Spotter

Sydney (Badgerys Creek), Australia

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) Plane Spotting Guide

Best place to watch planes land at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport: 3 spotting locations at YSWS, with coordinates, view bearing, fence notes, focal length, and the sun schedule. Updated Tue 27 Oct, 23:20 local.

Spotting locations at YSWS

The Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) plane spotting guide. Focal length badges are 70-200mm inside 250 m, 100-400mm from 250 m to 450 m, and 150-600mm beyond 450 m, unless a landmark keeps the lens spotters use on site, including 50-200mm at airside gates. Click a location to open the live map centered on that spot.

  1. 70-200mm
    Coordinates -33.86980, 150.72950
    View bearing 232.0°
    918 m to 23
    Best sun: morning 11:00

    Elevation and fence notes. Field elevation 269 ft. Northeast of the 23 threshold for short-final arrivals. Face 232 degrees into the approach, or 142 degrees across the field. 70-200mm. Roadside: do not stop in a live lane.

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  2. 100-400mm
    Coordinates -33.88050, 150.70100
    View bearing 142.0°
    878 m to 23
    Best sun: afternoon 14:00

    Elevation and fence notes. Field elevation 269 ft. Elevated public mound northwest of the runway, facing the 05/23 midfield and touchdown zone on a 142 degree view. Morning light on the nose. Parking and visitor facilities. 100-400mm.

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  3. 70-200mm
    Coordinates -33.90380, 150.68450
    View bearing 52.0°
    919 m to 05
    Best sun: afternoon 18:00–19:00

    Elevation and fence notes. Field elevation 269 ft. South perimeter on the 05 short final. Face 52 degrees for arrivals and about 320 degrees back toward the field. 70-200mm. Stay on the public side of the fence.

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Lighting schedule by spot

Morning is 07:00-11:00, midday is 11:00-14:00, and afternoon / golden hour is 14:00-18:00. CLEAN FRONT LIGHT means the sun sits behind the camera. BACKLIT / GLARE means the sun is in the lens. The JetPhotos camera note names the lens and the hours to keep or avoid.

Spotting LocationMorning (07:00-11:00)Midday (11:00-14:00)Afternoon / Golden Hour (14:00-18:00)JetPhotos / Camera Note
Badgerys Creek Road North (Runway 23 Approach)

Runway 23, 05

CLEAN FRONT LIGHTHIGH SUN / TOP LIGHTSIDE LIGHTRecommended focal length 70-200mm. Crisp fuselage illumination 07:00-11:00 local. No harsh backlit window between 07:00 and 18:00.
Experience Centre & Viewing Mound (Eaton Road)

Runway 05, 23

SIDE LIGHTHIGH SUN / TOP LIGHTCLEAN FRONT LIGHTRecommended focal length 100-400mm. Crisp fuselage illumination 14:00-18:00 local. No harsh backlit window between 07:00 and 18:00.
Adams Road South Perimeter (Runway 05 Approach)

Runway 05, 23

BACKLIT / GLAREBACKLIT / GLARESIDE LIGHTRecommended focal length 70-200mm. Crisp fuselage illumination 17:00-18:00 local. Avoid 08:00-13:00 harsh backlit contrast.

Questions

What is the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) plane spotting guide?

The Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) plane spotting guide lists 3 locations at YSWS, with coordinates, view bearing, elevation and fence notes, and a focal length badge (50-200mm, 70-200mm, 100-400mm, or 150-600mm). Start with Badgerys Creek Road North (Runway 23 Approach) at -33.86980, 150.72950, view bearing 232.0°, lens 70-200mm. Listed spots include Badgerys Creek Road North (Runway 23 Approach), Experience Centre & Viewing Mound (Eaton Road), Adams Road South Perimeter (Runway 05 Approach). Each location links to https://planespottingmap.com/airport/YSWS?spot=badgerys-creek-road-north-runway-23-approach so the interactive map centers on that pin. The lighting table covers morning (07:00-11:00), midday (11:00-14:00), and afternoon / golden hour (14:00-18:00).

What is the best place to watch planes land at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport?

The best place to watch planes land at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport depends on the active runway and where the sun sits. The top-ranked spot right now is Badgerys Creek Road North (Runway 23 Approach), 918 m from runway 23, view bearing 232.0°, best in the morning (11:00 local) with a 70-200mm lens. Open it on the map: https://planespottingmap.com/airport/YSWS?spot=badgerys-creek-road-north-runway-23-approach CLEAN FRONT LIGHT in the schedule is the hour band that puts the sun behind the camera.