Melbourne CBD from a Helicopter

5 AWESOME Things To Do in Melbourne this Weekend

Fun Activities & Things To Do in Melbourne this Weekend

Melbourne is one of the world's most liveable cities, even topping the list for seven straight years.  

But aside from being an ideal place to live, work, or study, the fun things to do in Melbourne are limitless, as it is a bustling metropolis that offers stunning views and amazing experiences within the city and its nearby regions.

Are you a local Melbournian looking for something interesting to do? Or are you visiting the city with a couple of days to spare? Either way, you could definitely go for a weekend filled with memorable Melbourne experiences. 

What to do in Melbourne this Weekend

1. Explore the City

If you are an urbanite who enjoys the creature comforts and cosmopolitan vibe of a world-class city, Melbourne can be quite an experience. The CBD is a hub for the arts, shopping, and dining, with a celebrated café culture. 

With riverside walkways, art installations, and gram-worthy graffiti, the city is a sight to behold even at street level. But have you ever wondered about the view from the CBD’s towering skyscrapers?

If so, check out the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel at the Docklands. 120 metres high and as tall as a 40-storey building, this attraction is one of the world’s largest giant observation wheels. The view is equally spectacular from Eureka Skydeck, the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck at a height of 300 meters.

Melbourne has also made its name as the Sporting Capital of the World. Sports enthusiasts flock to the city yearly and fill sporting venues to the brim. These must-see venues include the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Australian Open’s Rod Laver Arena, and the F1 Circuit at Albert Park.   

And if you ever want a break from the concrete jungle, you can escape to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne Zoo, and enjoy the greenery and wildlife.

These are just a few of the fun activities in Melbourne you can enjoy. But with limited time, you will be hard-pressed to experience them all in a single weekend.

Did you know that you can see all of these famous landmarks within 20 minutes? You can do this through a private helicopter ride that will give you a convenient scenic city tour at 1,500 feet (450 metres) above the ground. Taking a helicopter ride around Melbourne is rated as one of the best things to do over a weekend. 

Choose from one of these breath-taking helicopter flights will surely give you a memorable weekend and a totally different perspective of the city. It’s your chance to see from a vantage point far above and beyond the highest observation decks in the city!  

Scenic Helicopter Flight in Melbourne

2. Have Fun by the Beach

Your list of things to do in Melbourne this weekend will not be complete without seeing its most popular beaches. And there’s no better way to do it than with an extended city and coastal beaches helicopter tour.  

From an altitude of 450 metres during the city and CBD course, the helicopter will then descend to 150 metres. This Melbourne experience allows for more immersive viewing while passing through the city's most famous beach, St. Kilda

This easily accessible beachside playground is just a few kilometres away from the city centre. You can comfortably look over beachgoers who are swimming, relaxing by the sand, or enjoying all sorts of beach activities. 

From St. Kilda, the helicopter tour will take you to Brighton Beach for the iconic Brighton Bathing Boxes. This will be your chance to step up your Instagram game by posting aerial photos of this popular row of colourful and uniformly proportioned wooden structures.

The bathing boxes have been around since the 1860s and were used to protect the modesty of the ladies in their swimwear. Their original charm and simplicity were preserved, which is why the 82 bathing boxes still don’t have running water or electricity. 

Your helicopter flight will also take you to another Melbourne-exclusive attraction: the sunken British World War 1 submarine, J7. Located at the Sandringham Yacht Club, its rusting hull serves as a breakwater and protects other vessels from the strong waves and winds by the bay.  

Did you know that Melbourne is also one of the top sunrise locations in the world? Try a helicopter ride over the beach at sunrise to capture this amazing scenery.

PS: You might even spot the hot air balloons floating over the CBD!

Helicopter Ride over Port Philip Bay

3. Go on a Road Trip

When planning fun Melbourne activities, going on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road is one particularly exhilarating option. 

Here are the numbers: 

  • 243 kilometres - the total length of the Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Warrnambool. 
  • 100 kilometres - the distance from Melbourne CBD to the start of the Great Ocean Road in Torquay. 
  • 4 hours and 15 minutes - the total time it will take to drive from one end of the Great Ocean Road to the other.

Just imagine yourself cruising down the winding road while taking in the picturesque views of the ocean and its rugged coastline. You can stop at designated lookouts and pullover points and drive through towns and villages.

Great Ocean Road Helicopter Tour

4. Immerse Yourself in Nature’s Wonders

Adventure seekers will surely enjoy traversing the Great Ocean Road, especially the 130-kilometre-long Shipwreck Coast. 

This part of the coastline can get quite dangerous, with strong winds, cliffs, rocks, and rough waters. There are tales about this coast being the watery grave of more than 700 cargo and passenger ships, only around 200 of which were documented.

Exploring the Shipwreck Coast will bring you to some of nature’s most majestic wonders, like the 12 Apostles. These are limestone pillars that rise from the sea into 45-metre-tall columns. The pillars were originally part of the mainland’s limestone cliffs 10 to 20 million years ago. Waves from the Southern Ocean, fierce winds, and erosion eventually carved out this magnificent rock formation over time. 

There are more formations along the Shipwreck Coast like the Sentinel, the Arch, London Bridge, and the Bay of Islands. You can’t help but marvel at the stories of how these crumbling columns came to be, and at the force of the swells constantly spraying on them.  

Other natural wonders have also become famous attractions along the coastline, like the rock pool, the Grotto, and the Schomberg Reef, which was named after a clipper ship from Scotland that sank after colliding with the reef in 1855.  

The Loch Ard Gorge, named after the most famous shipwreck in 1878, became the refuge of two teenagers after the ship crashed into Mutton-bird Island. They were the only survivors. 

If you are planning to explore the Great Ocean Road and the Shipwreck Coast, it will take you at least a full day. Some tour operators even suggest several days so you can fully explore the coastline and everything that it has to boast. 

But if you can only spare 6 to 8 hours of your jam-packed Melbourne weekend, then a private helicopter ride will make exploring the Great Ocean Road and the Shipwreck Coast a bucket-list-worthy tour! See the panoramic vista of the 12 Apostles, all the rock formations, and natural attractions while comfortably aboard a helicopter. 

On this helicopter tour, you won’t just fly over these famous landmarks. You will be given two hours of personal time to walk down the Gibson Steps and explore the 12 Apostles up close! 

And you can make this experience even more amazing by adding another scenic stopover. Have lunch and a wine tour at a nearby vineyard on your way back to Melbourne. Speaking of…

Helicopter Ride over Melbourne's Coast

5. Experience a Wine and Distillery Tour

Nothing beats a glass of wine (or even a bottle or two), especially on a weekend.

Just outside of Melbourne are regions popular for their stunning views and world-class wineries and vineyards: Yarra Valley, Bellarine Peninsula, and Nagambie

Yarra Valley is about an hour away from Melbourne and is said to be Victoria’s pioneer wine region since it started in 1838. This award-winning, cool-climate wine region is home to over 80 cellar doors and distilleries, microbreweries, and cider makers. 

Over an hour’s drive from Melbourne is the town of Nagambie. This holiday spot is known for water activities with its proximity to the Goulburn River and the man-made Lake Nagambie. These bodies of water play a significant part in the area’s climate, making it Australia’s only wine region whose climate is influenced by inland waterways. Its red sandy loam soil also helps in enhancing the quality of the grapes and adding that distinctive character to the region’s wines. 

It will also take you more than an hour to get to the Bellarine Peninsula from Melbourne. Other than its coastal views and seaside activities, Bellarine is also known for its foodie scene coupled with local wineries and breweries. 

Driving to these places for a weekend getaway is doable, but private helicopter tours will cut the travel time while giving you the most unforgettable VIP tour experience. Imagine landing on your chosen winery’s helipad or outside the restaurant’s front lawn! 

Tap into your inner connoisseur by booking the Levantine Hill Winery tour and peruse a premium wine brand’s award-winning products like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Upgrade your gourmet experience with a three, five, or seven-course meal lunch menu. The flight takes 25 minutes from Melbourne, and you’ll have two hours to enjoy your meal, wine, and stroll around the vineyard. 

For a simpler and equally fun alternative, consider the Beers, Burgers, & Gin helicopter tour. For 2.5 hours, you will visit a brewery known for its IPAs, stouts, and pale ales, a popular burger place, and a world-renowned distillery. This itinerary is absolutely no-fuss; everything will be arranged, from the flight to transfers between the venues. 

Most of the vineyards are also great backdrops for a special moment. Imagine having panoramic views of Melbourne and Geelong while you pop the question that will change your lives forever. The Jack Rabbit Winery tour can help you take the first step to your happily ever after.

Rochford Winery by Helicopter

Leave Your Melbourne Weekend to Rotor One

A weekend full of fun things to do in Melbourne might only be a couple of days on your calendar, but it can also hold a lifetime's worth of memories. 

Whether you are a traveller or adventurer looking to sate your wanderlust, a jaded local wanting to rediscover the city you are in, or a lover preparing for a pivotal event like an anniversary or a spectacular proposal by helicopter, a new take on exploring Melbourne will definitely be worth it.

Save your time and energy from all the planning, walking, or driving and focus on making memories. Partnering with companies like Rotor One will let you fully enjoy the best things to do in Melbourne on any given weekend.

Read our Ultimate Guide to Helicopter Rides in Melbourne or call us on (03) 7065 1888 to talk to one of our experience specialists to make your weekend in Melbourne memorable!

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

About The Author

Edward Taylor - Owner & Commercial Pilot at Rotor One

Edward Taylor is a Helicopter Pilot based in Melbourne, Australia. He holds a Commercial Pilot's License for Helicopters (CPL-H) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is the Owner and Commercial Pilot at Rotor One (Australia). Edward is a local expert in helicopter tours across Australia and has had the pleasure of flying helicopters in England, Italy, Switzerland, the USA and Israel.

✉️ Send Edward an Email

About Us

Rotor One - Melbourne Helicopter Rides

We're proud to be Melbourne's #1 rated helicopter company with an exclusive selection of helicopter rides, wine tours and charter destinations in Melbourne.

Experience Melbourne's iconic sights on a spectacular flight over Melbourne CBD, indulge in one of Yarra Valley's famed vineyards, or witness the breathtaking 12 Apostles from the sky.

Mark your anniversary with our Couples Only Experience, or surprise your children with our Kid's Co-Pilot Experience — the best birthday gift they'll ever receive.

We believe a helicopter ride is more than a flight — it's a breathtaking adventure that you'll remember for a lifetime.

Have a question?

📞 Call us on (03) 7065 1888