Fighter World — Attraction in Williamtown

Fighter World is dedicated to preserving the proud history of fighter aircraft operations in the Royal Australian Air Force.

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, touch and look into the cockpits of such famous aircraft as the Mirage III, the Avon Sabre, the Gloster Meteor, the first Vampire jet built in Australia and new in 2013 the mighty F-111. There is a Russian designed MiG-21 jet fighter, Hawker Hunter, WWII Spitfire replica, a Messerschmitt replica and much more. Fighter World also offers the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a Mirage interceptor and Macchi jet trainer and experience first-hand what it’s like to be one of Australia’s ‘Top Gun’ pilots in today’s hi-tech world.

Perched on the Observation Deck you can witness the various aircraft of the RAAF’s premier Fighter Squadrons take-off and land while listening to all the action on the live audio feed direct from the Williamtown Control Tower.

Inside the main hangar you’ll also find the Norm Forrester Collection. Unique to Fighter World it is undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest displays of hand built model aircraft and just around the corner you’ll find so many things to see and do, you won’t know where to begin. Commencing early in 2013, you’ll be able to take advantage of your smart phone, tablet or iPod’s capabilities and enrich your experience with the ‘QR’ Tour.

When you finish browsing the many displays you can enjoy the warm welcome, great food and friendly atmosphere of Cafe Fighter World. Conveniently located adjacent to the main hangar, Cafe Fighter World offers a range of snacks and light meals as well as cold beverages and steaming hot espresso coffee. Stay cosy inside or venture outdoors to enjoy all 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 open every day (except Christmas Day) from...

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...

Absolutely awesome experience at Fighterworld! The action began before we even arrived inside, with jets flying over the road leading to the museum. We stopped to admire them before going into the museum itself. The attendant at the front desk kindly pointed out where to access the observation deck attached to the back of the main hangar. We quickly scrambled up the stairs to see more F-35s and hawks taking off and landing. The observation deck is great, it takes you up above the fence so you have an unobstructed view of these awesome jets. The museum itself is fantastic too, with the main hangar storing the more modern jet fighters (F111 pictured) and the second hangar home to earlier WW2 models. There's plenty of placards and written notes for each of the exhibits, and some TV screens with stories being recounted, but the real deal is the guides there. They were incredibly informative and knowledgeable, I would gladly hear them recounting stories and explaining the tech all day if I could. There's even flight simulator sessions on offer for an added fee, we saw it being used, it looked like a lot of fun. We're excited to go again to try the flight simulator, it's well worth coming to Fighterworld, an...