Darwin International Airport

Even though there are several important airports connecting this remote territory to other parts of Australia, Darwin International Airport is far and away the most significant airport in the Northern Territory. Serving just under two million passengers over a 12-month period, the facility is the only major airport in the Top End region of the territory. The two million passengers enter and/or leave from the gateway via 26,000 flights a year. Both domestic and international flights are handled from the airport. Brisbane to Darwin is the busiest domestic route, while Darwin to Denpasar and Darwin to Singapore are the two busiest international connections. Tiger Airways, Airnorth, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar Airways serve the airport.

There is one passenger terminal operating at the airport. It opened in 1991, but has received some facelifts since. Both the domestic and international flights depart from the same building, although from different zones. The terminal is a 24-hour operation, so tourists will find shopping and dining options all day and night. JR Duty Free shops await travelers on the first floor of the terminal, close to the International Departure lounge. Regular shopping stores and retailers are located in both the public and private areas of the terminal too. Fast-food restaurants like Red Rooster, or sit-down establishments like Velluto’s Café and Aromas Café are found inside the building. There are plenty of other services provided by the airport, including foreign exchange desks, lockers, disabled access, baby change amenities, and ATMs on the ground and first floors.

Darwin International Airport is wedged between the downtown area and outer suburbs of Darwin, so getting to the facility is relatively quick for holiday-makers. Taxis can be taken from right in front of the terminal entrance, and provide expedient services to downtown Darwin. However, driving may be an even cheaper option. Thrifty, Hertz and Avis are among the best car hire companies operating from the terminal. Public and private buses are also available for tourists, and are certainly the cheapest form of transport in the city.