Plan to fly to Darwin & then on to Perth. Or the other way round.

1)Are domestic flights on this route run by virginblue,qantas & jetstar?

I can see promo on VB site - with accomadation. However, I M looking for flight only - either 1 way or return.

How is pricing timed on AU's domestic -earlier I book the better the rate?

Are there no direct flights to Perth? Had a qiuk look at the site - seems like U have to fly Darwin -> MelB/ Bris->Syd -> Perth.
Taking like 12 hrs or more.

Are there other ways to get to Perth? (I do not think there are direct rail links either, right?)

2) 1st time in Darwin: what is there to see & do ? Will B there 2nd half of March - wld weaather still B wet & monsoon like?

3) In Perth are there budget stays close to Uni of WA (UWA)? Or do Unis open their hostel rooms during non-term time? (Plan to go in mid-March)

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Qantas have at least 2 direct flights most days - not sure about Virgin - and I don't think Jetstar fly that route yet.

Hi - the virginblue route map button seems to show direct flights perth-darwin, but ... Maybe if there is a direct flight it isn't daily so you might have to try several dates.

But you can certainly fly direct to Broome - 17 March $129 one way.

That is a MEGA bargain!! Broome is a cool sort of place, and not somewhere you can pass through every day of the week. There is also some great budget accommo. Another thing in its favour is that the journey from there to Darwin is definitely worth doing. Granted it's best if you have your own wheels (which I assume you won't have) but there are organised trips you can do. Alternatively, Qantas (or a regional airline neither of us have ever heard of) might fly the route for a price. Or there is always the bus - takes the least scenic route of course but would allow you to stop in Katherine.

Other possibilities - fly to Adelaide, take the Ghan. Fly to Alice, take the Ghan. Fly to Alice, take the bus or a trip.

Always best to book early as possible.

That $129 offer might not be there tomorrow!!

As for budget stays near UWA - as I don't know where in the city it is, I can't say. But you must. So you might check out the following and see what you come up with:

www.yha.org.au
www.bugaustralia.com
www.hostelworld.com
www.hostelbookers.com

I assume by Budget stay you mean just that.

Happy planning.

Do a search on this forum for "Darwin" and "Kakadu" and "Litchfield"..there are several long threads here about what to do in Darwin and the NT. I was there in August. Had a great time and would love to go back.

Qantas flies direct from Darwin to Perth, leaving at 14.20 and arriving 17.35. A three and three quarter hour flight. Flying is really the only logical way to do it without taking many days.

UWA starts the academic year in March so you will have missed any accommodation available there. There are several hotels along Mounts Bay Road on the way to the Uni at various price ranges. You could cycle form there easily, a pleasnat ride around the river on cycleways. There are heaps of backpackers places in North Perth or Northbridge and most of those are walking distance to the bus station which would get you to UWA easily.