Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra: Tickets, Hours and What to See

Queensland Air Museum is a volunteer-run aviation museum at Caloundra Aerodrome on the Sunshine Coast, with more than 80 historic military and civilian aircraft on show. It is open every day, and many of the aircraft sit undercover, which makes it a good wet-weather day out.

The collection runs from vintage light planes to an F-111C strike bomber, and the museum has had a 100% volunteer workforce since 1973. If you are searching for the Caloundra air museum, this is it.

What to see at Queensland Air Museum

The museum describes its collection as the largest and most diverse collection of historic aircraft in Australia. The Sunshine Coast Council’s museum listing describes displays that include an F-111C (A8-129), a GAF Mirage and Australia’s oldest DC-3, plus airfield equipment and displays about the people and organisations that shaped aviation in Queensland.

The collection is housed in several buildings and an open-air hangar, and some airframes are displayed outdoors. The council lists 141 engines in the catalogued collection, along with books, photographs and other artefacts.

Behind the aircraft is a much bigger archive. The council lists more than 85,000 catalogued items, including 110 airframes, 141 engines, 18,365 books and over 50,000 images. The museum says it has salvaged, purchased or restored more than 100 aircraft since 1973, so the displays change as restorations are finished.

Jets and military aircraft

The hangars hold fighter jets from the early jet age, including a Hawker Hunter and a Gloster Meteor, alongside the F-111C, which is on long-term loan from the RAAF.

Aircraft being restored

Restoration is part of the visit. The museum’s restoration pages describe work on a Ventura (A59-96), a Gannet (XA331), a Royal Flying Doctor Drover (VH-FDS) and a Caribou (A4-173) that survived two crashes in Vietnam before serving with the RAAF. The workshop volunteers are the reason the collection keeps growing.

Is Queensland Air Museum good for kids?

The $60 family ticket covers 2 adults and 3 children under 15. No separate children’s programme is listed, so the visit works best for kids who already like planes, or with a guide who can point out the things worth looking at.

Because so much is undercover, it also suits a hot day or a wet one. Pair it with a swim at a Caloundra beach afterwards.

Open Cockpit Days and bookings

The museum has held themed Open Cockpit Days with engine runs. Check the museum website for any upcoming dates and prices. Its booking options also include an F-111 Experience and a 737 simulator.

Tickets and cost

• Adult: $25
• Concession: $18
• Child: $12.50
• Family: $60 (2 adults and 3 children under 15)
• Annual pass: adult $65, concession $45, child $30, family $150. Names are recorded on passes and ID is needed at entry.

If you live nearby or plan to come back, an annual adult pass costs less than three adult visits. Buy tickets at the front desk when you arrive, or online through the link on the museum’s website. There is also a shop with clothing, souvenirs, models, books and DVDs.

Planning your visit

• Hours: 10 am to 4 pm every day, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday (check the website before you go).
• Wet weather: many aircraft are undercover.
• Guides: free tour guides are on hand most days.
• Questions about access, food and facilities: call the museum on (07) 5492 5930 or email [email protected].

Getting there and parking

The museum is at 7 Pathfinder Drive, Caloundra, beside Caloundra Aerodrome. By car it is about 80 minutes from the Brisbane CBD without traffic, mostly up the Bruce Highway. The museum’s own directions say about 1 hour 5 minutes in good traffic.

By public transport, the museum’s directions suggest the train to Landsborough and a bus on to Caloundra (about 2 hours 30 minutes), or bus 600 from Maroochydore via Mooloolaba (about 2 hours 15 minutes). Check times on the Translink Journey Planner.

Nearby

• Learn to fly a plane with GoFly Aviation – a flying lesson from Caloundra Airport if the museum gets you hooked.
• Kings Beach, Caloundra – ocean pool, playground and picnic spots.
• Dicky Beach – a patrolled beach with a shipwreck.
• Moffat Beach – cafes and a surf beach.
• Golden Beach, Caloundra – a calm-water beach on the Pumicestone Passage.
• Arthur Street Country Markets – Sunday market in Caloundra.

Browse more museums or everything to do on the Sunshine Coast.

You might also like

• Seaside Museum (Bongaree)
• Caboolture Historical Village (Moreton Bay)
• Brisbane Tramway Museum (Ferny Grove)

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