Layover in LAX. What to do?
 

In early March, I will be arriving at LAX from PHX at around 2pm and my Qantas flight to AKL leaves at 8:30pm. How early can I check my bags in for the flight? What are some suggestions on what to do for the long layover? Leaving the airport to go into town with luggage isn't a good idea. Is LAX a boring place for a layover? Are there any reasonably priced restaurants with halfway decent food in either the Southwest Airlines terminal or the Tom Bradley International Terminal? Thank you for any suggestions.