Why Australia’s Historic RAAF Base Point Cook Could Become Melbourne’s Next Tourism Powerhouse

RAAF Base Point Cook, 25 kilometres south west of the Melbourne central business district, is special in world military aviation. The historic airfield is at a critical turning point as the Australian Government contemplates surplus holdings following the Defence Estate Audit. How operational maintenance costs, strict base security protocols and heritage conservation are reconciled will determine if Point Cook develops into an open, world-class cultural precinct or goes the way of piecemeal disposal.

Historical Significance and National Heritage Listing

Acquired by the Commonwealth in 1913, Point Cook served as the home of Australia‘s first military flying school (the Central Flying School) and is recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating military airbase during its primary operational centuries. The base provided foundational flight training for the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) during World War I and served as the direct birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) upon its establishment in 1921.

According to records from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Point Cook was inscribed on the National Heritage List in 2007. It features the nation’s oldest and most extensive complex of military aviation buildings, preserving rare early hangars, the 1930 parade ground, and the 1938 Air Force Memorial. The precinct also serves as the headquarters for the RAAF Museum and active heritage flight units such as No. 100 Squadron.

Divestment Scrutiny and Site Constraints

Following recommendations from the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, the Department of Defence and the Department of Finance initiated audit procedures to consolidate the Commonwealth’s real property footprint. While Point Cook’s ageing infrastructure incurs substantial ongoing maintenance costs, conventional commercial or high-density residential development faces significant legal and physical hurdles:

• Heritage Protections: Any change of ownership or adaptive reuse must comply with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and heritage covenants designed to safeguard its historic fabric.
• Environmental Remediation: Decades of military firefighting training and airfield operations have left localized per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and hydrocarbon contamination, requiring remediation before civilian rezoning can proceed.
• Council Resistance: Wyndham City Council has formally opposed speculative residential subdivisions on the airfield, advocating instead for conservation models that prioritize community, aviation, and cultural tourism uses.

Access Limitations and the Tourism Opportunity

Despite housing Australia’s premier military aircraft collection, public access remains constrained. Because Point Cook remains an active Defence establishment housing military units and commercial flight operations (such as the RMIT Flight Training Centre), visitors face security checkpoints, restricted viewing hours, and mandatory advance registration requirements.

Heritage planners and local stakeholders compare Point Cook’s untapped potential to celebrated international aviation precincts:

Transitioning to an open-precinct model—such as a statutory trust similar to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust—would eliminate civilian barrier checkpoints while establishing sustainable visitor revenue streams to subsidize heritage building maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is RAAF Base Point Cook located?

RAAF Base Point Cook is located along Aviation Road in Point Cook, Victoria, approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Melbourne’s CBD on Port Phillip Bay.

Can the public visit the RAAF Museum at Point Cook?

Yes. Public visits are permitted on designated opening days, though visitors must book in advance and adult attendees must present valid photo identification at the base security gate.

Why is Point Cook included in Defence estate divestment reviews?

The Australian Government commissioned estate audits to divest surplus properties and optimize operational defence budgets. Point Cook’s extensive legacy footprint requires tens of millions in upkeep, prompting parliamentary inquiries and Senate reviews into balanced long-term stewardship models.