Owais Crawford
Avalon Airport is a low-cost commercial airport located 55 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, Australia. It is one of two airports serving the Victorian capital, the other being Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Avalon Airport is linked to Geelong and Melbourne by the adjacent Princes Freeway and offers easy access to three of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations: Melbourne, Geelong, and the Great Ocean Road. The airport was opened in 1953 to cater to the production of military aircraft and has since expanded to become Victoria's newest international airport, with the addition of a new international terminal in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 55 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, near the western shores of Port Phillip Bay |
| Distance from Melbourne CBD | 50 minutes' drive |
| Transport options | Car hire, taxi, or SkyBus shuttle service |
| Parking rates | Same for Long Term and Short Term car parks: $35 AUD for 3 days, $65 AUD for a week |
| Shuttle bus cost | $20.50 AUD to Werribee, $24 AUD to Melbourne CBD |
| Year of commencement of commercial operations | 2004 |
| Owner | Australian logistics company Linfox |
| Known for | Biennial Australian International Airshow, low-cost flights, easy access to popular tourist destinations in Victoria |
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What You'll Learn
- Avalon Airport is 55km southwest of Melbourne
- It is one of two airports serving Melbourne, the other being Tullamarine Airport
- Avalon Airport is linked to Melbourne by the Princes Freeway
- The airport was previously a sheep and cattle farm, founded by an English immigrant
- It is known for hosting the Australian International Airshow every other year
Avalon Airport is 55km southwest of Melbourne
Avalon Airport is located 55km southwest of Melbourne, near the western shores of Port Phillip Bay. It is one of two airports serving the Victorian capital, Melbourne, the other being Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Avalon Airport is the smaller and newer of the two airports. It is situated on the Melbourne-Geelong road and is linked to Geelong and Melbourne by the adjacent Princes Freeway.
The airport is owned by the Australian logistics company, Linfox, and commenced commercial operations in 2004. Avalon Airport was originally a sheep and cattle farm and homestead, founded by James Austin, an immigrant from Glastonbury, England. Austin named the homestead "Avalon" after the mythical island in Arthurian legend. In 1952, the Commonwealth Government bought the land, and the airport opened in 1953 to cater to the production of military aircraft.
Avalon Airport offers easy access to three of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations: Melbourne, Geelong, and the Great Ocean Road. The airport has 1,500 car parking spaces, a taxi rank, and a ride-share pick-up/drop-off bay. Six of the top rental car companies in Australia offer car hire from the airport, and the journey from Avalon Airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road takes about 40 minutes.
In addition to its proximity to popular tourist destinations, Avalon Airport is known for hosting the biennial Australian International Airshow. The airport has also recently been expanded to become Victoria's newest international airport, with the addition of a new international terminal built by Qanstruct. This makes Melbourne the first Australian city to enjoy two international terminals.
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It is one of two airports serving Melbourne, the other being Tullamarine Airport
Avalon Airport is located 55 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, near the western shores of Port Phillip Bay. It is one of two airports serving Melbourne, the other being Tullamarine Airport, which is located in the northwestern suburbs. Avalon is the smaller and newer of the two airports. It is owned by the Australian logistics company, Linfox, and offers low-cost flights, easy parking, streamlined boarding, and great facilities. The airport is linked to Geelong and Melbourne by the adjacent Princes Freeway.
Avalon Airport is a great gateway for those looking to explore the Great Ocean Road, with easy access to three of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations: Melbourne, Geelong, and the Great Ocean Road. The airport is also known for hosting the biennial Australian International Airshow, which attracts a total attendance of over 195,000 people across six days. The event features exhibitors from the international aerospace industry and government, military, scientific, and trade delegates.
The airport has 1,500 car parking spaces, a taxi rank, and a ride-share pick-up/drop-off bay. There are two car parks available: Short Term and Long Term. The Short Term lot is located just outside the terminal and is a one- to two-minute walk to the entrance. The Long Term car park is also close by and is about a three- to five-minute walk to the departures area. Six of the top rental car companies in Australia offer car hire services at Avalon Airport, including Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Thrifty, Budget, and Hertz.
In addition to car hire, passengers can also get to and from Avalon Airport by taxi or the SkyBus shuttle service, which operates an Avalon City Express route to Melbourne CBD and the western suburbs. The shuttle bus meets every major flight and takes about an hour to reach Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, stopping off at Werribee in the southwestern suburbs along the way.
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$19.9
Avalon Airport is linked to Melbourne by the Princes Freeway
Avalon Airport is a low-cost commercial airport located 55 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia. It is one of two airports serving the Victorian capital, the other being Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Avalon Airport is situated on the Melbourne-Geelong road and is linked to Geelong and Melbourne by the adjacent Princes Freeway.
The airport offers easy access to three of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations: Melbourne, Geelong, and the Great Ocean Road. The drive from Avalon Airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road takes about 40 minutes. The airport is also known for hosting the biennial Australian International Airshow, which attracts a total attendance of over 195,000 people across six days.
Avalon Airport provides a range of transport options for travellers, including car hire, taxi, and ride-sharing services. The airport has 1,500 car parking spaces, with both short-term and long-term parking available. Additionally, the SkyBus shuttle service operates an Avalon City Express route, connecting the airport with Melbourne's CBD and the western suburbs. The journey to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station takes approximately one hour, with a stop in Werribee along the way.
In recent years, there have been plans and discussions about constructing a rail link to Avalon Airport. The proposed railway line would run along the existing Port Fairy railway line before diverting towards the airport, south of Little River. One of the proposed routes includes a diversion towards Melbourne, ensuring a direct connection between the city and the airport.
Avalon Airport is conveniently located and easily accessible for travellers heading to and from Melbourne. The adjacent Princes Freeway provides a direct road link to the city, and the airport also offers various transport options, including car rentals and shuttle services, to facilitate travel between Avalon and Melbourne.
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The airport was previously a sheep and cattle farm, founded by an English immigrant
Avalon Airport, located 55 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, is known for its easy access to popular tourist destinations in Victoria, including Melbourne, Geelong, and the Great Ocean Road. The airport is linked to these cities by the adjacent Princes Freeway, which offers convenient road travel options.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to its early days as a sheep and cattle farm. Founded by James Austin, an English immigrant from Glastonbury, Somerset, England, the farm was established and named "Avalon" after the mythical island in the Arthurian legend. The name "Avalon" originates from the isle of Avalon at Glastonbury, which held cultural and mythical significance.
In 1952, the Commonwealth Government acquired 1,754 hectares of land at Avalon for a mere 110 pounds. The land was deemed to be of poor quality for farming due to the presence of abundant volcanic rock. This made it an ideal location for an airport, and in 1953, Avalon Airport opened to cater to the production of military aircraft.
The airport's transformation from a farm to a bustling aviation hub was driven by the need for a longer runway to accommodate newer jet aircraft. The previous runway at the Government Aircraft Factories in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne, was insufficient and faced encroachment issues. The new runway, built by the Country Roads Board, stretched 3,048 metres (10,000 feet) and accommodated the first landing of a four-engined Avro Lincoln heavy bomber in April 1953.
Today, Avalon Airport continues to serve as a vital gateway to Melbourne and its surrounding regions, offering low-cost flights, convenient parking options, and efficient boarding processes, making it a preferred choice for travellers exploring the beautiful region.
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It is known for hosting the Australian International Airshow every other year
Avalon Airport, located near the western shores of Port Phillip Bay, is known for hosting the Australian International Airshow biennially. The airport is situated 55 kilometres southwest of Melbourne and 23 kilometres northeast of Geelong. With easy access to Melbourne, Geelong, and the Great Ocean Road, Avalon Airport is a convenient gateway for travellers exploring this beautiful region of Victoria.
The Australian International Airshow is a significant event in the aviation industry, attracting a total attendance of over 195,000 people across six days. The event showcases the latest advancements in aerospace technology, with exhibitors and delegates from international aerospace industries, governments, militaries, scientific communities, and trade organisations.
The history of the airshow at Avalon Airport dates back to 1992 when it was first held at this location. The event faced challenges due to the wettest spring in Victoria's history, but the organisers persevered, and the show went on. Since then, the airshow has become a staple at Avalon Airport, with the 2011 edition marking its tenth iteration at this venue.
The Australian International Airshow has played a crucial role in boosting the local economy. In 2009, the event injected $121 million into the Victorian economy. The airshow also holds historical significance, such as celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force and the centenary of the first passenger flight in Australia in 2011.
The event features a diverse range of aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and surveillance aircraft, and flying displays by elite teams such as the United States Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor. The "Friday Night Alight" show, introduced in 2011, adds a unique dimension to the event with laser shows and flare drops accompanying the aerobatic displays of military jets and gliders.
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Frequently asked questions
Avalon Airport is located 55 kilometres or 50 to 55 minutes' drive southwest of Melbourne. It is situated on the Melbourne-Geelong road near the western shores of Port Phillip Bay.
The best way to get to Avalon Airport from Melbourne CBD is via car hire, taxi, or the SkyBus shuttle service. The shuttle bus meets every major flight at the airport and makes the journey to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station in about an hour.
Avalon Airport is known for its low-cost flights and hassle-free parking. It is also one of two airports in Victoria designated as a port of entry for freight operations. The airport hosts the biennial Australian International Airshow, attracting over 195,000 attendees.
