Qantas launches mammoth Queensland sale with some fares below $100

Australia's national carrier has launched a monster flight sale to one state — with some popular fares dipping below $100.

Australia’s national carrier has launched a mammoth flight sale to the Sunshine State — with some destinations less than $100 one way.

On Monday, Qantas announced the sale in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland — with flights to some of the state’s hotspots to be discounted over 72 hours.

The move follows the devastation caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, with many of the hubs most impacted by the weather event on the list of discounted destinations.

From flights between Sydney and the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Brisbane and Melbourne to Townsville — some of the state’s most popular routes will be snapped up quickly, Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said.

Qantas has launched a mammoth sale to Queensland. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images.

“Queensland destinations are among the most popular on our network each year, with the state’s stunning coastline and mix of adventure, entertainment and leisure making it a firm favourite for family holidays and long weekend getaways,” Mr Svensson said in a statement.

The sale’s best deal would be economy fares starting from $99 one way from Sydney to the Gold Coast and starting at the same rate from Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast).

The airline said while the sale itself was only for 72 hours, travel periods ranged on selected dates between 19 May and 10 December 2025.

Some of the other routes include Melbourne to the Gold Coast (Coolangatta) from $119, Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) to Sydney from $125, Brisbane to Newcastle (Williamtown) from $129 and Sydney to Toowoomba from just $129.

Erosion on Gold Coast beaches after Cyclone Alfred. Picture: City of Gold Coast / supplied

Aerial of beach erosion from Cyclone Alfred. Picture: City of Gold Coast / supplied

The sale follows a similar deal rival airline Virgin Australia launched last month, whereby fares to popular Queensland ports went for as little as $45.

In an attempt to muster up much needed tourism for the weather-beaten state, Virgin Australia’s sale — which has now concluded — focused on ports such as Sydney to the Sunshine or Gold Coast for $45, or to Hamilton Island for $79.

In the lead up to the school holidays and always busy Easter period, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate promised most of the city’s beaches will be open for the holidays.

The dredge is back pumping off Surfers Paradise beach and is proving quite an attraction for holiday-makers as Mayor Tom Tate talks to media. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Since the ex-tropical cyclone hit, there has been a desperate effort to get the iconic beaches back in shape for the influx of tourists expected over April.

Dredging work has been well underway to replenish sand to the beaches and fix damaged infrastructure, including lifeguard towers.

Speaking to 7News, Mayor Tate said a “full recovery will take a bit more time”, adding he would buy every tourist a beer if 80 per cent of the beaches aren’t open by Easter.