Civil Aviation Historical Society & Airways Museum

09/06/2026

We are very pleased and excited to let you know about the imminent publication of a new book, ‘Melbourne Airport Tullamarine: A History’.

This book, written by Research Fellow at the CAHS Arun Chandu with CAHS member Matt Harvey, tells the story of Melbourne Airport, better known to locals as ‘Tullamarine’ or ‘Tulla’. Melbourne Airport was the first purpose-built Airport City in the world. Its facilities in 1970 were unsurpassed by any international airport – it had a golf course, hotel, conference centre, art gallery, cinema, bottle shop, exhibition centre, multiple bars and a VIP lounge, and a fine-dining restaurant headed by an executive chef on his way to being awarded three Michelin stars. These facilities were built into Tullamarine’s plan by its principal planner and protagonist, Dr Bill Bradfield, whose papers are in the CAHS collection.

The book is profusely illustrated, including with many images from the CAHS collection.

You can pre-order the book here: https://unsw.press/books/melbourne-airport-tullamarine/

07/06/2026

03/06/2026

Some airport icons are hard to miss.

The Essendon Fields Airport control tower has been watching over the runway since the 1950s, back when the airport was Melbourne’s main gateway to the skies.

A little piece of aviation history, still standing tall.

30/05/2026

22/05/2026

Posted without further comment...

15/05/2026

Major Projects Hub

15/05/2026

THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY

The Moorabbin Air Museum is proud to welcome internationally recognised aviation historian Andy Saunders for two special presentations on historic aircraft and aviation restoration.

Friday 15th May – 5:00PM
“Spitfire From The Sands”

Saturday 16th May – 4:00PM
“DH9 From Ruin To Restoration”

🎟 Entry by gold coin donation

Book tickets here:
https://www.mamonlinestore.com.au/product/ticket-andy-saunders-talks/6KO2PT367QFC6PV7HR6F7LLC?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=DKOH7U3F2JO4L67XJZH6DLK2