Melbourne Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Melbourne Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

October 18, 2018 - last modified on December 6, 2023

Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine, opened in 1970 replacing Essendon Airport and is now the second largest and busiest airport in Australia with around 36 Mio passsengers in 2017. The airport has 56 gates spread around 4 terminals. Three of the terminals form a single major building housing the majority of the airport’s operations. Aircraft use two intersecting runways but usually all traffic use 16/34, the longest runway at MEL. Thats why the airport is very interesting for plane spotters as its never quiet, except during the night.

MEL is a hub for Qantas/Qantas Link including several intl. destinations to Asia and USA. Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia and Regional Express Airlines are carriers that using Melbourne as a hub too. Furthermore you will see a nice mix of traffic mainly from Asia and the Pacific. Qantas Freight and Toll Aviation are the major freight operatores at this airport.

The airport authorities are going to build two new runways, parallel to the existing runways 16/34 and 09/27. Therefore its possible that a few spots are sooner or later no longer accessible due to the ongoing constructions works.

Written by Max Getley (local spotter), Jan Seba and S. Hackenberger. Last Update August 2022 (all spots checked).

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	2.286 m (7.500 ft)
16/34	3.657 m (11.998 ft)
Terminals
Terminal 1	Qantas, Qantas Link
Terminal 2	All international Operations
Terminal 3	Virgin Australia
Terminal 4	Domestic flights opb. Tigerair Australia, Regional Express Airlines, Jetstar and Airnorth
Spotting Information
Ladder	Just needed at 7 for ground photos and partially at spots 5 and 6.
Car/Public Transport	Car is needed as there is no public transport to the locations. You can park directly at every spotting location.
Restrooms	Throughout terminals. Nothing around the spots.
Drinks/Food	Throughout terminals. Nothing around the spots.
Season	Best to go there during the australian summer due to the north/south direction of the main runway. You will have less rainy days and much more sun hours like in the winter months.
Runway Usage
09/27	Less in use and mainly for smaller aircraft. If so then mainly 27 is used, 09 just once every few months.
16/34	Due to its length this is the major runway, used in both directions and usally by all heavy departures.

	Spot #1 – Terminal 1 and 3
WHERE	Terminal 1: Qantas’ terminal has two piers and allows access to the piers through security with a security check. No boarding pass is required. Terminal 3 Pier A: Virgin’s terminal has two piers and allows access to the piers through security with only a security check. Best is Gate for spotting is Nr. 10. No boarding pass is required. The international Terminal 2 is only accessable with a valid boarding pass!

WHAT	Terminal 1: You can get up close to Qantas and Jetstar aircraft at their gates and pushing back through the various windows that look out onto the stands. Terminal 3 Pier A: From here you have the most action. You can get up close to Virgin aircraft at their gates and pushing back through the various windows that look out onto the stands. All Regional Express and Tiger Airways aircraft pass the pier and you can get a view of runway 16/34 at its end.

TIME	Best in the morning. There is reflection at all times but decent shots can still be had through the glass with care.

MISC.	Everything you need within the terminal. There are multiple obstructions plus the ever present problems of photographing through glass and with heat haze but reasonable shots can be taken with patience.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-150 mm

	Spot #2 – Car park Terminal 4
WHERE	Located at Terminal 4 Carpark, Level 6 or 7 is best for getting a good height over the aircraft on the tarmac at T4 or T3. If you arrive by car parking fee is 51 AUD for 24h.

WHAT	Most aircraft on tarmac and all traffic on Runways 16 and 34

TIME	Early Morning and late night

MISC.	Everything you need within the terminal. Be aware with the security. You either meet a guy with good common sense or a guy on a power trip and will be likely to move you on. The airport had openly says that it is fine for photographers to take some snaps from the carpark but the security company might not getting the information.

FOCAL LENGTH	A380=150mm; 788=230mm

	Spot #3 – Operations Rd
WHERE	This spot is located by the roadside of “Operations Rd” near Qantas and Jetstar Maintance. The easyiest way to get there (from the city and airport) is to follow “Airport Drive”, then turn into “Link Rd” and then into “S Centre Rd”. After around 200 meters exit the roundabound at the 3rd exit and follow “Operations Rd” for about 500 meters. Park at a car small lot on the side of the road, right next to Melbourne Airport Golf Course entrance. and walk along the road for your favourite spot – this depends on the angle you wanna have and the time.

WHAT	All arrivals on runway 34 and some heavy 16 departures.

TIME	Usually the whole day, except midday.

MISC.	Closest facilities nearby are at the terminals

FOCAL LENGTH	70-350mm A330 = 110mm / Saab340 = 320mm / B738 = 160mm

	Spot #4 – Link Road
WHERE	Located in the cargo area use same direction as #3 but continue on Link Road and drive till the end at the front of a truck station. Park on the side of the road.

WHAT	Runway 34 arrivals only.

TIME	Time is good from sunrise till (late) midday.

MISC	Closest facilities nearby are at the terminals

FOCAL LENGTH	100-250mm

	Spot #5 – Operations Road
WHERE	This spot is along Operations Road. Just continue from #3 for a kilometer. Park your car on the side of the road .

WHAT	Best for arrivals on RWY34 and aircraft holding short for 34 take off. Smaller aircraft don´t use the full length of the runway and using an earlier entrance.

TIME	From afternoon till sunset.

MISC	Closest facilities nearby are at the terminals. Ladder recommend for line up photos.

FOCAL LENGTH	A332=100mm; A350 line up = 260mm

	Spot #6 – Airport View Point/Operations Road
WHERE	This spot is another official aircraft viewing point for Melbourne Airport located on Operations Road. Just continue from #5 until you see a parking lot to your left. This spot is great to chill back in the car and watch the planes takeoff and land on the main runway at Melbourne. The green box have been topped off with a triangular shape tip, meaning that you couldn’t stand on it anymore. Either you shoot through the fence or you bring a ladder higher than 1.5m or you stand on the wooden poles at the carpark (which is risky in windy conditions) to clear the fence.

WHAT	All Runway 16 and 34 action.

TIME	From afternoon till sunset.

MISC	Closest facilities nearby are at the terminals. Ladder recommend for ground photos.

FOCAL LENGTH	150 mm for A320

	Spot #7 – Gellibrand Hill Summit
WHERE	From the airport get on highway 39 and drive northwards, turn left at corner Swain St. Park the car at beginning of the Woodland Historic Park (sign)/Swain St, away from no standing bays and walk up Swain Street. Then take the first left onto Fire Track Acc. Walk through the gate and up the path to the top of the hill past the satellite tower.

WHAT	It is the best spot for Runway 27 arrivals. RWY 16/34 can be seen in the far distance, but not good for photography.

TIME	Due to the distance heat pop up quick. Best is to go out in the winter, when the sun is behind you all day long.

MISC.	It is publicly accessible, however especially in the morning, it can be filled with kangaroos who can be very territorial. They won’t do anything unless you try and go close to them so its best to just not pay attention to them and walk up the path quickly and quietly. It is also a very grassy area at times so best to go in colder months as in the summer months there’s a good chance there will be some snakes around on the path up). Great view of the airport and filled with plenty of people cycling up to the top to enjoy the view.

FOCAL LENGTH	Around 250-300mm for a heavy.

	Spot #8 – Old Bulla Rd
WHERE	From the terminals drive northwards on Sunbury road, pass the official viewing area spot #9 and then take the next left into the Old Bulla Rd. The last part of the road is closed with an iron chain, so check out your favourite position, where you can shoot between the trees (example Qatar 380, Ethiad 787, Sichuan 350).

WHAT	RWY 16 arrivals only. Better angle for afternoon arrivals compared to spot 9.

TIME	From afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Don’t pass the iron chain, as the residents of the nearby house don’t like spotters there.

FOCAL LENGTH	250 mm for A320

	Spot #9 – Airport Viewing Area
WHERE	There is an official viewing area north of the terminals directly under the approach of runway 16 located at the roundabout Sunbary Rd / Oaklands Rd. Park directly at the park. The park itself is not the best place for photography as you are directly under the aircraft but its a nice place to have a break and relax. But from there you can walk on the grass a bit to the east along Sunbury Rd. and west till the Bulla Uniting Church (you can park there too) to gather a perfect angle.

WHAT	All Runway 16 Arrivals and 34 heavy takeoffs.

TIME	Usually the whole day except midday.

MISC.	The park has some benches to sit down and sometimes a food truck appears.

FOCAL LENGTH	738/A320=200mm;

From the viewing area:

East side (morning):

West side (afternoon):

	Spot #10 – Sunbury Rd.
WHERE	From the terminals just continue northwards for two kilometer on Sunbury Rd. This spot is located on the side of the road with a small gravel surface for cars, where the railing is ended. Its also within the walking distance from the official viewing area.

WHAT	RWY34 heavy departures.

TIME	For RWY34 from sunrise till (late) midday.

MISC.	All you need within the terminals which are very close.

FOCAL LENGTH	300-400mm for RWY34

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Hayden

4 months ago

Can the carpark behind the park royal be used?

Hugh Langdon

11 months ago

Is a 250mm lens suitable for the Terminal 4 car park spot? Wishing to photograph everything from Saabs to A380s.

Danny Liu

Reply to Hugh Langdon

1 month ago

Definitely not anything smaller than a 788 on the runway, Saabs are not possible since they are parked quite near the taxiway.

Nathaniel Rusdianto

4 years ago

Hi, I have an update for YMML.

I visited the airport today (oct 2) and it appears that a contractor is installing double (second) fence along Operations Rd, currently progressing aroung the round corner road of runway 34. This may affect all spotting locations along Operations Rd that require spotters to shoot through fence if they dont have ladder.

When deciding to spot from along the road including the Aircraft Viewing Area, be aware of trucks passing to/from construction zone to the north, when they pass they carry a lot of dust and may ruin your shot so plan ahead when taking shots.

If you’re a spotter with no private transportation and you’d like to use public transports, keep in mind that walking from the nearest bus station in T4 Carpark isn’t very advisable. Bus to Link Rd (closest bus stop to Ops Rd) from T4 operates around 8x a day only. It may take 75 minutes just to walk to the start of Operations Rd (the best location for spotting). Pedestrian walk is limited. Calling online taxi might be a good idea to get you there and back but make sure you start at a permitted location and check the fare.

Also just look out for (and if they meet you, follow all instructions from) the patrolling aviation security or police to keep clear of 3 metres from the original fence.

DK Tran

4 years ago

Hi! I have a little bit of update! At spot 5, 6 the green box have been topped off with a triangular shape tip, meaning that you couldn’t stand on it anymore. Either you shoot through the fence or you bring a ladder higher than 1.5m or you stand on the wooden poles at the carpark (which is risky in windy conditions)

Spot 7 have now been closed to public due to construction

At spot 2 please be aware with the security. You either meet a guy with good common sense or a guy on a power trip and will be likely to move you on. The airport had openly says that it is fine for photographers to take some snaps from the carpark but the security company might not getting the information. I’m still seeking confirmation

Please update the info! Thank you in advance!

Julian

Admin

Reply to DK Tran

4 years ago

Hi, thanks for the news from MEL. I have updated the guide. If anything has changed, please let us know.
-Julian

Dan

Reply to DK Tran

4 years ago

This is not quite true, if you drive there and pay for a ticket you will not have any trouble but if you are walking there you may or may not be questioned by security.

Philippe

4 years ago

I just went there yesterday and spend quite sometimes in Terminal 4 between Virgin and Jetstar terminal. Very good position in the morning, when the aircraft Take Off on RWY 34.