Brisbane to Darwin flights: How long do they take?
Brisbane to Darwin flights take 4h5m with Jetstar. Qantas schedules 4h10m for flights from Brisbane to Darwin, while Virgin Australia takes 4h30m.
Brisbane to Darwin isn’t a route that many people want to drive. If you want to get from the Queensland capital to the Top End of the Northern Territory, realistically, you’re looking at booking Brisbane to Darwin flights.
Darwin brings schooner cruises, airboat tours and cage-swimming with massive crocodiles. To search for the best Darwin accommodation deals, head here. To check out the full range of tours and experiences available, go here.
In recent years, there have been more flights to Darwin from Brisbane than any other airport, and three airlines compete on the route. Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas all operate flights from Brisbane to Darwin, which tends to keep fare prices from being extortionate.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
Brisbane to Darwin flight fare deals
Using Webjet to search for Brisbane to Darwin flights two months in advance, Australia Travel Questions found one way fares as low as $130. That’s the price for a flight from Brisbane to Darwin on a Saturday afternoon, without checked luggage, with Jetstar.
But this is an abnormally low price for a Brisbane to Darwin flight. Most of the time, you’re looking at around $230 one way to the northernmost city in Australia.
The three airlines offering direct Brisbane to Darwin flights have weirdly differing ideas of how long the flights take. Jetstar says it’s four hours and five minutes from Brisbane to Darwin, while Qantas schedules its flights to Darwin from Brisbane to take four hours and ten minutes. Virgin Australia, meanwhile, allocates four-and-a-half hours.
6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday
- Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
- Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
- Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
- North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
- Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.
What to do in Darwin
Whichever you take, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in Darwin when you get there. Go for a swim at the Wave Lagoon, learn the city’s history while walking Smith Street Mall and do a self-guided walking tour of Darwin’s public art.
That’s at the low key end of the scale. Bigger attractions include the Mindil Beach Market, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove.
The best places to stay in Darwin
You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
- For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
- The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
- For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
- For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.
Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit
- Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
- One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
- Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
- Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.
9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
- Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
- Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
- Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
- Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
- XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
- Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
- See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.
More Australian flight routes
Flights to Broome from Sydney and Melbourne.
Fares on Brisbane to Melbourne flights.
Flights from Darwin to Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory.
Direct flights from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast.
Direct Canberra to Adelaide flights.