2 min read
Quick answer
Four Australian airports have an 11pm to 6am curfew: Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Essendon Fields. Most flights cannot take off or land in those hours, so Sydney flights wind down before 11pm and restart about 6am. Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine has no curfew, and Brisbane and Perth are not on the list.
Airport curfews limit night flying to reduce aircraft noise. In Australia they are set out in federal law, they apply to specific airports and they are enforceable. If you are planning a very late arrival or a very early departure, the curfew decides which airport and which flight you can realistically choose.
Which airports in Australia have a curfew?
The Australian Government lists four airports with an 11pm to 6am curfew: Sydney (Kingsford Smith), Adelaide, Gold Coast and Essendon Fields in Melbourne. Melbourne's main international airport at Tullamarine is not on the list.
| Airport | Curfew | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney (SYD) | 11pm to 6am | Few or no scheduled flights overnight; early flights from about 6am |
| Adelaide (ADL) | 11pm to 6am | Late arrivals must land before 11pm; first departures after 6am |
| Gold Coast (OOL) | 11pm to 6am | Last flights wind down before 11pm |
| Essendon Fields (MEB) | 11pm to 6am | Mainly business and general aviation, not Melbourne's main airport |
| Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) | None | Operates 24 hours; late-night and early-morning flights are common |
| Brisbane (BNE) and Perth (PER) | No curfew (not on the government list) | Night flights are possible; check your airline |
What time do planes stop flying at Sydney Airport?
Because of the curfew, scheduled flights at Sydney generally wind down before 11pm, and the first departures are usually around 6am when the curfew lifts. There are limited exceptions for things like emergencies and some freight, but you should not plan a normal passenger trip around them. Always confirm your exact flight time with your airline.
When does the 11pm curfew end?
The curfew ends at 6am. From about then, early departures start and the first arrivals follow, so the busiest early period for chauffeur pickups at Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast is shortly after 6am.
Do airports close at night in Australia?
A curfew is not the same as the airport closing. Terminals, roads and services may still operate in the evening and overnight, but few or no commercial flights take off or land at curfewed airports. Airports without a curfew, such as Melbourne Tullamarine, run around the clock.
What if my flight is delayed close to the curfew?
A delay near 11pm can mean a diversion, an overnight stay or a rebooked flight, and curfew exemptions are granted only in exceptional circumstances. Give your chauffeur company your flight number so they can track the schedule and adjust your pickup if the plan changes.
How do you plan a chauffeur pickup around a curfew?
- Book a pickup for your actual flight, not an assumed time, and share the flight number.
- For a 6am departure from Sydney, Adelaide or the Gold Coast, ask for a pre-dawn pickup and allow extra time for check-in.
- For a late arrival just before 11pm, tell your chauffeur so they track the flight and wait.
- Remember that Melbourne Airport has no curfew, so night arrivals there are normal.
Pickups can be booked 24/7, and flights are tracked, so your chauffeur adjusts if the flight lands early or late. Enter your details in the online quote form or call 0424 31 31 31. Rules change, so confirm the current curfew details on the Australian Government's airport curfew page.