Iconic Landmarks You’ll Spot on Your Flight
One of the most exciting parts of a hot air balloon ride over Melbourne is discovering how familiar landmarks look completely different from the sky. From the moment you lift off until you touch down, the city reveals a new side of itself—quiet, glowing, and impossibly beautiful.
Here are some of the iconic landmarks you’re likely to spot during your flight.
1. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The mighty MCG stands out like a perfect circle amid the greenery of Yarra Park. From above, you can truly appreciate its size—and it’s easy to imagine the roar of the crowd on game day. It’s one of Melbourne’s most photographed landmarks from a balloon.
📍 Fun fact: The MCG is one of the largest stadiums in the world, with space for more than 100,000 fans.
2. Federation Square and Flinders Street Station
Few places say “Melbourne” quite like this duo. From the air, you’ll see Federation Square’s modern geometric shapes sitting beside the golden domes and arched windows of Flinders Street Station. It’s a stunning contrast of old and new, right in the city’s heart.
📍 Photo tip: Capture them as the first rays of sunrise warm their rooftops in gold.
3. The Yarra River
Winding like a silver ribbon through the city, the Yarra River is one of the most beautiful sights from the sky. You’ll trace its path as it curves past parks, bridges, and the CBD, reflecting the morning light along the way.
📍 Best view: Look east toward the rising sun to see the water shimmer in soft pastels.
4. Royal Botanic Gardens
A sea of green right beside the city. From the basket, you’ll see the elegant layout of lakes, lawns, and pathways that make up Melbourne’s beloved gardens. It’s incredible how peaceful it looks from above, even though it sits right next to the CBD.
📍 Fun fact: The Gardens cover 38 hectares and are home to more than 8,500 plant species.
5. Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Park
Tennis fans will instantly recognize these world-famous venues—the home of the Australian Open. Seeing them from above gives you a new perspective on their bright roofs and the network of courts below.
📍 Photo tip: Capture the arenas with the Yarra River curving in the background for a classic Melbourne composition.
6. Shrine of Remembrance
Standing proudly on the hill at the edge of the Botanic Gardens, the Shrine’s symmetrical design and long forecourt look even more impressive from the air. It’s one of the most moving sights on your flight, especially as the morning light touches its stone facade.
7. Port Phillip Bay
On clear mornings, you’ll see all the way to Port Phillip Bay. The view stretches across the sparkling water, dotted with ships and distant peninsulas. It’s the perfect finishing touch to Melbourne’s skyline panorama.
📍 Best shot: Use a wide lens to include both the city and the bay in a single breathtaking frame.
8. The Dandenong Ranges
To the east, the Dandenong Ranges rise in the distance, often wrapped in soft mist at sunrise. It’s a reminder of how close Melbourne is to nature—and how beautifully the city blends with its surroundings.
A City Like You’ve Never Seen Before
From the sky, Melbourne’s landmarks take on a new kind of magic. They’re not just places you visit—they’re part of a vast, glowing landscape that unfolds beneath you.
Whether it’s your first time in the city or your hundredth, seeing it from a hot air balloon is an experience you’ll never forget.
✨ Ready to spot these landmarks from the sky?
Join us for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne and watch the city’s most iconic sights come to life beneath you.