Pacific (Gold Coast) Air Show 2026

[Captain Halliday]

In the lead up to the 2026 Gold Coast Air Show, Accor ran a competition for WP members to win a Pacific Air Show experience.

Thinking I might score a double pass to watch the action, I submitted my entry and didn’t give it a second thought.

Two weeks before the airshow this email arrived…

Hi Captain Halliday,
We have some incredible news! Your entry soared above the rest, and you have officially been chosen as one of our three lucky winners for the Ultimate Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast Experience.

Here is a look at your ultimate prize package:

• Fly with a Performer from Pacific Airshow®
• Two (2) General Admission Passes to the Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast
• Two (2) night's accommodation for two at The Sebel Twin Towns with breakfast included.

As it turned out out, the performer with whom I was schedule to fly was former RAAF pilot and Red Bull air race champion Matt Hall.

Join me for a mini trip report that might included unexpected twists and turns…

Stomach churning highs and lows…

And a high G, edge of your seat ending.

 

[Captain Halliday]

This TR will mostly be a photo essay.

Let’s kick things off with some rotary aircraft.


Surf Live Saving Queensland EC-135.

Aerial fire fighting demonstration.

Bell 412 dropping the water (L) and the Airbus H125 (R) calling the drop from above.

This demonstration also featured a couple of air tractors:

 

[Captain Halliday]

Next up, a Spitfire and a Mustang.

 

[Captain Halliday]

The Roulettes put on a terrific show.



Unfortunately, at about the same time, someone sitting near us returned with some seagul food.

As a result, some of my photos look a bit like the Roulettes performing with a seagul.





You’ll notice on the horizon the weather coming from the south east did not look good. (It was even worse to the right, out of shot)

Needing good weather for my flight to go ahead, it was not a welcome sight.






And by the end of the Roulette performance, light showers had begin.

Conditions for aerobatics were quickly deteriorating.

 

[kookaburra75]

In the lead up to the 2026 Gold Coast Air Show, Accor ran a competition for WP members to win a Pacific Air Show experience.

Thinking I might score a double pass to watch the action, I submitted my entry and didn’t give it a second thought.

Two weeks before the airshow this email arrived…

Hi Captain Halliday,
We have some incredible news! Your entry soared above the rest, and you have officially been chosen as one of our three lucky winners for the Ultimate Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast Experience.

Here is a look at your ultimate prize package:

• Fly with a Performer from Pacific Airshow®
• Two (2) General Admission Passes to the Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast
• Two (2) night's accommodation for two at The Sebel Twin Towns with breakfast included.

As it turned out out, the performer with whom I was schedule to fly was former RAAF pilot and Red Bull air race champion Matt Hall.

Join me for a mini trip report that might included unexpected twists and turns…

Stomach churning highs and lows…

And a high G, edge of your seat ending.

So jealous - but thank you for putting your post together.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Surf rescue and winch demo.



This poor rescue crewman was dunked like a tea bag!

 

[Captain Halliday]

The room at Sebel Twin Towns was terrific.

We arrived to find a range of goodies spread out on the bed.





The room had a microwave which came in handy for reheating some leftover karrage chicken and rice. (C’mon, surely I’m not the only one who over orders any time it’s a share-plates type restaurant!)





I forgot a pic of the bathroom but it was renovated and had a walk-in rain shower. The type with no door that floods the entire bathroom.

The room was on level 5 with glimpses of the beach and the view to Surfers Paradise in the distance.







Sunset from the balcony.



Breakfast was a standard mid-range Accor buffet with omelettes to order.

Coffee tax applies.
Welcome drink vouchers were provided with this stay which we used for barista coffee at breakfast.

Free underground parking.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Congratulations on your prize @Captain Halliday , looks like you had a great weekend