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MEL → PER
Which side of the plane to sit from Melbourne International Airport (Melbourne) to Perth International Airport (Perth)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic Bunda Cliffs where the Australian continent meets the Southern Ocean, plus superior views of the Perth coastline on arrival.
Port Phillip Bay
Aerial views of Melbourne's coastline and the Mornington Peninsula shortly after departure.
Bunda Cliffs
The spectacular 100-meter high limestone cliffs of the Great Australian Bight stretching for 200km.
Recherche Archipelago
Dozens of small islands and turquoise waters near the coast of Esperance as you enter Western Australia.
Southern Ocean
Uninterrupted views of the deep blue ocean, where you might spot whale migrations between June and October.
Perth City & Swan River
On many approach paths, the left side provides the best view of the Perth CBD and the winding Swan River.
Choose an afternoon flight for the best lighting on the Bunda Cliffs. Sit behind the wing to ensure your view of the dramatic coastline isn't obstructed. This side is also preferred for spotting the distinct line where the desert abruptly ends at the sea.
The Grampians
Rugged sandstone mountain ranges and Victorian wilderness visible early in the flight.
Murray River
The winding, serpentine path of Australia's longest river snaking through the agricultural landscape.
Inland Salt Lakes
Shimmering white and pink salt pans like Lake Lefroy that create surreal patterns in the desert.
Kalgoorlie Super Pit
One of the world's largest open-cut gold mines, appearing as a massive tiered crater in the red earth.
Nullarbor Plain
The 'treeless plain' showing the vast, arid scale of the Australian interior and its iron-red soil.
Morning flights are best for this side to keep the sun behind the aircraft, highlighting the vivid red and orange hues of the outback. Keep a close eye out for the straight lines of the Trans-Australian Railway cutting through the desert.
Distance: 2,701 km (1,678 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 36 min
Departure: MEL (-37.673302, 144.843002)
Arrival: PER (-31.94029998779297, 115.96700286865234)
Route Type: Domestic
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