Formerly a commercial airport, the aerodrome no longer receives regular passenger services, but is maintained by the West Coast Council for a variety of aviation and non-aviation related uses.

Construction of an aerodrome to allow for air services to the West Coast was first proposed in the 1930s, however support was not unanimous amongst business and community leaders in Queenstown.

[4] On 17 February that year an Australian National Airways aircraft carrying an inspector from the Department of Civil Aviation was involved in a minor accident when unfavourable winds forced the pilot to land in a soft, sandy area adjacent to the runway instead.

[12] The Municipal Council was split over the proposal, with some suggesting that an alternative site at Strahan may be more suitable for passenger flights as the Queenstown aerodrome was surrounded by high terrain and subject to fog.

The West Coast Council make the airport available for aviation uses including private and charter flights, tourism operators and emergency services.

Additionally, the facility has been used for other commercial and community purposes such as driver training, motorsports,[24] marketing and promotional video shoots and public events[25] where these do not prevent its ongoing use as aircraft landing area.