Overnight Darwin Airport - Open?

[murrayo]

My 80 something y/o Father in law has a rather hairbrained (unplanned) trip; he is flying to Brisbane to Darwin on Jetstar Friday, arrives 1:20am Sat morning, then is getting the Bus to Katherine at 7am in the morning to catch up with a WWII buddy. He plans to sleep in the airport, then go to the bus station in the morning.

Does anyone know if the airport is open 24 hours, or if he will have a problem getting moved on? I read on the Darwin web site the airport *is* 24/7 and that there are showers at the airport.

I have a spare QC entry, but don't think that would help him as he is not departing... but arriving.

Thanks

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

Loads of flights at Darwin at all hours of the night, so the airport will be open no problems.

 

[docjames]

Darwin International Airport - FAQhttp://www.darwinairport.com.au/Operations/Airside/tabid/246/Default.aspx

What are the operating hours of the Terminal?
Darwin International Airport is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

[oz_mark]

Having done the Jetstar wee hours of the morning hubbing through Darwin, it is definitely open all night.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Now here's an airport I know a bit about! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

he is flying to Brisbane to Darwin on Jetstar Friday, arrives 1:20am Sat morning, then is getting the Bus to Katherine at 7am

Where is his bus to Katherine departing from? In the city or does it pick him up at the airport?

Option 1 if bus departs from the city
It would be a hassle getting off the Jetstar flight & sleeping at the airport only to have to get into the city early in the morning to catch the bus. If it was me I'd get a bunk at the Backpacker place Melaleuca on Mitchell for $28.00 sharing a 4 or 6 dorm or $99.00 for a double room with ensuite. This is right opposite the transit centre (double check that bus departs from here) so you're all set for the morning.

Note that he will need to pay a $10.00 cash deposit for the room key on checkin and must show some form of photo identification. You cannot consume your own liquor on the premises due to the NT licencing laws but they will mind it for you at reception until the morning.

Option 2 if bus departs from Darwin Airport
If he only has carry on luggage he can stay upstairs otherwise he will need to go downstairs to retrieve his bag. He could get a locker for his suitcase from MSS Security at the oversize baggage drop off which is adjacent to the baggage carousels or take the bag through security and up the escalators to 'sleep' for a few hours.

I wouldn't really recommend this option unless you have excellent noise cancelling headsets for the multitude of PA's by Virgin, Qantas, Jetstar and Airnorth who all use this terminal. At least he'll be able to grab a spot before all the JQ pax arrive at 0300-ish from Bali.

What's he going to use as an alarm clock? To find the public shower turn right at the top of the escalators then turn right into the corridor just prior to the door to customs.

Hope he has a good catch up with his mate.

Cheers
Oz