• How much does a balloon ride cost?

• How long is the flight?

• When do you fly?

• What days do you fly?

• What's the best time of the year to fly?

• What happens if the weather is bad?

• How safe is a balloon flight?

• What about the radio report the other day
that a balloon was in difficulties?

• How many people does a balloon hold?

• Can I bring family or friends to breakfast with me?

How much does a balloon flight cost? 5

Your hot air balloon flight over the Yarra Valley followed by a 5-star gourmet champagne breakfast at Balgownie Estate Winery costs $295 for an adult.

For full details of the Yarra Valley by Balloon experience, our range of prices and our cancellation policy read our price list



How long is the flight? 5

Generally your balloon ride will last around an hour. The exact length depends on the wind direction and strength.

The whole morning from the time you arrive at Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa to the time when you leave their beautiful breakfast cafe normally takes around 5 hours.



When do you fly? 5

The best and safest time of day to fly over the Yarra Valley is at dawn, when the winds are gentlest. Once you have a confirmed a flight booking, a flight voucher and instructions to call the duty pilot the night prior to your flight will be given. You will receive a voice message outlining all flight details and meeting times

What days do you fly? 5

We are prepared to fly every day of the year (weekdays and weekends) except Christmas Day, and New Years day provided that the weather is suitable for a great flight.



What's the best time of the year to fly? 5

Every flight over the Yarra Valley is unique - and each season has its own charms. Winter and spring offer beautiful crisp clear mornings with great visibility. Summer is warm and fun to be up and about. Autumn gives a golden tinge to the views and magnificent daybreaks.

So the best time of the year to fly is whenever you want to fly.


What happens if the weather is bad? 5

If your pilot decides at any time that the weather is not suitable for a great flight, then we don't fly. Once or twice a year we even get to the stage of having the balloons ready for take-off and the weather changes to the point where we cannot fly.

If your flight does not happen because of the weather you can rebook another date.

A Yarra Valley by Balloon ride is sensational and the wait for an excellent morning is always worth your while.



How safe is a balloon flight? 5

Our pilots are fully licensed Commercial Pilots with many years experience and we follow rigorously the rules and regulations of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

For more detail on the extra steps we take to ensure your safety read this section.


What about the radio report the other day that a balloon was in difficulties? 5

It was probably a false alarm.

It is hard for a general member of the public with no experience of hot air balloons to judge whether a balloon flying low or landing nearby is in trouble. About every 2 months or so someone is sufficiently concerned to call Emergency Services in the mistaken belief that there is a problem. These calls are monitored and reported by the media without checking whether it is true.



How many people does a balloon hold? 5

Between 6-16 people depending on total weight and on the ambient air temperature - after the flight get your pilot to explain exactly what factors he is looking at when he makes the weight calculations.



Can I bring family or friends to breakfast with me? 5

You certainly can. Just let us know at the time of your booking or the day prior to your flight departure date. The breakfast by itself costs $35 for adults and $25 for children 3yrs – 12yrs.