Copyright © 2016 David Eyre
ABOVE: Perth Airport Viewing Area, located near the threshold of Runway 03 at Perth Airport. The city of Perth can be seen in the distance.
Photographed during take-off from runway 21 on 5 October 2012.
Photo © Ian Moy
Airport Chart – PERTH (YPPH)
Opening Times: |
April – September: 7.30am – 5.30pm October – March: 6.30am – 7.00pm |
Location: |
The Airport Viewing Area is on Dunreath Road, to the west of Runway 03, near some mobile phone towers.
Dunreath Road can only be reached by car or taxi, from Tonkin Highway or from the west side of the airport (Domestic Terminals 3 and 4). To access the Airport Viewing Area from the east side of the airport (Terminals 1 and 2), use Airport Drive to get to Tonkin Highway, then drive north on Tonkin Highway and take the next exit and then turn right. |
Advantages:
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Disadvantages:
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Photographic Equipment: Canon EOS 550D digital SLR with a Canon EF 70-300 mm 1:4.5-5.6 IS USM (telephoto zoom lens) and Canon EF-S 17-55 mm 1:2.8 IS USM (wide-angle zoom lens), both fitted with Circular Polariser filters.
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LEFT: The Airport Viewing Area is signposted from Dunreath Road.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: To help protect the Airport Viewing Area from vandalism and other criminal activities, the area is closed at night. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Morning view of the Airport Viewing Area. It has plenty of parking, including a bus parking bay, and it is all FREE.
Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Another view of car park, taken from the Airport Viewing Area. Dunreath Road is visible centre left, on the other side of the mobile phone towers.
Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Afternoon view of the Airport Viewing Area, taken from the car park, showing the walkway which is also designed for wheelchair access.A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 is visible, having just taken off from runway 21.
Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Sign near the walkway, advising of the opening times and with warnings about not smoking.Please be careful with rubbish, which presents a hazard to aircraft.
Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Sign near one of the disabled parking bays, and one of the rubbish bins.Please be careful with your rubbish, as it presents a hazard to aircraft.
Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: View from the Airport Viewing Area of the walkway, which is also designed for wheelchair accessPhoto © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Welcome sign at Airport Viewing Area. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: This straight pathway at the Airport Viewing Area is 120 feet long – the same distance as that flown by the Wright Brothers on their first flight. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Perth Airport Viewing Area, facing towards the International Terminal.The shelter design is based upon the upper deck structure of a Boeing 747.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Perth Airport Viewing Area, facing towards the threshold of runway 03.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Perth Airport Viewing Area, facing towards Dunreath Road and the carpark.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Perth Airport Viewing Area, facing towards the International Terminal.The signs on the handrailing overlooking the runway and taxiway are designed to loosely resemble aircraft passenger windows.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: These were the first children to visit the Airport Viewing Area, watching as a Boeing 717 of QantasLink lands on runway 03 at 10:42am as flight QF1903 from Karratha, on the official opening day – 16 December 2011. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Spectators watching a Boeing 747-438 of Qantas (VH-OJE) approaching runway 03 for landing, as flight QF581 from Sydney. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: Unfortunately, three trees at the left partially obscure the view of aircraft rotating for take-off, as this photo of a Qantas A330 shows. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: The trees also partially obscure the view of aircraft taxying along taxiway A3, as this photo of a Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 shows. There is a taller tree to the left of this which blocks the view entirely. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: The wind sock is positioned near the touch down position on runway 03, so care needs to be taken to avoid photos like this. VH-OJE Boeing 747-438 of Qantas landing on runway 03 as flight QF581 from Sydney. ** The centreline of the runway is only 320 metres from the Airport Viewing Area. **
Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: B-6502 Airbus A330-343X of China Southern Airlines, operating flight CZ320 from Perth to Guangzhou and Beijing, taxying along taxiway A3, on its way to runway 03, at 10:31am. Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: B-6502 Airbus A330-343X of China Southern Airlines, operating flight CZ320 from Perth to Guangzhou and Beijing, taxying along taxiway A3, towards taxiway M at 10:31am, before lining up for take-off from runway 03. ** The centreline of taxiway A3 is only 100 metres from the viewing area, meaning the wing tip of this A330 passed only 70 metres away. **Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: VH-VUR Boeing 737-8FE of Virgin Australia, named “Star City”, taxying past at 10:33am as flight DJ1437 to Darwin. Note the First Officer in the cockpit looking at the guests assembled for the opening ceremony.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: VH-VUR Boeing 737-8FE of Virgin Australia, named “Star City”, holding on taxiway M whilst VH-NXK Boeing 717-231 of QantasLink lands on runway 03 as flight QF1803 from Paraburdoo at 10:34am. Taxiway M is only 200 metres from the viewing area.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: VH-OJE Boeing 747-438 of Qantas, named “City of Adelaide”. Operating flight QF582 to Sydney, climbing after takeoff from runway 21 at 1:53pm. This shows some of the close-up views you can obtain with a telephoto lens.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: VH-VZD Boeing 737-838 of Qantas, named “Port Geelong” and wearing a special colourscheme for the Optus / Qantas Frequent Flyer promotion. Operating flight QF1114 to Port Hedland, climbing after takeoff from runway 21 at 2:16pm.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: VH-NHP Fokker 100 of Network Aviation. Operating a flight to Camp Nifty Airport (YCNF), climbing after takeoff from runway 21 at 1:29pm.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: PK-GMO Boeing 737-8U3 of Garuda Indonesia. Operating flight GA725 to Denpasar (Bali), climbing after takeoff from runway 21 at 3:16pm.Photo © David Eyre |
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LEFT: 9V-SRQ Boeing 777-212ER of Singapore Airlines. Operating flight SQ226 to Singapore, climbing after takeoff from runway 21 at 4:10pm.Photo © David Eyre |
Sadly the viewing area is looking very run-down at the moment. The signs are all faded, some are missing, the boardwalk needs repainting, and the hill is just covered in sand and needs new mulch. I suggest people contact the airport and request it gets some attention.
I think they should make one ore two more viewing area because trees are in the way of the one at runway 03 there right now they should make one at runway 03 21 06 and 24 but if there is new spots that i don’t now about right now please tell me because when the borders come down but for now i want them to add on at run way 06 or 24 but it will be a lot of cash to add a new one so we gust need to wait and seen again if there is a better spot please tell me 😃
Once again a fantastic balls up by person or persons not shown—-primarily for kids–both young and old–it serves neither one nor ‘tother
Who thinks a viewing area at least a mile from the terminal and the take off and land area would be a good idea ?? ESpecially when there are trees blocking any view of an aircraft until it is well airbourne. to see one land it would need to be at a different time of year—wind direction===day or nigh t v early or late—Not really the best idea.. Fancy having to refer to charts to see if its worth the trip out on the off chance of seeing a plane —and don’t think for one minute you will see any of the big birds Someone didn’t have a dream–more like a semi nightmare
There are viewing areas inside the terminals, if that is your preferred choice.
The Viewing Area is located close to the touchdown point for Runway 03 (landing or taking off from south to north) – if there is a northerly or easterly wind, it is a good location. Not so good if runway 21 (landing/take-offs from north to south) is in use (i.e. when southerly or south-westerly winds).
We have asked Perth Airport to create another Viewing Area near Runway 21, but it is costly.
Really enjoy going to the viewing area. Are there any future plans for more outside viewing area’s where we can enjoy takeoffs & landings.Graham Carver
Aviation Association of WA Inc is advocating for additional public viewing facilities and lodged a submission with Perth Airport in August 2018 on this topic.
Glad to hear of the additional viewing area proposal! Although nice there are many shortcomings with this current viewing area.
went to viewing area this morning Sunday 7th October 2018 only to find road blocked off and saying viewing area closed drove 50 klm so round trip 100 klm wasted fuel and time where can I get details of closures in advance ?
Sometimes Perth Airport post a warning on their website if the Viewing Area is closed. Sometimes they close it without advising the public, for maintenance or bad weather. Have been told it is due to re-open at midday today (7 Oct).
Hi,
As you state that most aircraft landing on runway 21 turns off before reaching the viewing area, are there any positions near at the north of the runway that we can spot an aircraft which landing on runway 21?
Thank you!
We helped compile this, which may be of use: http://www.spotterguide.net/index.php/planespotting/oceania/australia/perth-per-ypph/
I want to video the A 380 landing but can only do this when its landing from south to north. Problem is I Live aprox 20 k,m away so 3 times now i,ve watched and seen planes landing Sth to Nth but 3 times I arrive at viewing area 20 minutes before due time of the big beast landing and they switch the landing direction. Wind direction change 3 times 20 minutes prior, coincidece? Or more convienient for such a big airplane arriving from the north???
Runway selection is influenced by noise abatement procedures, wind direction and operational requirements.
Generally, runways 21 and 24 (landings at north end) are preferred, as it has better access from terminals to the runway threshold, and provides Air Traffic Controllers with more airspace to manage the mixture of slow and fast aircraft. It is also preferred from a noise abatement perspective, as less homes will be overflown on landing. Perth often has southerly or southwesterly winds in the afternoon, which is another reason to use that runway.
From 6 February to 25 March 2017, the main runway 03/21 is closed Monday to Saturday between 8AM to 5PM, as they are installing new Category III higher intensity runway lights. During those times, the shorter runway (06/24) is the sole runway used and nothing can be seen from the Public Viewing Area on Dunreath Drive, as aircraft cannot use the main runway 03/21.
If you check smartphone apps like FlightRadar24 or Planefinder, you can see which runway is being used.
Dear all,
I am a plane spotter from CGN/Germany.
i will arrivve in Perth on the 21.08.
Photos can be only from the Viewing areas or there are another positions to take pictures.
Kind regards
Bernhard
Hi Bernhard,
Have sent you an email.
Kind Regards,
David Eyre
THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GREAT COVERAGE OF PERTH AIRPORT. I WAS THERE ON OPENING DAY CANT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY HOWEVER THERE WAS A BOEING 747 QANTAS. SOME WHERE IN MY COLLECTION I HAVE A PHOTO WILL TRY AND FIND AND SEND IT OVER.
TO ME THE MEMORIES ARE GREAT.
REGARDS TERRY BOURKE
When is Runway 03/21 open..I’ve been down three times and the planes have been taking off and landing from the other end
Hi Chisomo,
Aircraft usually land and take-off into the wind. Therefore, if there is a southerly or south-westerly or south-easterly wind, aircraft will land or take off from north to south – i.e. on Runway 21 (or 24 when it is in use).
When the wind is northerly, north-westerly, easterly or north-easterly, aircraft will land or take-off from south to north – i.e. on Runway 03 – near the viewing area.
If there is little or no wind, then runway 21 is the preferred runway.
You just need to check the wind on the day you are going to the airport, in order to know which end they will be using. Another way to check is using FlightRadar24.com or Planefinder.net, as you can view the aircraft and see which way they are going.
Regards,
David Eyre