pack away of the balloon. It is an active morning in the outdoors, so wear clothes that can get stained or dirty & appropriate closed-toe footwear.
Hot air ballooning is weather dependent so your flight can be cancelled if the weather does not make it safe to fly you.
All passengers need to check if their flight is going ahead the night before anytime after 6pm. Check a link online where you will receive the weather report and find out the exact meeting time as below -
Melbourne Flight:
Yarra Valley Flight:
OR
you can download the Global Ballooning Mobile App if you'd rather receive a notification to your phone regarding your flight update:
Melbourne: MELDDMMYY eg. MEL15/02/17
Yarra Valley: YRVDDMMYY eg. YRV15/02/17
4. Make sure your notifications are switched ON in your phone settings so you can receive updates
5. You’ll receive a notification the night before your flight or if you are downloading it late, you'll see the flight update in the itinerary.
We meet approximately 1hr, 15mins before sunrise. The pilot will tell you the precise time when you check the flight details (by app, online or phone) the night before the flight (see your flight confirmation for full details).
The below information will give you an indication of meeting times but should be used as a guide only.
For CBD hotel transfers, you will start 30mins to 1 hour earlier than the times shown below.
You can expect to be with us for around 3.5 - 6 hours depending on which experience you have booked. This includes the flight as well as the setting up and packing down of the balloon, and breakfast. The flight itself is approximately 1 hour in duration.
Melbourne & Yarra Valley flight only: 3.5 - 4hrs
Melbourne & Yarra Valley flight + breakfast (self-drive): 4 - 4.5hrs
Yarra Valley flight, breakfast and transfers: 5.5 - 6hrs
If your flight is cancelled due to inclement weather, you'll receive a cancellation email and can reschedule to an alternate date.
Simply contact our friendly office on +61 3 9428 5703 or via email balloon@globalballooning.com.au and quote your reference number.
Please note, our weekend flights are extremely popular and can book out up to 8 weeks in advance at some times of year. Please be aware of this when re-booking, and understand that we will do our best to get you on a flight! You may like to consider a weekday flight instead. We schedule flights everyday of the year except Christmas Day (25/12).
If you cannot reschedule, you may request a refund. Please note, discounted bookings & gift vouchers are strictly non-refundable. If your package purchased is refundable, a $25 administration fee is incurred which Global Ballooning Australia retains due to bank fees.
You will be no colder in the balloon than when you are on the ground. The burners are located above your head and, as you will be moving with the wind, there is no wind chill. The burners can be quite warm so wear layered clothing & we recommend you wear a hat to protect your head from the heat of the burners.
Yes, you can book this through our office by calling +61 3 9428 5703 and quoting your reference number. The cost is $35 per adult and $15 per child (up to the age of 12).
Breakfast is held after the flight so you can confirm the approximate time that you will be back so they can meet you there.
Yes, we have open-dated gift certificates. They are valid for 12 months, are transferable, but non-refundable. We schedule flights everyday, except for Christmas Day so there are plenty of opportunities for your loved ones to book in with us using their gift voucher.
Yes, we offer group discounts depending on the size of your group. Please note, any discounted booking is strictly non-refundable.
Please contact our office on +61 3 9428 5703 or via email on balloon@globalballooning.com.au for more information & please provide the below details:
Both meeting points have parking available:
As long as you give us more than 7 days notice to change or cancel a flight, there are no fees involved. Within 7 days of the flight date, a $50 per person fee is applicable. Within 48 hours of your flight date, no changes or cancellations can be made to the booking.
Click here for full terms and conditions.
The Global Ballooning Australia and Burt & Davies have developed an Easy Access Basket (EAB). This incorporates a door to allow less able-bodied individuals, including those with serious physical disabiliites, to enter and exit the basket with ease. The EAB also incorporates customised seating, seat belts and a grab handle suspended from the burner frame. Unfortunately, we don't have a wheelchair accessible vehicle though.
Read more information on this basket here: https://www.globalballooning.com.au/accessibility
Yarra Valley flights can have up to 24 people in one basket but there are other sized balloons if less or more passengers have booked.
Melbourne flights hold 10 people per basket.
We can fly pregnant women in their 1st and 2nd trimester only. Please consult your doctor for health risks and advice.
Unfortunately, we will NOT be able to fly you in your 3rd trimester.
Flights are scheduled 7 days a week, all year round except on Christmas Day. Weekends always book up the quickest, we suggest allowing 6-8 weeks notice to book on a weekend, or try for a Monday-Friday flight. You're always welcome to call us to enquire about availability.
If you're looking for romance, ballooning is definitely for you! And what better way to propose to your significant other than with our Proposal Package. We have a customised "Will You Marry Me" balloon, and, as it is slowly inflated by our pilot, the words become visible. That's your cue to get out the ring! The package includes an exclusive flight for just the two of you, and a romantic champagne breakfast afterwards to celebrate your engagement. Please contact our office on +61 3 9428 5703 or via email: balloon@globalballooning.com.au for further details.
Sunrise is the best time to fly - it is calmest and coolest time of the day allowing for more opportunities to fly passengers so the winds are light and stable. As the sun warms the morning air, the wind begins to increase. It is also the prettiest part of everyday and a fantastic way for passengers to start the day.
We meet 1 hour before sunrise so that by the time we drive to the launch site (which is unknown until the morning of the flight due to the wind direction), set up the balloon and are up, up and away everyone is seeing the stunning sunrise from up above.