RAAF Williamtown Open Day

The excitement doesn't end with the flying on Saturday. On Sunday, a ticketed, non-flying Open Day will feature ground displays of Air Force aircraft and a range of other ADF military displays at RAAF Base Williamtown.

The open day will run from 9am until 4pm. We recommend you allow at least two to four hours at the event to experience all the exhibits.

Car parks will open at 8am, last entry to the car park will be 3pm to allow time for parking, shuttle bus and to visit the exhibits.

Come for the day - an assortment of food stalls, merchandise stands, and entertainment options are on offer.

Tickets

Tickets must be purchased in advance for the RAAF Williamtown Open Day on Sunday 19 November to gain entry. Tickets will not be available at the gate or on the day. Tickets are on sale via the Ticketmaster website at a cost of $10 per/person. Children 6 years and under are free and no ticket purchase is required.

Fighter World will only be open to RAAF Base Williamtown Open Day ticket holders.

Williamtown Base personnel and immediate family members are to arrange access via Base arrangements.

Transport and parking

Public parking: There are two options from 8am for ticket holders:

1. 'Airfield' Temporary carpark from Cabbage Tree Road - southern side of the Williamtown airfield.

Recommended for visitors from Port Stephens, Newcastle, Sydney and other areas south and west. Access from:

• Pacific Hwy, Tomago Rd to 180 Cabbage Tree Rd Williamtown, or
• Nelson Bay Rd then to 32 Cabbage Tree Rd Williamtown.

2. 'Raymond Terrace' Free parking on grass adjacent to the Council Chambers and Market Place shopping mall. Enter through Bourke Street Raymond Terrace.

Recommended for visitors from Raymond Terrace and the north. A free shuttle service will operate to and from the Open Day commencing at 8.30am.

View the Airfield and Raymond Terrace parking area maps for more information.  

Disabled parking: Vehicles displaying a valid disabled sticker will be directed to parking as close as possible to the Open Day entry point . This will still be a short distance on uneven surfaces.

Pedestrian and cyclist access will only be via the eastern airfield carpark immediately west of the Medowie Rd/Nelson Bay Rd roundabout. There will be no secure storage provided for bicycles.

Taxi, rideshare and passenger drop off/pick-up will be outside the temporary carpark near the Medowie Rd/Nelson Bay Rd roundabout.

Public Transport will be available, however limited using the scheduled Route 136 and 145 buses and use the bus stop on Nelson Bay Rd just to the south of the Medowie Rd/Nelson Bay Rd roundabout.

Please Note:

• No public parking on RAAF Base Williamtown.
• No parking at Newcastle Airport.

Exhibitions

You will be able to get up close and personal with Air Force’s aircraft and meet the talented people who operate, maintain and support our aircraft and the many other Defence Force capabilities. Check out the Open Day Site Map here.

This opportunity to go ‘behind the scenes’ will go beyond just the aircraft. Here’s what awaits you:

• Flight simulators: Have you ever dreamed of taking the controls of a fighter jet? Step into the cockpit, feel the rush of acceleration, and navigate the skies in virtual reality, all while learning about the complexities of flying.
• STEM activities: Activities, interactive workshops and hands-on demonstrations to engage and educate visitors of all ages on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) behind aviation and aerospace.
• Interactive Displays: From space simulations to aerospace engineering exhibits, these displays provide insight into what is driving the aviation industry forward.
• Plus, many other display areas including:
  • Air Force Special Forces - Combat Controllers
  • Military Working Dogs           
  • Defence Space Command
  • Air Force and Army Bands
  • ADF Recruiting – Defence Jobs
  • Air Force and Navy Cadets
  • Drone Racing
  • Aviation Heritage Centre – Fighter World
  • Defence Industry Partners
  • Military Support Groups – RSL, Legacy, Soldier On and Open Arms
  • RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Flying Clubs
  • NSW Police interactive display
  • Police Dogs, Horses, Aviation and Marine Area Commands will also be taking part in the open day.

What to bring

• Your event ticket (no tickets will be available on the day)
• Identification (eg driver’s licence, proof of age card, service identification)
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, closed shoes (for grassy, possibly muddy areas)
• Water bottle (refill points will be available)
• Personal food in appropriate sized containers (if desired)
• Cameras, but no drones.

It is a condition of entry to the Event site or car parks that all persons consent to their vehicles, containers, bags, luggage, receptacles, clothing, promotional materials, exhibits, stands, equipment, personal property and effects being searched for prohibited items at any time by the Organisers, their officials or security personnel.

Click here for the full list of conditions of entry.

What not to bring

• Radio/remote controlled devices, including drones
• Megaphones, amplifiers, loud speakers
• Alcohol or illegal substances
• Vehicles or transportation devices (wheelchairs or mobility scooters will only be allowed with a disability or an impairment)
• Pets, animals or birds
• Tents, shelters, shade structures, or elevated seating
• Radio transmitting equipment
• Strobe lights or laser pointers
• Explosives, fireworks, or weapons (including replica and toy firearms)
• Placards, flags, banners, or signs.