Champagne Breakfast After a Balloon Ride — A Tradition Explained
If you’ve ever taken a hot air balloon flight over Melbourne or seen photos of one, you’ve probably noticed something that always follows the flight: a champagne breakfast.
It’s more than just a celebration — it’s a tradition that goes back centuries, to the very beginning of ballooning itself.
Here’s how this elegant ritual began, and why it’s still one of the most cherished parts of every ballooning experience today.
1. The Origins of the Tradition 🍾
The story starts in France in 1783, when the first manned hot air balloon took flight.
Back then, ballooning was brand new — and a little mysterious. When pilots landed in the countryside, local farmers were often startled by the strange sight of a giant flying object descending from the sky!
To calm fears and show goodwill, early balloonists carried a bottle of champagne to present as a friendly offering after landing. It was a way to say: “We come in peace — and let’s celebrate this incredible new adventure together.”
That gesture soon became a beloved ritual among balloonists worldwide.
2. From French Fields to Melbourne Skies 🇫🇷➡️🇦🇺
As ballooning spread around the world, so did the champagne tradition.
Today, from the vineyards of France to the skyline of Melbourne, balloon companies honour this custom as a toast to both safety and celebration.
It’s not just about the drink — it’s about gratitude:
Gratitude for a safe landing.
Gratitude for the crew and the morning.
Gratitude for the chance to see the world from a completely new perspective.
Every glass raised after landing connects modern passengers to the earliest explorers of flight.
3. Why Champagne? 🥂
Champagne has always been a symbol of joy, achievement, and elegance.
It marks special moments — weddings, victories, anniversaries — and a hot air balloon flight is exactly that: a moment worth celebrating.
After floating above the earth in complete calm, the first sip of sparkling wine feels like the perfect contrast — lively bubbles after peaceful silence.
For families or guests who prefer not to drink alcohol, juice or sparkling alternatives are always available. The spirit of the toast remains the same: celebrating life, adventure, and connection.
4. A Perfect Ending to a Magical Morning 🌅
After your sunrise flight, the champagne breakfast is the time to relax, laugh, and relive every highlight of the journey.
It’s when families share photos, couples smile at each other, and friends talk about who spotted what from the sky.
Whether you’re enjoying breakfast in a city café or a Yarra Valley winery, it’s a peaceful way to close an unforgettable morning — unhurried, joyful, and full of warmth.
🥐 Fresh pastries, fruit, and coffee pair beautifully with the moment.
5. Continuing a Beautiful Tradition
At Picture This Ballooning, we’re proud to keep this long-standing ballooning tradition alive.
Every champagne breakfast is a toast to the early pioneers who made flight possible — and to every guest who joins us to see Melbourne from the sky.
Because ballooning isn’t just about the flight; it’s about the feeling that lingers after.
A little champagne, a lot of smiles, and memories that rise higher than the clouds.
✨ Ready to experience this timeless tradition for yourself?
Book your Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight + Champagne Breakfast and become part of a story that’s been shared — and celebrated — for more than two centuries.