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.
What to wear and bring: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.
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.
Cancelled Flight:If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather the Wine tour will go ahead as normal. On the morning of the wine tour you should ring the Australian Winery Tour office on 1800 996 414 from 8.30 am to confirm which pick up point you will be using. You will have to make your own way to one of the 6 Australian Wine Tour Co. pick up points in Melbourne (see below).
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.
You will then meet at St Pauls Cathedral to meet Australian Wine Tour Company, who will then drive you to the Yarra Valley to begin your tour
Wine Tour Itinerary:11:00am Yering Station Vineyards Yering Station is one of Australia's most spectacular winery set-ups. We'll start the day by showing you how to swirl, sniff& slurp and then you’ll be ready to taste some of Yering Station’s award winning benchmark classic Australian wines.
12:00pm Rochford’s Eyton Rochford’s have long been the benchmark for style and class in the Yarra Valley and the wines also live up to this reputation. The first½ hour will be spent at the tasting table, a great opportunity to make a wine selection for lunch! Then it’s into the Restaurant for a superb lunch while taking in magnificent vineyard views.
1:40pm Yering Farm Vineyards Yering Farm has stunning views and is oozing with rustic charm. Experience wines made with traditional wine making methods in their cellar door which showcases antique copper wine making tools used by pioneer winemakers over a century ago. A fantastic environment to enjoy superb wines.
2:15pm Domaine Chandon French Champagne company Moet& Chandon’s Australian production house Domain Chanson is the perfect way to finish the day with a guided tour through the winery that shows how the wine is made followed by a relaxing glass of Australia’s best bubbly with gourmet food platters and a view that will leave you in awe. Spectacular, to say the least.
3:30pm Leave Yarra Valley back to Melbourne
4:30pm-5:00pm Return to Drop-off points (listed above)
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.
If you are making your own way we meet around 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.
If the flight is cancelled due to weather, you will need to meet Australian Wine Tour Company at one of the following pick-up points to join your wine tour. Alternatively, you can meet at Yering Station, 38 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen
Pick-up Points:
9:00am 1.The George Hotel– Cnr Fitzroy& Grey St St Kilda
9:20am 2.Seven Eleven - Cnr Flinders& Spencer St - City 4
9:30am 3.St Paul’s Cathedral - Cnr Flinders& Swanston St -City
9:35am 4.Old Melbourne Gaol - Top end Russell St - City
9:40am 5. Melbourne Transit Centre - 58 Franklin St - City
9:50am 6. North Melbourne– Roundabout Cnr Queensberry St& Howard St - North Melbourne
If the flight does proceed, Global Ballooning will drop you at Wine Tour Pick Up Point 4, St Paul’s Cathedral for 9:30am pick up after the flight
