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April 21, 2014Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on September 12, 2024
Sydney Kingsford-Smith is the busiest airport in Australia (handling 44 million passengers in 2018) 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, Martin Rogosz and Maximilian Kramer. Last change: July 2024 (Spot 11 removed)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 07/25 | 2.530 m (8.301 ft) |
| 16L/34R | 2.438 m (7.999 ft) |
| 16R/34L | 3.962 m (12.999 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1/International | All International carriers |
| Terminal 2 | Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Regional Express, Qantaslink and other small regional carriers |
| Terminal 3 | Qantas and Qantaslink |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not applicable |
| Car/Public Transport | A car is recommended but there is also a public transport service to almost every spotting location especially 8,9 and 13,14 are within a 15-20 minutes walk from a train station. |
| 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. |
| Hotels | There are several hotels spread around the field in all price categories. The most famous one for planespotting is the Rydges Hotel (spot 1). |
| 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 777 size. Most traffic from and to New Zealand and Oceania plus some traffic from and to Japan or China can be seen here. 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 wide body traffic as well as a wide range of smaller aircraft. |
Rydges Hotel Conference room - 16R/34L movements (location open for special events only)
| WHERE | This spot is located at the top level (Dreamliner Conference room) of the Rydges Hotel Sydney Airport. You have to registered at the hotel reception. Show your passeport and pay the entrance which will coast you 10AUD and includes a free drink.
+++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. |
Gate 33 Intl. Terminal - 16R/34L and taxiway
| 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 |
Ross Smith Ave - 25 Arrivals and Line up
| 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 picture 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.
SEP 2019: A new fence makes it very hard now to make apron and line-up shots, arrivals are still easily possible now. Huge ladder needed or you may use the nearby concrete blocks along the barrier to shoot a bit over the fence. |
| 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 |
The Sheps/Tower Mound - 16R/34L, taxiway
| 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 sunrise till 12 a.m. |
| MISC. | You find a fuell station and a Mc Donalds like shown on the map. Several light poles are obstructing your views. Especially larger aircraft do not fit between the poles. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-400mm |
Overlook - 16L/34R morning
| 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 shadow at all! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150 mm for A320 |
The Beach - 16R/34L
| 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. |
Stone wall - 16R/34L
| 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 |
Dog Park - 34L Banking shots
| 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 |
Swamp Road - 16R arrivals afthernoon
| 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 |
Domestic Carpark 3 - 34L dep and 25arr/dep
| 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 |
No longer available
| WHERE | |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
Blue Emu Carpark - Ramp, Taxiway, 34L departures
| WHERE | April 2024: due to the expansion of the taxiway this location is not available for the moment. Future is unknown. |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
Nigel Love Bridge/Airport Drive - 16L/R arrivals
| WHERE | From Domestic Terminal drive on O’Riordan Street, after 300 meters turn left into Bourke Street and after another 200 meters turn left into Coward Street. Go straight ahead until Coward Street makes a left turn. Here you can park your car at the curbside. Between the Toll Building and Gate Gourmet walk a footpath along the Alexandra Canal for about 10 minutes. Here you can stay on the new footbridge or on the sidewalk at Nigel Love Bridge, depending on the angle you prefer. Latter is a closer. By public it can be accessed via the Mascot train station, and is about a 20 minute walk.UPDATE APRIL 2024: there are constructions going on in this area. A new footbridge over the Alexandra Canal has been installed. You can stay there and spot from (google maps not up to date). |
| WHAT | Landing traffic on 16R. Scenery allows for beautiful urban backgrounds as well as reflections of the canal underneath. 16L can also be easily photographed from this site. |
| TIME | The sunlight favors 16R traffic until about noon, and then it favors 16L. |
| MISC. | There is nothing around, so bring food and water. At least you can stay in the shadow. When spotting, keep an eye out for joggers and cyclists along the nearby foot path. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 140mm for A320 |
View from the Bridge:
IKEA - 16R arrivals
| WHERE | Not far from spot 9 you will find an IKEA store. On back side of the store the parking lots are not used very frequently, so you can check out your favorite position. You have a better angle here compared to spot 9. |
| WHAT | Landing traffic on 16R |
| TIME | From 3 pm until sunset |
| MISC. | As you can stay in your car and also some trees are around, shadow is available. In case you get hungry try the delicious Köttbullar (meat balls) from the IKEA restaurant. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 140 mm for A320 |
Keith Smith Avenue - 16R Arrivals + taxiway/apron parts
| WHERE | This spot can be found next to the terminal driveway “Keith Smith Avenue”, which runs between the domestic terminal parts. Where the driveway makes a 90-degree-turn (from western to eastern heading), you can take nice pictures from the curve shown on the overview below. You can either stand by the roadside here or on the staircase just next to the big streetsign. Position is best to reach by foot from the domestic terminals as you can not park directly there. |
| WHAT | 16R Arrivals (which look like THIS ), taxi nearby taxiways and apron parts. |
| TIME | Sunrise till noon – also depending on the aircraft’s angle and exact position. |
| MISC. | Heat haze can be a problem on hot days. The surrounding light poles and foreground clutter may disturb your view depending on your exact position. Everything you need is inside the nearby terminal. It is possible that security/police will pass by and ask you to leave as you may distract drivers. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm A330 taxiway = 180mm |
Heli spotting
| WHERE | Heli spotting is a great possibility at Sydney as you can fly very low here and this offers unique shots. There are two major companies (Sydney Helitours and BlueSky Helicopters) directly at the airfield offering planespotting flights. However, Sydney Helitours is very friendly and tries very hard to realize your wishes… Best is to check with the company a one-two days before you wanna fly in their hangar here (-33.940770, 151.191524) and plan the flight. More information can be found on their website here. Price is once 80 AUS Dollar landing fee plus 1100 AUS Dollar an hour (you have to fly at least one hour) and after the first 60 minutes they will charge by minutes and not hours – all prices as of September 2019. |
| WHAT | Depending on your exact position, but actually you can spot everything around the airport. |
| TIME | Depending on your exact position, but actually you could do it all day from sunrise to sunset. However, in the morning it may be hard to get access to the right position, thereby the afternoon is definitely better as it is a safer option. |
| MISC. | Heat haze can be a problem on hot days. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm depending on your exact position Overviews obviously need wide angle lenses |
Question with reference to spot 6 and 7: Can I reach it with public transport?
Bus Run 303 from Prince of Wales Hospital to San Souci/San Souci to Prince of Wales Hospital, has stops at both locations.
Thank you very much for your advises. Very conveniant as my hotel is located in Mascot
Spot 10 is closed now
P6 Carpark Spot 11 yes, but as far as im concerned Spot 10 P3 Carpark is still open, if you’re talking about the demolished one that isn’t spot 10.
St Peters Interchange Mound could be a possible spotting location, Morning Side only though.
Hi,
I wonder if someone has an advice what time of year would be best to visit for spotting? I’d imagine summer would be a bit hot? Would spring/fall be better? Or even winter?
Thank you!
I’d recommend March/April or August-November, more light, less haze.
Hi all. Is it possible to walk from Domestic Terminal to Shep’s Mound or International car park?
I would recommend the Free Blu Emu shuttle from Terminal 2 or 3 on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level. Then walk from the Blu Emu Carpark.
Spot 11 is now off limits due to some spotters being a nuisance and ruined it for everyone. Sydney Airport has now released a statement on instgram confirming that the spot is no longer allowed for photography.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-J41LfSuFO/?igsh=MTE0azNobmp2MTlsMg==
P6 Carpark is Not Allowed for the time being, someone reported other spotters for a “muck” with response from YSSY Airport, they put a sign on lvl 12 saying “No Photography, Trespassing etc.” A few are trying to change it back to the way it was, but no hope.
Hi, where exactly is the P6 carpark. Which spot is it? Can`t find it on the parking map https://prebook.sydneyairport.com.au/en/parkingmap/
-Julian
Spot 11.
With Spot 13, today I was warned to move by a Constuction person, because I was in the bike lane, I told him my reasoning of being in the bike lane, because the fences elsewhere at the spot were blocking views, then he threatened with AFP, and that they’ll confiscate my camera. (Spot 13 is not officially open, even though Sydney airport says its open)
Just wondering but staying on the lawn next to the bike lane is not an option?
-Julian
No, that’s all closed up its mostly fenced off, if you download google earth pro you can see the most recent satellite images it’s all Construction now.
Got it, I found it on google street view. Thanks for the hint!
-Julian
You are officially now allowed at spot 13 on the new footbridge.
With Spot 11 at the P6 carpark, security is actually really chill and lets you enjoy it im there pretty much every day from 6am (sometimes) or 12pm till around 6-8pm
Is spot 12 still accessible? Im planning to go to Sydney next year June.
Kind regards
Timen
It’s not open, it’s been removed to extend taxiway Juliet to Runway 25.
Thanks for clarifying the situation at this location.
-Julian