Jetstar to Launch new Gold Coast New Zealand routes to Dunedin and Hamilton in 2025
The Gold Coast’s tourist connection with New Zealand is ramping up, with new direct flight routes to multiple destinations at Australia’s nearest neighbours. FIND OUT MORE
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The Gold Coast’s tourist connection with New Zealand is ramping up, with new direct flight routes to multiple destinations at Australia’s nearest neighbours.
Jetstar will begin operating flights between the Gold Coast and to Hamilton and Dunedin three times a week beginning in June 2025.
It will become Gold Coast Airport’s sixth trans-Tasman route and comes as Qantas signs a long-term agreement with Queensland Airports, which operates the Coolangatta Terminal.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the agreement “signalled the airline’s confidence in the destination”.
“Jetstar’s new services between New Zealand and Gold Coast Airport are a great example of the partnership in action, offering greater connectivity and choice for customers, making air travel more accessible for Kiwis looking to holiday on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“New Zealand is Australia’s largest international visitor market, so it makes sense for us to increase our trans-Tasman connectivity. We’re proud that we’ll be Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand.”
“These services are expected to deliver over 115,000 passengers annually to the Gold Coast, connecting the city to Dunedin for the first time and re-establishing the airport’s first ever Tasman route, to Hamilton.”
Jetstar held a 24-hour launch sale which lasted from 10am Monday to 10am Tuesday.
One-way prices included:
● $169 to Dunedin;
● $155 to Hamilton;
● $175 to Auckland;
● $195 to Christchurch;
● $170 to Wellington;
● $105 to Queenstown.
New Zealanders make up the Gold Coast’s top visitor numbers, closely followed by the UK.
According to National Visitor Survey and International Visitor Survey figures released by Tourism Research Australia in December 144,000 Kiwi travellers flew in, just 6 per cent below pre-Covid levels (2019) while 36,000 people came here from the UK.
Stephanie Tully, Jetstar Group’s CEO, said the route would “support the growth of inbound tourism and provide a big boost to local operators”.
“Tourism is a key industry on the Gold Coast and the new agreement with Queensland Airports will “It’s also great news for customers, with the new routes unlocking more than 115,000 new low fares seats a year between the Gold Coast and Hamilton and Dunedin, while helping to connect the city’s large population of Kiwi ex-pats to their home country.” she said.
However, it comes in the face of a tough tourism market.
A Bulletin report in August showed a sharp decline in the number of international travellers passing through Gold Coast Airport following the loss of connections outside Australia and New Zealand.
Figures from Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey show the city generated $1.131 billion in expenditure from international visitors in the 12 months to the end of March.
That was down $228 million on pre-pandemic figures recorded at the same time five years ago – a 16.7 per cent decline. Only Melbourne fared worse in dollar terms, with international visitor expenditure in the Victorian capital down $727 million – a nine per cent drop on its 2019 figure.
Mayor Tom Tate said New Zealand was a key market for the city.
“This is fantastic news for the coast and our much-loved Kiwi visitors,’’ he said.
“Seeing Dunedin and Hamilton added to the schedule from 2025 will benefit our local businesses and open up those amazing destinations for Gold Coasters to explore.
“I applaud Jetstar and the team at Gold Coast Airport for continuing to explore new horizons for our international sectors.’’
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said New Zealand had been a ray of light for the tourism sector.
“We know that Kiwis love visiting the Gold Coast, and that’s why New Zealand continues to be our largest international market and has grown about 8 per cent in the past financial year,” he said.
“The new Jetstar services to Hamilton and Dunedin announced today will make it even easier for travellers to make the quick trip across the ditch and take advantage of the incredible diversity of visitor experiences available in our beautiful destination.
“The Gold Coast is a highly desired international travel destination, not just for Kiwis but increasingly for travellers from other key growth markets like China, Japan, South Korea, and the US. A key priority for Experience Gold Coast is continuing to invest in new products, experiences and events that give visitors more reasons to come here and to work with our airline partners to ensure greater connectivity.”
Meanwhile, Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel de Bono said the Gold Coast was a key market for the trans-Tasman market
“We look forward to welcoming with open arms our Australian friends and family, to our wonderful part of the world,” he said.
“We know they will enjoy the many attractions of the Lower South Island, including The Catlins, Southland, Waitaki and Queenstown. And we cannot wait to visit your stunning beaches and cities.”
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