Australia's big airshow, back in 2027
The Avalon Australian International Airshow is held every two years at Avalon Airport, out near Lara between Geelong and Melbourne. It's run by the AMDA Foundation together with the Royal Australian Air Force, and it's been at Avalon since the first one in 1992. Expect military jets, aerobatics, historic aircraft and a lot of very loud noise. The 2025 show drew more than 200,000 attendances over its six days.
The 2027 show runs from Tuesday 23 to Sunday 28 February. The first part of the week is for industry, and the public gets in from Friday 26 February through the weekend.
Avalon is about 20km from Geelong, which puts it within easy reach of Torquay. Staying on the Surf Coast means you can do a day or two of jets and then spend the rest of the trip at the beach. Late February is a good time for that, with the summer holidays over and the water about as warm as it gets.
Trade days and public days
Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 February: trade days
The week opens with three trade days for the aviation, aerospace and defence industries. These aren't for the general public. Trade visitors need a professional connection to the industry and may have to show proof of it, and nobody under 16 gets in apart from students on the Careers Program.
Friday 26 February: public day and Friday night
The public program starts on the Friday, and the day runs into the evening with the Friday Night Alight program of twilight aerial displays and entertainment. The official ticket information has shown public access on the Friday starting at midday, so check your ticket for the exact times.
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February: the weekend show
Two full days of flying displays. Military jets, precision aerobatics and historic aircraft, plus the ground displays and exhibits. These are the busiest days, and the ones most families go for.
One ticket doesn't cover both
If you've got a trade pass and want to come back for the weekend too, you'll need a separate public ticket.
Tickets
General public tickets are sold only through Ticketek, the official ticketing partner, with sales opening in November 2026. As of October 2026, public ticket prices hadn't been announced. Buy from Ticketek or the official airshow site, not a reseller.
You can't just turn up on foot. Avalon is a working airport and there are no walking routes into the event site. The organisers say to follow the instructions on your ticket to get to the site, so read them before you leave.
Getting there from Torquay
On a normal day, Avalon is roughly 45 minutes to an hour from north Torquay. You head up past Geelong, onto the Princes Freeway towards Melbourne. On public days it's a very different drive. The crowds are big, and past shows have come with warnings about long queues on the Princes Freeway and the roads around the airport.
The official site says public transport details for 2027 will be released closer to the event. Here's how it worked in 2025, as a guide only.
Park and ride
In 2025 the organisers ran park and ride for the first time, with one site on the Melbourne side and one on the Geelong side, at Sutcliffe Reserve in Corio. Shuttle buses ran continuously through the day. Coming from Torquay, a Geelong-side option is the obvious one if it's offered again. Spots were limited and had to be bought ahead with your event ticket.
Onsite parking
In 2025 onsite parking had to be paid for and pre-booked, and it sold quickly. Drivers were told to follow their ticket instructions rather than a navigation app. If you're driving in for 2027, sort parking when you buy your tickets.
Train and shuttle
In 2025 shuttle buses ran between Lara Station and the airshow, connecting with Geelong line trains, and there was no parking at Lara Station itself. Handy if you're coming from Melbourne. From Torquay you'd need to get to a station first, so for most people here driving to a park and ride is simpler.
Timing
Leave Torquay early, well before you think you need to. On the way home, there's no prize for being first out of the car park, so you might as well wait a bit for the rush to clear. Pack snacks and water for the car, and be patient.
Tips for the day
Ear protection
The jets are seriously loud. Bring earplugs or earmuffs, especially for kids. They're also sold onsite, but stock's limited.
Chairs, hats, sunscreen
There's some shade around the site, but the organisers recommend bringing your own chairs, hats and sunscreen. An airfield in late February is a big, flat, exposed place.
Rain or shine
The show usually goes ahead in any weather, though some displays can be changed or cancelled. Pack a layer, because Victorian weather doesn't always stick to the forecast.
Food and kids
There are coffee vans, cafes and food trucks on site, plus kids' zones and STEM areas. There are also set times and places to meet pilots, so check the schedule in the official app.
Leave the dog (and the bikes)
The organisers ask you to leave pets at home because of the noise and crowds. Registered assistance animals are allowed. Bikes and scooters aren't allowed around the site either, apart from mobility devices. If the dog's on the trip with you, plan for someone to stay back with it, because dogs are never to be left alone inside the house. Dogs are welcome within reason; just get in touch first.
Accessibility
The site has some accessible paths, ramps and toilets, wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome, and an accessible shuttle does drop-offs and pick-ups around the event site. If you have specific needs, the organisers ask you to contact them ahead of time.
Make a long weekend of it
A day at the airshow is a big day. Lots of walking, lots of sun and a long drive home. So it's worth balancing it with something slower. Late February on the Surf Coast is quieter than January, and the days are usually still warm.
Before the show
Arrive Thursday, have a swim at Whites Beach (400m from the house), and get an early night. Or do the Friday afternoon and night program and keep the weekend for the coast.
After the show
Spend a day doing nothing much. Surf or watch the surfers at Bells, 10 minutes away. Walk a section of the Surf Coast Walk. Or drive about 45 minutes down the Great Ocean Road for lunch in Lorne.
Back at the house
Holyday House sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms, with 3 bathrooms and two living rooms. After a long day on the tarmac there's the private hot tub, a BBQ, and split-system air conditioning if it's a hot one. Off-street parking takes multiple vehicles, which helps if the group's coming in two cars.
Kids
The airshow falls in school term, so a family trip probably means a Friday off or a straight weekend. The house has a highchair, cot, playroom, board games, arcade games and a basketball ring for the downtime.
Avalon Airshow FAQ
When is the Avalon Airshow 2027?
23 to 28 February 2027 at Avalon Airport. The first three days are trade days. The public program runs from Friday 26 February, including the Friday night program, to Sunday 28 February.
When do tickets go on sale?
General public tickets go on sale through Ticketek in November 2026. Ticketek is the only official ticketing partner for public tickets.
How far is Torquay from Avalon Airport?
Roughly 45 minutes to an hour on a normal day, via Geelong and the Princes Freeway. On public days allow much longer, and follow the parking instructions on your ticket.
Is there a shuttle or park and ride?
In 2025 there were park and ride sites on the Melbourne and Geelong sides, plus shuttles from Lara Station. The organisers say 2027 transport details will be released closer to the event.
Can I bring my dog to the airshow?
No. The organisers ask you to leave pets at home because of the noise and crowds. Registered assistance animals are allowed.
Is the airshow on every year?
No, it's every two years. 2025 was the last one, and 2027 is next.
For everything else on around then, see our Torquay events guide. Driving down from Melbourne for the weekend? Try the weekend getaway guide. The things to do guide fills the days off, and best time to visit Torquay explains why late summer is a good one. When you've got your airshow day picked, check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 14 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Location — Avalon Australian International Airshow (official)
- Tickets — Avalon Australian International Airshow (official)
- FAQs — Avalon Australian International Airshow (official)
- Avalon Airshow 2027 trade ticketing — Lup (official trade ticketing partner)
- Dates confirmed for Avalon Australian International Airshow in 2027 — Defence Connect
- Avalon Australian International Airshow returns in 2027 — Australian Defence Magazine
- Avalon Airshow confirmed for February 2027 — Australian Aviation
- Buckle up for Avalon 2025 — Beat Magazine