suburb No 13: Bankstown

My knowledge of Bankstown prior to this week? Shamefully almost zilch. What I did know, however,
was that it had an airport. And airports have planes. Which is why this week 52 Suburbs was able to
take to the skies for a different perspective on life in a Sydney suburb.

Established during WWII as a key strategic air base to support the war effort, Bankstown Airport 
today is a sprawling 313 hectare site with three runways and a whole load of businesses – including 
a handful of places that will happily transport you to the heavens.

With the help of the lovely Joel from Red Baron, my camera and I were lifted skyward in a plane 
that looked like it came straight out of a storybook  - a bright red open-cockpit bi-plane. Joel did
a quick pre-flight test, slapped a most unflattering Teletubbies type cap on me, and next thing I 
knew we were sailing into the ether. The cockpit is open so you’re breathing the same air and 
feeling the same wind rushing past you as the birds. I had to remind myself to take pictures because 
you could so easily switch off and lose yourself in the feeling of being so free. Fortunately I managed 
to keep snapping…

would madam like her cockpit open or closed?

hop in, it's a nice day for a fly

front row seat

Roger Red Baron, you are cleared for take-off

up up and away

fly like a bird

unleash yourself from your earthly bounds

Miro-like shapes are everywhere

can't I come too?

wide land

flying can be highly addictive

Red Baron you are cleared for landing

back to earth (can we go again?!)

a great way to see the world

We were only up for 15 minutes but it was a thrill. And that's without a single loop or twirl, the 
speciality of the house. Aside from Red Baron there are also a few other places in the airport to
learn to fly or just have a joy ride.

joy indeed

Santa's sleigh

 

what happens if I push the CRASH button?

where else?

And if you can't afford the real thing, there's always the $2 Shop.

you can always dream :: 1

you can always dream :: 2

When I’d come back to earth I did a quick scout around the suburb centre. My impressions: very 
Asian and Lebanese, faded yet colourful with a couple of nice ‘70s buildings and more butchers
than you’d know what to do with.

there's something about those 70's buildings :: 1

clouds

 there's something about those 70's buildings :: 2

 

an Akubra and a walking stick

hey slim

CMLX

 red :: 1

red :: 2

red :: 3

red :: 4

Beauty in Bankstown? The surrounds are blessed with swathes of unexpected green and a nice big 
river. And the suburb itself has the same appealing colourful energy that so many multiculutural 
Sydney suburbs have. But for me the high point was most definitely in the heavens above.




You might like to visit...


Red Baron, www.redbaron.com.au, 9791 0643, Christmas specials available.


See you next week.