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BNE → EMD
Which side of the plane to sit from Brisbane International Airport (Brisbane) to Emerald Airport (Emerald)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the iconic Glass House Mountains shortly after departure and provides a better perspective of the massive open-cut coal mines of the Bowen Basin during the descent into Emerald.
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Glass House Mountains
Dramatic ancient volcanic plugs rising sharply from the coastal plain north of Brisbane.
D'Aguilar Range
Rugged forested terrain and deep valleys forming the western backdrop of the coast.
Bowen Basin Mines
The immense scale of open-cut coal mines and tailing dams visible during the approach to Emerald.
Central Highlands Scrub
Classic Australian outback terrain characterized by silver-leaf ironbark and cattle stations.
Fairbairn Dam
A large irrigation reservoir that serves the Emerald agricultural region, visible just south of the flight path.
Keep your camera ready within 5-10 minutes of takeoff to capture the Glass House Mountains. As you approach Emerald, the right side is ideal for seeing the industrial scale of the mining pits, which are particularly striking in the late afternoon sun.
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Brisbane River and CBD
Aerial views of the winding river and the city skyline immediately after takeoff from BNE.
Lake Wivenhoe
Southeast Queensland's largest lake, appearing as a massive blue expanse against the bushland.
Darling Downs Agriculture
A stunning geometric patchwork of multi-colored crop fields and irrigation patterns.
Bunya Mountains National Park
The dark, dense canopy of ancient bunya pine forests covering the high-altitude ridges.
Choose a seat in front of the wing for unobstructed views of the Brisbane CBD. On morning flights, the sun is behind you, providing clear, high-contrast views of the agricultural landscapes of the Darling Downs.
Get eSIMs for Australia
Get eSIMs for AustraliaDistance: 652 km (405 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 5 min
Departure: BNE (-27.38419914245605, 153.11700439453125)
Arrival: EMD (-23.5674991608, 148.179000854)
Route Type: Domestic
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