19 March 2024

Perth Airport: Terminal 1 International Observation Deck

Airlines Using This Terminal: See our Foreign Airlines List 
Opening Times: Open 24 hours, 7 days per week.
Location: Terminal 1 International is located at the northern end of Airport Drive and Horrie Miller Drive, on the east side of the airport.(NOTE: Terminal 1 Domestic (Virgin Australia) is located between Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 International. Qantas/QantasLink/Jetstar Domestic terminals T3 and T4 are on the west side of the airport).
HOW TO GET TO TERMINAL 1: Terminal and Car Park Location Maps
Driving: Can be accessed from Tonkin Highway via Airport Drive or Horrie Miller Drive, or from Abernethy Road via Grogan Road.Both short-term and long-term parking areas are available. Free shuttle buses run from the long-term parking to the terminal.Parking information and fees calculator
Public Transport: Transperth operates a bus service to and from Perth city. Route 380 is a limited stops service with connections to other services available at:

  • Perth City (Esplanade Busport, with some stops on St Georges Terrace)
  • Victoria Park Transfer Station
  • Burswood Train Station
  • Belmont Forum Shopping Centre

Route 380 runs seven days per week at a 30-60 minute frequency (NOTE: You can also park at Belmont Forum Shopping Centre and catch the 380 bus, but note that fines apply if parking more than four hours). The service operates during the following hours:

  • 4.25am to 11.25pm from Perth on weekdays including Public Holidays
  • 5.25am to 11.25pm from Perth on weekends
  • 5.20am to 1.20am from the airport on weekdays including Public Holidays
  • 6.20am to 1.20am from the airport on weekends

To travel between the Terminals T1 and T2 on the east side and Domestic Terminals T3 and T4 on the west side, there is a FREE Terminal Transfer bus service. The trip takes about 8 minutes. To catch the Terminal Transfer bus, the bus stop is located at the front of the in front of Qantas Terminal 4 at the Domestic Terminals and the International Terminal Stop is near the Arrivals area.The Perth Airport Connect shuttle bus service is also available for travel between the International Terminal (T1) and Perth City or Fremantle, but is expensive (almost the same as a taxi fare)  – see Perth Airport Connect website for prices and schedules

Taxi: The taxi stand is at the northern end (departures end) of the International Terminal. Taxi cost calculator
HOW TO GET TO THE OBSERVATION DECK: Terminal 1 Internal Layout MapThe Observation Deck can be accessed by entering the terminal (near Departures / Check-In Area) and going up to the 1st floor. Walk straight ahead past the Duty Free shop and down the hallway which takes you to a lift and staircase to the 3rd floor Observation Deck.

 

Advantages:

  • Great for morning photography
  • Lift and stairs available
  • Under cover
  • Single-layer glass windows.
  • Seating available, not in the way of the windows
  • Arrivals and Departures TV monitors
  • Toilets
  • Snack and drink vending machines
  • Water fountain
  • Good views of traffic landing on runways 21 and 24 and taking off from runways 03 and 06, but photography requires telephoto lens of at least 300mm for large aircraft, more for smaller aircraft.
  • Good views of aircraft parked at international terminal (apart from bays 151 and 156)
  • Good views of aircraft taxying to or from the terminal.
Disadvantages:

  • Afternoon photography will sometimes be facing the sun
  • Reflections from windows can be an issue for photography
  • Not air conditioned – can be cold in winter and hot in summer
  • No restaurants or cafes, unless you go down to the first floor
  • Aircraft parked at Bays 151 or 156 will be partly obscured by lighting poles and the terminal structures for T1 International and T1 Domestic.
  • Aircraft parked at Bays 160, 161, 162 and 163 will usually be parked with nose or tail towards terminal.
  • Lighting poles cause shadows on aircraft in the early daylight hours
  • Domestic terminals T3 and T4 (Qantas/QantasLink/Jetstar are on the opposite side of airport, too far away for decent photos.
  • Photographing aircraft on runways requires a telephoto lens of at least 300mm
  • Aircraft taking off runways 21 or 24 will be too far away at rotation – likewise, aircraft touchdown point for landings on runways 03 and 06 is too far away.
  • Airport parking costs.
  • One option is to park at Belmont Shopping Centre (free) and to use the fairly cheap Transperth bus (route 380) to get to the terminal, but be aware the parking at Belmont Forum has a 4 hour limit. Fines will be issued for parking longer, and this also applies if you park for two periods the same day with a total exceeding 4 hours.

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.

Photos © David Eyre

The Observation Deck, view northeast from the western end.

This end gives views of Bays 53 to 50 and TL6, a more front quarter view of Bays 60 and 61. Runways 21/03, 06/24, and the Domestic and Regional terminals on the other side of the airport can also be viewed from here.

Note there are plenty of seats available, and the snack and drink vending machines are visible.

The Observation Deck seen from the eastern end – airside is on the right.

This end gives views of Bays 53 to 56, 60 and 61, and Taxiway S. Runways 21 and 24 can be seen also.

Plenty more seats available here. The toilets and water fountain are just left of the blue sign, about halfway along the Observation Deck.

The doors on the right of photo are not tinted, providing improved light for photography in certain situations.

Another view from the eastern end of the Observation Deck.

A Qantas A330-303 is on the left at Bay 52. Bay 53 is empty and a Cathay Pacific A340-300 is at Bay 54 on the right. Taxiway S can be seen on the right. Domestic and regional terminals and the GA area can be seen in the distance.

The toilets and water fountain, about halfway along the Observation Deck.
The Arrivals and Departures monitors are near Bay 53, and very handy for checking on actual arrival/departure times.
Morning view from the eastern end of the Observation Deck, showing Bay 55 (empty) and Bay 56 (Airbus A320 of Jetstar).

 

Bay 56 (morning):

VH-JQL Airbus A320-232 (cn 2185) of Jetstar at Bay 56, early morning.

Bay 56 is used as a parking area and has no airbridge. Later in the morning, this aircraft would be towed to another bay with an airbridge and flown to Denpasar (Bali) as flight JQ116.

The lighting poles, Bay 55 sign as well as terminal structures make Bay 56 no good for photography from the Observation Deck, apart from close-ups of tails.

 

Bay 55 (morning):

9M-XXH Airbus A330-343X (cn 1165) of Air Asia X, about to be pushed back from Bay 55 for an early morning departure as flight D7 2715 to Kuala Lumpur.

This Bay is fine for photography, but aircraft are in shadow in the morning. Afternoon is better.

 

Bay 54 (afternoon):

ZK-NCK Boeing 767-319ER (winglets) (cn 26971/663) of Air New Zealand awaiting pushback from Bay 54 in the late afternoon for departure as flight NZ176 to Auckland.

Although the lighting is better in the afternoon, the angle of the sun in late afternoon can cause lighting pole shadows, as seen here on the forward fuselage.

Bay 54 (with Bays 60 and 61 behind) (morning):

B-HXE Airbus A340-313X (cn 157) of Cathay Pacific awaits pushback from Bay 54 as flight CX136 to Hong Kong.

V8-BLF Boeing 777-212ER (cn 30869/366) of Royal Brunei parked on Bay 60, which was later towed to a Bay with an airbridge and departed at 14:00 to Bandar Seri-Bagawan (Brunei).

To the left of the Royal Brunei aircraft is Bay 61 (empty).

Morning photos suffer from the aircraft being in shadow, so afternoon photos are better.

Bay 60 (morning):

V8-BLD Boeing 777-212ER (cn 28525/353) of Royal Brunei, parked at Bay 60.

Photo using a 300mm telephoto lens.

Bay 54 (morning):

9M-XXD Airbus A330-343X (cn 1066) of Air Asia X, arriving from Kuala Lumpur later than usual as flight D7 2714.

It is seen here taxying past Bay 54 to park at 55, with an empty Bay 61 behind.

In the distance, a Qantas Boeing 737-838 is landing on runway 21.

Taxiway S (morning):

B-HXE Airbus A340-313X (cn 157) of Cathay Pacific taxying in along Taxiway S after landing on runway 03 as flight CX136 from Hong Kong.

Sunlight would have been coming from the left in the afternoon, making for a better photo. In the morning, the aircraft is in shadow as seen here.

Bay 53 (morning):

This large section of the terminal juts out next to Bay 53 in the centre of the Observation Deck, partly obscuring the views.

Taxiway S is at the right centre of this photo.

Bay 52 (morning):

VH-QPI Airbus A330-303 (cn 705) of Qantas, named “Cairns”, parked at Bay 52 after arrival as flight QF68 from Hong Kong.

Both taxiways to the International Terminal are visible in this view – Taxiway T on the left, and Taxiway S on the right.

Bay 52 (morning):

B-HXH Airbus A340-313X (cn 218) of Cathay Pacific turning in to park at Bay 52 after landing on runway 21 as flight CX136 from Hong Kong.

Photo taken from near Bay 53.

At this early part of the morning, the shadows from lighting poles ruin photos after they pass this point (see next photo below).

 

Bay 52 (morning):

B-HXH Airbus A340-313X (cn 218) of Cathay Pacific turning in to park at Bay 52 after landing on runway 21 as flight CX136 from Hong Kong.

Shadows from lighting poles ruin photos after they turn line up with the bay for parking.

As Bay 52 is at the west end of the Observation Deck, the airbridge, lighting pole and terminal structure prevents photos of the whole aircraft. However, close-ups of the nose are possible.

Bay 52 (afternoon):

A6-ECR Boeing 777-31H ER (cn 35592/794) of Emirates turning in to park at Bay 52 in the late afternoon as flight EK420 from Dubai.

In the afternoon, just before turning in, aircraft are in shadow, but as they taxy further around the tarmac (e.g. or turn to face Bay 52 or taxy to Bays 53 – 56, the lighting improves.

After this point, the stairwell at the right prevents photos of the whole aircraft. (see next photo).

Note that there is some window reflection (light colour near left).

Bay 52 (afternoon):

A6-ECR Boeing 777-31H ER (cn 35592/794) of Emirates parked at Bay 52 in the late afternoon after arriving as flight EK420 from Dubai.

Note that the terminal, airbridge and lighting pole obstruct photos, however close ups of the nose are possible. Would have to wait for pushback to get a decent photo of an aircraft parked here, or take it before it parks.

View from western end of Observation Deck (morning):

Bay 52 on the extreme right, Bay 51 (empty) with Bay 50 (empty) at extreme left.

A Falcon 900 business jet is parked at Bay TL6. A Skywest Fokker 100 is on runway 03 behind. Perth city is visible in the distance.

Bay 51 (afternoon):

VH-VOQ Boeing 737-8FE (cn 33798/1391) of Pacific Blue, named “Peter Pan”, parked at Bay 51.

No matter what time of day, the airbridge and lighting pole obstruct photos, so photos should be taken before aircraft park or after pushback.

Bay 50 (morning):

RA-82044 Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan
(cn 9773054155109) of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, parked at Bay 50 in the morning.

Terminal structure and lighting poles, as well as the airbridge for Bay 51 obstruct the nose of aircraft parked here.

However, close ups of the tail are possible, with the city as a backdrop.

Bay TL6 (morning):

N960SF Dassault Falcon 900EX (cn 62) of Bechtel Corp, based in San Francisco, USA.

Parked at Bay TL6, which is frequently used by business jets. This bay is located just behind Bay 50.

Taxiway T (afternoon):

A6-ECR Boeing 777-31H ER (cn 35592/794) of Emirates turning onto the International apron in the late afternoon as flight EK420 from Dubai.

Taxiway T (morning):

9M-XXH Airbus A330-343X (cn 1165) of Air Asia X, taxying out along Taxiway T, for an early morning departure as flight D7 2715 to Kuala Lumpur.

VH-QPC Airbus A330-303 (cn 564) of Qantas, named “Broken Hill”, is being towed over to Terminal 2 – the Qantas Domestic Terminal, after it arrived on an international flight.

Terminal 3 can be seen in the background on the right. The old 1962 control tower and fire station is soon to be demolished.

Taxiway T (morning):

B-HXJ Airbus A340-313X (cn 227) of Cathay Pacific turning in to Taxiway T after landing on runway 21 as flight CX136 from Hong Kong.

 

Landing on runway 21 (afternoon):

A6-ECR Boeing 777-31H ER (cn 35592/794) of Emirates engages reverse thrust shortly after landing on runway 21 as flight EK420 from Dubai.

Take-off on runway 21 (early morning):

A6-EWG Boeing 777-21H LR (cn 35578/741) of Emirates taking off runway 21 as flight EK425 to Dubai.

At this early hour just after sunrise, the aircraft is still in shadow.

Take-off on runway 03 (morning):

9M-XXH Airbus A330-343X (cn 1165) of Air Asia X, on an early morning departure as flight D7 2715 to Kuala Lumpur.

Taking off runway 03 (morning). Terminal 2 (Qantas Domestic) is on the left.

View of Terminal 4 – Qantas Domestic.

Photo taken from the Observation Deck at the International Terminal.

Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport - Sat 29 October 2016. International Departures is upstairs on Level 1, International Arrivals on ground floor in the distance. Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport – Sat 29 October 2016.
International Departures is upstairs on Level 1, International Arrivals on ground floor in the distance. Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport - Sat 29 October 2016. Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport – Sat 29 October 2016.
Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport - Sat 29 October 2016. Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport – Sat 29 October 2016.
Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport - Sat 29 October 2016. The purple area in the distance is the Virgin Australia check-in area at Terminal 1 Domestic. Photo © David Eyre
Check-in area at Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport – Sat 29 October 2016.
The purple area in the distance is the Virgin Australia check-in area at Terminal 1 Domestic. Photo © David Eyre
Retail area on Level 1, Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport - Sat 28 October 2016. Photo © David Eyre
Retail area on Level 1, Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport – Sat 28 October 2016.
Photo © David Eyre
Food and retail area on Level 1, Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport - Sat 28 October 2016. Photo © David Eyre
Food and retail area on Level 1, Terminal 1 International, Perth Airport – Sat 28 October 2016.
Photo © David Eyre

7 thoughts on “Perth Airport: Terminal 1 International Observation Deck

  1. Are you able to view T1 Domestic ramp from the T1 Observation deck or is it blocked by the Pier?

    1. You can only view the north side of the T1 Domestic ramp from the Observation Deck. Alternatively, you can go through the security checks at T1 Domestic and take photos from inside T1 Domestic on both sides – you don’t have to be catching a flight to do this.

  2. Keith. Do I have to wait till 1 November 2016 for Bus 380? 1st sentence states quote to go to terminal 1 as of 1 November 2016 unquote. ?????

  3. Transperth now go to terminal 1 as of ! November 2016.
    Bus service 380.
    The following is from Transperth website.
    Route 380 is a limited stops service with connections to other services available at:

    Esplanade Busport
    Victoria Park Transfer Station
    Burswood Train Station
    Belmont Forum Shopping Centre

    Route 380 will run seven days a week at a 30-60 minute frequency from:

    ​​​4.25am to 11.25pm from Perth on weekdays including Public Holidays
    5.25am to 11.25pm from Perth on weekends
    5.20am to 1.20am from the airport on weekdays including Public Holidays
    6.20am to 1.20am from the airport on weekends

    Route 380 will run with four brand new accessible buses with dedicated luggage racks.
    Also Bus Route 37 and 40 go to terminals 3 and 4.

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