A tandem skydive up to 15,000 feet over the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road coastline, departing from Barwon Heads Airport about an hour from central Melbourne.
Skydive Melbourne (operating as Skydive Great Ocean Road) runs tandem skydives from Barwon Heads Airport near Geelong, jumping over the Bellarine Peninsula, Port Phillip Heads, and the start of the Great Ocean Road. Jumpers choose an altitude of up to 15,000ft, giving around 60 seconds of freefall before a canopy ride of several minutes back to the drop zone. No prior skydiving experience or licence is required, as first-timers jump tandem, harnessed to an Australian Parachute Federation-rated instructor who steers the parachute and controls the descent. Participants must be at least 12 years old (with parental consent under 18) and under a weight limit of around 100kg; anyone with a recent injury, pregnancy, or certain heart or back conditions should not jump. The operator supplies a jumpsuit, full-body harness, and goggles; comfortable enclosed shoes and clothing suited to the weather at altitude are worth bringing, since it is noticeably colder above 10,000ft. On arrival, staff run a ground safety briefing covering body position, the tandem harness release, and emergency procedures, including the reserve parachute system fitted to every rig and the automatic activation device that deploys it if needed. Skydive Melbourne has operated in Victoria for over two decades and is a member of the Australian Parachute Federation, which sets training and safety standards for commercial drop zones nationwide. Flights and jumps depend on cloud base, wind, and visibility, so the operator schedules a morning slot with a same-day weather call; jumps can be delayed or moved to a later time if conditions at the drop zone do not clear. Autumn and early winter tend to bring the stillest air and clearest coastal views, though jumps run year-round whenever weather allows. Because it departs from a regional airfield rather than central Melbourne, allow time for the drive to Barwon Heads on top of the half-day booking window.
| Price | AUD 277-450 depending on altitude (up to 15,000ft) and video/photo package; approx. USD 197-320 (AUD/USD approx. 0.71) |
|---|---|
| Duration | Half-day (3-4 hours including briefing and travel to the drop zone), 60 seconds of freefall from 15,000ft |
| Difficulty | hard |
| Season | Year-round, weather-dependent; clearest skies typically in autumn and early winter |
| Address | Barwon Heads Airport, Taits Rd, Grovedale VIC 3216 |
Activity facts
- Where
- Barwon Heads, near Geelong
Equipment
Jumpsuit, harness, and goggles provided; enclosed shoes recommended
Location
Barwon Heads Airport, Taits Rd, Grovedale VIC 3216
-38.2461, 144.3547 View on map
Highlights
- 60 seconds of freefall from up to 15,000ft over the Bellarine Peninsula
- Aerial views of Port Phillip Heads and the start of the Great Ocean Road
- Tandem jump with an APF-rated instructor, no experience required
- Optional video and photo package capturing the freefall and landing
Tips for visiting
- Book on a weekday morning when possible, as weekend slots fill weeks ahead in summer and autumn
- Jumps are weather-dependent; the operator will rebook a cancelled jump rather than refund it outright
- Wear layers under the provided jumpsuit, as temperatures at altitude are much cooler than on the ground
- Add the video/photo package at booking if a memento of the freefall matters, as it is cheaper than a same-day add-on
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Frequently asked questions
Is prior skydiving experience needed?
No. This is a tandem jump, so first-timers are harnessed to a certified instructor who controls the entire dive and canopy ride.
What happens if the weather is bad on the booked day?
Skydive Melbourne calls jumps on the day based on cloud and wind conditions at the drop zone and reschedules affected bookings rather than cancelling them outright.
How far is Barwon Heads Airport from Melbourne?
It is roughly an hour's drive south-west of central Melbourne, near Geelong, so the half-day booking window includes travel time to and from the drop zone.