Sydney Airport: Difference between revisions

Barton Park Hill affords an excellent view over runway 07/25, as well as the southwestern side of the International Terminal. 07 arrivals and 25 departures are great viewed from this spot, as aircraft pass very low overhead. 25 departures are especially exciting when there is a crosswind. Futher away, some 16R/34L rotations are visible, though activity on that runway is not the main focus of Barton Park.

To get to Barton Park Hill from General Holmes Drive, travel west through the tunnel that passes under 16R/34L and continue along (do not get on the M5) until the first traffic lights. Turn right at the lights, into Bestic St., and then right at West Botany St., again at the first set of traffic lights you come to. Drive along West Botany for a short way (about 500m) until you see a gate on the right side of the road which leads into the carparks for the park. Continue straight along the small road that leads into and alongside the park, all the way to the end, where you jog to the left and go up a small hill before reaching Barton Park Hill's carpark overlooking the airport. Park here, and either stay at the carpark or up the small embankment next to the fence on the northern side of the carpark, or walk towards the airport to the hill past the carpark (see photography info, below). To get to Barton Park Hill from the northern side of the airport, drive west on Airport/Qantas Drive, which turns into Marsh St. Continue along Marsh St., over the M5, until you reach a T-intersection at West Botany St.. Turn left onto West Botany, and drive until you see a gate into Barton Park on the left side (about 600m from the T-intersection). Turn into the park here, and follow the directions above.

There are two slightly different spots for photography. One is the small embankment on the northern side of the carpark (the left side as you look towards the airport), right next to the fence. This spot gives you an elevated view that is almost straight down  runway 07/25, and it is great for 25 almost-head-on takeoff photos - head-on if there's a crosswind - and 07 touchdown shots. Long-exposure night photography of both 07 arrivals and 25 departures is excellent here, as the whole runway and approach/departure path is unobstructed. The other location for photography is the hill just past the gate that is on the airport side of the carpark, and to the left (as you look at the airport). The view from here is less head-on, but otherwise the view of 07/25 movements is comparable. Photographing 16R/34L activity is a bit easier from this spot, because you are a little closer than you would be at the carpark. 25 arrivals are rather far way, but with a long lens and very little heat haze they are conceivably 'photographable' from both locations. Lighting for photography at Barton Park Hill is best in the afternoon and evening. Approximate required lens focal length for 07 touchdowns, 25 rotations, and 16R/34L movements is 280 to 500mm. 25 arrivals would required 500+ mm. For 07 approaches and 25 departures (as they pass overhead), you can use about 15 to 60mm.

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