From today, Sydneysiders and international tourists can take a direct flight to one of WA’s top tourist regions, with the first ever service from Sydney to Busselton Margaret River launching in time for the Easter school holidays.
Operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, the three-per-week service will offer more than 50,000 low-cost seats each year between Sydney and the world-renowned wine and surf region, making a trip to WA’s South West easier than ever.
An exclusive group of travel agents and wholesalers were invited to join Tourism Western Australia and Jetstar to celebrate the inaugural flight from Sydney to Busselton at Lana Restaurant last night.
(Paulina Rozbicki and Nadia Jacobs, AAT Kings)
At the event attendees took part in a blind wine tasting quiz to decide who would win an all expenses paid trip to the region before enjoying food and wine from the region.
Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia, Carolyn Turnbull told Traveltalk the launch of the new direct Sydney to Busselton service will easily connect east coast travellers to the stunning vineyards and coastline of Margaret River.
“What this flight represents is a great opportunity to fast track visitors entry to the southwest of Western Australia.
“It gives people more time, ease of access and ease of transport, and it really builds awareness as well,” Turnbull said.
“Somebody here in Sydney might be thinking of their next short getaway, but maybe Margaret wasn’t top of mind because they haven’t thought about how easy it would be to get there.
“Through the affordable price point that Jetstar is offering and the frequency to the Margaret River region, it just gives Sydneysiders an exciting, different opportunity to explore something that they wouldn’t otherwise do.
“The price point is $135 sale fare one way, which is really compelling, particularly in a very competitive marketplace at the moment where prices on the rise, and people are conscious of what they’re spending, but people want to spend their true tourism dollars on the ground exploring great experiences and doing, doing extraordinary things.”
Travel agents can use Perth, as the Western Gateway to Australia, to make new and exciting itineraries for clients, through new nonstop services like:
- The three new direct flights all taking off from next week: the Sydney to Busselton route on Tuesday; Airnorth flights from Alice Springs to Perth from Monday; and Thai Airways’s direct flight between Bangkok and Perth from Sunday, 31 March.
- Australia’s only direct flight connections with the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, through London, Rome, and the soon-to-launch direct connection with Paris.
Jetstar is the only airline to offer direct commercial flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River.
As the airline celebrates 20 years of flying, these routes demonstrate how Jetstar’s low fares continue to support and grow regional tourism.
To launch the new service, Jetstar is having a 12-hour sale from 9am AEDT, with one-way fares between Sydney and Busselton Margaret River from only $135.
Jetstar’s Executive Manager, Customer, Jenn Armor said the launch of the new Sydney service comes just ahead of next month’s second anniversary of Jetstar flying from Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River.
“Close to two years ago Jetstar began flying from Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River and following the success of those flights, which have carried over 100 thousand passengers so far, we’re excited to launch the only direct flights from Sydney to WA’s stunning South West.
“Holidaymakers from Sydney will be able to fly direct to Margaret River in about five hours for as low as $135 one way, making the region far more accessible for domestic and international tourists from the harbour city.
“We thank the Western Australian Government, the South West Development Commission, Western Australia Tourism and the City of Busselton for their ongoing support of our efforts to grow travel demand to Busselton Margaret River.”
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said these flights are a game changer for WA’s South West tourism industry.
“With 95 per cent of visitors to Western Australia arriving by air, the state’s visitor economy relies heavily on-air travel, especially in the regions.
“Supporting more direct connections from domestic and international locations is a key priority for the WA Government and we will continue to encourage more airlines to secure non-stop and direct connections into WA’s regions.
“The WA Government has worked tirelessly since the pandemic to increase aviation connections and reduce cost of air travel into the regions through the $75 million Aviation Recovery Fund, and we are continuously providing subsidised airfares to encourage travel to WA’s spectacular regions.”
“I encourage travellers from the eastern states to book a trip on this convenient new flight to come and explore our breathtaking South West region, which offers culinary coastal adventures, world-class wine, pristine beaches, and towering timber forests.”
Regional Development Minister Don Punch said the South West has another reason to celebrate today.
“The commencement of the second direct commercial route between the region and the East Coast of Australia.
“The new Jetstar route between Busselton Margaret River and Sydney further opens up the tourism potential of the region, benefiting local tourism operators and businesses.
“The benefits of the WA Government investment in the development of the airport continues to flow on to locals, and we are working with the City of Busselton and other stakeholders on the business case for further development of this regional asset.”
Flight Schedule:
Sydney to Busselton Margaret River from 26 March 2024:
| Flight # | Frequency | From | To | Depart | Arrive |
| JQ898 | Tuesday*,
Thursday, Saturday |
Sydney | Busselton | 11:10 | 13:10 |
| JQ899 | Busselton | Sydney | 13:55 | 21:00 |
