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Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine, is Australia’s second busiest airport and a premier spot for aviation enthusiasts. Located 23 kilometers northwest of Melbourne’s CBD, it opened in 1970, replacing Essendon Airport as the city’s primary gateway.
Today, MEL serves as a major hub for Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia.
Airport Layout and Operations
The airport features four terminals: T1 (domestic Qantas), T2 (international), T3 (domestic Virgin Australia), and T4 (domestic and low-cost carriers).
Melbourne has two intersecting runways (16/34 and 09/27) which currently handle operations, with a third runway and terminal expansion recently announced to accommodate future growth.
Construction is set to significantly boost capacity and improve facilities.
Airlines and Destinations
Melbourne connects to over 40 international destinations and major domestic hubs. You’ll spot aircraft from carriers like Air China, Cebu Pacific, Emirates, Fiji Airways, LATAM Chile, Thai Airways, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and United Airlines, alongside regional operators like Rex Airlines.
Widebodies such as the Airbus A380, A350, Boeing 777, and 787 are daily sights, alongside domestic workhorses like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family. It also sees plenty of cargo airlines.
Melbourne is a hub for:
- Jetstar
- Qantas
- QantasLink
- REX Airlines
- Virgin Australia
Melbourne Airport Spotting Locations
- Sunbury Road Viewing Area: Located near the threshold of Runway 16, off Sunbury Road and Oaklands Road, this is a popular spot for capturing arrivals. Mornings offer favorable light. It has a sizeable car park.
- Operations Road Spotting Car Park: Positioned adjacent to Runway 16/34, this location offers views of aircraft taking off and taxiing. Telephoto lenses are recommended.
- Terminal 2 Viewing Deck: While limited, the public viewing area inside the international terminal offers a good vantage point of apron activity.
- Southern Viewing Area: Alongside Operations Road on the southern perimeter is a good spot for photographing arrivals on runway 34, with parking by the side of the road. You will also see aircraft taxying for take-off. Plenty of spotters congregate at this location.
Spotting Tips:
- Early mornings and late afternoons provide ideal lighting for photography.
- Check Melbourne Airport’s website for updates on runway usage and construction impacts.
- Respect signage and avoid restricted areas; local authorities may conduct security checks.
Melbourne Spotting Hotel
PARKROYAL Airport Hotel
Arrival Drive, Melbourne Airport, Melbourne, VIC 3045 | +61 3 8347 2000 | www.parkroyalhotels.com
You can walk directly into this hotel from the terminals via a covered walkway. Rooms can be a bit pricey, but some have excellent views over the airport. Ask for those in the ranges 800-825 and 900-925. You can also get views from the ends of the corridors.
Other Melbourne Aviation Attractions
Commander Keane, CC BY-SA 3.0
Expand your aviation experience with a visit to the Australian National Aviation Museum at nearby Moorabbin Airport, showcasing historic aircraft.
Shkuru Afshar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Melbourne Essendon Airport is also an attraction. This was formerly Melbourne’s first international airport, opened in the 1920s. It is located 4 miles from the current Melbourne International Airport. Today it is still an important gateway for business and light aircraft, and offers some regional flights operated by commuter carriers.
If you have a car, take a tour of the small roads leading in either direction from the terminal which lead past the many hangars and log whatever you can see. Occasional views across the airfield can be had
Melbourne Avalon Airport is situated around 30 miles south-west of Melbourne city centre, Avalon is the city’s second-busiest airport. It has a single runway and flights operated by Jetstar Airways. Qantas also send their aircraft here for heavy maintenance. The Australian International Airshow is held at Avalon every two years. Aircraft parked at the terminal and approaching the runway can easily be seen from the car park and Airport Drive.
Title image: Christopher Neugebauer
