The Wharf Hotel is kicking off summer with something you won’t find anywhere else in the country. Wharf on Cloud 9 has landed on the Yarra, bringing Australia’s first hot air balloon dining pods to Siddeley Street. They don’t lift off the ground, but they deliver the feeling of escape, thanks to playful design, soft lighting, and cosy seating that turns a simple meal into a small adventure.
The pods sit along the waterfront and overlook the river, giving brunches, birthdays, date nights, and lazy summer lunches a fresh twist. Each pod fits up to six people, and you can settle in with à la carte favourites from The Wharf Hotel menu. There are optional grazing boards too, with charcuterie and vegetarian choices that work well for groups who want to nibble while taking in the views.
Afternoon sessions run most days for 90 minutes, with times starting from 12.30pm through to 3.30pm. Evening sessions stretch to two hours from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Fridays and Saturdays require a minimum of four people and a fifty dollar per person spend.
Sundays take on a family feel, with kids entertainment from midday to 3pm, including garden games and colouring. Children also receive a party bag. Sunday sessions run for 90 minutes from 11.30am to 2pm, with a minimum one hundred dollar spend per balloon.
The setting along the Yarra makes the whole experience easy to enjoy. It is simple, fun, a little quirky, and a very Melbourne way to make the most of summer. For more information visit https://wharfhotel.com.au/.
