If you have a little plane-mad kid (or a big one!), the Perth Airport Viewing Platform on Dunreath Drive is a brilliant spot to get up close to the action on the main runway. From this elevated lookout you can watch aircraft taxi, take off and land on runway 03/21, all without having to fight for a window in the terminal or pay for airport parking.
The platform sits on top of a gently sloping, landscaped hill, reached via a wide, sealed path from the car park that is both pram and wheelchair friendly.
The shelter structure has been cleverly designed to echo the upper-deck fuselage of a Boeing 747, and the main straight section of the pathway is 120 feet long – the same distance as the Wright brothers’ first powered flight.
From the top, you are very close to the action. The viewing area is only a few hundred metres from the centreline of the main runway and even closer to one of the taxiways, so you get an excellent side-on view as aircraft line up, roar down the runway or touch down. When planes are landing from the north onto runway 03, they tend to touch down right in front of the platform, which is especially exciting for children – you can hear the engines spool up and down and sometimes even smell the rubber as wheels hit the tarmac. When the wind shifts and aircraft are departing to the south-west, you’ll instead enjoy thrilling views of planes thundering past on climb-out, often still low enough for kids to see the landing gear retracting. It’s a popular spot for serious plane spotters too, so younger enthusiasts may love seeing big lenses and scanners in action.
There is a generous, free car park at the base of the hill with marked ACROD bays and even a bus bay, making it easy for larger groups to visit. The viewing platform has simple bench seating and a small amount of shade, but on hot or sunny days it’s wise to pack hats, sunscreen and water, and consider bringing camp chairs or a picnic rug if you plan to stay a while. The open, elevated position means it can feel exposed in summer afternoons and on windy days. The surrounding sandy, mulched areas are handy when the paved section gets busy, as you can still find a spot to stand and watch or take photos.
One important thing to note for families is the lack of facilities on site. There are no toilets, no baby change, no café, and no vending machines at the viewing platform itself. You’ll need to plan ahead: use the facilities at home, at one of the airport terminals, or at a nearby service station before you arrive, especially if you’re visiting with young children or staying for more than a quick look. Rubbish bins are provided in the car park area, and it’s important to use them, as loose rubbish can be hazardous to aircraft.
The outdoor viewing platform is temporarily closed until May 2026 due to operational reasons, though the standard opening hours – once it reopens – are planned to remain 6.30am to 7.00pm (October to March) and 7.30am to 5.30pm (April to September), with free parking available. Before you promise an outing to the kids, it’s worth checking the airport’s website to confirm that the outdoor platform has reopened and that the hours haven’t changed.
If it happens to be closed on the day you visit, there is also an indoor public viewing area at Terminal 1 International on Level 3 (before security), which is open 24/7 and offers a comfortable alternative for watching airfield activity from inside the terminal building.
Despite a bit of wear and tear on the signage and landscaping, the Perth Airport Viewing Platform remains a fantastic, free family outing for aviation lovers. It’s an easy way to turn “just watching planes” into a full experience: pack snacks or a picnic, bring binoculars or a camera, and perhaps have a flight-tracking app open so kids can see where each aircraft has come from or is heading to. On a good flying day, you’ll quickly see why this spot is loved by local plane spotters and families alike.
Perth Airport Viewing Platform
Address: Dunreath Drive, Perth Airport WA 6105 (near the southern end of Runway 03/21, signposted “Airport Viewing Area”)
Opening hours:
6.30am – 7.00pm (October to March)
7.30am – 5.30pm (April to September)
Note: Perth Airport currently advises that the Outdoor Viewing Platform is closed until May 2026. Check the latest status and hours before visiting.
Official website: Perth Airport – Facilities & Services: Public Viewing Areas
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
A few things to note as of 2022:
1. There is disability-friendly access, so prams and wheelchairs are no problem
2. However there is still no toilet.
3. The interpretive signs are badly faded. Some of them are still fairly readable and others aren’t.
[…] at Jandakot Airport. Or take the family to view planes landing and taking off at Perth Airport Viewing Platform. Check online for the airport’s busy peak […]