Jetstar flight from Gold Coast airport lands at Dunedin for the first time
The Gold Coast is officially the most connected Australian city to New Zealand, with a new international flight touching tarmac for the first time on Tuesday. This is what it means.
Lifestyle
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The Gold Coast is officially the most connected Australian city to New Zealand, with Jetstar’s first flight from Dunedin touching tarmac on Tuesday.
The launch of the direct service to the South Island hub is hot on the heels of a direct Hamilton service last week and marks the sixth Kiwi destination for Gold Coast Airport – more than any other Australian airport.
Operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Airbus A320ceo and A320neo aircraft, the new Dunedin route represents up to 58,000 seats annually and has one-way fares from $198.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said: “Along with the new Hamilton service, our expanded trans-Tasman network is expected to bring more than 115,000 additional passengers to and from the Gold Coast each year – delivering a significant boost to the local economy and tourism industry.”
Brisbane resident Robyn Chettleburgh was on-board the debut ditch dash – a moment she’s been waiting five years to savour (and it tasted a lot like Dunedin’s famed cheese rolls).
“There hasn’t been a direct flight since before Covid. Last year I had to overnight in Christchurch and it wasn’t fun,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to cheese rolls, and fish and chips. And seeing family. My mum is 91 and this means I can get over there in a rush.
“It’s wonderful we just have to keep it going. I’m worried with it being the only international flight (into Dunedin) there won’t be the staffing to keep it.”
Amid concerns Gold Coast Airport had struggled to lure overseas carriers back following the Covid-19 pandemic, Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said the milestone reinforced the city as a “truly global destination”.
“We know the Gold Coast is a favourite holiday location for Kiwis, with almost a quarter of a million New Zealanders visiting our city in the year ending December 2024,” he said.
“These new connections provide further opportunity for the Gold Coast to continue to grow this key market, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect coinciding with New Zealand’s school holidays, giving Kiwis a great reason to escape the winter cold.
“The typical Kiwi visitor stays an average of 7.2 nights, spends around $1700 per person in market (excluding flights) and most are repeat visitors.
Mr Warn said the Dunedin route was secured in partnership with the Queensland Government, Gold Coast Airport, and the City of Gold Coast via the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund program.
“Through campaign activity and business development, we drive inbound visitation growth, supporting the success and sustainability of new services like Jetstar’s Dunedin and Hamilton routes.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said locals had “58,000 reasons” to welcome the southern influx, but it wasn’t one-way traffic.
“Securing more international connections into our city benefits our visitor economy but equally opens the door for Gold Coasters to explore New Zealand,” he said.
“We are now the most connected Australian city with New Zealand.’’
Jetstar New Zealand head Shelley Musk said the Dunedin route was a key part of the airline’s biggest expansion in New Zealand in more than a decade.
“We know the Gold Coast is a firm favourite for southerners and it’s easy to see why with its warm weather, stunning beaches and world-class theme parks,” she said.
The excitement was echoed across the ditch, with the Dunedin touchdown a hard-won landmark for the southern city, which has been campaigning for the return of international flights.
Passengers arriving from Coolangatta were welcomed with live music, food and craft beer tasting, as Tōitu Otago Settlers Museum, Tūhura Otago Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral and the clockface of Dunedin Railway Station were lit in Jetstar orange.
Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono was among the tourism bosses enjoying a day in the sun.
“It’s taken years of hard work, detailed modelling and good, solid relationship building,” he said.
“The Jetstar team, Queensland Airports and our local partners have all leaned in.
“There’s a real, tangible benefit for Dunedin and the wider lower south that we serve. More choice, less transit time, and easier access to Australia – for holidays, whanau (extended family) visits or business.”
Southland Regional Development Agency tourism and events general manager Mark Frood was also hopeful of seducing sunshine staters into some southern exposure, saying the pathway unlocked regional potential.
“The direct service into Dunedin, combined with open-jaw ticketing – where visitors can fly into Dunedin and out of Queenstown – gives us the chance to showcase the full diversity of the lower south,” he said.
Gold Coast travellers will have more to celebrate later in the year, with Jetstar flying to Bali (Denpasar) from August 1.
PAY-FOR-EXTRAS, CIVILISED: MY EXPERIENCE ON JETSTAR’S MAIDEN VOYAGE TO NZ TOWN
On Tuesday morning I sipped a sunrise coffee on Burleigh headland.
By lunch I’d checked into a beautiful heritage hotel in New Zealand’s south and was deliberating which craft brewery to hit first.
I joined Jetstar’s maiden Gold Coast to Dunedin voyage and it’s a game-changer for short breaks.
In the air for a smidge under three hours before I zip back on Saturday, I’ll cram in everything from penguin watching to stargazing train trips and fine dining.
Jetstar’s pay-for-extras-you-want service translates to accessibly low fares. There have been some enticing specials already.
Being a delicate Gold Coaster susceptible to single-digit temps I topped up the included 7kg carry-on allowance with 20kg of checked baggage to tote coats, mittens and more.
Seasoned Southlanders heading in the other direction won’t even need that. Just BYO boardies or bikini and we’ll introduce you to what we call winter.
I’m partial to a morning flight and this one’s just right – a civilised alarm and plenty of room at the other end to get settled.
Lift off is 9.25am from Coolangatta and touchdown at Dunedin by 2.30pm (their clocks are two hours ahead and we are early).
There’s a party waiting for us.
It’s been a long time between drinks (five years!) for Dunedin Airport’s international arm and I feel more popular than an All Black on finals night.
For me, the new route expands holiday horizons – a fun way to mix up my habitual Queenstown visits.
For those separated from family since Covid – like Robyn who I met on the plane, originally from Gore – it’s a lifeline.
Mucking about with connections and overnighting in the terminal was tough on her 91-year-old mum, but now hugs are just a heartbeat away.
It’s hard to put a price on that, but for the record I had change from $200.
That’s well worth getting on board.
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