Aerial Landmarks You’ll See from a Melbourne Balloon
A hot air balloon flight over Melbourne offers more than just stunning views—it’s a completely new way to see the city you thought you knew. From above, famous landmarks look smaller yet somehow more grand, surrounded by soft morning light and framed by the calm of the sky.
Here are some of the aerial highlights you’ll spot on your flight.
1. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The MCG is one of the first landmarks most passengers recognise. From the air, it appears as a perfect circle of symmetry nestled in green parkland. Watching the sunrise light up its grandstands and the shadows stretch across Yarra Park is an unforgettable sight.
📍 Fun Fact: At 100,000+ seats, the MCG is visible from miles away—one of the most iconic sports stadiums on Earth.
2. The Yarra River
From above, the Yarra River winds through the city like a silver ribbon. Its curves and bridges create beautiful natural compositions, especially as the light changes during sunrise. The reflections on the water add depth and calm to every view.
📸 Best angle: Face east to catch the glow of sunrise glimmering on the surface.
3. Flinders Street Station & Federation Square
Few city views are as striking as this duo from the sky. The gold domes and arches of Flinders Street Station contrast beautifully with the sharp, modern geometry of Federation Square beside it.
From above, you’ll see trams crossing in perfect lines and early commuters starting their day—a snapshot of Melbourne’s heartbeat.
4. Royal Botanic Gardens
Spread out like a sea of green at the city’s edge, the Royal Botanic Gardens look even more serene from above. The winding paths, reflective lakes, and carefully designed landscape are a photographer’s dream.
📍 Pro Tip: Look for the Guilfoyle’s Volcano water reservoir—its circular design is especially eye-catching from the air.
5. Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance stands proud on its hilltop, its grand symmetry and long forecourt visible even from high above. At sunrise, the light casts long, golden shadows that make it one of the most moving sights of the flight.
📸 Tip: Capture it with the city skyline behind—it’s a perfect balance of nature, architecture, and emotion.
6. Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Park
Home to the Australian Open, this sports precinct looks incredible from the air. The clean lines of Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and the outdoor courts form a patchwork of geometry and colour beside the Yarra River.
🎾 Fun Fact: The retractable roof of Rod Laver Arena is easily visible from the balloon!
7. The City Skyline and Port Phillip Bay
As the balloon drifts higher, you’ll see the entire city framed by Port Phillip Bay in the distance. The reflection of the morning sun on the water, the city’s glass towers glowing in gold, and the bay’s soft blues create the perfect postcard view of Melbourne.
📸 Pro Tip: Use your phone’s wide-angle lens (0.5x) to capture both the skyline and the bay in one sweeping shot.
8. Dandenong Ranges and Beyond
To the east, the Dandenong Ranges rise in soft blues and greens, often wrapped in mist. It’s a peaceful reminder of how close Melbourne sits to nature—and a breathtaking contrast to the city’s energy below.
🌄 Best view: Look for the rolling hills catching the first rays of sunlight.
A City That Feels Brand New from the Sky
Seeing Melbourne’s landmarks from above is like rediscovering the city for the first time. Each building, bridge, and park tells its own story—and together, they create a view that’s both grand and intimate.
✨ Ready to see Melbourne from the air?
Join us for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne and experience the city’s most famous landmarks from the best seat in the sky.