Who said long transits between flights had to be spent within the confines of an airport terminal? 

For travellers of BNE, there’s a little slice of dining, shopping and entertainment heaven just a suitcase throw (read: less than five kilometres) away from the domestic and international terminals.

Getting there is easy too, simply leave your bag in one of the lockers at either terminal or on arrival at Skygate (perfect for if you plan on adding any shopping to it) and jump on the free shuttle bus from the domestic and international terminals to explore Skygate without baggage.

Go on, get some fresh air during your next transit and explore Skygate with this guide. 

1. Hit the shops

Did you even go to Skygate if you didn’t indulge in a little window shopping? We think not.

Home to DFO (Direct Factory Outlet), expect a haven of heavily discounted luxury and everyday retail brands.

Prefer to indulge in homewares rather than clothing? Step it out to Skygate Home & Life to browse furniture, bed linen or lifestyle products at Nick Scali, Pillow Talk or OzDesign Furniture.

Forgot to buy a gift for someone back home? Make a pit stop at Tobacco Station for fun gift ideas.

Don’t forget yourself - mark your trip with a signature fragrance to evoke travel memories as long as you wear it, popping into Direct Chemist Outlet for discounted beauty products.

With over 160 stores to navigate, make sure you keep an eye on your watch to get back to the terminal with enough time before boarding.  

2. Grab a meal

It’s not all shirts, shoes or handbags at Skygate – there’s over 10 cafes, restaurants and bars to enjoy a transit meal.

Perfect for the frequent flyer who has sampled all the food and beverage offerings at Brisbane Airport, Skygate offers a new dining experience.

Stop by the Transit Tavern for a glass of vino or a coldie with a meal or grab a plate of nachos and a cerveza from Burrito Bar – both offering kid-friendly menu options too. 

With alfresco dining close to the kids play area, sit outside and relax while the little ones burn off energy in the Great Barrier Reef-inspired playscape. 

3. Pamper yourself

Too busy for a haircut, massage or facial in everyday life?

Make the most of your downtime between flights and book into one of the salons at Skygate.

Make an appointment to freshen up your nails at Beauty Stop or treat yourself to a massage at Chi Link Massage and Beauty Centre.

 

4. Freshen up

Have a long daytime transit? Pin drop your location to Novotel Brisbane Airport.

Book the Day Stay & Refresh package, and you can check into a Standard Room between 9am and 5pm, and enjoy full use of the hotel services (hello: rooftop pool). 

With less than 100 metres between your hotel lobby and the Skygate retail precinct, maximise your rest time with less travel time to the shops. 

5. Get golfing

Make like Adam Scott and grab a wood, driver or putter during your stopover at BNE.

Head to Golf Central and wind down the hours as you practice your drive, chip and putt at the driving range.

Go the extra mile and book a TaylorMade Performance session for the avid golfer in your travelling group. Using the world’s most advanced technology in the Queensland Performance Lab, they can analyse your swing and find the perfect club fit.

Want to work on your swing technique or play the world’s best courses without leaving the Skygate precinct? Book a TopTracer bay which uses the same ball tracking technology as the pros. 

Work on your technique solo or challenge your friends to ‘Closest to the Pin’ or ‘Longest Drive’ in the interactive Game Mode.

If you have the kids in tow, get a passport of a different kind – a mini-golf scorecard passport. While you may only have one destination on your airline’s boarding pass, you can travel through 18 popular Queensland destinations as you navigate the 18-hole mini golf course. 

6. Work up a sweat

Want to get your step count up during transit?

Put on your active wear and tie up your laces at Jetts

While the gym is open 24-hour, seven days a week, unless you’re already a member, you’ll want to make sure you contact Jetts ahead of time to organise a casual pass to gain access outside staffed hours.  

Events and promotions

Make sure you check in advance to see what events or promotions are running while you are in transit. From new store launches to restaurant deals and school holiday programs, check out what’s on here.

Opening hours

Skygate 9am – 5.30pm
DFO 10am – 6pm
Woolworths 24 hours

Have you been to Skygate? What’s your favourite thing to do here?