[old timer mode]

When I was a lad ...

Living in Darwin and attending uni in Canberra meant that I took the red-eye a few times a year. Various routings: DRW-(sometimes Mt Isa)-BNE-SYD-CBR or DRW-(sometimes ASP)-ADL-SYD-CBR, etc. on 727, DC 9, Fokker F27 combinations. No direct DRW-SYD flights at the time. Oddest ever route was a little later: DRW-Gove-TSV-CNS-SYD-CBR all on 737. I think it was a 737-200 which I think would mean it was AN rather than QF. (Actually obviously it wouldn't have been QF. What I mean is that it wasn't TN.)

Worst part was all the drunks, who would go to the airport bar after dinner and drink till the 0130 departure.

No QP and no FF scheme at the time, so it wasn't even a good mileage, SC or QP run.

737-400 in J after relaxing in the QP? Luxury!

[/old timer mode]

But you are right, DRW has always been poorly served by the airlines. The combination of low population and large distance from other capitals is its downfall.

(Edited for grammar.)