Melbourne at Sunrise (Hot Air Balloon-style)
Melbourne at Sunrise (Hot Air Balloon-style)
A special 30 minute flight at sunrise over Melbourne in helicopter with the chance of seeing Hot Air Balloons floating over the city!
Your 30 minute Experience includes:
🚁 30 minute Private Flight
📸 Take photos in front of the helicopter
👩🏻💼 From 2 - 3 People
📍 Flights depart Essendon Airport (20 mins from CBD)
🥇 Melbourne's #1 Rated Helicopter Company
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Sunrise Helicopter Ride over Melbourne with Hot Air Balloons
Overview — Experience Melbourne on our Sunrise Helicopter Ride and see Hot Air Balloons flying over Melbourne!
This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Melbourne City skyline and coastal beaches during a special helicopter flight with amazing sunrise views in a helicopter!
Expect spectacular views and amazing morning scenery as the sun rises over Melbourne on your 30 minute doors-off helicopter ride around Melbourne CBD and down the coast flying over St Kilda Pier, Luna Park and the iconic Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes.
There is no other helicopter flight like this in Melbourne where you can experience flying over Melbourne’s city, coast and beaches with unobstructed views from every seat.
Aerial photography at sunrise is amazing from a helicopter and, on certain days, you might be lucky enough to see hot air balloons as they float over the city or in the distance in the Yarra Valley. Melbourne is the ONLY major city in the world that allows hot air balloons to fly overhead and you’ll have the same amazing views without having to meet somewhere at 4:00 AM for a hot air balloon flight.
This special early morning helicopter experience gives you a different perspective on Melbourne and amazing sunrise views that very few people ever get to experience, making it perfect as a birthday or anniversary gift, or the foundation for a stunning aerial photography shoot to capture Melbourne in the beautiful morning light. Hire a helicopter for charter to capture the sunrise is once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll remember for years to come.
Shared Flight Experience & Seats are Limited
Every sunrise flight has 3 seats available and every flight is shared. This means you can book 1, 2 or all 3 seats in the helicopter and any remaining seat(s) may be booked by other guests.
Please note that sunrise flights over Melbourne are limited to only a handful of dates every month and all seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flight Path — Early Morning Sunrise Helicopter Ride over Melbourne
Your sunrise helicopter scenic flight over Melbourne will depart Essendon Airport and fly over and around:
- Docklands
- Melbourne CBD
- St Kilda Pier
- Luna Park
- Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes
- Sandringham Marina
- Albert Park
- Rod Laver Arena
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Your sunrise flight experience includes:
- An exciting 30 minute early morning, sunrise flight over Melbourne's best landmarks and tourist attractions
- Some of the best aerial photography opportunities that Melbourne has to offer
- The chance to see Hot Air Balloons floating over Melbourne's city, beaches and surrounds in the early morning
- An experienced and courteous pilot who loves making people smile
- Premium noise-cancelling headsets from Bose to limit external noise and speak clearly amongst yourselves
What to expect — Melbourne at Sunrise by Helicopter with Rotor One:
Arrive at our hangar and relax in our lounge while your pilot walks through your flight path, provides a short safety briefing and answers any questions.
Next, walk out to the tarmac for some gorgeous photos of your helicopter with the early morning sun rising over Melbourne CBD in the background.
As you jump onboard the helicopter for your sunrise flight, your helicopter will pick up into a hover before taking off to 1,500 feet (450 metres above the ground) and settling into a cruise speed of 185 km/h for your flight around Melbourne and the beaches.
Enjoy sun-soaked views of Docklands and the Melbourne CBD as you turn left and head towards St Kilda Pier where you helicopter will descend to fly you low and slow down the coast. At this point you might be lucky enough to spot the Hot Air Balloons at sunrise as they fly over Melbourne.
Witness the sun casting long shadows of the Brighton Beach Boxes out to Port Phillip Bay and enjoy an exciting 180 degree turn over Sandringham Marina as you fly back up the coast for up-close views of Albert Park, Royal Botanic Gardens, Rod Laver Arena and the MCG from the air.
When your helicopter returns to Essendon Airport and touches down, we guarantee you'll be left with a smile on your face and plenty of photos of the amazing sunrise over Melbourne... This is what makes our day and is the reason we love what we do at Rotor One.
What do people say about scenic Helicopter Tours with Rotor One?
Sunrise Helicopter Ride or Hot-air Balloon Flight in Melbourne
A hot-air balloon flight and a sunrise helicopter ride are both amazing experiences in Melbourne. If you're stuck choosing between these two experiences, read our article where we compare the two experiences.
Read our article on whether you should choose a Hot-Air Balloon Flight or Sunrise Helicopter Ride in Melbourne.
Why people choose Helicopter Rides in Melbourne with Rotor One
✅ No-hassle booking policy: Reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before your flight if your plans change - no questions asked.
✅ Weather guarantee: We'll reschedule your flight free of charge or provide a full refund if your flight is delayed due to the weather.
✅ Private flights: We reserve the entire helicopter just for you.
✅ Photoshoot included: We reserve time before and after your flight to take photos of you in and around the helicopter.
✅ Noise-cancelling headsets from Bose: Amazing sound quality designed to protect your hearing during the flight.
✅ Fly with our owner: Our owner Ed runs the company and often flies guests personally to ensure our experiences are truly special.
🎁 Looking to purchase this flight as a Gift Voucher?
If you're searching for an amazing helicopter tour or hot air balloon experience in Melbourne, a Melbourne at Sunrise flight is a unique and exciting gift that's perfect for an upcoming birthday or wedding anniversary. Gift Vouchers can be purchased for up to 3 people and sent online instantly after purchase.
👉 Purchase a Gift Card for the Melbourne at Sunrise Helicopter Ride (Hot-Air Balloon Style).
A scenic helicopter ride ideal for any special occasion including a birthday or anniversary.
Looking to celebrate your partner's birthday or anniversary? Our 🥂 Birthday & Anniversary Experience for Couples includes champagne on arrival, mini-photoshoot and HD video recording of your entire flight.
Looking for an exciting and educational gift for your child? Our 🧑✈️ Co-Pilot Birthday Experience For Kids allows your child is invited to fly as Co-Pilot to learn how helicopters fly and even help their Pilot start the helicopter!
🏷️ Pricing Information
🏷️ Pricing Information
How much does a Melbourne at Sunrise (Hot Air Balloon-style) cost?
| Melbourne at Sunrise (Hot Air Balloon-style) | |
|---|---|
| 2 People |
Regular price
$500
Sale price
$500
Unit price
per
|
| 3 People |
Regular price
$433
Sale price
$433
Unit price
per
|
🎟️ Important Booking Information
🎟️ Important Booking Information
Where are you located?
Your flight will depart from Essendon Airport which is 20 minutes from Melbourne CBD by car. Your departure point will either be Hangar 7 Wirraway Rd, Essendon Fields or the Essendon Passenger Terminal depending on your flight. Please refer to your booking confirmation email for your departure location. Both locations have off-street parking available.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive 10 minutes before your booking begins for a relaxed experience.
Why do I need to provide my weight?
We use this to calculate the weight and balance of the helicopter prior to flight. If you have any guests weighing over 130kg (300lb) or a group of 2 or 3 guests weigh more than 240kg (530lb) combined, you may be required to upgrade to a larger helicopter for safety reasons.
Can bad weather prevent us from flying?
Yes, adverse weather conditions such as low cloud, fog, heavy rain or high winds may require your flight to be delayed or rescheduled. If this is the case, your pilot will contact you at least 2 hours prior to your booking time to reschedule your flight. If your flight cannot go ahead due to bad weather and you wish to cancel, we'll provide a full refund minus any credit card processing fees we've paid on your behalf.
Google says there's will be bad weather on the day. Should I reschedule?
There's no need to contact us to reschedule based on a weather forecast as they're often inaccurate! We use live weather data on the day of your flight to determine if flights can be conducted safely.
What is the minimum age requirement for children?
Children aged 2 years or older can occupy their own seat. Our pilots will give them special attention to ensure they have an amazing time. All children will have their own window seat and pay the same seat price (we don't offer discounts for children as we make sure they have even more fun than the adults 😁)
Can I use my camera or phone during flight?
Yes, we encourage you to take as many photos and videos on the ground, and in the air, as possible.
What should I wear?
Please bring a pair of sunglasses and you're welcome to wear clothing appropriate to the weather. We do recommend a wind-breaker jacket on cooler or windy days to keep your warm.
Can I bring any luggage?
Light handbags and small backpacks weighing less than 10kg can be carried in the aircraft. Large luggage or any items you do not wish to take on our flight can be safely stored in our guest lounge.
Can I fly if I'm pregnant?
Yes, and we recommend flying prior to your third trimester.
Can I fly if I'm in a wheelchair?
Yes, our hangar is wheelchair-accessible and we warmly welcome passengers with special needs, as long as a carer accompanies them on their flight. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Do you provide a wheelchair for disabled passengers?
We partner with Fisher Lane Mobility (www.fisherlane.com.au) in Melbourne, which provides wheelchair rental as well as delivery and pickup services from our hangar. Wheelchairs can only be carried in larger aircraft suitable for 4 or more passengers as they include a cargo hold. We would be happy to arrange a suitable wheelchair for your planned date of travel.
☔ Bad Weather & Cancellation Policy
☔ Bad Weather & Cancellation Policy
What happens if there's bad weather on the day of my flight?
- We really want you to enjoy your experience, so we only fly when the weather allows a safe and comfortable flight. If there's bad weather (low cloud, heavy rain, high winds) on the day, we may need to delay or reschedule your flight. We’ll work with you to choose a new date, or allow you to reschedule at your convenience.
- If your flight cannot go ahead due to bad weather or an operational issue and you wish to cancel, we'll provide a full refund minus any credit card processing fees we've paid on your behalf.
Can I reschedule or cancel my booking if my plans change?
- You can reschedule or cancel up to 72 hours before departure. If you choose to cancel, we'll provide you with a full refund minus a 10% cancellation fee. No cancellation fee will apply if you'd like us to hold your booking as credit to fly in the future.
Are Buy Now, Book Later and Gift Vouchers refundable?
- Buy Now, Book Later and Gift Voucher purchases are non-refundable, valid for 3 years, and can be used towards any flight across all our locations.
Hello Ed,
Both Keith and myself enjoyed our helicopter ride and I want to thank you for your very courteous, polite, thoughtful and the patient manner in which you and your business conducted yourself.
You generally do not get this sort of service from businesses these days
You kept us upto date re our pending flight and on every occasion the way you conducted yourself was very pleasant.
I can not say enough to praise you and your business for the experience and I had to let you know and thank you again.
ps: we can’t wait for the next flight.
Yours sincerely,
Peter
A big “thank you” to Ed - best heli pilot ever! Kind, full of information and phenomenal pilot!
I’ve been living in Melbourne for over 4 years and this was the most memorable experience and BEST way to see this beautiful city and beaches!
I highly recommend the no doors option!
Thank you! I think I have to do this again…
Very amazing, thank you to pilot Ed for showing us a once in a lifetime experience! genuinely nice guy and his knowledge of Melbourne landmarks made our experience all the more enjoyable, definitely highly recommended 🤩
It was truly an awesome experienced for me. The flight went smoothly and Steve, the pilot, was great. Melbourne city is so beautiful from above. 8 hot air balloons were also flying that morning and so wonderful to watch.
This was our first time experiencing something like this. The whole experience was very dreamy. We were able to see the sunrise through a flock of hot air balloons and it was very beautiful. Definitely recommend sunrise with the doors-off. Ed was an excellent pilot and a great host.! Will definitely come back again :)
Saw some photos on Instagram and booked the flight on a whim and I'm SO glad I did.
I've been on heli flights before, but Ed was super helpful, listening during the pre flight breif about the shots I wanted to take and adjusting the flight plans where possible to accommodate.
Having the doors off meant K could get shots straight down and without glare.
If you're keen to see Melbourne from a different angle, can't recommend Rotor One enough!
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