Thousands of half-price flights go on sale today, kicking off the Government’s $1.2 billion “ticket to recovery” package designed to encourage us all to hit the road and embark on a domestic trip.
The initiative was thought out as a means of rejuvenating Australia’s suffering aviation and tourism industries following a trying year (and then some), and around 46,000 cheap airline tickets in a total of 800,000 will be released today to 13 select destinations that would otherwise see international tourists.
What are the destinations?
These destinations include the Gold Coast, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Mackay region (Proserpine and Hamilton Island), the Sunshine Coast, Lasseter and Alice Springs, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, Broome, Avalon, Merimbula, and Kangaroo Island.
The exact flight routes and how many tickets are available for each destination will depend entirely on their demand, with airlines having the final say.
Who can I fly with?
Reliable classics Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia are the key airlines taking part, but regional airline Rex will also be offering half-price tickets on some routes, provided the route has been operating for the last two years.
Where can I buy a ticket?
Available from midnight April 1, tickets are likely to be released in batches until the end of July and can be found on the airline websites. Around 46,000 50% off tickets will land each week.
Recommendation: Keep them all open in tabs and refresh refresh refresh, baby.
What dates can I travel?
The travel period for this offer will start on May 1 and carry through to September 30.
What are the discounted flight routes?
These routes may change depending on demand and the airline negotiations.
Gold Coast
Adelaide – Gold Coast
Melbourne – Gold Coast
Sydney – Gold Coast
Canberra – Gold Coast
Avalon – Gold Coast
Tropical North Queensland
Melbourne – Cairns
Sydney – Cairns
Darwin – Cairns
Whitsundays and Mackay region
Sydney – Proserpine
Sydney – Hamilton Island
Sunshine Coast (Queensland)
Sydney – Maroochydore
Melbourne – Maroochydore
Adelaide – Maroochydore
Lasseter and Alice Springs
Adelaide – Alice Springs
Sydney – Uluru
Brisbane – Alice Springs
Melbourne – Alice Springs
Perth – Alice Springs
Sydney – Alice Springs
Brisbane – Uluru
Melbourne – Uluru
Launceston, Devonport and Burnie
Melbourne – Launceston
Sydney – Launceston
Brisbane – Launceston
Melbourne – Devonport
Melbourne – Burnie
Broome
Darwin – Broome
Sydney – Broome
Melbourne – Broome
Avalon (Victoria)
Gold Coast – Avalon
Sydney – Avalon
Merimbula (New South Wales)
Melbourne – Merimbula
Kangaroo Island (South Australia)
Adelaide – Kingscote
While there are around 800,000 in total, no doubt these will be sold quickly. Get prepared (and excited) with 10 of Australia’s best winter Airbnbs and our tips for being an eco-conscious traveller.
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.