Long QF layover in DRW

[roogirl]

Hi - I am flying Brisbane to London via Darwin and we have a longish layover in DRW (almost 7hrs). Does anyone know if bags are checked through from BNE and if we can leave the airport in between? We have young kids and i was thinking of booking a hotel so they could swim for a few hours etc.

Thank you!

 

[bam71]

Yes, bags will be checked through so all good there. BNE to DRW will be a domestic flight, so no problems leaving the airport and heading to a hotel.

 

[justinbrett]

Hi - I am flying Brisbane to London via Darwin and we have a longish layover in DRW (almost 7hrs). Does anyone know if bags are checked through from BNE and if we can leave the airport in between? We have young kids and i was thinking of booking a hotel so they could swim for a few hours etc.

Thank you!

The wave pool at the waterfront is free with plenty of bars and restaurants around it, if you want to go the cheap option.

If you still want a hotel see if you can get a room at Vibe / Adina which is right on the waterfront.

 

[roogirl]

Amazing thank you! And great tip on the wave pool - thank you!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Wave Lagoon | Darwin Waterfront Precinct

This safe wave and swimming lagoon is stinger and crocodile free, covering an area of 4,000 square metres, including a shallow water play area for younger children.

www.waterfront.nt.gov.au

 

[Stevo.1702]

Bags will connect through. I would definitely head into town for a layover that long. My recent experience in DRW was that they didn't open up the international security/immigration until approx 2hrs before departure, so don't rush back to the airport. Domestic Qantas club made it very clear we were not welcome and to wait for the international side to open up.

The transit lounge, if you have access, isn't much and quite packed (very much so if QF1 arrives before QF9 departs).

 

[justinbrett]

Wave Lagoon | Darwin Waterfront Precinct

This safe wave and swimming lagoon is stinger and crocodile free, covering an area of 4,000 square metres, including a shallow water play area for younger children.

www.waterfront.nt.gov.au

Ah yes, the lagoon / beach is free, the wave pool is not (but still cheap).

 

[DC3]

We have young kids and i was thinking of booking a hotel so they could swim for a few hours etc.

The hotel seems like a good idea

 

[Bwood9]

I did this route yesterday. I got a day room at the Novotel at the Airport for $90 and spent a few hours in the pool and then had a shower and went back to the terminal, its a 5min walk. They don't open the international gate / lounge area until 1.5 hours before the flight, so don't rush back to the airport.

You can book the day rooms here: Book your day room with Accor . It said you need to leave by 5pm, but they were fine with me leaving at 5:30pm.

 

[DC3]

… I got a day room at the Novotel at the Airport for $90 and spent a few hours in the pool and then had a shower and went back to the terminal, its a 5min walk …

What a great idea.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I did this route yesterday. I got a day room at the Novotel at the Airport for $90 and spent a few hours in the pool and then had a shower and went back to the terminal, its a 5min walk. They don't open the international gate / lounge area until 1.5 hours before the flight, so don't rush back to the airport.

You can book the day rooms here: Book your day room with Accor . It said you need to leave by 5pm, but they were fine with me leaving at 5:30pm.

If you do this, be aware that Novotel guests can use the Mercure facilities and vice versa.

The Mecure has a resort style pool with waterfall which may be better with the children.

Novotel has a lap pool.

Also a pool bar at Mercure.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Personally, for 7 hours, I would not stray too far from DRW airport.
Yes, its a small airport, and nothing much to see and do around it, but if you can, just do the hotel day room stay at either of the two airport hotels.
Getting an uber would eat at least an hour, for the trip to Darwin city, and back, maybe hour and a half.
Even with linked PNR, and bags tagged all the way, people say Darwin can be an eye opening city.
If you had a day, then yes, do the city wave pool and etc, but for 7 hours, I would not go too far.
Plus Darwin is hot, and more humid than Brisbane, so you would maybe need to change clothes and have a shower after the Darwin city visit, so this would also add on time.
But thats me.
Of course, to each their own.