Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Darwin Redeye (QF 829) - How to kill time before departure?

My wife and I are planning a trip to Oz, NZ and Bali next April & May. Since we are using AA FF miles, every segment had to be planned +330 days out. Last night, I finally got the last two Qantas flights nailed down. QF 829 departs DRW at 1:45 A.M. and connects with QF 107 in SYD for our flight to LAX. Since QF 829 departs at 1:45 A.M., what does one do to pass time and where does one wait after hotel checkout and before flight departure?

If normal hotel check out time is 11-noon, should we pay for another night and check out later that evening? We are traveling BUS on QF 829 and F on QF 107, so we'll have some access to the Qantas domestic lounge at DRW, but this is not a place to stay 12+ hours, even if I wanted to. Any ideas?

My wife and I are planning a trip to Oz, NZ and Bali next April & May. Since we are using AA FF miles, every segment had to be planned +330 days out. Last night, I finally got the last two Qantas flights nailed down. QF 829 departs DRW at 1:45 A.M. and connects with QF 107 in SYD for our flight to LAX. Since QF 829 departs at 1:45 A.M., what does one do to pass time and where does one wait after hotel checkout and before flight departure?

If normal hotel check out time is 11-noon, should we pay for another night and check out later that evening? We are traveling BUS on QF 829 and F on QF 107, so we'll have some access to the Qantas domestic lounge at DRW, but this is not a place to stay 12+ hours, even if I wanted to. Any ideas?

I was watching something on the Discovery Channel last week and they went to Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (http://www.mindil.com.au/) it seemed a pretty good way to kill a few hours open Thursdays and Sundays from 5-10pm.

QF lounge is only open for a short while before departure - you cannot stay there from hotel check out in the morning until boarding after midnight.

I'd be inclined to book another night at the hotel for maximum flexibility.

I caught this flight last year, and filled in the time by having a few drinks with colleagues in Mitchell Street, Darwin (the bar and restaurant strip in Darwin) prior to the flight out at 1:45am. Being a tropical city, it is very pleasant in the evening, there are some nice outdoor bars and restaurants in the city. There is also a casino open in Darwin.

I kept my hotel for an additional day so I could use the hotel prior to leaving for the airport at midnight. You may wish to consider doing this as it makes the experience more comfortable. There are a number of flights leaving from Darwin in the early morning, and for such a small airport it is surprisingly busy in the early hours with people trying to sleep on the floors and on the chairs, and so is not a place to plan to spend much time. Food outlets are ordinary. The Qantas Club is nice at DRW, but has unusual opening hours and is really only open before each flight. Domestic J is comfortable, but not really comfortable for sleeping. You will be tired for your flight back to the US.

O.K., O.K. It looks my choices are drinking & gambling vs. sleeping on the floor or in a chair. An extra night in our hotel room with very early checkout will be the most practical solution. At least I might get a little sleep before boarding the plane.

When in Darwin, tell your hotel front desk your departing flight out. THEY will arrange for the bus to come for you, and THEY will tell you at what time. No thinking or calculating needed. Enjoy Darwin!