Some days in the Yarra Valley stay with you, and this is one of them.
Start in the sky as the sun rises over rolling farmland, then spend the rest of the day tasting fruit straight from the trees at one of the region’s most generous orchards. It is a combination that captures the best of this part of Victoria, from wide open views to hands-on food experiences.
Rayner’s Orchard and Global Ballooning have shaped a day that shows the Yarra Valley from two angles, both as memorable as the other.
Begin Your Morning Above the Valley with Global Ballooning
The day starts early, long before the traffic and the chatter begin.
As the burners ignite and the balloon lifts, you rise through the quiet of dawn while the Yarra Valley stretches out below. Vineyards, orchards and pockets of farmland glow in the soft morning light. It is the kind of stillness that makes you pause.
After landing, guests can enjoy an optional breakfast before heading to Rayner’s Orchard for a very different way to explore the region.
Step Into a Fruit Lover’s Haven at Rayner’s Orchard
Rayner’s Orchard is known for one thing above all else: growing fruit that tastes the way fruit should. The farm is home to more than 450 varieties and grows something worth tasting every month of the year. No visit is ever the same.
Summer brings peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and cherries.
Other seasons offer apples, figs, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, guavas, tamarillos and more.
It is a working orchard with a warm, relaxed feel, and it suits everyone from families to couples to international visitors looking for a genuine local experience.
Explore the Orchard on the Tractor Tour
The Orchard Tour is the highlight for most people.
You hop aboard a tractor-drawn trailer and weave through the property as the guide explains how different varieties grow and ripen. It is easy to learn something new without feeling like you are in a classroom.
The tastings are the part people talk about.
Fruit is picked fresh during the tour, and you can try as much as you like, including some of the more unusual varieties that are ready on the day. Guests often get the chance to crack macadamias, try house-made jams and visit the friendly farm animals, too.
Every tour reflects the season you are in, which is why many people return to visit friends and family.
Pause for Lunch at the Peach Café
After a morning of fruit tasting and fresh air, the Peach Café is an inviting stop.
The menu features orchard ingredients and simple, tasty meals, along with house-made treats and seasonal produce. It is a calm place to sit for a moment before heading back out into the valley.
Why the Balloon Flight and Orchard Visit Work So Well Together
There is something special about seeing the landscape from the air, then exploring it on the ground soon after.
In the morning, you float above open paddocks and long rows of fruit trees, then later you are walking through those same rows, tasting what grows there and hearing the stories behind it.
It brings the region to life in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Why Global Ballooning Is the Leader for Yarra Valley Flights
Global Ballooning has been flying guests over Victoria for more than 30 years and is known for its experience, safety, and thoughtful service.
Highlights include:
- More than 150,000 passengers flown
- Largest fleet in Victoria for greater booking availability
- Multilingual hosts, with Japanese-speaking crew during Nov–April
- Australia’s most credentialed balloon team, led by a CASA-accredited trainer
- Complimentary in-flight photos
- 100 percent carbon offset flights through Greenfleet
- A strong social community with more than 44k followers
- Options for couples, families or small groups
A sunrise flight is the ideal beginning to a day that continues at Rayner’s Orchard.
Planning Your Yarra Valley Day
This pairing suits a broad mix of travellers. Whether you love food, outdoor experiences or want something different for a day out, it is an easy itinerary to follow:
- Float over the Yarra Valley at sunrise
- Taste fruit straight from the trees
- Join the interactive Orchard Tour
- Enjoy orchard-inspired dishes at the Peach Café
It is a day that feels full without rushing and leaves you with stories worth sharing.