Mount Panorama’s 90-Year-Old Airport Plans
While casual aviation accidents are now seemingly an occupational hazard on the slopes of Mount Panorama, 90 years ago, plans were afoot for the top of the old Bald Hills to be home to Bathurst’s primary airport.
While modern Bathurst is a thriving regional hub, in the 1930s, the town was experiencing a growth spurt that shaped the area forever more.
One big issue was establishing a landing ground for aircraft – it was a thorny issue that bounced around the community, much to the chagrin of bodies such as the Air Services League, with the lack of adequate facilities in the region especially troublesome if planes were to strike difficulties.
The issue came to the forefront in November 1934 when Mayor Martin Griffin called a public meeting at town hall.
Although some farmers had earlier allowed planes to land in their paddocks, a more permanent facility was required, especially with the growing utility of air travel to remote areas.
Elsewhere, the exploits of aviating pioneers such as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith captured the public’s imagination – in fact, Charles visited Bathurst on the 6th of June 1932, the day he received his knighthood.
Bathurst’s first true aviating taste came in 1919 with ‘barnstormers’ flying in from Sydney, offering rides from the racecourse for five pounds a go.
The view from Bald Hills in 1924, roughly taken from the current day Sulman Park. Image – State Library of NSW
When it came to locating a permanent landing strip, one of the earliest suggestions was utilising land at Bald Hills, later to be known as Mount Panorama.
The future scenic drive over the Hills was still in the planning stages – construction kicked off in earnest in mid-1936.
The layout ultimately replaced the nearby Vale Circuit, which had become a mainstay for motorcycle racers, albeit the two-wheeled set was faced with the inconvenience of sharing the main road to Perthville with regular motorists on race days.
Mr and Mrs Wilfred Kingsford-Smith, following the arrival of ‘Southern Cross’ at Mascot Airport in 1928. Image – National Museum Australia
Inspection Day
The 24th of January, 1935 edition of the National Advocate noted that Mr Wilfred Kingsford Smith, Sir Charles’s brother, had inspected Mount Panorama regarding its suitability as a landing ground for a prospective daily air service between Sydney, Bathurst and beyond.
Mr Kingsford Smith, a driving force behind establishing a western air service out of the state’s capital, inspected the Mount alongside Alderman P.J. Moodie, a noted supporter of the aviation movement.
However, the story explained it would be impossible for the area to obtain the correct approvals.
He (Kingsford Smith) explains that a licensed aerodrome must be 600 yards in any direction, and, though the plateau conformed with requirements as far as its length was concerned (in this direction it is extended for fully a mile), it fell short in width, extending no more than 300 yards at its widest part. Mount Panorama, being Crown Land, would have been most suitable for an aerodrome, but its restricted area makes it necessary to transfer attention to the original site at Orton Park. The municipal council, said Mr Smith, had applied for the latter ground and the Civil Aviation authorities in Melbourne had been requested to send an inspector to Bathurst as soon as possible in order that the area may be officially approved.
National Advocate (Bathurst) Thursday, 24th January 1935
Ultimately, the push for Orton Park, which is located on the southeast side of Mount Panorama, came to naught, ditto sites in Kelso (in Shute’s paddock) and Eglington.
In 1938, an Aero Club was established in Bathurst, which helped push the cause for a permanent airfield – the state government came to the party, too, and would bankroll the building and equipment if the council supplied the land.
The War started without Bathurst having an airfield; however, one was established at Raglan in 1942, located just off the Great Western Highway on the eastern approach to Bathurst.
Post-war, Prime Minister Ben Chifley pushed for the field to be opened up to civil use, which came in 1946, with the first regular services commencing later that year.
Although no airlines currently schedule passenger services to the airport, it is busy with activity during the year and especially during Bathurst race events, with chartered and private aircraft utilising the facility.
Back on top of The Hill
It’s hard to imagine how different the legend of Mount Panorama would have been if the airfield had been established high above the plains.
The now famous campgrounds would have been vastly different, if they existed at all, while the ‘scenic drive’ would have almost certainly been given a different shape.
Outside of the campgrounds, Mount Panorama currently features the Panorama Motorcross Complex, the Bathurst Clay Target Club, the clubrooms of the Central West Chapter of the Veterans Motorcycle Club Australia, plus public parkland.
A push to establish a go kart track at McPhillamy Park came to nothing, with those endeavours now focused on land adjacent to Conrod Straight.
The subject of aviating at Mount Panorama has hit the forefront recently, following an incident on Bathurst 1000 race morning involving stunt pilot Hayden Pullen, who struck a barrier after landing on grass adjacent to Mountain Straight, above.
Back in 2021, former Red Bull Air Race ace Matt Hall successfully completed racetrack landings on the black top while filming the clip below.
Mark Walker (administrator)
A vastly experienced Motorsport Public Relations operator, journalist, commentator and photographer, Mark brings his unique angle to The Race Torque in both words and imagery. As well as serving as our key photographer on the ground at major events around Australia (and overseas), Walker will often chime in with his unique and pin-point sharp viewpoint of the racing world via the keyboard too.
