Spotting locations in AKL

[matthew mcdonald]

Can anybody advise me on some good spotting locations around Aukland as Tim, Blake and I are going to fly the inaugral Emirates A380 flight down there.

[Mario Facchini]

at the end of the 2 runway (end Rwy23R and Rwy23L), they have a public lookout on Puhinui Road, plenty of parking.

thats as much as i know about Aucklan spotting.

[Mario Facchini]

found a website which may help

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~airdata/Auckland%20Airport.htm

[Marty H]

at the end of the 2 runway (end Rwy23R and Rwy23L), they have a public lookout on Puhinui Road, plenty of parking.

thats as much as i know about Aucklan spotting.

Thats the best spot, espcially if they are using 23, mornings are best at that location.

[Stephen Brown]

Top floor of the car park.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6051087

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6055276

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6051089

[David M]

When I was in Auckland I found a spot that I liked at the cafe area adajcent to gate 2. This was however through customs and immigration. You can view the location at http://www.digitalairstrip.net/browse_photo/view_airport_photo.cfm?airportId=63&&videoId=135

If anyone has any video or photos of good spots in Auckland, you can upload them to www.digitalairstrip.net so that Matthew can see the style of photos that can be taken from around Auckland airport.

Cheers

David

[David Ramsay]

As Mario said, the lookout on Puhinui Rd is great for 23L arrivals. I wasn't there but I'm told that both the lookout and the road itself were absolutely chokka this morning for the A380. Would have had an awesome view of their missed approach.

There is a dedicated viewing deck on the top level (landside) of the International Terminal but it is fully enclosed and the windows aren't exactly clean if you want photos. Definitely worth a visit though

And, yes, the top of the domestic carpark if you have a relatively long lens (nice shots, Browneye).

[Marty H]

A couple of mine taken from the lookout carpark:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6234863&nseq=0

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6231187&nseq=1

[matthew mcdonald]

Thank you all very much for your replies

[Peter Agatsiotis]

There is a viewing area in the domestic terminal; glassed in but good ramp views and afternoon shots of a/c taxiing for 23r also good landing shots if they use that runway.

[David Ramsay]

Peter

If you mean the one that was upstairs just to the right of the check in desks, it has gone. They extended the Koru lounge into that area.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Thanks Dave; I was last there in May '06.

Shame as it was a good spot but not as good as the viewing area on the approach to 23R.

[Tim Bowrey]

Well im booked. Does anyone know of any hotels right close to the airport?

Tim

[David Ramsay]

Depends what you're looking for. There are no hotels at the airport itself, the nearest is about a kilometre away. Most of them are pretty crappy.

If I had to recommend one I'd go with the Ventura Inn (http://www.venturainns.co.nz/Aklairport_intro.htm). It's the closest and the newest and I've heard good reports of it.