[citation needed] In July 1934, the federal government compulsorily acquired 190 acres (77 ha) of land from a local farmer to establish an aerodrome on the current site.

Today, it is the base of Par Avion, which specialises in day trips and scenic flights around Hobart and the South West Wilderness of Tasmania; the Aeroclub of Southern Tasmania; and Heli Resources, a helicopter company that focuses on aerial work and flights in Antarctica.

[4][5] On 10 March 1946, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft operated by Australian National Airways departed from Cambridge Aerodrome with a crew of four and 21 passengers for Essendon Airport.

Less than 2 minutes after take-off, the aircraft crashed at Seven-Mile Beach, killing all on board.

At the time, it was Australia's worst civil aviation accident.