Sydney Airport Spotting GuideSydney Airport was the 38th busiest airport in the world with 41, 870, 000 people passing through in 2016. And 326, 686 aircraft movements in 2013. The airport is located 8km south of the Sydney CBD and has three runways, 2 north to south runways. 34L/16R (12, 999 ft or 3, 962 m) and 34R/16L (7, 999 ft or 2, 438m), and 1 east to west runway 07/25 (8, 301 ft 2, 530m). The airport is located in the suburb of Mascot and partly covers Botany Bay which is where Captain Cook first landed in 1770 when he discovered Australia. Sydney Airport is the main hub of Qantas (Queensland. And. Northern Territory. Aerial. Services) and secondary hub for Virgin Australia and Jetstar. The airport is situated 21 ft or 6m AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level).
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Location #1 - Sheps Mound |
Sheps Mound is probably the most popular and well known Spotting location after the renovations done by Sydney Airport. They introduced a paved car park, 1 shelter, and 2 spotting areas. Sheps Mound is an ideal location for morning spotting from what ever time in the morning till about 11am. After that the images start to get backlit, but if you are looking for some creative photos, go to The Mound about 1 hour before sunset and get photos of the aircraft with the orange sun in the shot. To get to Sheps Mound, follow the signs towards Domestic Terminal, when you get to the intersection to where the Domestic Terminal Entrance is, go through there, but when you enter, be ready to turn left onto Ross Smith Avenue. Once your on Ross Smith Avenue, continue down for a while, past the helicopters and past Blu Emu carpark. The road is a dead end road and Sheps Mound is right at the end, so it is impossible to miss it. Happy Snapping!
Location # 2 - Qantas Drive
Qantas Drive offers great views of aircraft flying overhead that are landing on 16R. It is a great spot for all times of day, if you hang by the huge billboard in the morning till about 11 then you can go underneath the aircraft for some creative shots or on the little bridge till maybe 2, then if you head down the path towards the international terminal you can get some good afternoon shots with the sun on the plane. To get there, get to the Domestic Terminal intersection, from there head north on O’Riordan St. Follow that and turn left on Bourke Rd just after the Pullman, then turn left onto Coward Street just after the Qantas building, follow Coward street, but don’t go further then the red stone paved road. You can park anywhere along the street. Walk on the right side of the road heading towards the Toll building then you will see a green walking path. Take that for a while and that will take you too the Big Billboard. Happy Snapping!
Location #3 - International Carpark
If you are looking for some high vantage points, the International Carpark is for you. With 12 levels you won’t have a problem with anything obstructing it. International Carpark is ideal for afternoon spotting, it is well known for the shot with a plane with the Sydney CBD in the background. Rydges used to be the old spot for high up afternoon spotting, but since Rydges made it into a bar, and the international Carpark was opened, the Carpark is the way to go! To get there you can either park in the international Carpark (which costs a lot of money, not recommend), just follow the signs to the Carpark and once in there, get the elevator to the 12th level. Or for free parking, go on the princess highway and exit onto Holbeach Ave. If you are heading eastbound it the first right after the cross the bridge over Cooks river and if your heading west bound it’s the last left before you go over the bridge. Once your on Holbeach, you’ll come to a roundabout, take the 1st exit. Follow that road all the way around right until you see are Carpark on your left. Park in there, then walk down the road and over the bridge, turn right and follow the path along Airport Drive, continue on that party until you under all the roads and turn left, follow that and you will walk over the surface level Carpark. Once your in the big Carpark, take the elevator to the top and you are there. Happy Snapping!
Location #4 - The Beach
The Beach is what Sydney Airport is known for. The crystal clear water of Botany Bay makes for a great backdrop of an A380 in golden light. You can either go up to the fence and get shots of planes taxiing right past you, or stay back at the Carpark and get Photos at runway height. All up, the beach is a great spot, it has enough car parking space to fit everyone and the beach is definitely a spot for a family day. To get there, follow General Homes drive west bound, when you come out of the tunnel, be ready to turn left. Don’t turn left up onto the M5 but turn left just after that. It has a sign saying Kyeemagh Ave, once your off General Homes Drive, turn right down the small road. Follow that and take the first left, follow that road and you are there. Happy Snapping!