All eyes on the skies as airshow ascends anew

The sky will come alive to a spectacle of aerobatic, military, warbird and historic aircraft when the Wings Over Shellharbour airshow makes its debut on May 16-17.

High speed, low passes and show-stopping stunts over the Illawarra’s Shellharbour Airport against an escarpment backdrop make Wings one of Australia’s top airshows.

Revived by acclaimed Paul Bennet Airshows when Melbourne-based AMDA pulled out after staging one event in 2024, it continues a tradition of displays started by John Cleary and Michael Hough as Wings Over Illawarra in 2007.

Paul Bennet’s collection of stunt, restored and aerobatic aircraft will underpin the airshow. His Sky Aces Formation Team is not to be missed.

The RAAF has committed its Roulettes display while the Navy is set to fly an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

Warbirds flying in to display from Temora include a Lockheed Hudson, and a rare De Havilland Vampire jet and Corsair, while Spitfires, Kittyhawks, Mustangs and more will be special to watch in action.

Being located at Shellharbour Airport allows HARS to fly a number of its historic aircraft including the Lockheed Orion, Neptune, DC-3, UH-1H Huey 703 helicopter and the immaculately restored Southern Cross Replica.

There’s plenty of action on the ground as well with displays, stalls, food and drink options.

While HARS Aviation Museum will be closed during the airshow, its large undercover hangars will be open. Many HARS aircraft will be open for close or walk-through inspection for a small donation.

A careers day will be held on May 15, the day before the Wings airshow, at the airport.

The careers event is open to any secondary student in Year 7 or higher, a TAFE or tertiary student, a teacher, a career practitioner or an accompanying adult. It is not open for public admission.

The same airshow program is scheduled for both open days, with gates open from 8.30am to 6pm.

In addition to general admission (details on wingsovershellharbour.com.au), organisers also are selling gold and platinum options. Taking a small chair or picnic blanket is a good option.

There is no general parking onsite so catching a train is by far the best option as Albion Park station is just 100 metres away from the airshow entry gate. Additional eight-car trains will run on both days.