Are you an aviation fan or do you have a little aeroplane fanatic?
If so, indulge in the love of planes and flight with these aeroplane and aviation experiences!
Aeroplane Experiences Melbourne
1. Aircraft Control Tower playground
Ashcroft Park playground is fondly known as the ‘Control Tower’ playground as its centrepiece is an aircraft landing strip leading to a tall control tower. The playground is inspired by the nearby RAAF base and it has been nominated as one of Melbourne’s best playgrounds in the west. Full review.
Ashcroft Park Aircraft Control Tower playground, Mandrel Drive, Williams Landing
2. Aeroplane Playground Braybrook
The Lance Reichstein Aeroplane Playground at Braybrook Park is an aeroplane-themed playground with multiple pieces of equipment suitable for different ages. The central plane structure is split into four parts. Full review.
Lance Reichstein Playground, Braybrook Park, Churchill Ave, Braybrook
3. St Kilda Adventure Playground
St Kilda Adventure playground is one of only five staffed adventure playgrounds in Melbourne (the others are in South Melbourne, Fitzroy, Prahran and Kensington). It serves as a communal play area for children experiencing disadvantage who may not necessarily have access to a backyard. It’s open to the public most of the time and inside the play space you’ll find a huge aircraft cockpit! Full review.
St Kilda Adventure Playground, Neptune St, St Kilda
4. Aeroplane Park Tarneit
Get ready to fly at the Aeroplane Park Tarneit, part of the community space at Stockland’s The Grove Tarneit.
The central cargo plane (named Grove Wings 3026) features many different pieces of equipment, from climbing walls to slides, swings to an aviator play panel. Full review.
Aeroplane Park, The Grove, Tarneit
5. Aviation Drive Playground
Further afield in a new housing estate in Mt Duneed is a small aviation-themed playground. Aviation Drive playground at Armstrong Mt Duneed has a digger, swings, a slide, climbing structures and balance beams.
Aviation Drive, Mt Duneed
6. Aviation Museum Moorabbin
The National Australian Aviation Museum is located within Moorabbin Airport and is a volunteer-run organisation. There are restored vintage planes inside several hangers as well as outside, and kids can climb inside the cockpits of various aircraft. Full review.
Australian National Aviation Museum, 12 First Street, Moorabbin Airport
7. RAAF Museum, Point Cook
The RAAF Museum tells one of Australia’s most important aviation stories, that of the second oldest air force in the world. Interactive Flying Displays are presented at 1pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Entry is free though donations are gratefully accepted.
RAAF Museum, RAAF Williams, Point Cook Road, Point Cook
8. Melton Model Aircraft Association
Melton Model Aircraft Association encourages all forms of radio controlled model flying. Members fly their model planes at the Mt Cottrell Recreation Reserve and welcome visitors. They also have qualified instructors who can teach you how to fly radio control aircraft.
Melton Model Aircraft Association, 180 – 264 Faulkners Rd,, Mt Cottrell
9. Sunbury Road Aircraft viewing
Sunbury Road is a well-known location for plane spotters. It’s such a well-known spot that you’ll often find snack food vans on site! Planes take off very frequently and almost directly above you.
To get there go past Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and head towards Sunbury on Sunbury Road. Turn right at the first roundabout into Oaklands Road then immediately left.
Cnr Sunbury Road and Oaklands Road, Bulla
10. Melbourne Airport Play Space, Tullamarine
If you’re actually AT the airport then head to the children’s playground in the T2 International Terminal. It features an enclosed rope climbing structure and sculptural connected cubes made from PLAYTIME SoftPlay systems.
The play space is very similar to that installed inside Eastland and is small – but is better than nothing when you’re waiting for your international flight!
Melbourne Airport Play Space, Gate 11 in the food and beverage precinct, T2 International Terminal, Melbourne Airport
11. B-24 Liberator and Aviation Museum, Werribee
The B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia serves as a dynamic museum dedicated to the restoration of a World War II-era B-24 Liberator bomber. This aircraft restoration project takes place within an original World War II hangar situated on the historic grounds of the former Werribee Satellite Airfield, which played a crucial role during the war.
As well as various restoration efforts, including the Airspeed Oxford and Avro Anson, the museum hosts a compact heritage collection showcasing artifacts and memorabilia related to B-24 Liberators and the brave crews who operated them during World War II.
B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia, Corner Farm Rd & Princess Highway, Werribee VIC 3030, 03 9731 1263
12. Ansett Museum, Hamilton
Further afield in Hamilton is the Ansett Museum. It’s a museum dedicated to transport and tourism Pioneer Sir Reginald Ansett and it housed in the company’s first aircraft hanger. One review describes it as ‘weird and good‘.
Ansett Museum cnr Ballarat Road and Riley Street, Hamilton, Vic. To book a visit call (03) 5571 2767.
What are your favourite aeroplane experiences in Melbourne?
