Plane Spotting Beach
This hidden gem sits along the Botany Bay foreshore directly beneath the flight path of Sydney Airport's eastern runway, giving you the rare chance to photograph wide-body jets passing just overhead as they land or depart. The combination of aircraft, water, and the Sydney skyline in the background creates layered compositions that are hard to find anywhere else in the city. Position yourself on the rocky breakwater to get low and shoot upward as planes cross overhead, or use a longer telephoto lens in the 200 to 400mm range to compress the scene and fill the frame with both aircraft and water. Late afternoon light is ideal, with warm golden tones hitting the underside of aircraft on approach. Check flight tracking apps before you visit so you know which runway is active, and arrive during peak arrival periods for consistent action. Parking is available nearby along General Holmes Drive. (Mascot, New South Wales, Australia)
