Old Bar Heritage Airstrip in NSW is a heritage-listed airfield located off Old Bar Road at Old Bar. Built in 1925 by George Bunyan and family, the airstrip is also known as Old Bar Airfield and Old Bar Aerodrome. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 25 February 2000.
Old Bar Airfield was constructed in the mid 1920s by George Bunyan as part of the fledgling air mail and aerial passenger services. Old Bar became the main refueling stop between Sydney and Brisbane.
The airfield was designated as an “aerodrome” on 6 November 1930 by the Department of Defence.
The airfield was the refueling point for Kingsford-Smith and Ulm’s Australian National Airways till mid 1931.
The Royal Australian Air Force utilised the airstrip for refueling from the mid to late 1930s with regular visits of up to six Hawker Demons at Old Bar. For twelve months during 1939-40, the RAAF stationed a Wackett Gannet at Old Bar to undertake coastal surveying and mapping. The Old Bar Aerodrome was designated an emergency landing field for the RAAF during World War II.
The Old Bar Airstrip was visited constantly by the key Australian aviation pioneers including Kingsford-Smith, Ulm, Jean Batten and Nancy Bird Walton.
Elevation 50 | Area Forecast 38 | Strip Direction 17 / 36 : 09 / 27 |
GPS Position 38° 1529 S 144° 2539 E | ALA Code YBRS | Strip Length 750 : 520 |
WAC Chart 3357 | FIA Brisb Centre 123.35 @ 3000FT | Strip Surface Sealed : Grass |
Owner/Operator Geelong Surfcoast Airpark 0418 643 401 PPR barwonheadsairport.com.au | Windsock 1 – At RWY intersection | ASIC Security/VIS Vest No |
Fuel AVGAS by arrangement. See website. | Distance to Town 6.6 KM | Lighting PAL 119.0 |
Aircraft Parking Yes | Transport Taxi 131 008 | Landing Fees Yes – see website |
Special Procedures and Comments: CTAF 118.1 Right-hand circuits – RWY 35 (to remain clear of built-up area). Preferred RWY for takeoff – RWY 17 (wind permitting). Preferred RWY for landing – RWY 35 (wind permitting). Circuit not to extend north of Manning River due to Taree NDB approach. Caravan Park access for aircraft available – phone 02 6553 7274 CAUTION: 1.2 metre high wire fence erected 30 metres south of RWY 35 THR. 25 metre high lighting posts erected on sport field (approximately 50 metres from RWY centreline). Strong crosswinds may be encountered due to sea breeze effect. Turbulence may be experienced at northern end of RWY due to trees. Pedestrians use airstrip for recreational purposes (walking etc). |