Thread: Airshow 2019 - Avalon

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

Thanks for taking the time to take and post up all the pics Gav.. 2021 🧐

Start saving your pennies mate.

Yes, the train is by far the easiest way in. There's a free shuttle bus service that runs from Lara Station to and from the Show via a route that is basically off limits to other vehicles so they get you right to the front gate and back with no fuss. Running every 10 minutes or so.

Driving in is ok if you plan to get there by around 9am. They run 2 lanes off the highway then out to 3 lanes once off the highway all the way in and split the 3 lanes into 3 different car parks, so it's actually quicker once you're off the freeway than it is approaching the Point Wilson turn off. With 100,000 attending on Saturday there's always going to be huge volumes of traffic to something like this - can't be helped really as you can't have an Airshow where there isn't a HUGE amount of room and a very large runway.

All worth it for the punters that came - as you said, it's a fantastic event. This years was much bigger than 2017 and the 2021 will be bigger again due to the RAAF Centenary.

And if you think getting in is bad, try getting out 15 minutes after the F-22 has flown and there's a mass exodus each day. It's happening right now. I'll be here until around 7pm so easy run out then.

It's almost done and dusted now, so watch out for the traffic again in 2021!!!

Friend of mine went yesterday,..went by train etc.
Like I said, I saw MASSIVE delays yesterday,....my friend said there was anything up to a FIVE HOUR delay, if you were going, by road, later rather than earlier, during the day.
Yes, I've heard that 2021 will be the go,....I have it in mind to go, but I will not be driving there!
I went to the last one, which was brilliant.....Great for Vic, great for Aussie,.....no negatives at all.
Pickles.

While I agree delays are massive I did have to fact check you on the 5 hour delay bit sorry as that seemed a bit out there. Had a chat to the traffic control centre as we had of our blokes in there the whole show - peak delay from Ring Road to Carpark was around 11.20am on Saturday - just under 2 1/2 hour trip at that time. Delays pushed back to around the Old Geelong road turnoff at Hoppers at its worst from what I'm told. Still massive yes, not disagreeing going by car is a bad idea but your friend has embellished things a bit sorry. Sorry - I didn't do this just to prove a point or anything but I don't want people to think it's not worth going because of some off hand comments as I'm heavily involved with the show.

Originally Posted by Homestar

While I agree delays are massive I did have to fact check you on the 5 hour delay bit sorry as that seemed a bit out there. Had a chat to the traffic control centre as we had of our blokes in there the whole show - peak delay from Ring Road to Carpark was around 11.20am on Saturday - just under 2 1/2 hour trip at that time. Delays pushed back to around the Old Geelong road turnoff at Hoppers at its worst from what I'm told. Still massive yes, not disagreeing going by car is a bad idea but your friend has embellished things a bit sorry. Sorry - I didn't do this just to prove a point or anything but I don't want people to think it's not worth going because of some off hand comments as I'm heavily involved with the show.

All good Gav, no issues at all, and I do remember your comment re parking fees last year about those fees going to local communities.
I was coming back into Melbourne yesterday from Queenscliff round about 11-11.30am, and the traffic was actually STOPPED not far from the bridge,....banked up "forever",....stopped,...I saw it, and that was just coming off the bridge. Can't say what the actual delay was, only to say, I'm glad I wasn't involved in it,....I would've done a uey & gone home!
I think that more thought needs to be given to run off roads into the event, and making sure that maybe there should be more actual entrance gates into the event to avoid back ups. Even 2.5 hrs is an absolute no no,.....IMHO. 2021 is going to be HUGE, so what is the situation going to be then? The organizers know this event is going to be huge, they need to look at this issue, & sort it.
Pickles.

There were a couple of Hercs and the Globemaster doing circuits and passing over my place
on the weekend along with a couple of fighters which I assume were an FA 18 and the 35 flying together?

Was the big mofo twin engine jet flying below the Hercs an RAAF refueler?

Just interested, DL

I think traffic conjestion will always be an issue with events like these. The RAAF has run airshows at RAAF Pearce just north of Perth occasionally. They get huge crowds but last time we sat in a car for 3 hours queueing after the event just to get to the carpark entrance gate. People just need to chill and remember the special show, which if everybody complains about re the traffic, then the easy option is to not have the air show at all...

Originally Posted by 350RRC

There were a couple of Hercs and the Globemaster doing circuits and passing over my place
on the weekend along with a couple of fighters which I assume were an FA 18 and the 35 flying together?

Was the big mofo twin engine jet flying below the Hercs an RAAF refueler?

Just interested, DL

F-35 did its own show. The F-22 Raptor from the US did a run with the 18's then some more on its own. The big twin engine jet - a cargo plane yeah? That was a KC-390.