Ballarat Airport (YBLT)

Ballarat Airport known officially as the Ballarat Aerodrome is located 7.4 kilometres west of Ballarat in the outer suburb of Mitchell Park in Victoria. This public airport is operated by the City of Ballarat. Standing at 437 metres above sea level, Ballarat Airport contains 3 runways; two asphalt and one grass. The aerodrome is a former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base.

History

Constructed in 1940, the base was used as a training school for Wireless Air Gunners under the Empire Air Training Scheme after the Second World War. In July 2007, the airport was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register in regards to the historic link to the Empire Air Training Scheme in Victoria. The airport has 3 active runways and two sealed taxiways connecting the hangar and runways. Ballarat Aerodrome to this day maintains a critical role in the emergency services, civil operation and flight training facilities. The airport also accommodates a number of community groups and organizations, related to aviation and non-aviation operations.

Aviation tenants at Ballarat Aerodrome include Aerovision aerial photography, Ballarat Aero Club flight training, the Ballarat Aviation Museum, Field Air aircraft maintenance and Country Helicopters aerial agriculture services. Non-aviation businesses, community and sporting groups located at Ballarat Aerodrome includes the Ballarat & District Early Holden Car Club, Ballarat Drag Racing Club, Bureau of Meteorology, Country Fire Authority, Department of Sustainability & Environment and Victoria Police.

There are no regular commercial flights available to and from Ballarat at this stage in time. Commercial flights can be booked to Melbourne Tullamarine via a range of domestic and international carriers. Ballarat Coachlines provides 43 regular weekly Airport Shuttlebus services to Ballarat Railway Station in Central Ballarat from Tullamarine Airport. For more information about timetables and fares, please contact Ballarat Coachlines (03) 5333 4181. Trains also run 12 times daily return to Ballarat from Spencer Street Melbourne.

Ballarat offers a wealth of history to visitors, from museums, theatres and galleries. Gold Rush aficionados will find themselves surrounded in the culture and heritage of this significant time. 

Ballarat climate is comfortable and usually a few degrees lower than Melbourne due to the height above sea level. Summer heat peaks in January with average highs of 25 degrees and colds at 10 degrees. Ballarat winters are known to experience light snowfall around the mountain region with tops of 10 degrees and lows of 3 degrees.