The museum houses a Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation, nicknamed 'Connie', which is one of only a few in the world kept in flying condition.
HARS stands for Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, which was founded in 1979.
The collection includes a retired Qantas Boeing 747-400 that arrived at the airport in 2020 and is now a centerpiece of the static display.
The site holds a former RAAF Neptune aircraft, famously used for long-range maritime patrol.
Many aircraft on display were recovered from remote locations and restored over decades by volunteer labor.
The museum operates a specific hangar dedicated to the preservation of WWII-era fighters and trainers.
Visitors can often walk under the wings of massive aircraft, providing a perspective on scale that static museum pedestals lack.
The facility maintains a 'Restoration Hangar' where the public can observe ongoing work on aircraft frames and engines.
The HARS Aviation Museum is a large-scale volunteer-run facility based at Shellharbour Airport dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic aircraft. The collection features a significant array of flying-capable vintage planes, including iconic types like the Lockheed Super Constellation, PBY Catalina, and Douglas DC-3. Visitors can access internal hangars where restoration work is actively conducted by engineers and aviation enthusiasts. The museum spans multiple hangars and tarmac areas, housing one of Australia's most diverse civil and military aviation collections. Many of the aircraft are maintained in airworthy condition, meaning the display composition changes when planes participate in airshows or heritage flights. The site functions as a living workshop, providing rare access to operational vintage jet and propeller engines. It is located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales.
The base of the Boeing 747-400 provides the most striking sense of scale for photography.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the tour covers uneven tarmac and hangar concrete.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as parts of the museum tour take place outdoors on the flight line.
Check the official website for 'fly-in' days when visiting aircraft may be on-site.
Do not wander onto active taxiways or runways; stay strictly within designated tour paths.
Closed on Christmas Day; otherwise operates daily year-round.
Strictly follow guide instructions when approaching aircraft, especially regarding propeller and engine intake safety zones.
