Melbourne flying experiences

Scenic flights in Melbourne take three forms: a helicopter flight over the bay and the CBD, a hot air balloon at sunrise, or a tandem skydive over the Great Ocean Road coast or the Yarra Valley. They range from a 12-minute taster to a half-day outing, so the right one depends on how much time and thrill you want.

Melbourne helicopter flights over the bay and CBD

Helicopter flights depart from Mentone, in Melbourne's south-east, with Professional Helicopter Services Melbourne. The Melbourne City and Bayside Helicopter Flight is a 20-minute flight that follows the coast up to St Kilda's pier, with the CBD landmarks in view and commentary from your pilot.

The Brighton Beach Boxes and Ricketts Point Helicopter Flight is a 12-minute taster over the coast, with the CBD in the distance. It's the quickest way up in a helicopter if time is short. Each flight starts with a safety briefing and a photo in front of the helicopter, and flight times vary with air traffic control and weather.

Hot air ballooning over Melbourne at sunrise

Hot air balloon flights lift off at dawn and drift for about an hour over the CBD, the Yarra River and the MCG. The Melbourne sunrise balloon flight departs from The Hotel Windsor on Spring Street, and the Australian Ballooning Company's midweek balloon flight and flight with optional breakfast meet at the Sofitel. The meeting time is confirmed the night before. See the hot air ballooning page for more.

Tandem skydiving near Melbourne

Tandem skydives near Melbourne jump from up to 15,000ft. The Great Ocean Road weekday tandem skydive includes return transfers from Southbank, and the weekend skydive with transfers picks up from the same stop. Each ends with up to a minute of free fall above the coastline.

The Yarra Valley tandem skydive from Lilydale Airport has the same 15,000ft drop with a 5 to 7-minute float over vines and the Dandenong Ranges. Our Melbourne skydiving page compares the drop zones.

Choosing how to fly over Melbourne

Go for a helicopter flight if you want a short outing that fits between other plans, since helicopter flights are a 12-minute taster or a 20-minute flight. Go for a balloon if you'd like a slow, quiet view of the city and don't mind an early start. Go for a skydive if you want the adrenaline, and plan around a half-day trip to Barwon Heads or a 2-hour session at Lilydale.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a helicopter flight over Melbourne?

A Melbourne helicopter flight from Mentone is either a 20-minute flight over the CBD and the bay, or a 12-minute taster flight over Brighton Beach Boxes and Ricketts Point. Flight times vary with air traffic control and weather.

Are there age or health limits on Melbourne helicopter flights?

Children between 3 and 13 must be accompanied by an adult on the Professional Helicopter Services Melbourne flights, and no particular level of fitness is required. People with epilepsy cannot fly.

What time do Melbourne hot air balloon flights take off?

Melbourne hot air balloon flights take off at sunrise, so guests meet the operator in the early hours of the morning. The exact meeting time changes through the year and is confirmed the night before.

How old do you have to be to skydive near Melbourne?

Guests must be 16 or older for the Great Ocean Road tandem skydives, with no maximum age as long as you have reasonable fitness. The Great Ocean Road skydive from Barwon Heads Airport is a 4-hour experience, and the Yarra Valley skydive is a 2-hour experience.

Can I fly over Melbourne without leaving the city?

Yes. Hot air balloon flights depart from the CBD, with pickups from selected hotels on some flights, and helicopter flights depart from Mentone. Skydives are the exception, because they take place at drop zones outside the city.

Check the helicopter, balloon and skydive options above, and book the Melbourne flight that suits your morning.