Plane Spotting in New South Wales

---

Home  |  Victoria  |  South Australia  |   New South Wales  |  ACT   | Queensland  |  Western Australia  |  Tasmania

---

Information about the following spots is available

Wollongong's airport, also called Illawarra Regional Airport.  South of Wollongong on the Princes Hwy - maybe an hour south of Sydney.  Two sealed runways and six hangars.  Saw about a dozen light aircraft.  It was reported in the media during 2004 that the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) was moving their aircraft here from Bankstown and intending to build a display hangar.

NE of the town, off the Hume Highway.  About a dozen hangars, one sealed runway.  Kendell and Hazelton operate scheduled flights.  Saw 15 aircraft - mainly light aircraft.  Back there again on 14 Nov 98 and saw about 35 aircraft.  Was there again on 24 April, 2000 - little had changed, and again on 18 Feb, 2002 when about a dozen light aircraft were seen, along with a Kendell Saab 340 and a QantasLink Dash-8.

On the road between West Wyalong and Narrandera - an airstrip on the racetrack.  No aircraft seen.

About an hour south of the Queensland border on the Pacific Hwy in north-east NSW.  Its signposted well from the town centre.  A single sealed runway, a terminal building (Sunstate and Kendell operate scheduled flights) and eleven hangars.  Home to Ballina Flying School, Angus Aviation Maintenance and Hughes Engineering (home of Australian Light Wing).  Seven aircraft seen - nothing special.

In south-west NSW, across the Vic/NSW border from Swan Hill.  The field is to the north of the town on the way to Mungo National Park.  Two runways, one windsock and a hangar.  One light aircraft seen.  There's two strips at Mungo National Park - one at the visitors' centre and the other at Mungo Lodge (which used to handle DC-3 tourist flights).  No aircraft seen.  And near Cavan, on the Wentworth to Pooncarie road, there is a strip and windsock - no aircraft seen.

In a suburb of Sydney - easy enough to get to - a huge airfield said to be the busiest in the southern hemisphere.  Its supported by a website.  Over 400 aircraft seen, including many classic types.  The Aviex98 exhibition and airshow was on while I was there.  Its also home to the Australian Aviation Museum (used to be called the Bankstown Aviation Museum).  Was there again on 19 Feb, 2000.  All seemed much the same except that the museum hangar was nearing completion.  Visited the museum in early October, 2005.  There's an amazing collection of historical aircraft in and around the hangar, and probably the biggest collection of DC-3s in the world.  A list of aircraft can be found on the oz-spotters mailing list.

About two hours west of Sydney on the east side of the town.  Six hangars, two runways and a terminal building.  Hazelton run scheduled flights.  Home to Bathurst Aero Club.  About a dozen light aircraft seen.  Was there again on 17 Feb, 2002.  Little seemed to have changed.  Saw about a dozen aircraft, including Drover (VH-ADN), Harvard (VH-XAN) as well as the 'pod' section of a Transavia PL12.

About 100 km east of Bourke.  Sealed runway and terminal building (with Air Link Dubbo signs).  No aircraft seen.

Just at the start of back-of-Bourke!  Way up the Mitchell Hwy.  Two runways, the Nancy Bird terminal (with Air Link Dubbo signs) and a hangar.  Home to Aussie Aerial Services.  Three crop-dusters and nine light aircraft seen.

Up the road from Bungowannah (ask for directions!) is the home of the Robert and Donald Bunn Collection - an amazing place and amazing people who restore (mainly) de Havilland aircraft and engines.  One hangar and lots of workshops.  Seven Tiger Moths, two Gypsy Moths, a Fox Moth and a Moth Minor were seen in various stages of restoration.  Thanks for a great day, Robert and Donald!

In far-west NSW - close to the middle of nowhere!  Sign-posted from the town centre.  Two runways, five hangars and a terminal building.  Kendell and Hazelton airlines have scheduled flights.  Saw five light aircraft, a Lockheed 12A (VH-HID), RFDS Beech 200's and Cessna 404's and a GAF Nomad (marked VH-MSF) on a pylon outside the RFDS base, which has a superb visitor centre.

Between Nyngan and Bourke on the Mitchell Hwy.  Strip and windsock - plus part of a golf course!

Southwest of Sydney in the outer, outer suburbs, close to the Hume Hwy.  Its signposted well from the centre of town.  The Bankstown Airport website provides some details.  Two runways and over fifteen hangars - and a (? unused) control tower.  Over 100 aircraft noted, including many vintage and warbird types. 

Info from Jason Armistead, 10 March 2000: I can confirm that the Control Tower at Camden Airport is still in active service and is used most days of the week.  At present there is the usual to and fro between AirServices Australia and CASA as to whether it needs to remain open or not (they each have different criteria for determining the need for a tower).  I suspect it will not be until after the Federal Government makes a decision on the proposed second Sydney airport at Badgery's Creek - and that could be another 20+ years away !!!

Apparently, used to be located at Camden Airport but was moved some time ago to 11 Stewart St, Narellan - which is not too far way.  Fascinating place with about 25 vintage and warbird aircraft, beautifully restored.  Note: it was only open on Sundays.

About 20 minutes west of Lismore in north-east NSW.  Its signposted well from the town centre.  A single sealed runway, a terminal building (Hazelton fly in) and two hangars.  Home to Ballina Casino Flying School and Rowley Aviation.  The terminal has an Anson prop displayed.  There is also a plaque commemorating the first licensed Air Mail in Australia (in which mail contractors accompanied mail!) on 26 June 1920.  Three aircraft seen - only Airtourer (VH-JVY) being of interest.

Quite close to Maitland and Newcastle, north of Sydney.  A single strip with three hangars on the far side of the field.  Saw about ten light aircraft, as well as a Pilatus Turbo Porter (VH-MKT) bringing people up for jumps.

About six km SSW of town.  Couldn't see any signposts in town, but followed the road out past the hospital and its on the right.  Two runways, one hangar and a terminal building.  Two light aircraft seen.

About an hour north of Jerilderie.  There was a number of strips in the region of the town.  One is signposted just south on the road to Jerilderie.  Has a windsock - no aircraft seen.  Another is on Argoon Road - further south of the town - one light aircraft seen.  And a third is further south again and about five km down Hutchings Rd - one hangar and two crop-dusters seen.

West of Moree on the Gwydir Hwy.  Two strips and a windsock.  Not much else.

About seventy km west of Parkes in central NSW.  Two runways and two hangars. Five light aircraft and an Auster (VH-WKY) seen.

Between Moree and Dubbo on the Newell Hwy.  Its a good bit south of town on the highway, and is well signposted.  The driveway to the airfield is quite pretty and the view from the airfield itself is probably the most beautiful in Australia.  Some of the Siding Springs observatory can be seen in the distance.  One sealed and one unsealed runway, four hangars.  Home to Coona Aero Club and Warrumbungle Scenic Flights.  Six light aircraft seen.

Between Wagga Wagga and Bathurst.  Two runways, terminal building and five hangars (one ex-WW2?).  Home to Country Connection Airlines, South West Aviation, Cootamundra Aviation Service, Masling Industries and Col Adams Aerial Services.  About a dozen aircraft seen, including PA-11 (VH-AGC),  Grumman 164 (VH-OOS) and Dromader (VH-OOW).

Also between Wagga Wagga and Bathurst.  Two runways and three and a half hangars.  Home to Cowra Aero Club and Fred Fahey Aerial Services.  Ten aircraft seen including two Aghuskies (VH-HAO and VH-JHR), a PA-36 (VH-NAF) and a Dromader (VH-FVF, marked 23).

Across the Victoria/NSW border north of Wangaratta.  About 3 km out of town on the road to Finley.  Two runways, an old terminal building, five hangars.  Home to Albury-Corowa Gliding Club and the National Parachute Centre.  Five light aircraft seen, including a derelict Nomad (VH-WRT).  Was there again on 31 March, 2000.  Little had changed.  The Nomad was still there.

In central NSW between Orange and Parkes.  A sealed runway, terminal building and three hangars.  Home to Hazelton Airlines.  The airfield was closed on the day - possibly because of the recent Ansett collapse.  A Saab 340 and two light aircraft seen.

E-mail message from David F Ryan (28 Sept 2005): The last amendment of Jeppessen Airways Manual had Cudal airport and GPS approach pales removed.  No replacement issued.  Last past Cudal the place was used to store tractors and farm machines in 2004.

About 75 km north of the Victorian border at Echuca.  Its sign-posted well from the town centre.  Two runways, four ex-RAAF hangars and a terminal building.  Home to Wettenhall Air Services, Field Air, Deniliquin Aero Club and Superspread.  Saw nine crop-dusters, ten GA-types and four classics (Cessna 180A VH-EYA, Albatross VH-MAH, and two Winjeels VH-NTN and VH-XRA).  Was there again on 21 Appr 2003.  Little had changed.  Four crop-dusters (three Dromaders and Weatherly 620B, VH-WEI) and an old Cessna 180C seen.

In central NSW.  Its well signposted from the centre of town, a bit out north-west.  Two runways and eleven hangars.  Terminal building with QantasLink, Hazelton and Air Link Dubbo signs.  Great sandwiches here, by the way!  Home to Western Plains Aviation, Dubbo Flying School, Noel Howe Flying School, Dubbo Aero Club, Dubbo Helicopters and the RFDS.  Two Dash-8s, a Saab 340 and over a dozen light aircraft seen.  The Dubbo Military Museum is about 10 clicks south of town on the left of the Newell Hwy.  Its got a Neptune (A89-279) and a horribly-painted Vampire (A79-165).  Lots of other interesting military vehicles and nice, friendly people!

Just south of the town, on the Newell Highway.  Saw three crop-dusters and two light aircraft.  Was there again on 2 April, 2000 - little had changed, one crop-duster seen, home to Riverina Airwork.  There again on 9 Nov, 2001 - little had changed, four crop-dusters seen.

In central NSW to the south of Parkes on the Newell Hwy.  Sealed runway, terminal building and a dozen hangars (in three spots).  Home to Forbes Soaring and Aero Club.  Three gliders, three light aircraft, two ultralights, three crop-dusters and a helicopter seen.  There's a Vampie (marked A79-109) on a pole in a park on the left as you exit the town going south on the Newell Hwy.

About 66 km north of Dubbo.  Two unsealed runways, two small buildings (one marked VH-HUT!) and two hangars.  Home to Gilgandra Aero Club.  One light aircraft seen.

About 50 km NW of Griffith, and is on the Mid Western Hwy between West Wyalong and Hay.  A single strip south of the town, on the western side of the road.  Windsock, white cones and little else.

On the Hume Hwy between Canberra and Sydney - 6 km south of the town.  Two runways, nine hangars (with more planned).  Very friendly people.  Thirty light aircraft seen, including the following:

East of Hay, NW of Narrandera and SW of West Wyalong.  Its signposted well from the town centre - about five km out.  Two runways, over 15 hangars (one ? ex-RAAF) and a hive of activity for crop-spraying etc.  Has a small terminal with Hazelton signs.  Home to Griffith Aero Club,  Airwork, Aero Enterprise, Aerocare, Riverina Helicopters, Thomson Aviation and Skycroppers.  Seventeen crop-dusters, eight light aircraft, one classic (Tiger Moth VH-DHR) and one ultralight seen.  There was a Fairey Firefly on a pole in the town centre, outside the tourist office, marked WB518.

Sealed runway, small terminal building, one hangar and a shelter.  Home to Gunnedah Aero Club and Ragwing Aviation.  Six light aircraft seen.

On the highway to Bathurst from Sydney, there's an old Cessna (marked VH-DMV) on the left side of the road used as an advertisement for fruit.

About 200 km north of the Victorian border at Echuca.  A sealed and unsealed runway and five hangars.  Home to Aerocare and Twynam.  Two crop-dusters and three light aircraft seen.

Up the road from Holbrook Airpark.  Used for Henty Field Days.  A Robinson R44 was seen.

Between Nyngan and Cobar on the Barrier Hwy.  Strip and windsock on the side of the road.

North of Goolowi and Griffith on the wonderful Kidman Way.  Just SW of town are two unsealed runways, a terminal building and an old hangar.  No aircraft seen.

North of Albury along the Hume Hwy and take a left turn after Holbrook.  Two strips, nine hangars and home to Rans Aircraft and Holbrook Ultra Light Club.  Two ultralights seen.

Don't know if this is the right name for the place.  Its between Corowa and Albury, about 8 clicks on the Albury side of Howlong on the left side of the road.  One hangar and five light aircraft seen.

Was there again on 31 March, 2000.  Airfield is actually called Bungowannah.  Ten light aircraft seen - including a Tri-Pacer (VH-RRD) being restored, a Bird Dog (VH-UXX) used for power line inspections and a Citabria (VH-PZA) in need of some TLC.

In an outer, outer suburb west of Sydney.  A single runway and nine hangars.  Details can be found via the Bankstown Airport website.  Saw about forty aircraft, including:

Just north of Nowra on the road from Wollongong.  On the left, a single strip with SCMFC marked on the gate.  Next to CofA land with a sign Jaspers Brush Parachute Drop Zone.  One hangar.  One helicopter seen.

Off the New England Hwy from Mailtand towards Denman.  A sealed strip on a stud on the main road.  No aircraft seen.

Just south of the town, off the Newell Highway.  One hangar.  Saw three crop-dusters.  Was there again on on 2 April, 2000 - little had changed, two light aircraft seen, home to Kent Aerial Services and Agflite; and again on 9 Nov, 2001 when two crop-dusters and one light aircraft seen.

East of Nowra is a beautiful area called Jervis Bay.  And smack bang in the middle of it is this reasonably sized airfield with two long sealed runways.  Its appears to be a RAN site - you could get a good view of it when the road from Nowra passes over high ground on the way there.  Nothing seen, except for maybe an old Tracker on the far edge of the field.

Between Wagga Wagga and Bathurst, just south of town is a road named Aerodrome Lane.  Nothing of an aviation-nature seen.  Maybe a remnant of WW2 activity????

In the Blue Mts west of Sydney.  Pass through Katoomba, take a right just over the railway bridge at Medlow Bath and follow the signs down the dirt track.  One strip and three hangars.  Nothing of interest seen.

About 5 clicks N of the town - signposted.  Three hangars and a windsock.  Home to Leeton Gliding Club.  A crop-duster, a glider and an ultralight seen.

About 30 minutes west of Ballina, signposted well from the town centre.  A sealed runway, the Habie Habib Airport Lounge and 14 hangars.  Hazelton fly in.  About 15 aircraft seen - nothing special.

An amazing place if you're into classic aircraft - especially Tiger Moths!  It close to Maitland - follow the New England Hwy west of Maitland, take a right onto Windermere Rd (has a road sign pointing towards Luskyntyre), then  left onto Luskyntyre Rd, over the bridge (and what a bridge!) and then onto Pywells Rd where the entrance is down a bit on your right.  Four hangars (one of which is a Tiger Moth restoration facility, ??? the biggest in th world???) and another of which is ex-WW2.  Saw about 30 aircraft.  It was great to meet such enthusiastic and friendly people, who I understand organise regular lunchtime gatherings .

Not too far from Newcastle.  Also called Russell Field.  Two runways and twelve hangars.  Home to Action Aerobatics, Cirrus Executive Aviation, Royal Newcastle Aero Club and Yanda Airlines.  Saw about thirty aircraft.  Was there again on 16 Feb, 2002.  About six new hangars had been built.  Saw about ten light aircraft - and Tiger Moth (VH-TGR).

Sydney's International Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith Airport.  Three runways - one of them apparently quite famous with Sydney-siders!  The international and domestic terminals are quite separate and some way from each other.  There's also a maintenance area, a GA area and a heliport.  More details from the unofficial website.  Saw over 100 aircraft in two half-day visits.  Was there again on 18 and 20 Feb, 2000.  Lots of building works going on in preparation for the Olympics.  Find out more from the official website.

Well south of Sydney on the Princes Hwy and its signposted well.  Single, long (1600 m) runway and four hangars.  Kendell and Hazelton run scheduled flights.  About twenty aircraft seen - nothing special, except for a Dakota National Air DC-3 (VH-UPQ).

Between Walgett and Collarenebri.  Strip and windsock on a property.

On the Hume Hwy between Goulburn and Sydney is the town of Mittagong.  The airfield was a bit difficult to find - its over the hills to the south.  Ask for directions, or if you can find Bong Bong Rd, follow it and turn left - the airfield is on your right.  One gravel runway and 15 small hangars.  Home to Barrima District Aero Club.  Nothing much seen, although I understand that an old Ryan was here somewhere.....

Central north-east NSW.  Big place.  Two runways, terminal building (QantasLink do RPT flights) and eight hangars (two on the far side of the field).  Home to Aircair Aviation, Austrek Aviation, Gwydir Air, McAlister Airways and Moree Aero Club.  Ten crop-dusters, over a dozen lighies (including Seabird Seeker VH-OPT), a QF Dash 8 and a helicopter seen.  The Amaroo Tavern is quite close by and has a DC-3 out front.  I heard that its last flight was into Moree and that it was subsequently towed across the paddocks to the pub.  Its in great nick.  Marked P2-003, Papua New Guinea Defence Force.  Follow the sign for The Big Plane!

Way south of Sydney on the road to Eden.  Its signposted well from the town.  Two runwyas and six hangars.  Three light aircraft seen - nothing special.

North of Hillston.  Strip and windsock north of town near the racecourse.

Its signposted well from the centre of town.  Two runways, a terminal building (with a display detailing some fascinating aviation history in the life of Mr Tim Loneragan) and eight hangars.  Service from Airlink Dubbo.  Home to Mudgee Aviation Service, Mudgee Aero Club and Mudgee District Sports Aviation Club.  Eight light aircraft seen as well as Dakota National Air's VH-SBL, parked on the grass.

Just south of the Queensland border along the Pacific Hwy in north-east NSW.  The airfield is on the northern edge of the town.  Also called The Bob Whittle Airfield.  A single unsealed strip with seven hangars and some more being built.  About 15 aircraft seen - about half of which were very classic classics.

About 100 clicks south of Moree on the Newell Hwy.  A bit out of town (about 8 km), but its signposted well.  One sealed and one unsealed runway, a terminal building (Eastern signage) and two hangars.  Home to Aircair, Kaputar Aviation and Namoi Aero Club.  Five light aircraft seen.

About 5 km out of town on the road to Leeton.  A terminal building, an old RAAF base with one large old hangar and a smaller, newer one. Saw four light aircraft.  Also saw a Tiger Moth (A17-443) which is on display in the town, beside the tourist office.  Was there again on 2 April, 2000 - Hazelton have scheduled flights,  four light aircraft and three ultralights seen - and on 9 Nov, 2001, when little or nothing had changed.

About 40 km west of Dubbo along the Mitchell Hwy.  Straight through town and its on the right.  Two sealed runways and about half a dozen hangars (one of them ex-RAAF).  Home to Soar Narromine, Narromine Ultralights, Orana Aviation, Narromine Aviation, Orana Soaring Club and Airborne Avionics.  Three crop-dusters seen - plus a glider tug, half a dozen gliders, eight light aircraft, two ultralights and six classic-types (Auster VH-KBC,  Sabre A94-915 - gathering dust in a shed - Chippie VH-JHA, MiG-15 VH-DIE and two Tiger Moths VH-KBX and VH-LSK).  There was also a ? Texan being rebuilt in one of the hangars (?VH-YVI).

A domestic airport, aircraft manufacturer, RAAF base and museum all on one site, about two hours north of Sydney.  The spot is a good bit north of the city at Williamtown but the way is reasonably well signposted.  One runway, three hangars.  Saw five regional airliners during an afternoon at the airport, and seven jet fighters at the Fighter World museum.  Was there again on 7 Nov, 2000.  Little had changed.  Saw about a dozen RAAF Hornets buzzing around.  A BAe Hawk was towed from the BAE Systems facility across the airfield to the RAAF base during the afternoon.  The museum had a second hangar built.

About 90 mins south of Sydney along the Princes Hwy.  A RAN facilty called HMAS Albatross which contains the excellent Australian Naval Aviation Museum and a civil terminal.  About 30 aircraft were displayed in the museum hangar.  There was a road running around the perimeter of the airfield, from which about a dozen civil and military aircraft could be seen.  The civil area was home to Albatross Aero Club.  The museum was recently renamed Australia's Museum of Flight.

Between Wee Waa and Narrabri on the back road.  Strip, windsock and hangar.  One crop-duster and two light aircraft seen.

Between Dubbo and Bourke on the Mitchell Hwy.  Two runways, terminal building (with Air Link Dubbo signs) and a hangar.  One light aircraft seen.  There's a Iriquois helicopter (A2-002) in the town centre, outside the train station.

West of Sydney, just passed Bathurst.  Its about 13 km out of town - follow the many road signs.  Two runways and six hangars.  Home to Orange Aviation, Orange Aero Club and Wade Air.  Serviced by Hazelton.  Saw about 15 light aircraft, including an Aero Commander 100 (VH-EXL), Champion Citabria (VH-CIW) and PZL Wilga (VH-PSZ).

In central NSW.  Two sealed runways, terminal building (with an interesting WW2 photo display and Hazelton signage) and three (ex-RAAF) hangars.  About 20 light aircraft, five ultralights, two gyrocopters and three classic-types seen (including a Cessna 150 Taildragger VH-TPA and Tiger Moth VH-GWG).  I hear that there's a Vampire and Wessex stored here somewhere but I didn't get to see them.  And while in Parkes, don't forget to visit the radiotelescope facility - home of the famous Dish!

Between Camden and Wollongong - a single strip used by the Sydney Skydiving Centre.  Shorts Skyvan, VH-IBO was doing the uplifting.

North of town and signposted.  Two runways, decent terminal building (services from QantasLink and Hazelton) and numerous hangars.  Home to Port Aero, Hastings District Flying Club, Falcon Aircraft Engineering, Johnston Aviation Services and Coastwings Australia.  About 25 light aircraft seen, as well as Trojan (VH-XVT - no engine) and Dromader (VH-JRN - marked 22).  I've heard that there's a Strikemaster and other classics here - but they were probably in a locked hangar on the day.

Message from Robert Rich (21/3/02):  Yes, the Strikemaster operates out of Port Macquarie.....also a CT4. In the Coastwings hanger is a Bonanza BE33, Cessna 340, 210, 310, and an array of ultralights.

In Ultimo, in Sydney city centre - near Darling Harbour.  Ten historically-significant aircraft seen.  The museum has a website which contains lots of useful info.  Good place to bring the kids!

North-west of Sydney city, in the outer, outer suburbs.  Home to RAAF Hercs, B.707s and what seem to be Caribou without engines/tails.  Single runway (over 2000 m) running parallel with the public highway with a car park giving very decent views of proceedings.

A seaplane base along Sydney Harbour, not too far from downtown.  Home to Sydney Harbour Seaplanes.  Saw three DHC-2 Beavers (VH-AQU, AQV, NOO) and a Cessna A185F.  This bay used to be a landing spot for Qantas/Imperial Airways Southampton-Sydney seaplane flights.

A lovely airfield in a beautiful spot.  Sealed runway and four hangars.  Home to Pay's Air Service, Scone Aircraft Maintenance, Airpasture and Scone Aero Club.  Pay's hangar is meant to house some classic warbirds, but it was closed on the day.  About 15 aircraft seen including three Flectcher FU-24's (VH-EOW, VH-EUO and VH-UTR) - the first two had Stallion conversions (and were marked Airpasture) and the third one had a tail boom (looked like it was used for survey work).

Close to Maitland, east of town - the signposts lead you to a delapidated looking place.  A prefabricated building, windsock and old hangar.  One light aircraft seen.  There's an old-looking Yanda Airlines sign nearby.

A decent airport in a great city!  Appears to have been a RAAF base in the past.  There's still some ex-WW2 hangars - and about eight hangars in total.  There's also a small memorial building in front of the terminal containing an East-West Airlines' Avro Anson (VH-ASM).   Home to Eastern Australian Airlines, Tamworth Helicopters, Country Capital Flight Centre, Tamworth Aero Club, BAE Systems, Aeroskills, Byron Aviation and Tamworth Air Services.  An F-27 Friendship (VH-JCC), which looked like it was being used for spare parts, was parked on the grass near the large Eastern hangars.  Nearby was another (flying) Friendship (VH-WAN), as well as two ex-Eastern Jetstreams (VH-TQK and VH-TQM) in open storage.  Another all white Jetstream (VH-TQL) was in another hangar.  Saw about 30 other aircraft - mainly BAE Systems Airtrainers and Tobagos - got fed up counting them! - but they look great when they take off doing formation practice.  What was it like here with aircraft training during the 2nd world war?

E-mail message from James Hollinworth, 11 June, 2002:  The current airport was built in 1955.  The hangers there are mostly of that vintage.  The original airport was located in the now industrial area of Taminda (of which many streets have aircraft names ie Wirraway, Lockheed, Hudson, Avro, Anson).  Several original structures still exist amongst the more modern buildings.  The airport was relocated because the original site was flood prone.  During WWII No. 7 Elementary Flying School was located here using DH82 Tiger Moths.  Also for a brief period during 1942, Central Flying School (current Roulette unit) was also stationed at Tamworth.  Wirraway aircraft were also used.  The BAe Systems CT4's did a 19 ship fly over on Australia Day this year.  Probably the largest flyover in the country on the day.

Its positioning reminds me of that of Williamtown airport down the road.  Terminal building, service by QantasLink and four hangars.  Home to Manning River Aero Club.  Three light aircraft seen - including an Airtourer (VH-PCC) and an Airtrainer (VH-PGH).

About an hour north of Wagga Wagga.  The airfield is just outside the town on the road to West Wyalong and is signposted. Five hangars (one ex-RAAF) with a sixth being built.  Home to Temora Aero Club, Skydive Temora and Temora Gliding Club.  Soon to be home to an aviation museum - opening in ? Sept, 2000.  Saw a Dragonfly (VH-DLO), Tiger Moth (VH-UVZ, marked A17-691), the fusealge of a Canberra (A84-233) and an Airedale (VH-UEP) - along with four aerobatic, eight light aircraft, three gliders and an ultralight.  The museum has an superb website.

Not too far from Camden on the left on the far side of town on the way to Oakdale.  One grass strip and the remnant of a second.  Two hangars and a boneyard.  Home to Sydney Ultralight Flying Club and Ultralight Aviators Flight Training.  About 30 aircraft seen - some classics.

A WW2 site, established by the USAAF (who called it 'McIntyre Field') on the NSW/Victoria border (Newell Highway).  Once about 25 miles square.  Taken over by the RAAF in 1942, and had at one stage 4,500 RAAF persons, 400 WAAF persons, 54 Liberators, 11 Vultee Vengeances, five Kittyhawks and an Airspeed Oxford.  It was also a vast storage and repair depot with aircraft such as Avro Anson, Airacobra, Beaufort, Boeing, Boomerang, Dakota, Hudson, Lancaster, Lincoln, Meteor, Mosquito, Mustang, Spitfire, Beaufighter, Vampire, Winjeel and Wirraway.  The RAAF left in 1960.  Over 700 aircraft were scapped here between 1960 and 1963.  There's now three of the original hangars remaining, with some newer ones.  Home to Air Champagne, Tocumwal Aviation Services and John H Williams Aviation. Saw five light aircraft and about 30 gliders.  Also saw the wings of VH-DQI - many thanks to Anthony Tubbs for info - it appears to be a Cessna 172 (c/n 56106) which crashed in July 1968 at Whittlesea, Victoria.  Was there again on 2 April, 2000.  Little had changed, seventeen aircraft seen - including a crop-duster, a Dove (VH-OBI) and an Albatross (VH-MAH).  A Bellanca Scout (VH-PEV) was being used for parts to restore another Scout (VH-UTK). Was there again on 9 Nov, 2001, about fifteen light aircraft, a dozen or more gliders, an ultralight Storch, four classics (including Chippies VH-MNS, VH-WCR and VH-BSM - wreck) and a crop-duster.  The Dove (VH-OBI) was having some work done to its wings and tailfin.  Was there for a fourth time on 13 Feb, 2002.  Saw eleven Hawker Hunter Mk74a's, ex Singapore Air Force in the 'second' ex-WW2 hangar.  They're supposed to be 502, 506, 521, 526, 529, 531, 533, 535, 538, 545 and 546.  In the same hangar was the DC-3 (VH-JDL) that was previously stored at Wagga.  There was also lots of Chipmunk activity in the TAS hangar with VH-WGI (WG461), VR-HFQ (being restored), VH-RVV (wreck), VH-BSM, VH-MMS (no markings) and VH-WCR noted.  Also noted a damaged Auster Autocar (VH-KBT).

Between Coonabarabran and Dubbo on the Newell/Oxley Hwy.  Strip and hut - not much else.

About 35 km north of Narromine on the Mitchell Hwy.  The strip is about 7 km out the Collie Rd.  Home to Rebel Aerial Agriculture.  Five crop-dusters (two of them Dromaders with turbine engines - delightful!) and one light aircraft seen.  There's also a strip and windsock at the Auscott facility just south of town.

North-west of Parkes in central NSW.  Two unsealed runways and a windsock (in dire need of attention!).

Just south of Murwillumbah on the Pacific Hwy in north-east NSW - and just north of the Byron Bay turn-off - on the left as you travel south.  Well signposted.  A single strip with five hangars (plus one being built) - and another two hangars on the far side of the field.  Home to Skylimit Sports Aviation, Byron Bay Skydiving Centre and Byron Air Charter.  Ten aircraft seen - including Tiger Moth (VH-APB) and Cessna 170 (VH-JBD), three ultralights and three motor gliders.  The motor gliding group have some beaut photos of surfing the Morning Glory in the Gulf of Carpentaria (see http://www.dropbears.com/b/byrongliding/ and http://www.dropbears.com/brough/).

There's a strip and windsock beside the open cut mine.  No aircraft seen.

Located at Forest Hill, about 10 km east of town, off the Sturt Highway.  Also contains the RAAF Forest Hill Base and was home to Kendell Airlines and Wagga Air Centre.  Saw about a half dozen GA aircraft, and five aircraft at the RAAF museum.  There was a Vampire (A79-623) displayed on a pole in the city centre.  Was there again on 1 April, 2000.  Saw the nose section of a Sabre in the museum building, as well as a Meteor (A77-874), a Canberra (A84-226) and a Dakota (A65-64, marked Dakota Downunder) on the base proper.  The base is also home to numerous CT-4s and Macchis, and has a large number of instructional airframes, including three Metros.  Little had changed at the adjacent airport (nine light aircraft seen), except for the presence of a Kendell CRJ-200 (VH-KJG).  Darryl Gibbs, of the Clyde North Aeronautical Preservation Group, showed me the front section of a Catalina (Bu48368, c/n 1730) which he and his colleagues had recovered from a farm near Coleambally recently, and has stored in the town.  Was there for a third time on 18 Feb, 2002.  The Dakota (ex A65-64) had been moved to Tocumwal.  Seven Kendell CRJ-200's had been ferried from Tullamarine for open storage to the east of the RAAF base - you could see them by following the laneways around the perimeter of the airfield.  Also saw five RAAF Maachi's - in ? open storage.  Little had changed at the airport - half a dozen light aircraft seen, some Kendell Saab 340's and Metro's, as well as a QantasLink Dash-8.  Just south of Wagga on the Olympic Hwy is Uranquinty, where there used to be a substantal RAAF base during WWII.  There is a small display in the town giving the history and includes a section of a damaged Wirraway engine.  18 Feb, 2002:  there's meant to be an airstrip nearby - no sign of it.  About 30 km north-west of Wagga is Coolamon, which used to have an airstrip on the right just outside the town on the road to Junee.  The strip is now closed.  Further along the road is Marrar, which does have a strip and windsock just north of the town - no aircraft seen.

In the hills east of Tamworth.  The airfield is about 2 km west of town and is signposted.  Down an interesting dirt-track,  Two strips, shed and a falling down hangar.  PA-31 (VH-OZN) was visiting for the annual Walcha races.  No other aircraft seen.  There's meant to be a crop-dusting Tiger Moth in a museum nearby - but I got distracted by the horse races during my visit and time slipped away......

Over 200 km east of Bourke.  Two runways, three open hangars and a terminal building (with an Air Link Dubbo sign).  Home to Walgett Aero Club.

A strip owned by the Hunter Valley Gliding Club, also called the David Parked Airfield.  Up the New England Hwy from Maitland.  Two hangars filled with gliders.  Three sporties, a motor-glider and a glider tug (PA-25, VH-CPV) seen.

An hour or so north of Sydney along the Pacific Hwy - take a left onto Sparks Rd and the airfield is on the right before you reach the town.  One bitumen strip and seven hangars.  Home to Central Coast Aero Club.  About 20 aircraft seen and one quite interesting one - DC-3, VH-ATO in open storage.

Also called Napper Airfield. South-west of Sydney.  Its difficult to describe the best way there.  Possibly the easiest way is to head for Wollongong from Appin and take a left towards the coal mine.  Its a dirt track, but keep going and you will eventually find the airfield on your left.  Single strip with about 25 small hangars (a few more being built).  Visitors are welcome on the weekends.  Home to the NSW Sport Aircraft Club.

About 50 clicks west of Narrabri.  South-west of town about five km.  Single unsealed runway, terminal building and one large hangar.  Three crop-dusters and two light aircraft seen.  And watch out for the Australia Telescope if you travel to Narrabri via the back road.

In south-west NSW - across the border from Mildura in Victoria.  Sign-posted from the town centre.  Nine hangars, one windsock.  Home to Sunraysia Sport Aero Club.  Seven ultralights seen.

About 60 clicks north of Temora.  An ex-RAAF/RAN DC-3 (A65-23, with RAAF and ARDU markings on the tail) is mounted in a park on the corner of the main street and the Narrandera turn-off.  The airfield is further down the Narrandera road on the left and is signposted.  Two hangars and a terminal building.  Country Connection have scheduled flights.  Three light aircraft seen.  Was there again on 9 Nov, 2001.  Little had changed.  One light aircraft seen.

Between Wagga Wagga and Bathurst, about 10 km out of town on the Grenfell Rd.  Sealed runway and two hangars.  Home to Young Aero Club and Young Flying Group.  No aircraft seen on the ground.  A Navair Ce 152 was doing circuits.