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About 5 km south of the town on the Western Hwy.  One sealed and two unsealed runways, windsock and seven hangars. Home to Grampians Soaring Club.  One light aircraft seen.  Was there again on 25 Sept 1999 - a fine day for gliding!  Saw six gliders, a tug (Callair A9A, VH-FBS) and an ultralight.

About 3 hours south-west of Melbourne, a town on the Great Ocean Rd.  The airstrip is at the western end of the town.  Consists of a single strip used for scenic flights.  One light aircraft seen.  To the west of Apollo Bay, there is a helipad at the 12 Apostles.  A Robinson Astro (VH-HFX) was there on the day doing scenic flights.  There is another helipad further along the Great Ocean Rd to the east of Port Campbell.  In addition, there is an airstrip and hangar to the east of Peterborough, used for scenic flights.  No aircraft seen.  20 March 2004 - Drove from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell and noted one light aircraft at the Apollo Bay airfield, two R44s at the 12 Apostles helipad as well as two Bell 206s and a Squirrel at the second helipad.

About 1 hour south-west of Melbourne, beside the Princes Highway.  One paved 3000 m runway (18/36), one grass 600 m strip and numerous large hangars.  Home to Geelong Flying School.  Was told by a security guard that no aircraft were on the site and that an invitation (he didn't know from whom) was needed to gain entry.  There's a road running around the boundary, and about six Piper/Cessna light aircraft could be seen at a distance on the site.  The airport is pretty quiet except when the Australian International Airshow is on - but there are occasional visitors - mainly Boeing 747 freighters and RAAF Neptunes - and it  contains a maintenance base for Qantas B747s.  The airport opened for domestic airline use in 2004 - see its website for more information.

About 40 minutes west of Melbourne, south of the Western Freeway, a good 5 km along the road to Geelong.  Five hangars - two for gliders - and two strips.  Saw six light aircraft in Apr 98, and the same plus two Piper Cubs (VH-RRG and VH-MSA), two Pawnees (VH-TNC and VH-BCK) and about a dozen gliders on 31 Jan 99.  There was also a very impressive glider - not so much of your standard glider, more of a motorless flier - marked VH-GHZ in one of the hangars.
 
Info received from Barry Clark (VMFG), 24 Aug 99:  The Piper Cubs are actually Super Cubs.  The two Pawnees, BCK and TNC , belong to the VMFG.  Geelong GC has a Pawnee also, VH-SSA. VH-GHZ is called Zephyrus.  It was built after WW2 by members of the Beaufort Gliding Club.  It is apparently the only one of its type.  Other interesting aircraft at Bacchus include a VP (previously called Volksplane) and a few motor gliders including an RF5B (a 2 seat tandem Fournier motor glider; also called the Sperber).  Visitors are welcome at the gliding launch point, but stick to the perimeter road and keep to the speed limit.  Air Experience glider rides are available. Another aircraft of note at Bacchus is the only Platypus made by Harry Schneider, builder of many ES series gliders in Australia.  As in the earlier ES 2 seat gliders called 'Kookaburra', both long and short wing versions, the seats are staggered side by side as I understand was the case in the WW2 Mosquito.  It is a superb arrangement for instructing.  There are several Kookas at Bacchus.

Note.....there are supposedly two strips not too far away along Troups Rd South - but no sign of them was seen in Jan 99.

About an hour west of Melbourne via the Western Freeway, through the town and onto the Sunraysia Highway.  You can also get to it by staying on the freeway which bypasses Ballarat and following the sign at one of the exits.  Appears to have been a RAAF base in the past.  Home to Ballarat Aero Club, Field Air and MAF-Air Services.  Saw about a dozen light aircraft and half a dozen crop-dusters.  Also site of the Ballarat Aviation Museum, which has a very informative website.  Was there again on 26 Sept, 1999: little seemed to have changed.  Saw five crop-dusters, about 30 light aircraft, three ultralights and four gyrocopters; and 27 Dec, 2000:  Little had changed, except for a new hangar with Rudi's Aviation sign outside.  Saw about 20 light aircraft and seven crop-dusters.  The media reported during 2004 about an Anson Museum on the site, where one aircraft is being restored from several old ones.

About 3 hours east of Melbourne, off Princes Highway.  Appears to be an old RAAF site with six oldish-looking hangars.  Home to Bairnsdale Air Charter.  About 10 light aircraft seen, including a Rockwell S2R-600 Thrush Commander (VH-JBS marked Thundergutz).  Visited again on 24 Nov 98, and saw seven light aircraft.  Had a sign for a D.N.R.E. base - but there was nothing to be seen there.   Also, also just down the Princes Hwy towards Melbourne (about ten clicks east of the town) is a sign for Riviera Skysports at Red Court Lane.  No aircraft seen there though.

South of Wodonga on the road to Tallangatta is an Army Museum.  It contains numerous transport vehicles, armaments etc, along with a Sioux helicopter (A1-407).  The sad-looking remains of two Vampire trainers were out the back of the museum - one with a cover marked A79-804 inside the cockpit.  One wing section is marked S/No. 592, another has 33 on the undercarriage cover and another is marked Beautified by 35 EXC The Wanderers.

About 2 hours south-west of Melbourne - down the Princes Hwy, through Geelong and onto the Geelong-Barwon Heads Rd.  Airfield about 5 km on the Geelong side of town.  Had five hangars near the road and another four up the side road.  Home to South Barwon Air Services.  Saw about half a dozen light aircraft, ultralights, a J/5P Autocar (VH-WCL ) and a DH-60X Moth (VH-JGS) - as well as a YAK-55 (RA 02052 ) doing aerobatics on 8 Nov 98.  Was there again on 13 Nov 99 - a new hangar had been built, skydivers were using the airfield and there was a sign for Geelong Aero Club.  Also saw a J-5G Cirrus Autocar (VH-BSX).
Info from Peter Wood, 25 Sept, 2000:  The field is now getting very busy as we have 10 weightshift microlights operating most fine week-ends.  The sky diving school is using a Pilatus Porter and people are queuing up to jump most weekends.  The Pilatus is worth watching as it usually beats the parachutists to the ground after the drop!!!!  there are 2 new hangers under constuction with another 1 or 2 to be built soon.


Was there on 27 Jan, 2001.  The field was a hive of activity - with an old church (?) being refurbished as a club house (?), numerous new hangars and two more being built.  Lots of ultralights and light aircraft, plus a Tiger Moth (VH-HKG) marked A17-277.

Just east of the town on the way to the Hume Freeway.  Two runways, lots of small hangars for gliders and one hangar (? ex-RAAF) split between light aircraft and ultralights.  Might have once been a RAAF base.  Saw about two dozen gliders, some ultralights and six light aircraft.  Was there again on 24 April, 2000 and on 14 April, 2005.  Little had changed.

Just north of the town and off the Midland Highway.  Fourteen hangars and two sealed runways (one over 1,000 m).  Saw about twenty light aircraft and other aircraft.  28 July, 2001 - visited the museum hangar - lots of great photos and interesting artefacts.  Went searching for a DC-3 which is supposed to be on an old strip north of the town, but couldn't find it.  Also visited Crusoe Rd - where there's a replica Spitfire, fuselage and wings of a Dove (VH-DHN), the nose of a DC-3 (VH-TAK) and part of a Macchi fuselage (A7-002) in a garden.

About three hours north of Melbourne along the Calder Hwy.  Two airstrips seen.  One, called the Boort District Aerodrome, is signposted just W/SW of the town and is also called Biggin Hill (opened 9 May 98).  One strip, two windoscks and a hangar.  No aircraft seen.  The second is east of the town, on the road to Yando.  Three hangars, two strips and a windsock.  No aircraft seen.

In a suburb of Melbourne near Tullamarine Airport is the Aerospace Industry Training Centre of the Kangan Batman TAFE on Dimboola Road.  It contains a number of instructional airframes in a large workshop.  Aircraft seen included an F-27 Friendship (VH-MMR), an S-2G Tracker (N12-153567 , marked 855), a Cessna 411 (VH-TDB), an MAC Mamba 1 (VH-JSA ), a Beech Musketeer (VH-CTV) and a Stoddard Hailton Glastar.

On the Princes Hwy, over 2 hours SW of Melbourne, between Colac and Warrnambool.  The airstrip is on the Old Geelong Road which runs parallel to the Princes Hwy just north of the town.  A single, unsealed strip and windsock - probably used by crop-dusters.  No aircraft seen on the day.

About 90 mins or so NW of Melbourne, up the Calder Hwy.  Go through the town (nice place!) and head towards Daylesford and along the Midland Hwy.  Its about 10 clicks along the road, take a right across Campbells Creek and then take a left.  Two grass strips, windsock and a hangar.  One light aircraft seen.  Was there again, 29 Sept, 2001 - Little had changed.

West of Geelong.  Take the Hamilton Hwy and turn left at Merrawarp Rd.  Its two clicks down on the left.  Home to RL Aviation who do joy flights.  Single strip, hangar and windsock.  Two light aircraft seen.

Just south of the town on the road to St Arnaud.  A single strip and windsock.  No aircraft seen.

About 2 and a half hours SW of Melbourne - down the Princes Hwy, through Geelong and out towards Warrnambool.  The airfield is just on the southern side of town and consists of a single grass strip and a small hangar.  Saw three light aircraft and there were three ultralights in the hangar with a fourth under construction.

About 2 hours SW of Melbourne - down the Princes Hwy, through Geelong and out towards Warrnambool.  The airfield is about 10 clicks east of the town - turn right at the signpost, left at the T-junction, and its on your right.  Two grass strips and about ten small hangars - one of them with a helipad out front.  Saw three light aircraft - most of the hangars were locked on the day.  Revisited on 20 Mar, 2004 - little had changed.  There was a helipad on the western side of town where a Bell 205 was parked.

About 1 hour north-east of Melbourne.  One grass/gravel runway, about ten hangars and two windsocks.  Home to Ray Jay Aircraft Services and a home of the Royal Victorian Aero Club.  Good spot for classic aircraft.  About 20 aircraft seen.  Was there again on 19 Nov, 2000 - A new hangar was being built, little else had changed; 1 April, 2001 - New hangar (plus offices) almost completed, new temporary hangar for Ce185, VH-SDB;  8 Sept, 2001 - New hangar completed - Mission Aviation Centre; 15 Feb, 2004 - little had changed.  12 Dec 99: There is another airstrip not too far away - up the Maroondah Hwy, on the left past the Melba Hwy junction where the road begins to straighten out.  At Adams Farms , there is a single grass strip, windsock and a hangar.  There is a Neptune propeller outside the hangar - and inside: a Cessna 180 (VH-SDB), a magnificent looking Stearman (VH-RAC) and a Tri-Pacer (VH-UEN).  Was there again on 19 Nov, 2000 - the windsock had been removed and the field had been ploughed.  The hangar with the Neptune prop outside was still there.  And there is a third strip nearby - further up the Maroondah Hwy, take a right at Hill Road and its on the right about a click or so down the road - a grass strip, hangar and windsock on private property - no aircraft seen.  Maybe a Cessna 182 lives here??? A vintage and home-built get together was held at Coldstream on 25 March, 2006 - some photos can be seen here.

Also known as Lovely Banks.  About one and a half hours SW of Melbourne, off Princes Highway.  A private airfield with two hangars, grass strip and a windsock.  Great views of the coast.  Saw one Piper Cherokee.  Was there again on 1 Nov 98; saw a derelict Queen Air (VH-CLG) and about half a dozen ultralights.  Its now home to Lovely Banks Ultralight Club.  Apparently, it was a WWII airfield.

The town is on the Hamilton Hwy about 2 hours west of Melbourne.  After you enter the town, take a right towards Vite Vite and the airstrip is about 2 clicks on the left.  Home to Western Aerial, with a hangar, a windsock and an unsealed strip. Saw five crop-dusters and an Edgar Percival EP9 ( VH-DAI) being restored.  Thanks to Peter O'Connell for his help with this site.  Was there again on 27 Dec, 2000.  Little had changed.  Saw three crop-dusters and a Cessna 180.  Little work seemed to have been done on the EP9 (which is listed on the 2000 register as VH-EPN).

South of the town - it is signposted well.  One hangar, a windsock, one sealed and one grass runway.  A single light aircraft seen.

Just outside of town on the road to Kyabram - it is signposted well.  One sealed and one grass runway, five hangars and two windsocks.  Five GA aircraft seen - nothing special!

Info from Peter O'Connell (15 Dec, 2000):  Seven Piper and two Beech light aircraft noted.

North of Bendigo on the highway to Echuca from Melbourne.  Found two airfields here.  One is to the east of the town on the road to Shepparton.  It is used for the Elmore Field Day, held on the first week of October.  A strip and a windsock.  No aircraft seen.  The second is to the west of the town just after the junction with the Raywood Road.  One strip, a windsock and two hangars.  A crop-duster ( VH-ODB) and a light aircraft seen.

Info from Dave, 18 Sept 99:  I was just browsing through your site and the strip you mentioned at Elmore on the Raywood Road belongs to Rich River Aviation of Wayne Cowan.  He owns a number of aircraft including the crop duster you mentioned.  He also conducts fishing trips up to the gulf on Swears Island (I think that is how it is spelt).

In a suburb of Melbourne.  Two runways and a multitude of hangars.  Over 150 aircraft seen - mainly light aircraft but also Dakotas, Aero Commanders, Metros, helicopters and bizjets.  Its got a fascinating history as Melbourne's main airport prior to the opening of Tullamarine.  Much of this and more is documented at the superbAirways Museum & Civil Aviation Historical Society website.  This museum does not display any aircraft but rather the navigation, communication and related equipment used for air traffic control, is located on the site.     AERIAL PHOTO 1945

Up the Hume Fwy from Melbourne.  Its on the right, a grass strip with a windsock.  There's a hangar nearby with Wignells written on the roof.  Found two airstrips at Euroa on 12 Nov, 2000.  The first can be found at the corner of Angle Rd and the road which ramps off the freeway.  Two light aircraft seen.  The second is about five clicks up Drysdale Rd, on the right.  Its home to the Victorian Aviation Sports Centre, Euroa.  Two strips, two windsocks and four hangars.  One light aircraft seen, taking up sky-divers.  A strip is marked on my RACV map to the east of Euroa, near Gooram, which is down Killeens Hill Rd.  Nothing of an aviation nature seen on 12 Nov, 2000.

In Melbourne city.  Site of old aircraft factory and airfield.  RMIT has an aeronautical engineering campus near the end of Lorimer St - and has a number of old airframes.  AMRL have a facility closeby with a Sabre (A94-941) gate guard and a Canberra (A84-245) on the grounds.

There is an very large aerial photo of Melbourne in the Treasury Building (top of Collins St in downtown Melbourne), dated 1954, which gives a good view of the airfield which once existed at Fishermens Bend.  Two runways and the aircraft factory buildings can be seen.  Thanks to Bruce Waxman for this info.  The caption of the photo states: aerial photograph from NE looking SW, on loan from Melbourne Steamship Co. Ltd, University of Melbourne archives.

Info from Arthur Matcott (18 Aug 99):  A18-316 (N22C-90), or Matilda as we call her, is located at the Boeing site at Fishermen's Bend.  It is used as an engineering aid by Nomad support engineers to research modifications and technical changes prior to release to the world wide Nomad fleet.

About an hour west of Melbourne - head out the Western Hwy to Ballarat and take the turn-off south towards Geelong at Ballan.  A few clicks down this road on the right is a single, unsealed strip at a Country Fire Authority training centre.  Saw an ex-Navy Westland Wessex (N7-212), probably used for training exercises, beside the hangar.

About one and a half hours SW of Melbourne, through Geelong and towards Torquay.  The airfield is in the suburb of Grovedale.  Home to Geelong Flight Centre.  Two runways and two hangars.  Usual GA aircraft.  Nothing much had changed when I visited on 27 Jan, 2001.  Tiger Moth (VH-FBO) was doing scenic flights.  Geelong harbour has the occasional navy visit, eg the USS Thach was there on 1 Nov 98 with a Seahawk on board (164850).  There is also a helipad at the harbour - saw an Enstrom Falcon (VH-IPE) used for scenic flights.

About 4 hours west of Melbourne, along the Western Fwy, through Ballarat and along the Glenelg Hwy.  The airport is about 12 clicks outside the town and the way is well-signposted.  One sealed runway (1404 m) and one unsealed (1233 m), five small hangars and the Sir RM Ansett terminal.  Home to Sharp Aviation and Hamilton Aero Club.  Saw half a dozen light aircraft.  There is also the Sir RM Ansett museum in the town - eastern side along Glenelg Hwy.  It contains much Ansett memorabilia as well as a Fokker F.XI Universal replica marked VH-UTO.

NW of the town on the road to Warracknabeal.  A sealed and an unsealed runway, windsock and 16 hangars.  Has a small building called the Wade Memorial Terminal.  A dozen aircraft seen, including crop-dusters and gliders.  A Prairie Fly-In was held on the weekend of 25 Sept 99.  About 20 light aircraft, two crop-dusters, four ultralights and five gliders seen.

A long sealed runway, an apron and a solid-looking windsock - and nothing much else!

Info from Peter O'Connell:  Adjacent to the golf course.  It is just a level paddock with a windsock at both ends.  There seems to be no graded strip - or anything else.

About an hour or so NW of Melbourne, along the Calder Hwy.  Go through the town and its on the far side along the road to Malmsbury.  A bitumen (710 m) and grass strip (660 m), and seven small hangars.  Home to Kyneton Aero Club.  Saw six light aircraft - including a Tri-Traveler (VH-UEJ).

E-Mail Message from Matthew Millsom (18 Dec, 2001):  Aircraft based at Kyneton:  1 Cherokee 140 VH-TPU, 2 Cessna 172m's VH-ABW and VH-UGD, 1 Piper Tomahawk VH-FUO, 2 Cessna 182's VH-SHY and VH-???,  3 Victa Airtourers (VH-RQL), 1 Pitts Special, 1 Piper Acher, 1 Aviat Luscombe, 1 Piper Tri Pacer VH-NLA, 1 Monney M20.  The tri Traveler VH-UEJ is no longer at Kyneton.

E-Mail Message from Chris and Susie (2 Sept, 2003):  Lots of new hangers going up with 2 winjeels and 2 RVs:  RV6 VH-MUM and RV6A VH-RRC.  The Pitts has gone.

About an hour and a half SE of Melbourne and south of the Princes Highway.  A single unsealed strip.  Saw four GA aircraft - one of them a rusting Fuji Aero Subaru.  Was there again on 3 Jan, 2000.  No sign of the Aero Subaru - one light aircraft seen.

This lake in NW Victoria used to be a Catalina base during WW2.  There's a Catalina (made from a number of aircraft) on display - and some good photos in the local pub.

Very small airfield.  Closed on the day.  One Piper Cherokee seen.  Was there again on 24 Nov 98 and discovered a second site called Campbell's Airfield.  Follow the signs on the south of the town.  One hangar, one strip and nine aircraft seen.

About 2 hours east of Melbourne, off Princes Highway, on the westside of Traralgon.  Was there again on 5 Jan 99.  Nine hangars, two runways and a terminal building.  Gippsland Aeronautics manufacture the GA-200 agriculture aircraft and the GA-8 Airvan, an eight seater passenger aircraft.  Hazelton, Aus-Air (until they ceased operations in mid-1999) and Island Airlines run scheduled flights.  Usual GA aircraft, and helicopters seen.  Also saw a Cessna 150 (VH-AWN), the fuselage of an Aermacchi MB-326H (A7-014) with an RAAF Roullettes logo on the tail, and of a PZL Dromader.  The 50th anniversary of Latrobe Valley Aero Club was held on the weekend of 18th and 19th September, 1999, with about 40 aircraft attending  The airfield was originally located at Morwell and at Moe before moving to the present site - and the LVAC was instrumental in making the present field into a regional airport.  The terminal building contains some displays of aviation artefacts - as does the club-house.  There is also the Latrobe Flying Museum - its fleet consisting of a Mustang, a Winjeel and a Dakota.  I understand that it is also restoring a Sabre to flying condition.  Was there again on 11 Jan, 2001.  Little had changed, although I heard that the Drover (VH-ADN) has been moved to Bathurst in NSW.  Saw three GA-200's and four GA-8 Airvans being built at the Gippsland Aeronautics facility.  Also there was Fletcher FU24 (VH-SFL).

In a suburb of Melbourne.  Used to be an RAAF base until relatively recently, now closed.  About a dozen hangars.  No aircraft seen.

East of Melbourne about 90 mins.  Two runways and five hangars.  About twenty aircraft seen, including crop-dusters.  Was there again on 3 Jan, 2000 and saw eight crop-dusters, four gliders, a gyro-plane and ten light aircraft.

On the Midland Hwy between Ballarat and Geelong .  Either go out the Western Fwy and head south towards Meredith, turn left for Lethbridge.  Or head out of Geelong on the Midland Hwy and its about 20 mins to Lethbridge.  The airfield is about 5 clicks north of the town.  It appears to be an ultralight field with 3 long hangars, and ultralights are built there.  It was all very quiet and closed on the day.  Was there again on 1 Nov 98 and saw about 15 ultralights.  Home to Australian Light Aviation Pty Ltd.

About 1 hour NE of Melbourne, off Melba Highway.  Three long hangars, two strips.  Home to Lilydale Flying School, Yarra Valley Aero Club and the Australian Air League, Lilydale Squadron.  About 20 GA aircraft seen - including three Airtourers (VH-DDZ, VH-ECI, VH-FVV ) on 11 Jan 99.  There is a hangar at Wilson's Nurseries, in the SW corner of the airfield which contains some superb classic aircraft.

On the Hamilton Hwy between Geelong and Hamilton, near Derrinallum.  Three strips and a windsock on Cahills Lane, north of the town.  One light aircraft seen.

Up the Hwy Fwy from Melbourne, past Seymour and take a left - its signposted well - follow the gliding signs.  Nine hangars, two strips and a windsock.  Its about 3 years old.  Home to Mangalore Gliding - who moved there from Mangalore Airport down the road.  Eight gliders, three motor-gliders, two Callairs (one being rebuilt), a Tiger Moth (VH-BIT, with canopy) and an ultralight seen.  Beautiful spot for gliding!

In the southeast corner of the continent - about 20 clicks off the Princes Hwy.  Its signposted well from the town (great spot for a holiday).  Two decent runways and two hangars.  Just one light aircraft seen (Airtourer, VH-MRL).

About 2 hours north of Melbourne, off Hume Highway.  Numerous hangars.  Home to the Helicopter Pilot College and Kestrel Aviation.  About 75 GA and ultralight aircraft seen at the SAAA air show (held each Easter).

About 2 hours NE of Melbourne, along the Maroondah Highway through the town and its at the junction of the roads to Jamieson and Merrijig.  One hangar and a grass strip.  Five light aircraft seen.  There are about five other strips around the area.

About 2 hours NW of Melbourne - either travel to Ballarat and then head north through Clunes or travel towards Kyneton and head west through Castlemaine .  The airfield is 3 clicks NW of the town - follow the signs from the town centre.  Two runways and two hangars.  Home to Central Victorian Aviation Services and WT Rootes Pty Ltd.  Five light aircraft seen.

About 40 minutes west of Melbourne, north of the Western Freeway, about five clicks up Coburns Rd, near Toolern Vale.  Three hangers, a fourth being built in Apr 98 (complete on 31 Jan 99).  Home to Melton Flying School.  About a dozen GA aircraft seen, along with an Aero Commander (VH-IOE) and a second one in two halves with no markings (identified as VH-EXW [c/n 1031-41, wfu May 78] by Anthony Tubbs - thanks Anthony!).

A large town in NW Victoria, about six hours drive from Melbourne.  The airport is sign-posted from the town centre - its a bit out.  Lots of hangars and a terminal building.  Kendell and Southern Australia airlines have scheduled flights.  Home to Cobden Air and Mildura Aero Club.  Used to be a museum here but it has now closed.  Eight light aircraft seen - along with a Trojan (VH-DUK) - previously seen at Toowoomba in Qld.  Also a Southern Dash-8 and a Kendell Metro.  There's also a gliding club sign-posted from the airport - its about 3 km away.  Home to Sunraysia Gliding Club.  Three hangars.  No aircraft seen.

In a suburb of Melbourne, SE of city centre, also called Harry Hawker Airport.  Four runways, the Moorabbin Air Museum and innumerable hangars.  The airport has an excellent website.  About 150 GA aircraft seen.  13 Aug 2003 - took some photos using a digital camera - click here to access a Flash-based presentation.

About an hour S of Wodonga - its signposted from the town.  A single strip, hangar and windsock.  Five light aircraft, two glider tugs and about a dozen gliders seen - the Victorian Motorless Flight Group were visiting from Bacchus Marsh for the Easter weekend. Visited on 12 April, 2005 - see photo.

In the SW corner of Victoria, on the coast road between Portland and Mount Gambier (SA).  Its on the left as you enter the town from the east.  Single strip and hangar.  Aircraft inside the hangar included Tiger Moths (VH-BPU and VH-UJW, being restored), Leopard Moth ( VH-BAH), Hornet Moth (VH-UXY), Drover (VH-AZS, being restored), Aeronca Champion (VH-STU), plus a Stinson being rebuilt following a crash and a couple of air-frames (one of a ? Stearman).  Friendly people!

About three hours or more NW of Melbourne - out the Western Hwy to Ballarat, then on to Horsham, though Dimboola and on to Nhill.  Turn at the Farmers Arms in the centre of town, then turn right at the sign and its about 3 clicks out the road.  A sealed and an unsealed runway, one hangar (? WWII vintage), Nhill Aero Club clubhouse and an old nissen hut.  Saw two crop-dusters and two light aircraft.

In the far east of Victoria along the Princes Hwy.  Head south of the town to Marlo and its another five km on the left.  Maybe it should be called Marlo Airfield!  A single strip and two hangars.  Nothing of interest seen.

About an hour and a half SE of Melbourne, just south of the town.  A single, unsealed strip and a hangar.  Home to Commando Skydivers.  Saw a GAF Nomad (VH-ATO), an Islander (VH-RUT) and a Cessna Skywagon.  Was there again in Jan 2004 - the airfield was closed - the skydivers having moved to Tooradin.

About an hour and a half SE of Melbourne - its on your left shortly after you cross the bridge from the mainland.  Two small hangars and two unsealed strips.  Saw three light aircraft.

About 30 minutes SW of Melbourne, off the Princes Highway.  Numerous hangars and the RAAF Museum .  Home to the RMIT flying school.  The best place around Melbourne for warbirds.  About 60 GA and military aircraft were seen.

About an hour SE of Wangaratta on the road to Bright.  A single strip, windsock and five hangars - signposted from the town.  Two light aircraft, half a dozen trikes, two ultralights, two glider tugs and about a dozen gliders seen - the Geelong Gliding Club were visiting from Bacchus Marsh for the Easter weekend.

About 4 hours SW of Melbourne along the Princes Hwy.  12 km out of town - its well-signposted.  One sealed runway (1417 m) and one unsealed (1180 m), one large and three small hangars.  Kendell Airlines fly here from Melbourne and Adelaide.  Home to Sharp Aviation and Portland Aero Club.  Saw two light aircraft and an Andiel Special biplane.  Revisited on 11 Jan, 2002.  Little had changed.  A Dromader (VH-SAJ) was in attendance for the fire season, marked 2.

About 2 hours north of Melbourne, off Hume Highway, near Mangalore - on the Army Base at the end of Beersheeba Rd. Single sealed runway and a helipad.  No aircraft seen, but saw a DHC-4 Caribou fuselage - no markings - on the base (was there again on 13 April, 2001 - no sign of the Caribou).

About 1 hour NW of Melbourne, near Riddells Creek, off Calder Highway.  Its signposted well from the town centre - about 5 km out of town.  About 25 (mainly vintage) light aircraft seen.

About 1 hour NW of Melbourne, up the Tullamarine Fwy, towards Sunbury and its a left turn after Monnegeetta onto Black Range Rd.  Its not sign-posted, but its on the left about 1 click down the road.  Five hangars (one marked Imperial Airways) and a grass strip.  Home to Romsey Flying Club.  Saw three Piper Cubs (VH-LKQ, VH-DIT and VH-PTP), a Tiger Moth (VH-AZF) and two ? Chipmunks (one marked 919).  Also saw three light aircraft.

About two and a half hours east of Melbourne, off Princes Highway. Invitation needed enter site.  Has a boundary road to the south, though, with good views of airfield.  Saw eight HS.748s, two Beech Super King Air, eleven Roullettes Pilatus PC-9s and a Sikorsky 76A RAAF rescue helicopter.  Was there again on 10 Jan, 2001.  Saw six HS.748's, ten PC-9's and a Super King Air.

On the south side of town, on the Goulburn Valley Highway.  About 15 small hangars.  Home to Gawne Aviation.  Saw about ten GA and ultralight aircraft.  Was there again on 9 Nov, 2001.  Two new hangars to the south of the existing ones have been built, for ? ultralights.

Six clicks west of the town on the road to Horsham - it is signposted well.  There is a DNRE Fire Bombing base there.  One sealed and one gravel runway.  Four hangars.  No aircraft seen.

Down the end of Bay St, Port Melbourne and turn right.  Occasionally has navy visitors.  HMAS Success, with a Sea King (N16-125) on board, and HMAS Melbourne, with a Seahawk (N24-006) on board, were there on the day.  USS Fletcher (DD-992) was there on 6 Feb 99 with a Seahawk (165112) on board, marked HSL-37, TH, 55.  HMAS Success was there on 28 Nov 99, with Sea King (N16-239) on board, along with USS Chosin (with Seahawks 163907 and 164810 on board) and USS Lake Erie (with Seahawks 163596 and 164813 on board).

On the Western Hwy about two and a half hours NW of Melbourne.  It is signposted well to the west of the town - on the road to Halls Gap.  Two sealed runways, a windsock and three hangars.  Home to AG Airworks and Stawell Aviation Services.  Five crop-dusters and seven light aircraft seen.

Also called Penfield.  About 40 minutes NW of Melbourne, off Riddell Road.  Five hangars and two grass strips.  Home to Sunbury Flying School.  Saw about ten GA aircraft, and numerous ultralights in hangars.

About ten hangars.  Home to the Mid Murray Flying Club.  Five light aircraft seen.

On the Gippsland Highway, one hour SE of Melbourne.  One runway and one small hangar.  Home to Tooradin Flying School.  Saw about a dozen GA aircraft and two ultralights.  A Fuji Aero Subaru was rusting away - and so was a old ship along the sea shore.

Was there again on  3 Jan, 2000:  Tooradin Aircraft Maintenance now operate there. Little else had changed, although the Aero Subaru was no longer there;  5 Jan, 2001:  Little had changed;  12 Oct, 2001:  The same.

E-mail message from Keith Humphry (9 Sept, 2001):  You might like too add to your sightings with regard to Tooradin (which has been there for over four years) aero commander 100 (VH-ELA ) which also appears in the international book of aeroplanes in use, excuding miltary aircraft.  There are only 3 in Australia. The latest addition of the above book has a photograph taken at Tooradin.
E-mail message from Steve Van der Velden (17 Sept, 2003):  The world has been turned upside down at Tooradin airfield, new planes GA and ultralight, new runways (sealed), Pakenham parachutes have moved there and much more.


Was there again in January, 2004.  Sealed runway and tarmac noted plus at least one new hangar.  The Islander and Nomad from Pakenham were there along with two GA-8 Airvans and a clatter of light aircraft (including the Aero Commander 100!).

About 2 hours SW of Melbourne, down the Princes Hwy, through Geelong and onto the Geelong-Torquay Rd, turn left onto Blackgate Rd.  Called Torquair Airpark and has a children's amusement park attached - park in the visitors carpark! Also has a museum called Tiger Moth World, with lots of DH memorabilia, two Tiger Moths and a Thruxton Jackaroo - all in mint condition - beautiful machines.  Excellent spot for a joy flight on a good day!  Was there again on 13 Nov 99 - had an excellent coffee.  Skydiving now available.  There again on 27 Jan, 2001 - another excellent coffee!  The three Moths were still there - with the Jackaroo flying and looking in excellent condition.  Skydiving also happening.  The Thruxton Jackaroo was reported to have been re-registered in the UK during 2004.

In a suburb of Melbourne.  One viewing deck in the Qantas domestic terminal (closed in 2004).  Boundary roads to the north (with car-park viewing area at the end of one runway), south (good views of maintenance areas) and west (with car-park viewing area to the side of a runway).  Saw numerous, mainly Australian airliners - Boeing 737s, 747s, 767s and 777s but also some Airbus A330s and A340s, Saab 340s, DHC Dash 8s and bizjets.  The airport's web-site is at http://www.melbourne-airport.com.au

About 90 mins north of Melbourne along the Hume Hwy, take the Wallan turn-off, and turn right towards Whittlesea - the airstrip is just on the far side of the freeway.  Home to Pegasus Flying School.  Saw seven light aircraft.  Was there again on 13 Jan, 2000.  Saw a Dove (VH-NBM) - looking derelict, with starboard prop missing - and a dozen light aircraft.  The airfield now has five hangars.  Some more hangars there on 12 Nov, 2000 - and the Dove was still there.  Is this its last resting place?

Located about 5 km out of town just off the Hume Freeway - follow the signs - there's lots of them!  Two runways and four hangars.  Used to be home to the Air World museum, which closed in 2002, and most of its collection was subsequently relocated to new owners.  The media reported in 2004 that the facility was developing as a major warbird restoration enterprise called the Pacific Fighters Museum - see its website for more information. Visited the hangar on 14 April, 2005 - photos can be viewed by clicking here.

About 3 hours SW of Melbourne along the Princes Hwy.  The airport is about 10 clicks on the far side of town - and is well-signposted.  One sealed runway (1372 m) and one unsealed (1069 m), eight small hangars.  Home to South West Aviators.  Saw about half a dozen light aircraft and a Tiger Moth (? VH-APA) not looking the best.  Also saw a JetRanger doing joy flights over the whales at Logan's Beach.  Revisted the airport on 11 Jan, 2002.  Little had changed.  Noticed two concrete buildings (each with 4 ventilation shafts) at the western edge of the field.  Looked like old WW2 munitions stores.

A good 5 km south of the town on the road to Horsham.  A single sealed and a single unsealed runway, windsock and two hangars.  Home to Warracknebeal Aero Club.  No Aircraft seen.

About 30 minutes SW of Melbourne, off Geelong Road.  RAAF Satellite Base during WWII.  Five hangars, one containing a Consolidated B-24M Liberator (A74-176) being restored - see:
• Grant S, 1997. Looking for the last Liberator, Australian Geographic, Oct-Dec, 84-91
• Hastings P, 1999. Last chance Lib, FlyPast, June, 72-73
• Werneth R, 1999. Liberator down under, FlyPast, 74-75
The B-24 Liberator Memorial Fund has a website at http://www.users.bigpond.com/paulmcc/b24/b24.htm .

Info from Paul Harris (18 Dec, 2000):  There is a private airstrip just a couple of km NW of Werribee which is the home field of the Werribee Aero Club.  It has 2 grass runways, several windsocks and a hanger.  Its on Hobbs Rd 6km NW of the town centre along Ballan Rd.  Three light aircraft seen there on 22 Dec, 2000.

Also called Tyabb Airfield.  About 1 hour south of Melbourne, outside Tyabb, off Frankston-Flinders Road.  About the best place around Melbourne to see classic aircraft.  Two runways, numerous hangars - some containing aircraft being restored.  Saw more than sixty aircraft (and some helicopters).  12 Sept 99:  One of the hangars contains a Ryan STM, with another being restored, the fuselage of a third and the wreckage of a fourth.  This hangar also contains parts of three Vampires, props of a Vimy and an amphibian being restored.  12 Oct, 2001, at the round-the-bay rally:  VH-AFT  Auster  J/5F, VH-BTQ  Auster  J/5F, VH-FGL  FA200, VH-FJA  FA200, VH-FXY  Cessna Bird Dog marked 0-12471, VH-NXP  PA-22-150, VH-SLO  Citabria, VH-WFM  Beagle A61, VH-WIJ  CA-25 marked A85-436, VH-WIU  CA-25 marked A85-461, VH-YRW  Yak-52 marked 856205, 62.  The DC-2 had a dollop of graffiti on the starboard fuselage.

Just north of Charlton along the Calder Hwy.  Two unsealed strips and a windsock.  No aircraft seen.  Was there again on 24 Apr 2003 - little had changed.

About two and a half hours east of Melbourne, off Princes Highway, about five clicks west of Sale.  Large airfield with terminal area and hangars, and maintenance area (nine hangars in total).  Saw about 20 GA aircraft and ex-RAN Trackers.

On the western slopes of the You Yang Ranges near Geelong, there is an old RAAF Spitfire training base - some confusion about the exact spelling of the name - it could also be Wooloomatta or Wooloonamatta.  You can get to it by following the Baachus Marsh Rd out of Geelong and you find a signpost on your right.  Two unsealed runways, with an impressive windsock and a hangar owned by John Pettit.  An article about his collection of classic aircraft appeared in Flightpath, Aug-Oct 99.  It includes an AOP9 ( VH-XKA), a DH87A (VH-UTE), a DH-82A (VH-PSD) and a DH-80A being restored (ex VH-ABU).  Lots of history in this place - but am unsure of the details about public access.

Way east of Melbourne - its reasonably well signposted from the town.  Also called Parkside Aerodrome.  Two strips and one hangar.  Home to Gippsland Ultralight and Leisure Flyers (GULF).  One light aircraft seen.

About 60 to 70 km north of Benalla on the border with NSW.  The aerodrome is just SE of the town and is well signposted.  An unsealed runway and seven hangars.  Home to Douglas Aviation (who have an interesting aircraft in its main office - ? replica - marked Spad XIII) and Shortland Air Services.  Seven light aircraft and a Stampe SV4 (VH-NBS) seen.