Moorabbin Airport - Spotting Guide

Moorabbin Airport – Spotting Guide

August 30, 2025 - last modified on August 22, 2025

Moorabbin airport is the general aviation hub of Melbourne. The airport consists of 5 runways and a large ramp area. It is the home to over 10 flight academies so most traffic here are single engine or multi-engine training aircraft. Other general aviation operators such as Skydive Australia, Adventure Flight Co. (Warbird adventure flights) and Southern Airlines (Charter/cargo operator) are present in the airport. Two of Melbourne’s largest helicopter operators – Microflite and Professional Helicopter Services also operate out of the airport. During the summer months (December to March), Erickson Air Crane’s Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane fire fighting helicopter is stationed here. The largest traffic the airport can handle are business jets. Moorabbin Air Museum is also located within the airport precinct. They boast a large collection of historical aircraft.

Written by Aideen Khan. Last Update: July 2025

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04/22	571m/1873ft Asphalt
13R/31L	1.060m/3.478ft Asphalt
13L/31R	1.149m/3.770ft Asphalt
17R/35L	1.240m/4.068ft Asphalt
17L/35R	1.335m/4.380ft Asphalt
Terminals	One small passenger terminal located beside the tower.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required, fence is very low.
Car/Public Transport	All spots are accessible by foot from either bus stops but DFO Mall stop is closer to most spots.
Drinks/Food	Available at DFO Mall and Royal Victorian Aeroclob runs a restaurant
Hotels	Nothing overlooking the airport. You will have to drive 10 to 15 minutes to find one.
Season	Year long spotting possible if weather is good
Security	No problem with security. If you are shooting very close to the fence, do not stay there for a long time as it may raise suspicion.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 17R/35L, 17L/35R are used most of the time. 13R/31L, 13L/31R are used approximately 30 days in a year when the winds are more favourable for those runways. They replace the 17/35 runways when in use. So, at any given time only the two parallel runways are operational.
04/22	Never used unless there is an emergency.
13R/31L	Departures/Arrivals to/from the West.
13L/31R	Departures/Arrivals to/from the East and circuit training.
17R/35L	Departures/Arrivals to/from the West.
17L/35R	Departures/Arrivals to/from the East and circuit training.

	Spot #1 – Centre Dandenong Rd – 13L/R and 17L/R arrivals, 13L/17L lineup
WHERE	The location is right after DFO Moorabbin Outlet Mall. Get rid of the car at the free parking lot of the mall and keep walking straight until you cross the large Moorabbin Airport sign. Find the preferred position on the sidewalk which runs parallel to the Dandenong Rd. If Runway 13R/L are in use you have to stand right in front of DFO Mall. This spot is accessible by bus #828.

WHAT	Landing shots for 13R/13L & 17R/17L, Lineup shots for 13L, 17L

TIME	This spot can be used all day, During the morning, walk down the road to ensure that you are left of the aircraft. In the afternoon, ensure that you are right of the aircraft. Line-ups are fine for almost the whole day.

MISC.	Plenty food and restroom facilities available at DFO Outlet Mall. No ladder needed as the fence is low and the gaps are very wide.

FOCAL LENGTH	100mm+ for landing shots, 150mm for Lineup shots

	Spot #2 – Ramps
WHERE	The three most popular ramp areas in the airport are along Hangar Ln, Kingston Central Boulevard and First street, behind the DFO mall. Parking is possible by the roadside. Accessible by bus #828.

WHAT	Aircraft taxiing and parked in the ramp area. Hangar lane is popular for Microflite helicopter traffic, parked aircraft for maintenance and the firefighting Sikorsky helicopter. Kingston Central Blvd’s spot provides a nice vantage point for capturing traffic in the main apron. Skydive Australia’s Cessna Caravan is parked at First Street.

TIME	Best in the afternoon. Depends on where the aircraft is parked.

MISC.	Food and restroom facilities are available at DFO outlet Mall or at flight academies based there. As Moorabbin Airport fences are short, it is possible to photograph over the fence. Move along after taking your pictures, as dwelling around the fence for too long may raise suspicion.

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm-300mm

	Spot #3 – Control Tower – Ramps, taxiway and take off 17/35
WHERE	This spot is located right underneath the control tower at Bundora Parade. There is a parking lot on the opposite side which is free of charge. By foot it is 15 minutes walk away from the nearest bus stop at DFO.

WHAT	Taxiing shots, Takeoff shots when using rwy 17/35, aircraft parked in the visitor apron (right in front of control tower)

TIME	From afternoon until sunset. Heat haze can be a problem in this spot for taxiing aircraft or aircraft taking off on runway 17/35

MISC.	Food and restroom facilities are available at DFO Moorabbin.

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm-300mm

	Spot #4 – CAE lawn – Aprons
WHERE	The location is a bit south of the previous spot, right beside CAE’s building. It is a grassy area with table and benches to relax. Use the same lot as for spot 3 and walk for 1-2 minutes to this poinit. It is 17 minutes walk away from the nearest bus stop at DFO.

WHAT	Ramp shots of CAE aircraft, Helicopters landing at Professional Helicopter Services facility south of the airport.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset. Heat haze can be a problem for taxiing shots.

MISC.	Food and restroom facilities available at flight academies or flight deck grill near Royal Victorian Aeroclub

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm-300mm

	Spot #5 – Lower Dandenong Rd – 35L/R arrivals
WHERE	This spot is on the sidewalk which runs along Lower Dandenong Road, south of the airport. Find your preferred position. Parking is available in one of the side roads. The location is connected by bus # 811 and 812.

WHAT	Landing shots of 35R and 35L

TIME	All day long except noon when the sun is over the runway axis. You can position yourself easily on each side of the runway axis.

MISC.	No nearby food and restroom available.

FOCAL LENGTH	100mm+