Exploring Melbourne Parks & Gardens After a Balloon Flight
After the thrill of a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne, you’ve already seen the city at its most beautiful — bathed in golden light and waking up for the day.
Once you’re back on the ground, there’s no need to rush home. Melbourne’s parks and gardens offer the perfect way to unwind, stretch your legs, and keep that peaceful morning feeling going just a little longer.
1. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
If you’ve flown over the city, chances are you’ve already admired the Royal Botanic Gardens from above — now it’s time to walk through them.
Spread across 38 hectares along the Yarra River, these gardens are home to over 8,500 plant species and countless photo opportunities.
You can stroll around Ornamental Lake, visit the Guilfoyle’s Volcano lookout, or relax under a shady tree with a takeaway coffee.
Why it’s perfect after ballooning:
It’s peaceful, central, and full of life — a natural continuation of the calm you felt in the sky.
📍 Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
2. Fitzroy Gardens
One of Melbourne’s oldest and most charming parks, Fitzroy Gardens is famous for its elm-lined paths, fountains, and floral displays.
It’s also home to Cook’s Cottage, a slice of history nestled among the greenery.
In spring and autumn, the colours here are especially striking — and the soft morning light makes every photo glow.
Why it’s perfect after ballooning:
It’s an easy walk from the CBD landing areas and offers a quiet, leafy escape right in the heart of the city.
📍 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
3. Carlton Gardens
Home to the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens combines architecture, fountains, and grand avenues of trees.
It’s the kind of place where you can linger, people-watch, or simply enjoy the sunshine.
Why it’s perfect after ballooning:
After the vast sky, the symmetry and order of these gardens feel grounding and serene — plus, it’s a great photography stop before brunch.
📍 1–111 Carlton Street, Carlton
4. Alexandra Gardens & Queen Victoria Gardens
Just across the Yarra River from the city centre, these two connected gardens offer lovely riverside walking paths and views back toward the skyline.
You’ll see rowers gliding on the river and locals cycling through the early light — a reminder that the day is just beginning.
Why it’s perfect after ballooning:
You can wander along the water, grab a drink nearby, or simply sit and watch the city come to life.
📍 Boathouse Drive, Southbank
5. Treasury Gardens
Quiet, compact, and full of tall elms, the Treasury Gardens are ideal if you’re after something low-key.
In the mornings, sunlight filters through the trees and the fountains sparkle — a peaceful spot to reflect on your flight before heading off to breakfast.
📍 2-18 Spring Street, East Melbourne
6. Flagstaff Gardens
If your flight lands closer to the northern side of the city, Flagstaff Gardens makes an easy, relaxed stop.
As Melbourne’s oldest park, it offers wide lawns, heritage trees, and plenty of shade — perfect for a short stroll or picnic.
📍 William Street, West Melbourne
Tips for Enjoying Your Post-Flight Morning
Pack light walking shoes — perfect for exploring after landing.
Bring your camera: The soft post-sunrise light is ideal for garden photography.
Pair it with brunch: Many gardens are within walking distance of cafés in Southbank, Carlton, or Fitzroy.
Take your time: Ballooning mornings move slowly; let your day continue that way.
A Perfect Morning on the Ground
From soaring above Melbourne to strolling through its gardens, the transition feels natural — sky to earth, movement to stillness.
Whether you wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens or sit quietly by the Yarra, you’ll see the same city from a new, gentler perspective.
Because after a morning in the air, the best way to finish the adventure is to simply stay outside and keep breathing it all in.
✨ Ready to plan your perfect Melbourne morning?
Book your Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight, then explore one of these beautiful city parks and gardens to complete your unforgettable start to the day.