Airports In Australia: International And Domestic Travel Guide

An aerial view of Sydney Airport, among the airports in Australia and busy travel hubs.

Tourism in Australia has developed rapidly and the country has become popular among visitors due to its varied environments, landmark structures, and way of living. People who come to Australia do so to see natural sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, cities, and strange animals. International airports in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane allow entry for non-residents and provide fast and modern connections. These fast and efficient airports facilitate the access of visitors to Australia’s coastlines, rainforests, cities and parks to enhance their enjoyment.

Top 10 Airports In Australia

Here are the top 10 airports in Australia, known for their facilities, passenger traffic, and connectivity for smooth domestic and international travel.

1. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)

An aerial view of the Sydney Kingsford Airport, one of the airports in Australia.

Photo: JarrahTree / Wikimedia Commons

SYD, which is located in Sydney’s Mascot, is regarded as the busiest airport in Australia and serves over 44 million passengers a year. As a gateway to international and national skies, it opens Australia to the enormous cities of the world. The airport consists of three terminals, T1 being for international flights, T2 for domestic, and T3 for internal flights. Additionally, it has a wider range of facilities in terms of food courts, shops and lounges, and also has a good transport system within the city.

Location: Mascot, New South Wales

2. Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Airport or more formally Tullamarine Airport is one of the airports in Australia.

Photo: Philip Mallis / Wikimedia Commons

Melbourne Airport, or more formally Tullamarine Airport, is the primary airport servicing the city of Melbourne. It is used by more than 36 million passengers annually making it the second busiest airport in Australia. There are four terminals in the airport: T1 is for domestic departure, T2 is for international departure, T3 is for Jetstar and T4 is for all other budget airlines. With several restaurants, cafes, shops and services available and within easy reach by taxi, bus or SkyBus to the city centre, MEL is very convenient.

Location: Tullamarine, Victoria

3. Brisbane Airport (BNE)

Aerial view of the Brisbane Airport - one of the top airports in Australia and a travel hub.

Photo: J Brew / Wikimedia Commons

As one of the largest airports in Australia, Brisbane Airport has an annual footfall of more than 23 million passengers. This airport provides access to not only cities within Australia but major international cities as well. The airport has a variety of activities which include shopping, eating out, and relaxing in the lounges. It is also a popular airport for tourists with the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef in close proximity, as the transportation services for the passengers are very reliable.

Location: Eagle Farm, Queensland

4. Perth Airport (PER)

Plane at the Perth Airport, one of the airports in Australia in Southwestern region.

Photo: Kgbo / Wikimedia Commons

Located in the Southwestern region of Australia, Perth Airport is the busiest airport in the region and serves an estimated 14 million passengers every year. The airport has several terminals which are T1 which is used for international flights only, T2 and T3 which are used for domestic operations and finally T4 which is used for the low coast terminus. Connecting the city of Perth with strategic locations across Asia, the Middle East, as well as other regions of Australia. The airport provides adequate services for the travellers such as lounges, meals, and shopping areas.

Location: Redcliffe, Western Australia

5. Adelaide Airport (ADL)

Entrance to the Adelaide Airport which is 6 kiilometres away from downtown Adelaide.

Photo: No Swan So Fine / Wikimedia Commons

Adelaide Airport is situated approximately six kilometres away from downtown Adelaide, where it is seen as the primary airport for nearly all domestic travellers, with annual statistics showing an approximate passenger traffic of 9 million. It is also the entry point towards various places of interest located within South Australia inclusive of the wineries and other landscapes. Adelaide has one terminal that caters for all inbound and outbound domestic and foreign flights. The airport provides several other services which include duty-free, restaurant, lounges, and free internet.

Location: West Beach, South Australia

6. Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

Aeroplanes waiting at the famous Gold Coast Airport which is situated at Coolangatta.

Photo: Goldcoastandrew / Wikimedia Commons

More than 6 million passengers travel through the Gold Coast Airport (OOL, ICAO: YBCG), which is situated at Coolangatta, near the border separating the New South Wales and Queensland states of Australia. Due to its location near the famous Gold Coast beaches, theme parks, and the inland area, (OOL) serves both local and overseas destinations for travellers. The airport operates a single terminal which comprises both international and domestic flights. It has a number of facilities such as shops, places to eat, and other services like club rooms.

Location: Coolangatta, Queensland

7. Cairns Airport (CNS)

 An evening at Cairns Airport which is the principal entry point to Far North Queensland.

Photo: Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons

Cairns Airport is the principal entry point to Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, with over 5 million passengers handled annually. CNS is on the outskirts of the city, approximately 7 kilometres from the centre, and has two terminals (i.e. T1 caters for arriving international flights while T2 looks after alternating domestic services). It acts as a primary terminal for those willing to travel to pleasing and relaxing regions for both business and leisure purposes.

Location: Cairns, Queensland

8. Canberra Airport (CBR)

Canberra Airport is a business and government-related airport that also facilitates travel to cities.

Photo: Jeff Gilbert / Wikimedia Commons

Canberra Airport, which is situated in the nation’s capital, caters for more than 4 million passengers a year. Almost 8 kilometres away from the city centre, it operates a single terminal for domestic and international traffic. It is mainly a business and government-related airport but also facilitates travel to other big cities in Australia. It includes numerous such facilities as shops, restaurants and parking spaces. In order to enhance passenger services and capacity, including the construction of a new terminal and better transport access to the city, Canberra Airport has experienced continuous expansion and modernization works.

Location: Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory

9. Hobart Airport (HBA)

 An aerial view of the Hobart Airport in Australia which offers seasonal international services.

Photo: x_jamesmorris / Wikimedia Commons

Tasmania’s major airport is Hobart Airport, accommodating approximately two million passengers a year. It is 17 kilometres away from the CBD of Hobart and links the Island to large cities in Australia as well as offering seasonal international services. HBA has one terminal with international and domestic flights and provides several services, including retail, food, and free internet access. With the growth of tourism in Tasmania, Hobart Airport has been improving its facilities and services due to the increasing number of visitors, making it worthwhile to see the island’s beautiful landscapes and cultural sites.

Location: Cambridge, Tasmania

10. Darwin International Airport (DRW)

Darwin International Airport caters for more than 2 million passengers every year.

Photo: Ken Hodge / Wikimedia Commons

As the primary airport for the Northern Territory, Darwin International Airport also caters for more than 2 million passengers every year and is situated approximately 13 kilometres away from the central business district. DRW operates a single terminal for both international and domestic flights. The airport provides easy connections to other domestic airports as well as Southeast Asia and other global regions. DRW has several features including lounges, shops, and restaurants.

Location: Eaton, Northern Territory

The airports in Australia help in linking the nation to the rest of the world. From large international airports eg. Sydney and Melbourne to small regional ones like Cairns and Darwin, each airport has its own significance in terms of tourism, business, and cargo. The facilities are well-developed levelled airports which are imperative for economic performance and regional penetration in Australia. Plan a trip with TripXL and explore these travel hubs.

Cover Photo: Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is the busiest, handling the most international and domestic flights.
Major international airports include Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), and Adelaide (ADL), connecting Australia to global destinations.
Domestic flights are readily available between major cities, served by airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Rex.
Taxis, shuttle buses, trains, and car rentals provide convenient transport to and from airports.
Budget airlines like Jetstar, Tigerair, and Rex offer affordable domestic and some international flights.

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