Christmas has come and gone, Australia Day is a blur, Valentine’s Day is a mere memory then with a sonic boom the Avalon Airshow is upon us. Here’s a Redspot checklist to get you sorted:
- What is it?
- Time off work
- How to get there
- Accommodation
What is it?
It is the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition 2017. This event will be the 13th time the event has been held at Avalon Airport, located 15 kms outside the City of Geelong. The Avalon Airshow is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and brings together aviation and aerospace professionals and the general public.
AIRSHOW 2017 features the power of the modern military aviation and delivers air power via a series of unforgettable and spectacular flying displays. The heroes of the show are the pilots, who put state-of-the-art jet fighters and bombers through their paces. The deafening roar of their jet turbines will send shivers down your spine, as they perform high-octane routines. Attack helicopters also join in the overhead action while on the ground military re-enactment groups turn back the pages of history, recreating pivotal land warfare battles.
Another must-see at the airshow, is the Aerospace Expo, which features the latest Aerospace and Defence technology. More than 500 of the world’s leading Aerospace and Defence innovators will display their products and inventions.
Time off work
Plan ahead and get that Leave Application to the boss as a priority – right now. The public show starts at 2pm Friday 3 March and runs for two and a half days.
Remember, to book your Redspot car which you can pick up and drop off from Melbourne Airport, Melbourne City or Melbourne Coburg.
How to get there?
If you are a Mexican living south of the border, simply jump into your car and off you go. For those travelling interstate you can fly into Melbourne or one of its regional airports and then rent a car for a few days. Planning your road trip to the airshow. Following details will be helpful……
- By car from Melbourne – Avalon Airport is about 55kms along the Princes Freeway from the West Gate Bridge
- By car from Tullamarine Airport – Take the Tullamarine Freeway to the Western Ring Road and then travel west along the Princes Freeway towards Geelong
- By car from Geelong – Avalon is about 18kms along the Princes Freeway. Signs will direct you to the turn off.
Accommodation
Book early as accommodation will sell out quickly.
GEELONG
The Airshow host city, Geelong is just 20 minutes by road from Avalon Airport and is the ideal location for anyone requiring accommodation with quick and easy access to the Airshow site.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is the cultural and sports capital of Australia. Combine a trip to the airshow with a sporting spectacular or a stunning show. There is so much to see and do. Allow an hour to get to the Airshow, as the roads will be busy.
BALLARAT
Think Ballarat, think historic, iconic gold city. Ballarat boasts many accommodation options and top-shelf restaurants. It is situated approximately 80 kms north-west of Avalon. Allow one hour’s travel time by car.
TORQUAY
The Surf Coast resort town of Torquay, is an hour’s drive south–west of Avalon. This picturesque town has village-like appeal and offers quality accommodation at numerous hotels, motels and serviced apartments.
LORNE
The resort town of Lorne is approximately a 90-minutes’ drive from the Airshow site. The drive to and from Lorne, travels along part of the Great Ocean Road and past some of the most magical coastal scenery on the planet. Lorne has excellent accommodation options and many bars and restaurants.
Enjoy the show or if you can’t make it…print out this blog and keep as a reference for the 2019 Air Show, as the Avalon Air Show is a biennial event.