Yes, you can smoke at Darwin International Airport (DRW) — in the purpose-built outdoor smoking area directly in front of the terminal building, between the two walkways. The terminal interior is smoke-free, so this landside spot is where departing and arriving passengers go.
Where to Smoke at Darwin International Airport
Darwin runs one terminal building for both domestic and international flights — the airport’s own site confirms both share the same structure, with International Departures on the first floor. The designated smoking area is landside: a purpose-built spot directly in front of the terminal, sitting between the two walkways that lead in from the car parks. There is no facility inside, so smoke before you join the check-in or security queue. The terminal operates 24/7, so this landside area is accessible whenever you land or depart; there is no airside option, so smoke before you clear the security checkpoint.
The Northern Territory’s Tobacco Control Act 2002 bans smoking within 2 metres of any terminal door or window, which is why the area sits out on the forecourt rather than beside the doors.
If your onward flight connects south through Sydney, the forecourt arrangement repeats there on a much larger scale — Sydney Airport marks ten smoking areas along its terminal kerbs and none past screening, so a smoke during that connection means stepping back outside and clearing security a second time.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping is allowed in the same purpose-built area as smoking — the Northern Territory’s Tobacco Control Act 2002 regulates e-cigarettes the same way it regulates tobacco, banning both within 2 metres of a terminal entrance. Australia sells vapes through pharmacies only — the Therapeutic Goods Administration allows strengths of 20 mg/mL nicotine or less to adults 18 and over without a prescription, and higher strengths on prescription — so no shop at the airport stocks them. Travellers arriving from overseas may bring a small personal quantity in accompanied baggage for their own use and declare it to the Australian Border Force; a prescription or doctor’s letter is not required.
Summary
| Area | Smoking? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal interior | No | Smoke-free, shared domestic/international building |
| Airside / after security | No | No airside smoking area |
| Landside forecourt (between the two walkways) | Yes | Purpose-built area directly in front of the terminal |
| Vaping | Yes | Same area; Northern Territory law treats it like smoking |
For Australia-wide airport smoking rules, the vape restrictions and every other Australian airport, see our Australia smoking guide.