Private cabanas, high-end drinks, gourmet food: Inside Pacific Airshow Gold Coast’s million-dollar luxury experience

For Australia’s first airshow of its kind, VIP guests are shelling out thousands to experience the height of luxury beachside at the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast. Take a look inside the luxury packages

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast attendees are spending anywhere between $2000 and $125,000 to have a luxury VIP guest experience at the inaugural show.

Thousands of Pacific Airshow attendees are shelling out big bucks for VIP luxury experiences beachside to get the best catered viewing amid a party atmosphere at the first-time event.

Tickets range from $45 for general admission for an adult or $30 for a student or youth whilst others are shelling out thousands.

The VIP experiences offer plenty of options for doing the airshow on the Surfers Paradise waterfront in style including private cabanas, bigger chalets and beach club lounge experiences with bottle service and DJs in collaboration with Surfers Paradise hotspot Cali Beach Club.

All up 20 private cabanas have been set up on the beachfront holding up to 25 guests in each

Each private cabana is priced at $36,300 for a three-day experience or $9,350 per cabana for Friday, and $14,850 each weekend day.

Cali Beach Club will present a Beach Bar & VIP Lounge at the airshow with packages starting at $2000.

All up, if fully booked, it adds up to more than $750,000 in cabana experience ticket sales.

Each is fully-furnished complete with a private shaded pavilion, lounges, tables and chairs, a fenced off open-air patio, hosted food, and access to a full cash bar.

Separately a three-day bigger chalet is priced at $125,000. The private dedicated hospitality suites include hosted food and high-end beverages for 40 to 100 guests per day.

Yet another option with more of a party vibe - in collaboration with Cali Beach Club - includes $3300 per day per booth for 10 guests to enjoy bottle service, an elevated lounge, a drinks package including Belvedere vodka and two other spirits, Byron Bay lager, premium food and towers. A $2000 booth package is for seven guests.

Demand for airshow tickets and spots has been running hot with Saturday and Sunday already sold out and as of Thursday just a handful were said to be left for Friday’s day one.

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast founder Kevin Elliott said of the experiences: “We’re going to have food and drink and restrooms and all the amenities that you expect at a great family friendly event.

Pacific Airshow Director Kevin Elliott said VIP guests will have a “front-row” view of all the adrenaline-packed action. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Not only that, you have the front-row view of the action, you’ll have jumpers coming in and landing right here. You’ll have performers signing autographs for the kids. It’s just the right place to be.”

It is expected up to 20,000 ticketholders will flock to the beachfront for the show on each of its three days.

Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick said this week “apart from the Commonwealth Games in 2018, the Gold Coast has never experienced a show like this ever”.

Gates open daily from 9am.

The show has released broad “aerial activity” times starting from 10.30am and running until 3pm but is not releasing a detailed activity schedule.

Its website says: “Pacific Airshow is NOT your usual boring airshow. We love to provide the element of surprise. It’s with this in mind that at both Huntington Beach and Gold Coast events we don’t release a schedule prior.”

It adds: Pacific Airshow Gold Coast will be a three-day weekend event featuring heart-pumping aerobatic demonstrations by the world’s finest aviators, VIP meet and greet events, social parties, and so much more.

“Featuring the best civilian performers and military aviators from around the globe, Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is set to be the largest Airshow event to ever take place in Australia.”