Melbourne Avalon International Airport (AVV)

Lara, AU 🇦🇺 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

YMAV

IATA

AVV

Elevation

35 ft

Region

AU-VIC

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: YMAV

Local Code: Not available

Location: -38.040269° N, 144.467196° E

Continent: OC

Type: Medium Airport

Keywords: Lara Geelong

Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Avalon Airport (AVV) generally garners mixed traveler sentiment, largely influenced by its identity as a smaller, regional airport. Many appreciate its efficiency and convenience, particularly for those residing in the Geelong area, while others express dissatisfaction with its limited facilities and amenities, especially for longer waits or international journeys.

What Travelers Love
  • Efficiency and Speed: Travelers frequently praise the quick check-in, security, and baggage claim processes due to the airport's smaller size. One review highlighted completing arrival procedures from plane door to hire car in just 12 minutes with checked luggage.
  • Convenience for Geelong Residents: Its proximity to Geelong CBD makes it a highly convenient option for locals, often reducing travel time compared to Melbourne's larger airports.
  • Straightforward Parking: The open-air car park is described as ample, easy to navigate, and a short, direct walk (5-10 minutes) to the terminal.
  • Less Traffic and No Tolls: Driving to Avalon often involves less traffic compared to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) and avoids toll roads, which is a significant plus for many drivers.
Common Complaints
  • Limited Terminal Facilities and Amenities: The terminal is consistently described as basic and small, offering very few food and retail options (typically one bar, one cafe, and a newsagent). Food and water are often reported as expensive, and finding water refill stations can be difficult.
  • Lack of Comfortable Seating/Overnight Options: Reviewers note a scarcity of comfortable seating, often just plastic chairs with arms, making it unsuitable for long layovers or overnight stays, especially as the airport closes nightly.
  • Parking Price Increases: While still convenient, recent reviews indicate that parking prices have increased, diminishing its past advantage as a significantly cheaper alternative to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
  • Limited Public Transport and Connection Issues: A car is often considered a must-have due to limited direct public transport to the airport itself. The bus service to Melbourne can be seen as tedious due to early arrival requirements.
  • Poor Customer Service for Parking Issues: Some travelers have reported difficulty contacting parking services to resolve booking errors or issues, leading to frustration upon exit.

Avalon Airport serves as a highly functional and efficient regional gateway, particularly beneficial for those in the Geelong area valuing speed and simplicity. However, travelers should manage expectations regarding terminal amenities, food options, and consider the increased parking costs.

Generated False weeks ago
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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
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Destination IATA City Aircraft Type Airline Details Route Map
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Top Airlines

Operating at Melbourne Avalon International Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
Jetstar
JST / JQ
3 72 3 Dec 5, 2025
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
18/36 10000 ft 148 ft ASP Active Lighted

Type Description Frequency
ATIS ATIS 116.1 MHz
CTAF CTAF 120.1 MHz
FSS MELBOURNE RADAR 135.7 MHz
TWR TWR 120.1 MHz
UNIC FLIGHT OPS 129.3 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency
AV Avalon VOR-DME 116100 kHz
AV Avalon NDB 404 kHz
RPY Ripley (Decommissioned) NDB 224 kHz

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

A dedicated taxi rank is located directly outside the terminal building. Geelong Taxi Network is the primary provider. Rideshare services like Uber also operate from a designated pickup area.

Rental Cars

Rental car desks for major companies including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt are located inside the arrivals hall. Pre-booking is highly recommended. The rental car parking area is a short walk from the terminal.

Public Transportation

The SkyBus Avalon City Express is the primary public transport option, offering direct services to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne's CBD and a separate service to Geelong. The bus schedule is coordinated with flight arrival and departure times. Tickets can be purchased online or at the airport kiosk.

Nearby Airports

Melbourne Essendon Airport
MEB • YMEN
Essendon Fields, AU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~52 km away
Melbourne Airport
MEL • YMML
Melbourne, AU
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~53 km away
Melbourne Moorabbin Airport
MBW • YMMB
Melbourne, AU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~56 km away
Bendigo Airport
BXG • YBDG
NoneAU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~145 km away
Melbourne Airport
MEL • YMML
Melbourne, AU
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~53 km away
Melbourne Essendon Airport
MEB • YMEN
Essendon Fields, AU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~52 km away
Melbourne Moorabbin Airport
MBW • YMMB
Melbourne, AU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~56 km away
Lovely Banks Airport
YLVB
NoneAU
Small Airport
~12 km away
Rothwell Airfield
AU-0175
Little River, AU
Small Airport
~14 km away
Wooloomanata Airfield
AU-0322
Wooloomanata, AU
Small Airport
~14 km away
Ceres Airport
YCES
NoneAU
Small Airport
~22 km away
Drysdale Airstrip
AU-0620
NoneAU
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~22 km away
Barwon Heads Airport
YBRS
Connewarre, AU
Small Airport
~24 km away
St Leonards Airfield
YSLE
NoneAU
Small Airport
~24 km away
RAAF Williams, Point Cook Base
YMPC
Point Cook, AU
Small Airport
~28 km away
Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital Heliport
AU-0631
Bacchus Marsh, AU
Heliport
~40 km away
Yarra Bank Heliport
YYBK
Melbourne, AU
Heliport
~49 km away
Melbourne Heliport, Batman Park
KAH • YBPK
Melbourne, AU
Heliport
~49 km away
Alfred Hospital Helipad
YAFD
Melbourne, AU
Heliport
~50 km away
Royal Childrens Hospital Helipad
YRHO
Melbourne, AU
Heliport
~51 km away
Royal Melbourne Hospital Helipad
YRMH
Melbourne, AU
Heliport
~51 km away
Gisborne Helipad
YGIS
Gisborne, AU
Heliport
~63 km away
Olinda (DSE) Helibase
AU-0111
Olinda / Mt Dandenong, AU
Heliport
~82 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.