In Reply to: stopover darwin for 5 hrs..... posted by cadegirl on Friday, 27. February 2009 at 20:07 Bali Time:
There are showers and luggage store facilitites at Darwin Airport.
The problem is 3 am arrival for 5 hours. Unless your in a huge International Airport - Singapore springs to mind, there is no facilities, swimming pool, playcentre for children and service facilitites. Near 2 hours will probably be gone taken up by customs immigration on arrival and then check in & boarding for your then domestic leg. There are adjacent hotel facilities at the airport that you can enquire. Also google up "Darwin Airport". Most people just nap it in the lounge area.
If your up to hiring a car for about 3 hours - the kids may fall to sleep - but you could drive around the city area etc however its pitch black and so most interesting places you will not be able to enjoy or they will not be open. ( Like most places anywhere at 3 am).
It is probably ideal to have R & R in Darwin for at least a couple of nights on return to appreciate what our northern city has to offer & you arrive refreshed at home.
With our own B & B here in Darwin ( 15 mins from Airport)we looked at day/night use as a option for travellers in your situation however whiles we have all the facilities it is just not viable at this time to offer the service. The pass on costs to guests would make it too expensive for just a few hours.