Newcastle - Williamtown, RAAF

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ICAO Code YWLM/NTL
Last Validated
City Newcastle
Position 32°47'42"S 151°50'04"E
Runway(s) 12/30
Elevation 30 ft

General

Arguably the foremost fighter base in Australia with scores of based jets. Since 2005 it has an ever increasing amount of civil traffic as well because it doubles as Newcastle airport.

Layout

North of runway 12/30 the military ramps and hangars are situated. Newcastle airport's terminal is south of the runway, in the southeast corner of the airfield. It can be reached off road 121. Also, a facility of BAE systems is here, this is just west of the terminal area, the Hawks were assembled here.

Getting There

The base is north of Newcastle along road nr.121. Coming from the south, the base is about 130 km north of Sydney, you have to stay on the Sydney-Newcastle freeway until you reach the roundabout where it ends. Make a right onto Rd.15 New England Hwy. Upon reaching the waterfront, head left for the Pacific Highway northbound, Highway 1. After crossing the water, make a right onto Rd.122. When you reach road 121, make a left again. Continue on this road, it leads past the threshold of runway 30, the base gate and museum entrance.

Alternatively, stay on the Pacific highway and take Richardson Road, from the village of Raymond Terrace. Do not forget to get the F-86 that is in the village along Adelaide street! This road will bring you to Rd.121 Medowie road as well, going right on the roundabout, but you will approach from the north now.

Around the Airport

1Fighterworld museum & runway 30 approach

There is only one good spot and luckily it is an excellent one. From the Fighterworld museum you can view all approaching traffic to runway 30 and the taxi way to it. It has an observation deck as well.

2South east side approach runway 30

Just south of the museum, there is a spot were you gan photograph the approaching aircraft with the sun in your back.

3Terminal and BAE Systems ramp

The Newcastle airport terminal area can be reached by taking Williamtown drive south of the runway 30 threshold. Driving all the way to the end of Williamtown drive will bring you at BAE Systems' gate. The ramp in front of the hangar sometimes holds a Hawk or Hornet because fast jet support is performed by BAE.

Williamtown was the first base to receive the F-35A (Jeroen Oude Wolbers)

But some Hawks can be found here as well. (Erik Kunst)

Frequencies

130.350Clearance Delivery
121.800Ground
118.300 / 257.800Tower
243.000Tower / Approach
135.700 / 293.400Approach
316.100 / 365.000ATIS

Based Operators

Royal Australian Air Force
2sqn (41Wg)E-7A
76sqn (78Wg)Hawk Mk127
2nd OCU (78Wg)F-35A
3sqn (81Wg)F-35A
77sqn (81Wg)F-35A
4sqn (82Wg)PC-21
Civil
AeropelicanBAe32, EMB110P1
Direct air servicesPA-31T
Jetstarmaintenance facility
Newcastle helicoptersAS350BA, Bell 206, EC130, R22, R44

Preserved

Fighterworld Avn Museumvarious

Other Airfields

Amberley, RAAF
Canberra Intl. (ex Fairbairn, RAAF)  
East Sale, RAAF
Edinburgh, RAAF  
Gold Coast  
Newcastle - Williamtown, RAAF
Nowra - Albatross, HMAS  
Oakey, AAF  
Pearce, RAAF
Richmond, RAAF  
Wagga Wagga, RAAF  

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