Major Australian Events by Private Jet: A Planning Guide

Events · 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Australia’s big events concentrate a lot of travellers into a few days: the Open in January, the Grand Prix, the Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup and the start of the Sydney to Hobart. A private jet gets your party in together and out again on your own timetable, but only if the flight is planned early.

Why event travel is different

On an ordinary day a private flight can often be arranged at short notice. Event days are different, for three reasons:

• Demand rises together. Many parties want the same aircraft on the same dates.
• Airport space is limited. Apron parking and slots can be tight at busy airports, so we plan where the aircraft waits or whether it repositions.
• Timing is fixed. The first bounce, the start gun or the race does not move, so arrival and departure times matter more than usual.

A planning calendar

Dates change from year to year, so always check the organisers for the current schedule. The events below are the ones our clients ask about most.

The Boxing Day cricket Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has traditionally started on the same day; check the current fixtures.

Melbourne: no night curfew

Most of the big sporting weekends are in Melbourne, where Melbourne Airport has no night curfew. That makes a late departure after the last race or the final siren practical. Our guides to private jet hire in Melbourne and the Melbourne airports explain which airport suits which aircraft.

Sydney: plan around the curfew

Sydney Airport runs a night curfew, generally from 11 pm to 6 am with limited exceptions, and controlled slots. If you are flying out after the Sydney to Hobart start, or any evening event, we plan the departure inside the curfew and tell you what the alternative is. See private jet hire Sydney.

Hobart in the last week of December

The fleet finishes on the Derwent in the days after the start, and Hobart fills with visitors over the new year. Flights to Hobart in that week are in demand and subject to availability; see private jet hire Hobart and private jet to Tasmania.

Client days and corporate hospitality

Many event charters are corporate: a host flying clients in for a day at the racing, the tennis or the football, or a company moving a delegation between cities for a week of events. A private flight lets the host travel with the guests, set the arrival time to suit the hospitality programme and fly everyone home when the day ends. For the wider picture of business travel, see business travel by private jet.

Fly in the day before

For anything that cannot be missed, the safest plan is to arrive the day before. It gives you a margin for a delay and a rested party on the day. If you must fly in on the day, build in a margin: tell us the latest you can land, not the time you would like to.

How to plan an event flight

1. Tell us the event, the dates, where you are travelling from and how many are in the party.
2. Decide whether you are flying in the day before or on the day, and whether you need to fly out the same evening.
3. Let us choose the airport. The best one depends on the aircraft, the venue and the curfew rules.
4. Add ground transport at the destination, and any catering you want on the way.

For hospitality groups and teams, one aircraft may not be enough; read group and sports team charters for how we plan seats, baggage and a second aircraft. For celebrations that are not tied to a calendar, see weddings and celebrations by private jet. Corporate groups can start with our corporate and group charter page.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to plan your flight?

Tell us the route, the date and how many are travelling, and we will come back with the right aircraft and one clear price. Request a quote or call +61 423 347 998.

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