Hello, I really want to go to Tullamarine airport aka Melbourne airport (YMML) and take some pictures of planes. Most likely from the surrounding areas of the airport, is this illegal in Australia?
2007-09-30 16:30:34 · 8 answers · asked by beer_josh1 1 in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
No, it's not illegal in Australia. It might be illegal in certain military airports and Air Force bases, but as a general rule you can take photos of planes in Australia, provided you don't cut through fences you are obviously not meant to get through or pass boundaries that are meant to keep you out.
I myself have taken photos of large commercial airliners landing at Sydney Airport. There is a little beach and small grassy bank that you can walk on right up to the wire fence. I was quite surprised to find out on this particular day that there were about 15 to 20 other people enjoying watching planes land and taxi past us only 20 or 30 metres away on the other side of the fence. Some were taking pictures, one guy even had an Ultra High Frequency radio so that he could listen to the radio calls.
Basically it's not illegal, and quite a few people do it. As long as you're smart and don't tresspass on Airport property and stay on the correct side of the fence then you'll be ok.
However, you cannot take photos of planes if you have to walk on the tarmac to get to your plane. I was at Hamilton Island Airport and wanted to take a photo while i was on the tarmac walking to the plane and the security guard told me not to.
But it's a bit mix and match. I also once went on an airport bus tour (again at Sydney) and the bus actually drives around planes and crosses taxiways and we were allowed to take photos on the bus. But we were inside the bus at all times.
There might be a bus airport tarmac tour at Tullamarine.
Just be sensible and obey all signs, and if the police turn up and tell you to stop taking photos, then stop taking photos. Just because it's legal doesn't mean you want to get into trouble with authorities if they want you out of there for whatever reason.
Hope this helps.
2007-10-01 01:52:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Airports in Australia are private property and you can't automatically assume you will be allowed to film or take photographs of anything at an airport.
However, if you have a legitimate reason for wanting to take photographs, and can supply your bona fides (e.g., a university or tech assignment, or writing a book), you should contact the airport management firm ~ see link below ~ and request permission to go onto the property and take photographs.
They will check your details and probably issue you with a day pass to allow you limited access to the area.
If Tullamarine are not co-operative, you may have better fortune at a smaller airport, without international flights.
Don't forget we live in a time of advanced security due to terrorism, etc, so you may have to explain yourself before you are able to do what you wish to.
Cheers :-)
~*~*~
EDITED TO ADD: Regarding illegality and signs, etc ~ there is NO guarantee that just because a sign is not displayed you can do as you like. Many years ago (pre all this terrorism stuff) my husband and I were taking pics in a public park (touristy stuff) and we were approached by the Federal Police, who confiscated our camera, after explaining that the building across the way was a defence force base. No signs were displayed there, but it was nevertheless not permitted to take photos. At that time, the cops were reasonably friendly and accepted our honest explanation that we did not know what the building was. Today, I'm not sure they would just take our word for it. It could mean being detained and questioned ... don't risk it. Get permission!
2007-10-03 03:20:03 · answer #2 · answered by thing55000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought it wasn't allowed any more. I know where I am from in Exmouth WA...photos are not allowed to be taken in the terminal or of the tarmac as there is a military base right across the tarmac and they don't want pictures taken of that for security reasons.
I really thought you couldn't take pics of planes etc in any airport any more due to increasing security concerns but I am probably wrong. If there are no signs saying you can't do it then you must be allowed to.
2007-09-30 21:05:53 · answer #3 · answered by West Aussie Chick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not illegal to take photographs of anything in Australia provided there are no signs forbidding cameras and photography (such as various shows and the Harbour Bridge climb in Sydney). You can take photos of planes both civil and military and anything else you like.
2007-09-30 18:06:24 · answer #4 · answered by tentofield 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, as long as they are not all military planes. Either waqy you may have the police show up asking you questions, so make sure you have a good explanation ready just in case. Perhaps you should approch airport security first and tell them what you will be doing. Good luck!!
2007-09-30 16:39:29 · answer #5 · answered by Penguin_Bob 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why not just take the photos at the nearest airport you live at sounds a weird idea to me i'd be asking you questions I don't think its a good idea we are very security wise here
2007-09-30 17:25:06 · answer #6 · answered by jennifer h 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nope not illegal
there is a good viewing area at the back of the airport on the road to sunbury it is at the end of a runway always people there
2007-09-30 17:29:20 · answer #7 · answered by mmdjaajl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No this is not illegal in Australia...they would get suspicious if you are acting weirdly....you know the whole terrorist thing..
2007-09-30 16:42:16 · answer #8 · answered by Eris 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no.
This is Australia not america.
2007-10-01 00:45:29 · answer #9 · answered by waltzsingmatilda 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋