con-pilot offers the perfect solution. Warmth, something to drink and action all afternoon long.
On the south side at Malta, there is a viewing area that is raised above the security fence level for photographers.
A public beach runs almost the entire length around one side of Lanzarote's runway and approach.
There's a hotel that overlooks one end of Corfu's runway and they used to offer 'breaks' for spotter's / photographers - never been though.
There's an area on one end at Brisbane where you can - maybe past tense - view and take photographs. Melbourne's good too - but no drinks and no shade!