Perth Airport spotting areas

[brown_hornet]

G'day,
I have a friend visiting from overseas shortly and he is mad keen on aviation photography / plane spotting and am wondering if anyone knows any good spots to take some shots around Perth airport. He is particularly interested in the International side of things but i couldn't even tell him whether there is a viewing bay or deck at the terminal or not:confused: I've tried an internet search but found no real info, anyone in the know who cares to share would be great.
Ta:8

[Wanderin_dave]

I was there a couple of years ago and there was an excellent viewing deck in the Intl Terminal.
Try the forums on www.jetspotter.com (http://www.jetspotter.com) there'll be more than enough info there.

[brown_hornet]

Thanks very much, that's just the info i was after. Didn't even know that site existed either so cheers!
:ok:

[greybeard]

The corner of Kalamunda road and Gt Eastern Hwy by-pass is on short final to 21. Carefull where you park (on the by-pass is a no-no) and you can get some fine shots.
Kewdale area for 03, again not on Hwy, depends on what you want

:ok:

[Skystar320]

Got some pics of the spotting 'mound'

[Led Zep]

Behind Network, ay Skystar?

[Skystar320]

FORGOT TO POST THESE BLOODY PICS :} :} :}


http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/7/2/19/t_DSCF1522m_5dfd806.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?srv=img02&img=/7/2/19/f_DSCF1522m_5dfd806.jpg)

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/7/2/19/t_DSCF1363m_dc14e45.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?srv=img02&img=/7/2/19/f_DSCF1363m_dc14e45.jpg)

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/7/2/19/t_DSCF1376m_15d50b2.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?srv=img02&img=/7/2/19/f_DSCF1376m_15d50b2.jpg)

and we all know who this is :eek: :eek:

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/7/2/19/t_DSCF0407m_2e539a8.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?srv=img02&img=/7/2/19/f_DSCF0407m_2e539a8.jpg)

[Ultergra]

Park your car near the Network carpark, and then walk the fence line (initially northwards, then turns east) walk all the way to the end, pull up a rug, scanner, coffee and enjoy :)

[BlueSky1]

Hell yeah! I have been to this spot on more than a few occasions for plane spotting and I could spend the whole day there. You get great views of both the domestic and international terminal, and the runway 21 approach. Make sure you take a chair/small ladder to stand on so the fence line doesn’t get in your way when taking photos. Even the Westralia Airport ground crew who pass by on the other side of the fence stop for a chat every now and then.

[Monopole]

Park your car near the Network carpark
Even the Westralia Airport ground crew who pass by on the other side of the fence stop for a chat every now and then
BlueSky1, that's because they are trying to suss out where you have parked your car so they know how many wheel clamps to bring to that parking spot :mad: :mad:

[SkySista]

Yeah that's why they put that freaking big gate on the Helicopters Aus carpark... too many spotters parking there...!!

That said, down by Network is a good spot, if you have a chat to the WAC guys and let them know what you're doing they're generally ok.. just so long as it doesn't get out of hand... like, don't get in anyone's way and if they ask you to move, just do it!!

There's also a couple guys who used to (maybe still do?) sit in the Skippers carpark all day with a scanner.. wasn't such a hot idea given their parking was at a premium...

I think Sydney has the right idea, give the guys their own 'spotting spot' (heh) encourage them to report anything unusual, birds gathering etc, and you have your own 'unnofficial', free security observers!! :p Reckon they could go one better, do some checks on them and give them a limited 'ID' type pass, and amke it official!! :E

[Skystar320]

Heheeheh thats why you use your company car, so you can get away with the clamping!!!!!!!!!!

If they do clamp it, means there going to be in such strife

BTW guys, if you park under the trees on the main road just before you go into the pay carpark!

Easy..........

[brown_hornet]

Thanks for all the suggestions, should keep him busy for a while now me thinks.....I might advise him to take my bicycle though to avoid clamping, surely the smart people at WAC dont have a clamp dedicated for bikes (the pedal kind of course):ooh:

[malc318]

Hi very nice pics skystar 320
How do i get to that spot visting from england next year
MALC318:)

[phugoid24]

I was just wondering if the "mound" location is still valid? The last post in this thread was some months ago.

I took a drive our there this afternoon to see, having only just found out about this location. Once you get to the end of Valentine Rd, past the Awesome building, do you just go through that break in the cyclone fence? I couldn't see a track or anything, but I didn't get out of the car to have a close look. Can someone please confirm if this is correct.

Many thanks.

[BlueDiamond]

Brand spanking new first class viewing area just opened to the public today in Perth.

Perth Airport viewing area. (http://www.perthairport.com.au/AboutUs/MediaCentre/MediaReleases/11-12-16/New_public_viewing_area_enables_a_near-runway_experience_for_the_public.aspx)

It's as close to the runway as it is possible to get ... so close that free earplugs are available for those who would like to use them.

[YPJT]

Drove past the area yesterday, certainly no shortage of spotters making use of the new facility. Not sure how the car park and area will cope though for the arrival / departure of the more interesting or significant aircraft that may draw a larger audience.

[David Eyre]

Photos and info on the new Perth Airport Viewing Area are here:
AviationWA (http://www.aviationwa.org.au)

Regards,
David

[Capn Bloggs]

They should have put it IN BETWEEN the current and new runway! :} :ouch:

[YPJT]

Haven't you been told Bloggs? They did! :}

[redelect]

went to look but new road now closed. resurfacing brand new road again after car crash?

[Capn Bloggs]

The western end was open yesterday morning.

[akerosid]

Great facility and well done to PER Airport authorities and all involved in making this a reality.

This facility looks like it's probably best in the afternoons (facing into the sun in the morning); what's the best place for mornings - the international terminal?

[David Eyre]

This facility looks like it's probably best in the afternoons (facing into the sun in the morning); what's the best place for mornings - the international terminal?

Hi Akerosid,

You are correct that the Viewing Area is better for photography once the sun has moved higher into the sky.

The Observation Deck in the International Terminal is good in the morning - see AviationWA (http://www.aviationwa.org.au/Enthusiasts/SpottingLoc_PER_T1.html)

There is another spot for getting photos of aircraft using the longer runway 03/21, but you need a telephoto lens of at least 300mm, and it is not as good as the Viewing Area.

Regards,
David