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April 21, 2014Sydney Kingsford Smith – Spotting Guide
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- last modified on November 09, 2018
Sydney Kingsford-Smith is the busiest airport in Australia (handling 42 million passengers in 2016) and the primary hub of Qantas. Located next to Botany Bay it has three runways colloquially known as “east-west”, “north-south” and “third”, though with the addition of the “third” runway the “east-west” runway which crosses the “north-south” is rarely used. The airport is also an important hub for Virgin Australia and Jetstar which both operate out of one of the two domestic terminals (the other is used exclusively by Qantas and its link operations). Across the “north-south” runway lies the International terminal and the cargo apron. The “third runway” lies some distance away from the rest of the facilities being built on reclaimed land from the harbour.
Traffic is largely made up of Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia with the usual mix of major Far Eastern and North American airlines visiting also. In addition executive jets are common and the airline sees several operators of the A380 including Qantas, Emirates and Singapore Airlines. The airport is one of only a few major ports which has a curfew in operation between 11pm and 6am whilst movements are also limited to 80 aircraft an hour.
Written and updated by Bernard Proctor, Noah Mauger, Jeremy Denton, Patrick Weis & Richard Stretton (last update September 2017)
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| Airport Informations | Runways | 07/25 | 16L/34R | 16R/34L |
| 2.530 m (8.301 ft) | 2.438 m (7.999 ft) | 3.962 m (12.999 ft) | ||
| Terminals | Terminal 1/International | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | |
| All International carriers | Virgin Australia, Tiger Airways, Jetstar, Regional Express, Qantaslink and other small regional carriers | Qantas and Qantaslink | ||
| Spotting Informations | Ladder | Not applicable | ||
| Car | Recommended but there is also a public transport service to almost every spotting location. | |||
| Restrooms | Within the terminals or the restaurants/fast food and hotels next to the locations. | |||
| Drinks/Food | Plenty of Fast Food chains around the airport. Check the map for it. | |||
| Season | There is no special season but its very hot in the summer and heat haze can be a problem at some positions | |||
| Runway Usage | 07/25 | Almost never used except for some light traffic and when a south-westerly wind is blowing | ||
| 16L/34R | Always in use for aircraft up to 767 size. Aircraft taking off to the north often undertake a dramatic easterly turn away from the airport soon after take-off. | |||
| 16R/34L | Always in use and sees all large widebody traffic as well as a wide range of smaller aircraft | |||
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Spot #1 – Rydges Hotel Conference room |
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| WHERE | +++We were told that the platform was closed. They open it from time to time for special spotter events but behind glass. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events. Check Spot #11 as it is a good alternative!+++ |
| WHAT | Good for landing, take-off and taxi-way shots of aircraft on runway 16R/34L. Most cargo uses this runway as it parks at adjacent cargo ramp. Long lens shots of portions of the Qantas domestic terminal and the Jetstar pier of T2. Portions of the deck have perspex glass across them making photography annoying as you have to use the few pre-cut holes in the perspex. Alternatively you can position yourself on the stairs to avoid some of the perspex. The view across the rest of the international terminal, which used to be ok, has been severely restricted by new construction rendering the deck a frustrating place from which to view traffic for long periods. |
| TIME | Afternoon shots, from around 1300. |
| MISC. | There are rubbish bins and toilets at this spots. There is also a restaurants and a bar inside, but they’re not cheap. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | From 100mm up to 400mm. |
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Spot #2 – Gate 33 International Terminal |
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| WHERE | Between gates 31 and 35 on the left side of the left hand pier of the international terminal through security. |
| WHAT | Great views (albeit through often smeary glass) of the traffic on 16R/34L and the taxiways leading to 16L/34R. Photography without obstructions can be taken with care and assuming that gate 33 is unoccupied. Gate 35 is usually used by Qantas/Jetconnect 737-800s which are small enough not to pose much of a problem. |
| TIME | In the afternoons when the sun is not direct and when gate 33 is not in use. Other gates also provide ok views as individual gates do not have their own lounges at the airport. |
| MISC. | Plenty of shops and restaurants in the terminal. This spot is obviously through security. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300 mm |
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Spot #3 – 25 Arrivals and Line up |
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| WHERE | The spot is at the Ross Smith Ave, next to the Domestic Terminals. You can park your car here without problems. It is also within walking distance from the terminal. |
| WHAT | This spot gives you the chance to take picutre the most of the time of the day onto the lineup and arrivals depens where you stand at this spot. It’s also possible to take pictures of the planes parked at the General aviation. There are a few spots at the fence to take pictures through. It’s also possible to take some limited nightshots here. |
| TIME | You can use this spot if 25 is in use the whole day. |
| MISC. | A KFC a bit further down the steet or a longer walk to the domestic terminal. A bit shade at some times of the day |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300 mm |
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Spot #4 – The Sheps/Tower Mound |
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| WHERE | There is a newly constructed offical viewing platform. It is located just next to the airport tower. You can reach this spot if you follow the Ross Smith Ave from spot 1. Park your car directly at the mound. You are on an elevated platform so no ladder is needed. |
| WHAT | This spot is good for all activities on 34L/16R and the taxiing planes from and to 34R/16L. This spot is the best to get nearly all plane activies if the parallel runways are in use. |
| TIME | This spot is good from sunris till 12 a.m. |
| MISC. | You find a fuell station and a Mc Donalds like shown on the map. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-400mm |
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Spot #5 – 16L/34R morning |
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| WHERE | This spot is accesable when you follow the Foreshore Rd and make a u-turn at the traffic lights at the boat ramp. Follow the road a bit and turn left the fist possible left turn. Park on the lot and walk a few meters to the overlook. |
| WHAT | This spot is good for alle 16L/34R movements in the morning hours |
| TIME | This spot has a good light from sunrise till 12:00 a.m. |
| MISC. | Just some rubbish bins there. No shaddow! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 |
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Spot #6 – The Beach – 16R/34L |
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| WHERE | This spot is a bit tricky as the exit for this spot is on the split up of the M5 into M5 and General Holmes Drive. You have to drive onto the General Holmes Drive and leafe the road on the direktly next exit afther the split up. Drive to the old tower building and run into the street there and you wil be at the popular The Beach position. |
| WHAT | This spot is good for all activities that happen on the 16R/34L. Just the 16R depatures are a bit tricky as there are some trees blocking the view from the arriving or departing planes and you have to react a bit faster. Be carefull with taking a bath here as there are also shark movements in the water. There is a cage for swimming at spot 7 |
| TIME | This spot is good from 1:00 p.m. – sunset |
| MISC. | Only some rubbish bins are located here. Depends where you stay you can have some shaddow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 mm from the carpark/ a wide agle at the fence. |
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Spot #7 – Stone wall – 16R/34L |
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| WHERE | This spot is located if you follow the General Homes Drive from spot 6 a bit more. Turn the first left afther the bridge and you will see the spot. Park your car just on the site before the traffic barrier. |
| WHAT | This spot is an alternate Spot 6 especially for 16R as you can react a bit earlier, but also for 34L as you are closer to the touchdown point from this spot. |
| TIME | This spot is good from 1:00 p.m. – sunset |
| MISC. | There is a seafood restaurant as shown on the map a couple of minutes away also with some public toilets. No shaddow at the spot! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-500mm |
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Spot #8 – Dog Park – 34L Banking shots |
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| WHERE | This spot is located on the parking space of the Tempe Golf Driving Range and the Dog Park here. |
| WHAT | This spot is good for Heavy planes taking off 34L if they are banking already |
| TIME | This spot is good from 1:00 p.m. – sunset |
| MISC. | There are some rubbish bins and some shaddow |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400 mm |
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Spot #9 – Swamp Road – 16R arrivals afthernoon |
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| WHERE | This spot is located next to the Swamp Road behind the IKEA store. You can park your car next to the street and choose the spot you like by walking along the road. |
| WHAT | This spot is good for afthernoon Arrivals for Runway 16R |
| TIME | This spot is good from 1:00 p.m. – sunset |
| MISC. | There are no facilitys. Next restrooms in the IKEA. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-200 mm |
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Spot #10 – Domestic Carpark 3 – 34L dep and 25arr/dep |
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| WHERE | There is a 10 story carpark on the eastern end of the domestic terminal. Parking is expensive so you can use the public transport on the Mascot Train or Bus 400 to the Terminal and then walk past the Express pick-up area to the carpark. |
| WHAT | Great location especially for heavy departures on runway 34L and 25 arrivals and departures (mainly taxiing shots but you can get the roll as well). This location isn’t suitible for 16R Departures or arrivals. |
| TIME | It’s a great location between 0600 and 1130 for 34L Departures and basically all day for runway 25 arrivals and departures |
| MISC. | There is no facilities at the location itself but there’s a McDonald’s, KFC & Krispy on Ross Smith Avenue, roughly a 500-600 metre walk and will take 10 or so minutes. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200mm-300mm for 34L departures 100mm-400mm for 25 Arrivals and Departures |
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Spot #11 – International Terminal Staff-Carpark – 34L dep and 25arr/dep |
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| WHERE | This location is a replacement of the old Rydges Observation deck which is now rarely open and surrounded by glass. It is just accross from the international terminal and next to the hotel. You can access this staff carpark via public transport or by car parking at the official parking garage but expect some walking as well. You can park your car at/around the Tempe Recreational Reserve for free unless you want to pay for expensive airport parking in the actual carpark. Via public transport you can get off at the privately owned International Airport station which costs between $15-$30AUD to get off at or walk about 1.5-2km from Wolli Creek station and pay a regular fare. Just follow the T1 International signs and look for the big carpark. |
| WHAT | A 12 Story carpark with an overview of the entire airfield. The only useable shots you can get though are 16R Arrivals/Departures/Taxiing, 34L Departures. 25 Departures and 07 Arrivals are possible too but pretty far and not often in use. This location is one of the best for elevated photographs in Sydney. |
| TIME | The level 12 carpark is only suitable from 1300 to 2300 for 16R/34L. 07/25 all day. |
| MISC. | There are no facilites at the carpark itself but if you head to the international terminal which is just across you’ll find almost everything and anything you could possibly need whilst shooting aircaft. Food Court, Bathrooms, Power Outlets, Free WiFi, Newsagents etc. It is a staff carpark so if someone approachs you and seems angry or upset just let them know what youre doing and they wont bother you. DO NOT LITTER! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | This location requires quite long focal lengths. 100mm-600mm would be ideal for shooting A380’s to 737’s, anything smaller then an A320/737 and the chances of a useable shot degrade quite rapidly. |
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Spot #12 -Blue Emu Carpark |
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| WHERE | Follow the signs to Blue Emu Long Term carpark near Sheps Mound. You can park there free for an hour then exit and re-enter and it’s free. On Public Transport you can catch the Blue Emu Shuttle Bus from Domestic Terminals 2 and 3. |
| WHAT | This location is a great spot for almost every movement at Sydney Airport. Static shots on Kilo, Taxiing shots, Arrivals etc. Unlike Spot #4 this location is closer to Charlie, has a better perspective of 34L departure and the spot has far less clutter. |
| TIME | 0600-1200 For well lit shots, in summer after 9am heat haze will become a real issu. After sunset you can get nice creative shots with the sunset colours in the background |
| MISC. | You’re shooting through a rusty fence so make sure your lens is betwen the holes in the fence. For Kilo ramp shots (Like A310 shot) you are shooting through the new black barred security fence, I recommend longer focal lengths when shooting throgh them and compensate with a low aperature. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-250mm |
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Spot #13 -Nigel Love Bridge |
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| WHERE | From Terminal 1, exit onto “Departure Plaza” then “Cooks River Av.” then follow “City and Domestic Terminals” you will then by on the “Airport Dr.”. Follow this road for a few miles until you reached the bridge on your left side named “Nigel Love Bridge”. |
| WHAT | Large concrete bridge leading off Airport/Qantas Drive, over the Alexandra Canal and into Nothern Lands Car Park (Staff only). |
| TIME | On the bridge: from sunrise to about 12pm. Western side of bridge from 12pm on wards. |
| MISC. | Is just tall enough to allow for a view over the airport fence and onto runway 16R/34L. is almost directly under the departure and arrival flight path for runways 16R/34L. scenery allows for beautiful urban backgrounds as well as reflections of the canal underneath. no facilities nearby, so bring plenty of water and food if your planning on staying a while. unfortunately, there is no shade so protect yourself from the sun and bring water. Garbage bins are a small walk away. when spotting, keep an eye out for joggers and cyclists along the nearby foot path. to get there, simply park your car at the Tempe Recreation Reserve. from there you can follow the path leading towards the airport and cross a foot bridge to get onto the path parallel to Airport/Qantas Drive. now its just a short walk (10 mins) to the bridge and runway lights. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 14mm – 80mm (for landings and heavy aircraft take offs), 80mm+ for approaching aircraft and smaller aircraft take offs. |
19 Comments
I went to Sydney the other day and the international car park was brilliant. thanks guys
Hi,
The photo in the Sydney Rydges Hotel Balcony spotting aircraft is me wearing cap, shirt and shorts is me! Haha! So someone standing behind took the photo few years ago.
Hi Kevin!
We hope it’s okay for you to be ‘famous’ now 😉
Such a little world… 😉
Regards, Severin
I will be in Sydney from the 10.09 and somebody can tell me how can find the new Viewing Area.
Thanks for any infos.
Hi, it is spot #4 in the guide.
-Julian
I went today to the Rydges and they told me the spotting area is permanently closed. That from time to time they do an open day which will be advertised on their facebook page.
Pretty sad to hear that. Thanks for the info anyway.
-Julian
I think that the rydges may be up, I have not been but the Facebook site has a couple of photos the most recent being July so maybe it is open again? or maybe they had a succession of photo weekends or something?
I highly recommend Swamp Rd (no. 9 on the map above) near 16R.
Here’s my video taken yesterday from
https://www.facebook.com/nvs887/videos/10212642980173324/?l=2818527421354405172
We were primarily tracking the A380s using the Flight Radar 24 App, and also monitoring the Arrivals information at the International Airport.
Thank you for such an informative post! I too am new to the scene thanks to my 3yo sons’ passion for planes. I got the ‘plane spotters’ package at Rydges last weekend for a treat and took my Dad along. It was fantastic – I am not sure who enjoyed it the most! The problem is, now I am not sure how to top it! Can you recommend somewhere relatively safe to take a 3yo where he too will have a good view?
Thanks very much.
Jude
Hi Mark,
Brilliant guide, thank you. Im new to spotting and love watching from Swamp Rd. I had a newbie question, how can you tell which way the planes will be taking off/landing on any given day? I know this is likely dependent on wind but would like to know if there is a way to check before I leave home so I can alternate days at Swamp Rd when they are landing from the west as opposed to the east as the last few times I’ve been it’s always been landing from the east.
Thanks
DJ
Hi DJ,
if you wanna know the wind direction forecast, this is the website that can help you out:
https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/botany_bay_sydney
-Julian
Some changes at SYD with Runway usage:
16L/34R are now used up to B777 . Also New Zealand, United, Vietnam, Xiamen, CEBU and all Pacific Island Traffic are often on this runway.
07/25 is often in use when wind from East or West and traffic is low for Landing up to B747 also the Freighter. On Weekends with low traffic saw all Day arrivals RWY 07 with SE winds.
Thanks for great information. Please note that Location # 1 is now closed. Excellent new location opened on top floor of new Rydges Hotel (cost is $10, which includes a drink voucher). Please let me know if you need more information.
Cheers
Mark
Mark
I will be visiting Australia in March of this year. I thought I might visit Sydney for a couple of days. How good is the Rydges hotel? Do you know if residents have access all the time for10 dollars. Is the sun behind you all day or just part of the day?
Cheers
John johnston
Hi John
Apologies I missed your post, but for others who are interested, Rydges is good from midday until sunset with views over main runway 16R/34L. You could also get departure shots if using runway 07. I think that those staying at the hotel could access the viewing balcony for nothing. Access availability is usually posted on the hotel’s FB page and is subject to conferences and others using this part of the hotel
Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
i am plan to visit Australia and i look as much for information to Spot in Australia.
I want to visit Perth, Cairns and i am looking another Airport which is good Austrailan traffic but nobody go to this airports.
Kind regards
Benrhard
Hi Bernhard
Perth now has an observation deck available for spotting/photography. Cairns has some good locations but you would need a car/taxi to access. Have a look here:
https://sirsteveincairns.smugmug.com/Airplanes/CAIRNS-SPOTTING-SITES/
I suggest #5 for the afternoon as it gives good shots from above the airport with the ocean behind the aircraft.
For another airport I would suggest Melbourne or Brisbane as both have photo sites on the perimiter
Let me know if you need more info.
Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
I arrived now in SYD and i will Start to take piktures on the. 30.8 .
I try to find some of the Foto positon.
Brgds
Bernhard