Beverley Soaring Society and Airfield

If you have a budding plane enthusiast in the family or just love a good Sunday drive, a visit to Beverley Soaring Society and Airfield makes for a memorable day out. Less than two hours from Perth and set just beyond the township of Beverley, the airfield sits amid classic wheatbelt landscape and offers families a close‑up look at the world of gliding.

The airstrip is literally off the beaten track, reached via a gravel road that at first glance feels like you might be driving along the runway. At the entrance you’ll find a sign welcoming visitors, and the atmosphere is very much that you’re a guest of a friendly country club rather than at a formal attraction. On our visit, we initially planned to have a quick stickybeak, but before we knew it one of the pilots had waved us over, invited us to park and hop out, and encouraged us to make ourselves at home.

You don’t need to wait long for something to happen in the sky. Gliding operations usually run Friday to Sunday, with experienced volunteer instructors and tow pilots on hand teaching students and taking people flying. We watched as the pilots prepared for launch, attaching the long tow rope between the tug plane and the sleek white glider. The pilots were wonderful with the kids, waving and even giving a cheeky salute as they taxied past. Once the tug opened the throttle, both aircraft roared down the strip together before lifting off, the glider following behind on the rope. High overhead, the tug released the line and peeled away, leaving the glider to ride invisible thermals like a giant model plane drifting quietly across the blue sky.

Seeing the aircraft so close up, and being able to watch the entire launch and landing sequence, was absolutely captivating for the children. For a few precious moments they were completely silent, heads tilted back and eyes glued to the sky. They applauded enthusiastically as the aircraft landed, and the pilots seemed to genuinely enjoy the kids’ excitement.

One of the most special parts of our visit was the time the pilots took with the children on the ground. The tug pilot invited the kids to climb up and have a peek inside the cockpit. He was patient, happy to field every single question, and very gentle in translating our enthusiastic three‑year‑old’s gobbledygook into real queries about buttons, levers and dials.

Later, when the glider returned, the children were invited to sit inside. The cockpit is surprisingly deep, which was a bit overwhelming for our younger one, but our older child was thrilled to sit in the “driver’s seat” and hold the control stick while the pilots explained what everything did. Even if most of the technical information went over his head, his grin said it all.

It’s important to remember that Beverley Soaring Society is a working gliding club, not a paid, staffed tourist attraction. The hands‑on access we enjoyed – hopping into cockpits, pilots waving us over, and personalised explanations – is very much dependent on how busy the flying program is on the day, and on the comfort and discretion of the pilots and instructors. To avoid disappointment, it’s best to frame the outing for your kids as a chance to watch real gliders and tow planes in action, and consider any extra cockpit time or chats with pilots as a wonderful bonus rather than a guarantee.

For families looking to go beyond plane spotting, Beverley Soaring Society also offers bookable Air Experience Flights. These are introductory flights where you or an older child can sit up front with a qualified instructor and experience the thrill of silent, motorless flight over the Avon Valley. During a typical Air Experience Flight, you’ll be towed up behind the tug, released at altitude, and then either take in the stunning views or, if you’re keen, have a gentle go at the controls under the instructor’s guidance. Flights can be booked directly through the club’s website, and gift vouchers are available if you’re looking for a special present for a teenager or aviation‑mad adult. Gliding instruction is available Friday to Sunday for those keen to take things further and learn to fly a sailplane themselves, with packages designed for everyone from complete beginners to experienced power pilots.

Subject to demand, the club also runs seven‑day intensive ab‑initio training courses. These immersive courses combine theory and practical flying and are ideal for older teens or adults who want to accelerate their progress. While this is more of a commitment than a casual family visit, it’s great context if you have older kids who might be seriously considering aviation as a hobby or career path. The club’s instructors are highly experienced volunteers accredited through Gliding Federation Australia, and Beverley Soaring Society has a strong cross‑country culture, regularly ranking near the top of the world in the Online Gliding Competition.

Facilities at the airfield are focused around club operations, with hangars, workshop areas and briefing spaces. This means you won’t find a café or Playground on site, so it’s a good idea to come prepared. Pack water, snacks or a picnic, hats, sunscreen and perhaps some colouring or a book for any downtime between launches. The environment is quite rustic – think dirt roads, open grass and big skies – which is part of the charm, but you’ll want to keep a close eye on little ones around aircraft movement areas and follow any directions given by club members. Closed‑in shoes are recommended.

Visitors are very much welcome at Beverley Soaring Society, whether you’re there purely to watch, to take photos, or to fly. The club’s website has a dedicated “Visitors” section with clear directions to the airfield, as it is set a short distance out of town. There’s also a live airfield weather station available online, which can be handy to check conditions before you set off, especially in the hotter months. Operations are weather‑dependent, and gliding can pause during periods of poor conditions or very strong winds, so it may be worth calling ahead if you’re making a special trip.

A visit to Beverley pairs beautifully with a wander around town or a stop at the local Playground or bakery, making it an easy full‑day outing from Perth. To round out an aviation‑themed day, you can now explore Beverley’s aeronautical history at the Cornerstone Building on Vincent Street, where interactive displays let you “experience” a glider flight while standing on your own two feet. On Hunt Road you can also visit the Vampire Jet display and the Amana Memorial, with interpretive panels behind them detailing Beverley’s long connection with flight and aviation, all available to view seven days a week.

Overall, Beverley Soaring Society and Airfield offers an authentic, up‑close glimpse into the world of gliding that’s hard to find anywhere else. It’s relaxed, welcoming and a little bit adventurous – perfect for families whose kids love planes, big skies and watching “real” flying up close. Whether you stay on the ground and soak up the atmosphere or take to the skies on an Air Experience Flight, it’s well worth the drive.

Address: Beverley Airfield, near Beverley, Western Australia (full directions via the Visitors section on their website)

Opening Hours: Gliding operations and instruction typically run Friday to Sunday; Air Experience Flights and training are available on operating days and should be booked in advance.

Official Website: https://www.beverley-soaring.org.au