"shep's mound"

[Bob C]

"Shep's Mound " is the commonly used term to describe the area near the Sydney Airport Control Tower where spotters congregate.

But does this area have an official name or how could its location be more correctly described - ie adjacent to Runway ???

[Michael Morrison]

How about "next to the control tower?"

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Don't you hate it when you go to add a smart comment and it ends up with a typo and doesn't have anywhere near the impact you hoped it would? :rolleyes:

[Bob C]

This is a serious question and it would be helpful to know how to correctly describe the area.

If "adjacent to the Control Tower" is the best description, so be it.

The reason for my question will be revealed in the the fullness of time !!

[Robert S]

This is a serious question and it would be helpful to know how to correctly describe the area.

It doesn't have a formal name, it's just part of Kingsford Smith Airport, Mascot.

It's inside Lot 8 of Deposited Plan 1050923 if it helps, but that's a lot more than Shep's Hill. :)

[Michael Morrison]

This is a serious question and it would be helpful to know how to correctly describe the area.

If "adjacent to the Control Tower" is the best description, so be it.

The reason for my question will be revealed in the the fullness of time !!

That is the easiest way I can think of describing it as it is about 50 metres from the control tower.

[Bob C]

Thanks Michael.

[Philip Argy]

About the only improvement would be to indicate some direction, such as 50 metres north west of the control tower, and to give you these Google Map images of the vicinity with increasing zoom power:

Shep’s Mound is inside the rectangle at bottom right of this orientation view (with road "1" being the General Holmes Drive airport tunnel that runs east/west just south of the area of interest):

http://www.argystar.com/pics/ShepsMound00a.JPG

and in the left half of the next shot:

http://www.argystar.com/pics/ShepsMound00.JPG

and the darker of the two cars is atop the actual 'mound' in this shot:

http://www.argystar.com/pics/ShepsMound02.JPG

So that's giving it my best shot!

By the way, at the bottom left corner of the first pic is the fence area accessed from 'the Beach'. Usually Shep's Mound is the best location for morning shots with the easterly sun behind you and the Beach is best once the sun has moved around.

Hope it's helpful for those not familiar with the area.

[Steve V]

About the only improvement would be to indicate some direction, such as 50 metres north west of the control tower

Working off your Google Earth reference (and not ever actually having been there to verify) I make it out to be 80 metres from the Tower on a bearing of 300 degrees Magnetic.

[Bob C]

Thanks Philip.

[Darren Butterworth]

Just went on Google Earth for a look. That's possibly my family truckster on the mound. The colour of the interior looks right.

Hope the boss doesn't see this.590

Darren

[D Chan]

has anyone been to the VOR field and if so is it still accessible and open?

[Tim Bowrey]

Just went on Google Earth for a look. That's possibly my family truckster on the mound. The colour of the interior looks right.

Darren

Step back form the Merc there Darren!

has anyone been to the VOR field and if so is it still accessible and open?

The radar field is accesable but you will most likely be told to leave. I have been there a few times lately and one time I was ok there, and another time, told off pretty much streight away. Its a pretty secluded spot so probably take a friend too.

[Damian N]

Ok Bob........you have to atleast tell us why you need to know.....:).....I'm going to hazard a guess and say you are building a model of the airport???

[Bob C]

No Damian, I'm certainly not building a model of Sydney airport and neither can I disclose what I am working on.

[Nigel C]

Originally Posted by D Chan
has anyone been to the VOR field and if so is it still accessible and open?

The radar field is accesable but you will most likely be told to leave. I have been there a few times lately and one time I was ok there, and another time, told off pretty much streight away. Its a pretty secluded spot so probably take a friend too.


Different fields there Tim. The VOR field has been off limits for years but used to give close access to the intersection of Twy Charlie and Rwy 07/25.
The radar field is still a construction zone and will be for some time. I do not recommend going in there for a number of reasons despite what others may say or do here (you're generally either going in past locked gates or through leased compounds...either way it is trespassing). There is also the issue of snakes and funnel web spiders which we do see on occasion running around on the runway and taxiways in that sandy south east sector.

[Philip Argy]

No Damian, I'm certainly not building a model of Sydney airport and neither can I disclose what I am working on.

If you're trying to increase the intrigue level, Bob, you're succeeding. Whatever it is I hope it doesn't make your April Fools' gag look prescient!

[Bob C]

Hi Philip

I'm working on an aviation related project which is quite serious so was seeking some input from Sydney enthusiasts the other day.

That's all I'm prepared to say at present so perhaps the Moderators should now lock this topic.

[Philip Argy]

I don't think locking the topic would be a fair approach, Bob, given that you began the tease. But it is of course open to you to remain silent in the face of this and other posts going forward. ;)

[Andrew McLaughlin]

I can't believe this thread is still going...:eek::rolleyes:

[Bob C]

No Philip my original question was NOT a tease and Andrew, I have asked the Moderators to lock this thread.

Let's leave it at that.

[Greg McDonald]

ZZZZzzzzzzzzz......