Hello and welcome back... Picture This
You can hear it in the distance, a thud sound getting closer.
You grab your camera and head outside.
A helicopter is headed your way. He's low, very low. As he passes overhead, you struggle to fire off shots from your camera as he is too fast. You start to swear and curse as the camera suddenly has focus problems. Then you notice that its landing lights are on... He's going to land, But where?
You jump in your car. You have your trusty camera by your side as you drive to the nearest oval... not there.
Photo opportunity lost.
If your an Aviation / Photography enthusiast (like me) then this is a similar situation.
Sometimes you can get lucky and hear on your scanner which park the helicopter will be landing.
Being there to watch this amazing machine land & take off provides a great photo opportunity.
One of my main photography experiments is to capture the helicopter stationary but with the blades blurred giving a image of speed and power (like the photo below) by setting the shutter to stay open a few seconds, you can create a extraordinary photo that really stands out and not the usual 'Frozen' look.
I must stress at this point... DON'T GET IN THE WAY..
If the Ambulance is already there, keep out of the way.
If the Ambulance is not there yet and the Air Crew are standing around waiting, this is sometimes a great time to introduce yourself and ask nicely if you could take a few photos, often, they are happy for you to so but BE QUICK.
The helicopter crew are not there for a meet and greet, someone critical is headed their way.
KNOW HELICOPTER LANDING SITES.
CLARENCE VALLEY - Tucabia Oval, Northern side of town, end of Nanegai St, listen on 126.700
- Sandon River, flat grass area behind houses.
COFFS HARBOUR - South Solitary Island, Helipad on northern side of Lighthouse, listen on 118.200.
FORSTER - Forster Hospital, (private) crn of South & Short st
FORBES - Forbes Hospital, landing pad on Elgin St / Hill st
GLEN INNES - Football park, northern end of township.Corner of Grey & Herbert st
GILGANDRA - Gilgandra Hospital, back part of hospital
GUNNEDAH - Gunnedah Hospital, Pad inside hospital grounds, enter via Anzac Pde,
Listen on 127.400 & 127.100
GUNDAGAI - Gundagai Oval, enter via Byron St
GULGONG - Billy Dunne oval, NE side of township, enter via Nandoura St.
GRENFELL - Lawson oval, south side of township, enter via Lawson drv
GRAFTON - Grafton Hospital, pad north western side of hospital, Mary St, Listen on 126.700
GOULBURN - Goulburn Hospital, pad on south side of hospital, enter via Clifford St,
carpark close by.
GOSFORD - Gosford Hospital, rooftop pad, south side, enter via Ward st.
GLOUCESTER - Sports oval in centre of town, opp Hospital, crn of Hay & Ravenshaw st
JINDABYNE - Sports Oval, centre of town, enter via Park Rd.
HILL END - Cricket Oval, via Church/Reef st.
HARDEN - Maclean Oval, enter via East / Station St, Parking close by, Good photo Opps
INVERELL - Inverell hospital, Pad inside hospital grounds, south east side of hospital, enter via Moore St, listen on 126.700
ILUKA - Iluka Sports Oval, centre of town, Corner Spenser & Owen St.
KYOGLE - Kyogle hospital, grass area south side of hospital, enter via River Bend Close. Listen on 124.200.
KURRI KURRI - Kurri Kurri Sportground, (Allworth st), south side from Hospital
KIAMA - Kiama Showground, near coastline, enter via Terralong St or Bong Bong St, Parking close by, Excellent photo opportunities.
KEMPSEY - Currently using the Airport, used to be Hospital.
LITHGOW - Lithgow Hospital, landing pad inside hospital grounds, enter via Col Drewe drive, Car park close by. Can also be seen from Great Western Highway
LISMORE - Lismore Base Hospital, Pad ontop of Hospital Roof, Level 14.
Listen on 415.5375 (tone 170.2)
LEETON - Leeton showground, east side of township, enter via Acacia ave or Racecourse Rd.
MAITLAND - Johnstone Reserve, located NW of town, access via Mount Pleasant St, Parking close by, excellent for photography. Listen on 122.650
MUSWELLBROOK - Muswellbrook Hospital (closed), check Victoria Park or Showground
MURWILLUMBAH - Murwillumbah Airfield, Look for grass level area on Eastern side of landing Strip, Listen on 119.500
MURRURUNDI - Murrurundi Hospital, (Paradise Rd) dedicated landing pad, back part of hospital, Carpark close by.
MUDGEE - Mudgee Hospital, Dedicated landing pad at hospital, pad is at the back of hospital, corner of Meares & Lewis st.
MT WHITE - Helipad opp Transport Management Centre (F3 Highway), use Morgans Rd (right hand side)
MT KEMBLA - Mt Kembla Motocross site, runs of Harry Graham Drv & Morans Rd, Listen on 127.300.
MORUYA - Moruya Hospital, Pad is western side of Hospital, enter via River st, Carpark close by.
MOREE - Hospital, Small Helicopters only, Pad is on Southern side of Hospital, enter via Victoria Terrace, carpark close by
- Moree Airport, Enter via Blueberry Rd, listen on 126.700 & 127.100.
MOLONG - Molong Sports Ground, Northern end of Molong township, corner of Hill & Edward St.
MILTON - Pad is South side of township, runs off Croobyar RD, excellent site for photography.
MERRIWA - Merriwa Hospital, landing site inside hospital, enter via McRae st, Listen on 133.050
MALLANGANEE - See Richmond Valley
MACLEAN - Maclean hospital, small helicopters only, large helicopters use Palmers Island Airstrip. for Hospital enter via Union St.
Palmers Island/Yamba Airport use Palmers Channel North Bank Rd.
MACKSVILLE - Macksville Park, east side of Pacific Highway, enter via Willis St or Cooper St via Aquatic Centre car park.
NARRABRI - - Narrabri district health service, 1km west of town centre, landing site is on SE side (towards the back) of building, Runs off Gibbons St. Carpark close by.
NEWCASTLE - Westpac Helicopter Base, runs off Bavin rd, near Wanderers Oval, Listen on 132.100.
- Newcastle Airport, close to parking, Southbank Rd, Listen on 132.100
- John Hunter Hospital - Roof top Landing, South East side of Hospital, Carpark close by, Enter via Lookout road, Listen on 132.100 & 125.700
NOWRA - 3 Various sites, NW OF Nowra Airport, close together, turn left off Braidwood Rd, basically just 3 patches of cleared land in an area of bush. Listen on 118.850
- Nowra Hospital, Large Oval on left side of Hospital, (Nowra Showground) Carpark close-by.
NIMBIN - Nimbin Soccer Grounds, east of hospital, runs along Cecil St, listen on 124.200.
ORANGE - Orange Hospital, Rooftop Helipad or Oval NE of Hospital
- Helicopter Rescue Base, large paddock with FATO in the centre , eastern side of town, runs off 'Lone Pine ave'
OBERON - Large oval on north side of town, opposite swimming pools, corner of Cunningham & North St.
PORT STEPHENS - Nelson Bay, Bill Strong Memorial Oval, South of Fly Point Park, runs off Cultural Close., car park close by.
PARKES - Parkes Hospital, carpark close to helipad.
PEAK HILL - Peak Hill Hospital, landing site south of hospital,
PORT MACQUARIE - Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Helipad located east side of hospital, Listen on 126.600
PORTLAND - Oval on corner of Cullen & Williwa Steets.
QUIRINDI - Quirindi Rugby Club, Werris creek rd, carpark in hospital grounds (cars have to be moved), listen on 127.800.
RYLSTONE - Rylstone hospital, landing site eastern side of Hospital.
RICHMOND VALLEY - Mallanganee Oval, SW side of town, Corner of Pine & Sandilands St, Listen on 124.200.
SMITHS LAKE - Pacific Palms Bowling Club, western side of bowling club, runs off 'the lakes Way'
SCONE - Scone Hospital, north side of hospital.
SHELLHARBOUR - Shellharbour Hospital, Landing site on south/east side.
SINGLETON - Singleton Hospital, small helicopters only
- Civic Park, Large Helicopters (located near/ back of Singleton Public School)
TAMWORTH - Tamworth Hospital, Carpark close by, runs off Johnston St, listen on 484.950
TAREE - Taree Airport, near VRA Headquarters, Muldoon St
TENTERFIELD - Federation Park, cricket oval, Northern side of town, SE from Hospital
- Tabulam Oval, runs of Lawrence St
TOTTENHAM - Sportsground in centre of town.
TRUNDLE - Trundle Hospital, East side of Hospital, Parkes st.
TULLAMORE - Tullamore Sports ground, Eastern side of town, runs of Hoopers Hill Rd.
TUMBA - Tumbarumba Oval, Western side of Town, corner Mate St & Lauder St
TUMUT - Tumut Hospital, Southern side of Hospital, runs along Howick St.
TWEED HEADS - Tweed Heads Hospital, South East corner of Hospital grounds, Opposite Tweed Heads river
URBENVILLE - Oval, runs off Urben st & Tooloom Rd
SYDNEY
CAMPERDOWN - Royal prince Alfred Hospital, west building, top floor.
COLLAROY - Long Reef Helipad, opp Surfcom Site, near the end of Seaview Parade, opp Golf Course, listen to 120.800.
CRONULLA - Wanda Beach, Helipad next to Carpark, listen on 135.100
CROMER - Narrabeen lakes, SW of Academy of Sports (mostly used for training), turn of Wakehurst Parkway, part of Dee Why West regional Reserve, small lake next to training area.
EASTERN CREEK - Austral Bricks Site, runs of Old Wallgrove Rd / Oakdale close.
FAIRFIELD - Fairfield Hospital, pad on northern side of hospital, large carpark nearby.
HORNSBY - James park opposite Hornsby Hospital, enter via Lowe Rd, carpark near by, good photo opportunities.
MT DRUITT - Mt Druitt Hospital, Pad is in hospital grounds at the back, Enter via Railway St or Luxford Rd, carpark nearby. Listen on 124.550.
LIVERPOOL - Liverpool Hospital (west), Rooftop pad on south side of Hospital (circular). Listen on 132.800 or 463.775/454.275 (Liverpool Hospital Security)
- Liverpool Hospital (east) Rooftop pad (square)
MONA VALE - Mona Vale Hospital, Pad is on eastern side of Hospital, enter via Coronation St, listen on 515.500 & 467.6375.
MIDDLE HEAD - Opp Environment Office, top grass field near Soldiers Institute / Visitors centre (Barracks 1), Listen on 120.800
MACQUARIE PARK - Macquarie University Hospital - Roger Sheeran Oval or Christie Road Oval, use Culloden Rd, Listen on 121.600 or 123.000
MIDDLE HEAD - Middle Head Oval via Middle Head Rd, carpark close by, listen on 120.800.
NEPEAN - Penrith area, Nepean Hospital has a landing base but is being re-built, alt site for landing is at the back of Western Sydney University, Flak Ave / O'Connell St, Kingswood, Listen on 124.550 & 470.275 (Nepean Hospital Security)
WESTMEAD - Children's Hospital - Elevated Helicopter Pad above carpark, NE side, Corner Hawkesbury rd & Hainsworth st. Listen on 124.150
- Westmead Hospital / Careflight Base, Northern side, grassed area near Hospital Campus, follow Institute Rd, turn left at Healthshare NSW, follow till end, listen on 124.150
- Westmead Hospital A&E rooftop, NE side Hawkesbury rd, above Accident & Emergency entrance. Listen on 124.150
KOGARAH - St George Hospital, dedicated Helipad, Nth/Western side, listen on 135.100
RANDWICK - Prince of Wales/ Sydney Childrens Hopital, Rooftop on Southern side.
ST LEONARDS - Royal North Shore Hospital, Helipad at level 11, listen on 120.800.
ST VINCENTS - Victoria Barracks, Sportsground on northern side of barracks, marked with a H
WAHROONGA - Sydney Adventist Hospital, small helicopters only.
WATSONS BAY - HMAS Watson, Landing site on northern side of buildings, via Lighthouse rd. Listen on 135.100
BLUE MOUNTAINS
GLENBROOK - Glenbrook Oval - listen on 124.550
- Glenbrook NPWS - listen 124.550
VALLEY HEIGHTS - RFS Site - Great Western highway (next to BP Servo) Careflight has landed here a few times. - Listen on 124.550
SPRINGWOOD - Springwood High school oval - Turn of Great Western Highway onto Grose Rd, Faulconbridge, follow to roundabout. School on corner. Oval / parking on right hand side.
Listen on 124.550
Springwood Public School - corner of Burns rd and Macquarie rd.
Large fence surrounds school.
Listen on - 124.550
Lomatia Park, carpark close by, listen on 124.550
KATOOMBA - Scenic World Helipad (Cliff Drive) Top deck of multi-story carpark. - Listen on 124.550
Melrose Park - Northern side of Katoomba Hospital - Listen on 124.550
Blue Mountains Hospital - Helipad on east side of Hospital - listen on 124.550
BLACKHEATH - NPWS site, follow Govetts Leap road, turn left into Lynsday lane.
MT VIC - Browntown Oval between Great Western Highway and Station Street. - Listen on 124.550
KYOGLE - Woodenbong Oval, North/West side, off Mt Lindesay Rd (opp swimming pool)
WARIALDA - Warialda Hospital, Southern side hospital, corner Long st & Arthur Wheatley Drv, listen on 127.100
WARREN - Victoria Sports Oval, near Warren public hospital, off Udora Rd.
WAGGA - Duke of Kent Oval, north/west side of town of S Parade, W Parade, Shaw St.
WAGGA WAGGA - Wagga Wagga Hospital, Rooftop Helipad, Level 7, off Docker St
WALCHA - Walcha Rugby Park (Captain Cook Oval) corner Packington St & Croudace St.
- Walcha Airfield (YWCH)
WEE WAA - Wee Waa Hospital, large grass area with dedicated Helipad, runs off Alima / Nelson St,
listen on 127.100
WELLINGTON - Rygate Park, opp Wellington Hospital, corner Gisbourn & Whiteley St.
WOLLONGONG - Wollongong Hospital, Western side, top car park
WISEMANS FERRY - Park SE / right hand side of Ferry, assess via Tennis courts
WYONG - Wyong Hospital - North West side of Hospital
- Wyong/Charmhaven RFS Site - off Arizona rd
WOODBURN - Woodburn SES site (Richmond Valley) Corner of Pacific Highway & Woodburn / Coraki Rds
YAMBA - Yamba oval - corner Coldstream st & River st.
YASS - Walker Park - southern end, off Merrimen Drive
- Yass RFS site, Northern side, off Laidlaw st (left hand side) opp Yass Motor Registry
YOUNG - Young Hospital, Southern end of town off Allanan st.
Photo taken by myself that won a photo competition back in early 90s
If you know of anymore in your area, let us know in comments below.. (I still have a few more to add)
