Important: All passengers must phone Melbourne City duty pilot the night before flight between 6.00pm and 6.30pm on mobile number 0488 686 555 to confirm weather forecast and pick up time from city hotel.
When you check in, your duty pilot will confirm your meeting time and the weather report. If the flight is going ahead you will either speak to the pilot or hear a message detailing the meeting time. If the weather forecast is poor, or the flight is likely to be cancelled for any other reason the pilot will either leave a message or explain to you the details of the situation. Occasionally, in changeable weather conditions, the pilot may arrange to speak to you or to leave a message for a final confirmation early in the morning Pilots will NOT be available for check in after 7.00pm in the evening. Please check in on time as you may be inconvenienced or jeopardise your flight. If you do not arrive at the specified venue for the flight, the ticket is forfeited and no Refund will be made.
Includes:Approximately 1 Hour Balloon Flight
(Optional) champagne breakfast at the Hilton on the Park following your flight
CBD hotel transfers if required
Discounted undercover parking at the Hilton Hotel for a flat fee of $5 (this is important as with other operators you could be paying up to an extra $50 for parking on the morning of your flight). Complete flight and ground insurance.
Launch and landing government fees in and around the city
Piece of mind that you have chosen to fly with Victoria's leading hot air ballooning operator offering the most professional service. You will be in the hands of the most experienced pilots and ground crew in the business.
A carbon neutral flight - by choosing to fly with Global Ballooning you will be helping to restore biodiversity and essential habitat for native fauna, improve water quality and salinity problems. This is because Global Ballooning is the only Victorian operator to offset our emissions.
In-flight photography with the opportunity to purchase a souvenir CD compilation and DVD pack after the flight.
A beautifully prestented flight certificate.
A souvenir pack including wine tasting voucher at Domaine Chandon.
Meeting Point:Your pilot will give you a short briefing. You will then be transported to the launch site where you may help with the launch, or stand back and take pictures.
Undercover parking is available inside the Hilton hotel for a discounted rate of $5 for Global Ballooning 3 passengers - please see the Hilton concierge staff after your flight. Metered parking is available on Wellington Parade or Clarendon Street Our website has a map of Melbourne showing the location of The Hilton On the Park and a list of things to do while you are in town.
Ballooning is an audience participation activity and you will be encouraged to assist with the set up and pack away of the balloon. It is an active morning in the outdoors, so wear clothes that can get stained or dirty. The burners can sometimes drip water mixed with Carbon.
What to wear and bring:Global Ballooning will not be responsible for clothing that is stained or damaged as a part of our adventure activity. Wear clothes as for hiking, including sturdy shoes, warm socks and a cap, plus sunglasses if you wish. We meet before sunrise so depending on the time of year and weather, it can be extremely cold. Generally it will not be any colder in the air during the flight than on the ground, so wear layered clothing that can be removed as the day warms up. The burners can radiate heat so a hat is recommended. Your feet can get wet and cold in the early morning dew, you may like to bring a change of socks. High-heeled shoes are not suitable.
We meet at your hotel around an hour before first light (you will be advised of the exact time the evening before your flight).
Your pilot will give you a short briefing.
You will then be transported to the launch site where you may help with the launch, or stand back and take pictures. Then away we go, drifting gently over the city of Melbourne in our beautiful balloon.
Your flight will last for approximately one hour. After we make our final landing and pack the balloon away, we head back to your hotel so you can enjoy the rest of the day in Melbourne on land. Or, if the breakfast option was selected, we head back to the Hilton on the Park for a full buffet champagne breakfast.
Making your own way: We meet half an hour before sunrise (confirm with Pilot evening before) at The Hilton On the Park, 192 Wellington Pde (corner Clarendon St) East Melbourne. Melways ref: Map 2G.
Transfer from city hotel: A Global Ballooning representative will meet you at the front of your hotel at the time specified the evening prior upon check in. Note your complimentary transfer is ONE WAY from your hotel to the passenger meeting point only. Passengers with hotel transfers are encouraged to make their own way back to their hotel from the Hilton via public transport or by foot (depending on the location) as traffic congestion can sometimes double transfer time causing great inconvenience to passengers. Frequent train and trams are directly at the front of the Hilton covering the entire CBD area.
