The quickest way to get to Australia is to fly. You can fly directly into any State, although Sydney remains the most popular gateway city to arrive at. There are heaps of options depending on where you are flying from:
From New Zealand
There are now a number of budget airlines that fly from New Zealand to Australia:
Auckland to: Gold Coast
Hamilton to: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney
Palmerston North to: Brisbane, Sydney
Wellington: North Coast
Christchurch: Gold Coast
Dunedin: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
Although this is not a budget airline prices have become a lot more competitive in recent years and so their flights are worth a look.
From the Rest of the World
Sydney and Perth are on the flight routes of the majority of the main airlines. The best thing to do is check your local travel agent or one of the flight websites below to get the best deals. Depending on where you fly from, you will also need to decide which of the following two options is best for you:
• Direct Flight
When purchasing your flight to OZ you have the option to buy one that takes you straight there. If you are flying from Europe the plane will need to stop to refuel but you will only have to get off once you have reached Australia.
With some direct flights you have the option to add on a stopover. This is a good idea if you don't like long flights as it breaks up the journey. It’s also a great opportunity to explore places such as LA, Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong!
• Round the World ticket
A popular alternative to the direct flight is the Round the World pass. You can buy your flight to Australia as part of this ticket. There are loads of different options but this type of pass typically allows you to combine a number of different flights in an order such as: London – LA – Fiji – Auckland – Sydney – Perth – Singapore – London. This is the perfect way to create your own unique journey! These types of tickets are also a lot more flexible that direct tickets, allowing you to make changes as you travel, so if you fall in love with Australia you can stay even longer! For the best deals and advice on RTW tickets, we recommend going to a specialist
agency like Travel Nation, www.travel-nation.co.uk, who can help you plan your trip of a lifetime.
Given the size of the country, internal flights are a very practical way of travelling long distances and getting to see as much as the country as possible!
Internal Australian flights are now relatively cheap. Regional routes are serviced by smaller airlines such as Regional Express or Airlines of South Australia. Each state capital has an international airport.
Special offers and air passes do exist offering tourists discounted air travel in Australia. Discounts are also available with a YHA or VIP card. Try looking at: www.quantas.com www.rex.com.au
