Fighter World
Fighter World
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located just 20 mins drive north of Newcastle, adjacent to the entrance to RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle Airport, Fighter World is a totally ‘hands on’ experience. Exhibited in two hangars, visitors can walk-around and look into the cockpits of some of the Air Forces most iconic aircraft such as the first jet aircraft built in Australia, the amazing F/A-18A Hornet and the mighty F-111C. Conveniently located adjacent to the main hangar, the Fighter Beans Cafe offers a range of snacks and light meals as well as cold beverages and steaming hot espresso coffee and of course there's free WiFi. Stay cosy inside or venture outdoors to enjoy the noise and action of an operational Air Force Base. The choice is yours. Make sure before you leave you visit the Fighter World Shop where you’ll find a wide range of books, souvenirs and models available. Fighter World is disable friendly and open every day (except Christmas Day) 10am to 4pm.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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from AU$20.00
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4.5
387 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
141
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
1
maperrin2021
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
We took our 11 year old great grandson who is a bit of a jet buff he had the best day & lunch in the cafe was delicious 😋.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tresag7201
Blenheim, New Zealand406 contributions
Neat place to visit if you enjoy fighter jets.
Small museum but but worth a visit to get up close with a F1-11 or Hornet and other fighters . $19 per adult . There is a balcony upstairs that looks over the Newcastle airport and if you are lucky enough like us, we saw the F-35, Hawke, Poseidon take off and land !! Nice cafe also next door and not overpriced with indoor and outdoor seating . .
Small museum but but worth a visit to get up close with a F1-11 or Hornet and other fighters . $19 per adult . There is a balcony upstairs that looks over the Newcastle airport and if you are lucky enough like us, we saw the F-35, Hawke, Poseidon take off and land !! Nice cafe also next door and not overpriced with indoor and outdoor seating . .
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delia
9 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Family
The kids loved to go inside the pilot cabin. Also so much info about war world 2 and so many planes used during the wars
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly M
Gorokan, Australia49 contributions
You probably need to go to fighter world if you like planes, history, aircraft models, engines or guns. There is plenty of parking, the bathrooms are clean, it's well signposted and there is a little gift shop with a good variety of relevant things. There's a ladder up to one of the displays, allowing you to look right into the cockpit. With the RAAF base and airport so close, it's also a food spot to see some modern planes and jets taking off. The displays are spread over two large sheds, with planes on the concrete floors and some other displays on the floors as well. There is an impressive set of scale models, too. Volunteers there are knoedgeable and helpful - if you have questions I'd heartily recommend you ask these lovely people. In fact, even if you have no questions, strike up a conversation with them and you're sure to learn new things or at least have an even more enjoyable visit.
Notes: There is no mezzanine, so the only view of the planes is from the floor (except for the one with the ladder). One AV display is in a semi-screened area, which makes it easier to hear, but another is in the open and it's very difficult to hear if others are nearby talking. Some children were having fun there, but I would not recommend taking children who have no interest, as there is nothing else for them to do ... however, the grassy area between the display sheds is flat, free of bindii and has some shade, so bored little ones can play there to break up the visit.
Notes: There is no mezzanine, so the only view of the planes is from the floor (except for the one with the ladder). One AV display is in a semi-screened area, which makes it easier to hear, but another is in the open and it's very difficult to hear if others are nearby talking. Some children were having fun there, but I would not recommend taking children who have no interest, as there is nothing else for them to do ... however, the grassy area between the display sheds is flat, free of bindii and has some shade, so bored little ones can play there to break up the visit.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabby J
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Couples
We loved all of the museum. Very informative. Lots to see. Especially loved the model airaplanes in the cases. So much detail. The man at the door to welcome us in was very professional, very welcoming and easy to talk to. He had a lovely personality. He was awesome for this role. Fantastic having a cafe next door where we were able to have lunch afterwards. Well worth the time to see the museum whilst in the area.
Written 5 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E_1_i_e_5
London, UK20 contributions
Jan. 2022
I loved seeing all these old fighters up close and personal and it's right next to Williamtown AFB so you can watch fighter jets take off and land which is a real experience if you haven't see this before. We managed to see 2 x F35s take off in the 90 minutes we were there.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mekros
Sydney, Australia87 contributions
Jun. 2022
Very friendly volunteers, knowledgeable and happy to give you tips on how to make the most of the place. There are two hangars with the newer planes in the entry hangar. There is also a viewing area and platform to allow you to watch aircraft taking off and landing. Great to spend an hour or two here.
Written 27 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie U
1 contribution
May 2022 • Couples
A place we would recommend to visit! We were greeted by John and he was able to give us a lovely tour of the air fighter planes. He was a fountain of knowledge and it was delivered in a very personable way. He shared his excitement and passion for this place and it was contagious!! We loved the range of planes and replicas, some a even build on site! We will return for sure.
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina L
1 contribution
May 2022
Great!! very informative, lots of planes on display. very interesting. would definatley go back and recomend to do
Written 16 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AustTrail
Sydney510 contributions
Returning after many years was still a very good experience. Things have not changed much here since the last visit but that's what makes it great. The children are able to experience the place differently as they look at the detail and history of the planes.
The cafe staff are very friendly and the facilities are clean and well maintained. It was good to be back!
The cafe staff are very friendly and the facilities are clean and well maintained. It was good to be back!
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a time that is best to watch the airforce jets take off and land at Williamstown?
tresag7201
Blenheim, New Zealand406 contributions
I don’t think they run to a “public schedule”. We were just lucky to see them
Debbie P
8 contributions
Hi coming your way this week can I still be guided by the responses above for best times to view fighters/hornets? I have a 15yo airforce cadet on board and want to make the visit pretty special for him.
Richard C
Williamtown, Australia12 contributions
Hi Debbie, unfortunately it is still a bit quiet at the moment with the Air Force on stand down until next week. There is only a slim chance of a Hornet movement but there will be plenty of civil action on the airfield. Let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
What is the best time to view the F18s taking off from the observation deck?
Richard C
Williamtown, Australia12 contributions
Hi Wesley, in general the Hornets fly from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. With all the runway works going on at Williamtown the Fighter World observation deck is the best place to view the aircraft. You will have to pay the admission fee to use the deck. As an alternative the cafe has free entry and you can sit outdoors while enjoying a coffee, drink or light snack and watch all the action from there.
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Claim your listingFighter World: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fighter World
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