Major Ticketing Changes For ‘Airshows Downunder Shellharbour’

Airshows Downunder Shellharbour has revealed major ticketing changes for the air show in the 1st major announcement since The Aerospace, Maritime & Defence Australia Foundation Limited took over the event’s management in March 2023.

Most of the changes mentioned in this article were announced on 1 November 2023.

For the 1st time ever, tickets are being sold online only. They will not be sold at the gate.

All tickets now include access to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Museum static aircraft displays. The Very Important Person (VIP) Experience ticket option is also now called The Wings Pavilion, named after the air show’s former name, Wings Over Illawarra.

The new operators have also removed all weekend passes meaning all tickets are now only for 1 day of the air show so if you want to attend both days, you need to buy 2 single day tickets per person.

While visiting the air show by train is still the recommended option, if you are planning to drive to the air show, General Admission (GA) Event Parking now must be pre-booked at a cost of AUD$10 per car, AUD$5 per car more than last edition. The event parking area has also been moved from Croome Road Sporting Complex to Albion Oval:

To get to Albion Oval via the Princes Motorway, the quickest way to the event parking is via the Princes Highway offramps. The Tongarra Road/Illawarra Highway offramps are a slightly longer drive despite being the most obvious offramps on the map above. A free shuttle bus to/from the air show will still operate from the GA Event Parking.

Ticket categories have changed. ‘Adult’ now means people aged 16 or older (last edition, it was 17 or older). This results in the Family category now being for families of 2 adults & 2 children aged 15 or younger (last edition, it was 2 adults & 2 children aged 16 or younger). The Concession category now also applies to senior cardholders, veteran cardholders & students with a valid student identification card (last edition, it only applied to pension card holders). Group (20 people minimum) ticketing discounts have also been removed & as mentioned at the start of the article, As mentioned earlier, VIP Experience is replaced by The Wings Pavilion.

The ticket prices below are based on the price on air show day. The prices are lower if bought before February 12 as part of early bird specials:

Ticket Type	Last Edition (November 2022)	March 2024 Edition	Price Change
GA Adult (17+)	AUD$60	AUD$85	+AUD$25 (42%)
GA Aged 16	AUD$30	AUD$85	+AUD$60 (183%)
GA Child (Aged 5–15)	AUD$30	AUD$40	+AUD$10 (33%)
GA Child (Aged 0-4)	FREE	FREE	0 (0%)
GA Concession	AUD$50	AUD$85	+AUD$35 (70%)
GA Family	AUD$150.00	AUD$210	+AUD$60 (40%)
Gold Pass Grandstand	AUD$150	AUD$175	+AUD$25 (17%)
VIP Experience/Wings Pavilion	AUD$250	AUD$275	+AUD$25 (10%)

Tickets went on sale on November 23 last year with early bird specials until 12 February 2024.

Gold Pass Grandstand & Wings Pavilion holders this edition will receive a distinctive wristband (last edition, it was a lanyard). There is no priority entry or souvenir bag for Wings Pavilion ticket holders this year though. All other aspects of the Gold Pass Grandstand & Wings Pavilion ticket option are the same as last edition. The Wings Pavilion menu is detailed at the end of the article.

In related air show news, vintage vehicles will return after airport construction & poor weather prevented their appearance last edition. There will also be increased amenities across the event site this edition including more food and beverage outlets, shade, seating & toilets.

Airshows Downunder Shellharbour is held on 1-3 March 2024. The latter 2 days are the public air show days. Day 1 is a schools careers day. All tickets are on sale here now.

Wings Pavilion Menu – correct as of 1 February 2024

Morning Tea
Oatmeal & apple pies
Corn & zucchini fritters; smashed avocado, smoked salmon, sour cream

Lunch
Tunisian style chicken, roasted chickpeas, currents, pistachios, pomegranate
Roasted barramundi, zucchini, spring peas, mint & soft goats’ cheese, preserved lemon dressing

Sides
Baby potato, apple cucumber & artichoke with coriander pesto
Roasted field mushrooms, tabbouleh & lentils
Baby spinach, balsamic roasted beetroot & Spanish onion
Fresh baked breads, butter

Dessert
Boutique Australian cheese collection: Shadows of blue, Maffra cheddar and Willow Grove brie with biscuits, lavosh, fruit paste, dried figs & pears, fresh strawberries & red grapes
Caramel cheesecake & chocolate fig tarts

Afternoon Tea
Petite beef pies, tomato jam
Sausage rolls, tomato jam

Beverages
Sparkling Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
Shiraz
Several Beer Options (inclusive of zero alcohol)
Cider
Non-Alcoholic Beverages (Soft Drinks, Juice, Water)