The right side wins on both takeoff and landing, and during cruise it also passes closer to the reddish salt flats of Lake Eyre and the northern Flinders Ranges, giving it more visual variety than the largely featureless desert on the left.
Flown DRW to ADL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Darwin to Adelaide is 1,629 miles (2,621 km), a flight of about 3 hours 20 minutes.
Simpson Desert dunes, Lake Eyre salt pan, northern Flinders Ranges, Central Australian outback plains
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from DRW
RIGHTDeparting DRW to the south, the right side offers the best views of Darwin Harbour's mangrove-lined inlets and the Timor Sea coastline as the aircraft climbs out and banks onto its southbound track. The left side mostly shows flat monsoon woodland with few distinguishing features.

Landing at ADL
RIGHTOn approach into ADL from the north, the right side reveals the sweeping blue expanse of Gulf St Vincent and the Adelaide city skyline nestled against the coast, plus the green folds of the Adelaide Hills behind. The left side shows only the flat Adelaide Plains farmland.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW) to Adelaide International (ADL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Darwin to Adelaide. The right side wins on both takeoff and landing, and during cruise it also passes closer to the reddish salt flats of Lake Eyre and the northern Flinders Ranges, giving it more visual variety than the largely featureless desert on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin in Darwin?
During takeoff from Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DRW to the south, the right side offers the best views of Darwin Harbour's mangrove-lined inlets and the Timor Sea coastline as the aircraft climbs out and banks onto its southbound track. The left side mostly shows flat monsoon woodland with few distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Darwin Harbour, Cox Peninsula coastline, Timor Sea, Darwin city foreshore.
What can I see when landing at Adelaide International in Adelaide?
When landing at Adelaide International (ADL), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into ADL from the north, the right side reveals the sweeping blue expanse of Gulf St Vincent and the Adelaide city skyline nestled against the coast, plus the green folds of the Adelaide Hills behind. The left side shows only the flat Adelaide Plains farmland. Notable sights include: Gulf St Vincent, Adelaide city skyline, Adelaide Hills, Port River estuary.
How long is the flight from Darwin to Adelaide?
The flight from Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW) to Adelaide International (ADL) takes about 3 hours 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,629 miles (2,621 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Darwin to Adelaide flight path pass over?
Simpson Desert dunes, Lake Eyre salt pan, northern Flinders Ranges, Central Australian outback plains