Qld travel deals: Great Queensland Getaway campaign offers huge discounts

Queensland tourist operators need you to holiday at home more than ever, and the deals on offer are some of the best ever.

Queenslanders can score $75 flights, half-price adventures and cheap hotel deals as part of a tourism blitz kicking off on Monday.

The $8 million Great Queensland Getaway campaign is the latest driver to entice holidaymakers to explore the Sunshine State, with hundreds of businesses across the state offering deals valid until December and even January next year.

The campaign is essentially a fine-tuning of the Holiday Dollars initiatives brought out during different stages of the pandemic, with travellers instead offered codes to be redeemed at the time of booking holiday experiences to avoid any deals being left unused.

The campaign also includes offerings across the state, unlike the Holiday Dollars promotions which were targeted to specific regions.

From Monday, Virgin Airlines is offering flights from just $75 between major Queensland centres including Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said the Great Queensland Getaway was designed to further support the tourism industry.

“We’ve had such wonderful support from Queenslanders travelling throughout the state over the past 18 months, so we knew we needed to find a new way to encourage them to explore even further,” she said.

“By offering incentives to get out and enjoy tours, attractions and experiences across the state, we hope to see the benefits flow throughout the industry.

Nixon Brass and Mara Douglas with Yalnun the koala, held by wildlife officer Kylie Lawless, enjoying the new Grazy Arvo Experience at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“We’re really encouraging Queenslanders to explore further than their own region, or go somewhere in our beautiful state they haven’t been before.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the deals would be welcome for those looking for a break after the gloom of the pandemic.

“We’re rewarding Queenslanders for their great work on managing the health impacts of the pandemic and helping to boost Covid-19 vaccinations,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Queensland’s tourism experiences are known all around the world and as Queenslanders we are lucky to be so spoiled for choice.

“Being part of the Great Queensland Getaway helps local businesses in tourism destinations across the state.”

One of the state’s biggest-ever tourism promotions, the campaign is expected to generate $80 million in revenue for tourism businesses and follows research suggesting travellers who benefit from discounts or specials are likely to pass those savings on with increased spending.

It is also hoped the campaign will help convince Queenslanders who may have otherwise been expecting to stay home for Christmas to get out and explore other parts of the state still struggling from the absence of interstate and international tourists.