New destination Gold Coasters can fly to revealed

IN a major boost for Gold Coast tourism, the Glitter Strip is now open to northern Australians looking to holiday here.

IN a major boost for Gold Coast tourism, the Glitter Strip is now open to northern Australians looking to holiday here.

The new route will see the Northern Territory-based Airnorth fly from Darwin, to Townsville, to the Gold Coast and back again twice weekly on Wednesday and Sunday, from today.

And those arriving on the first flight into the Coast this morning will be greeted with a show, with a water cannon signalling their arrival at the terminal, with passengers being given goodie bags from Destination Gold Coast as well.

Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer Marion Charlton said the new Airnorth service had been well received in both the Darwin and Townsville areas.

Officials say the new service has been well received in several areas. Photo: Supplied

“This service will provide quick and easy connectivity between the northern Australian ports of Darwin and Townsville and the Gold Coast,” Ms Charlton said.

“Forward bookings from the Darwin market, in particular, have already been strong.

“This will be a great link between some of Australia’s top tourism attractions in the Northern

Territory’s Outback, the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast’s beaches. What better way to see Australia?”

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Airnorth chief executive officer Daniel Bowden will join passengers on the inaugural flight.

“The additional service means Airnorth is supporting Queensland by providing up to 25 flights

weekly in and around the state,” Mr Bowden said.

“Customers will experience a high-quality, full-service carrier that includes smaller check-in

queues, state-of-the-art jet aircrafts, no middle seats and free 20kg checked luggage.”

The trip from Darwin to the Coast is expected to take about five hours, including the 30-minute stopover in Townsville.

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Airfares from Darwin to Gold Coast will start at $219.

Airfares from Townsville to Gold Coast will start at $169.

In another announcement, which will please our neighbours across the ditch, Air New Zealand have announced the retiming of its Gold Coast schedule from this week, creating easier routes for locals looking to connect to the Americas, out of Auckland.

The change will create easier routes for New Zealand locals. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

The airline will also boost capacity by 43 per cent during the July peak travel period, using its new widebody aircraft.

“New Zealand is the second largest visitor market for the Gold Coast and it is the number one international market for Gold Coast Airport,” Ms Charlton said.

“The change in schedule allows for an easy two-hour transit in Auckland for passengers travelling on to destinations in the US – giving them a more streamlined journey than in the past.

“It also encourages greater American visitation to the Gold Coast.”