Arriving in Darwin
Before you fly
Before you leave your home, there are some important things you can do to prepare, to ensure your arrival in
Australia is as smooth as possible.
When should I arrive?
We recommend booking a flight as early as possible and arrive a few weeks before enrolment. This gives you
time to arrange suitable accommodation and to adjust to life in Darwin. You should arrive to Australia no later
than 1 week before your course starts, so you don’t miss the Orientation week organised for you.
Travel insurance
We advise you to purchase travel insurance when you book your flights to Australia. Your travel insurance
should cover you for two or three days after you arrive in Australia, in case you experience delays. Your travel
agent should be able to help you organise this.
Money
It is a good idea to arrive with some Australian money. Around A$250 in cash is a good amount to start with.
We recommend that you do not travel with large amounts of cash for your safety. Note that if you bring
A$10,000 or more in cash to Australia (or equivalent in foreign currency), you must declare it to Australian
customs when you arrive. You can find more information about declaring currency on the Australian Border
Force website.
It is also helpful to have a credit card for emergencies. The most common credit cards used in Australia are
Visa and MasterCard. American Express and Diners Club credit cards are also accepted by some
businesses.
Darwin International Airport
On the plane, you will be given an incoming passenger card. You will need to fill in your flight details and
customs information.
When you arrive at the airport, you will need your passport and incoming passenger card for the entry control
point.
When you have passed through the entry control point, you will collect your baggage and exit the terminal via
customs and quarantine.
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
E: [email protected]
Quarantine, customs and goods to declare
Australian customs and quarantine regulations restrict you from bringing certain items into Australia and you
must declare some items on your incoming passenger card.
If you are carrying any restricted or quarantine items, including food, medication, wooden material, plant
material or animal products, you must declare them. Alternatively, you can place them in the quarantine bins
when you arrive at the airport.
To declare an item, tick 'yes' on your incoming passenger card.
If you are unsure about an item you are carrying, declare it by ticking 'yes'.
Luggage is screened using a combination of specially trained dogs, x-ray machines and bag inspections on
arrival in Australia. If you do not declare any restricted or quarantine items, or if you make a false declaration,
you risk severe penalties.
For more information about what to declare, visit the Australian Border Force website and Australian
Department of Agriculture website.
Free Airport Collection
CDU organises free airport pickup from Darwin International Airport during peak arrival periods (February and
July). You will have received an Airport Arrival Form from our admissions team – please ensure this is
completed and returned to [email protected] at least 72 hours before your arrival. If this form is
returned later than 72 hours prior to your arrival, collection will be subject to staff availability and is not
guaranteed. Once your collection is organised, an email will be sent to you as confirmation.
If you are staying at Charles Darwin University's on-campus accommodation, International House Darwin, you
will be dropped at the main office. During office hours an IHD staff member will always be available to
welcome you and show you to your room. If you are arriving out of office hours there is a telephone to call the
resident leader on duty located outside the reception office near the main carpark. The resident leader will
meet you and show you to your accommodation.
Taxis
Taking taxi is affordable for traveling around Darwin. Taxis are available from the taxi rank which is located
directly in front of the Terminal.
Approximate taxi fares:

Darwin International Airport to city: app A$30
Additional charges may apply for airport taxis or for using tollways. For more information please visit
http://www.darwinairport.com.au/to-from-airport/taxi-services
Try this Taxi Fare Calculator to get your estimate taxi fare cost.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable journey to your home away from home.