Gold Coast Becomes Most Connected Australian City to New Zealand

A new partnership between Queensland Airports Limited and Qantas Group will see the Gold Coast become the most connected Australian city to New Zealand.

Jetstar will operate services from Gold Coast Airport to Hamilton and Dunedin three times each week from June 2025, expanding the airport’s Trans-Tasman connections to six.

The new routes celebrate the recent signing of a long-term agreement between The Qantas Group and Queensland Airports Limited, signaling the airline’s confidence in the destination.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the agreement was a significant milestone, solidifying their partnership and providing significant opportunities for growth across all the regions they serve.   

“Jetstar’s new services between New Zealand and Gold Coast Airport are a great example of the partnership in action, offering greater connectivity and choice for customers, making air travel more accessible for Kiwis looking to holiday on the Gold Coast,” she said.

“New Zealand is Australia’s largest international visitor market, so it makes sense for us to increase our Trans-Tasman connectivity. We’re proud that we’ll be Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand.

“These services are expected to deliver over 115,000 passengers annually to the Gold Coast, connecting the city to Dunedin for the first time and re-establishing the airport’s first ever Tasman route, to Hamilton.” 

The two new routes, made possible with the support of the State Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF), build on Gold Coast Airport’s existing New Zealand connections to Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch.

Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, said today’s announcement is great news for the Gold Coast region.  

“Tourism is a key industry on the Gold Coast and the new agreement with Queensland Airports will support the growth of inbound tourism and provide a big boost to local operators. 

“It’s also great news for customers, with the new routes unlocking more than 115,000 new low fares seats a year between the Gold Coast and Hamilton and Dunedin, while helping to connect the city’s large population of Kiwi ex-pats to their home country.”  

“We thank the Queensland Government and Queensland Airports for their ongoing support of low fares travel across the Sunshine State.” 

Tourism Minister Michael Healy encouraged New Zealanders to snap up the deals while they can.

“What a win for New Zealand travellers who can now access these new, affordable, regular flights, allowing them to visit Queensland and explore this great state without blowing the budget,” said Mr Healy.

“The new services will make Gold Coast Airport Australia’s most connected to New Zealand, with more routes for visitors and students to arrive, with air freight heading back across the Tasman.

“Almost half a million kiwis crossed the ditch to visit Queensland in the year ending March 2024, setting a second consecutive visitor spending record with $821 million in overnight visitor expenditure.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed increased international connections into the Gold Coast.

“This is fantastic news for the coast and our much-loved Kiwi visitors,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“Seeing Dunedin and Hamilton added to the schedule from 2025 will benefit our local businesses and open up those amazing destinations for Gold Coasters to explore. 

“I applaud Jetstar and the team at Gold Coast Airport for continuing to explore new horizons for our international sectors.’’

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said “We know that Kiwis love visiting the Gold Coast, and that’s why New Zealand continues to be our largest international market and has grown about 8 per cent in the past financial year.” 

“The new Jetstar services to Hamilton and Dunedin announced today will make it even easier for travellers to make the quick trip across the ditch and take advantage of the incredible diversity of visitor experiences available in our beautiful destination. 

“The Gold Coast is a highly desired international travel destination, not just for Kiwis but increasingly for travellers from other key growth markets like China, Japan, South Korea, and the US. A key priority for Experience Gold Coast is continuing to invest in new products, experiences and events that give visitors more reasons to come here and to work with our airline partners to ensure greater connectivity.”

Dunedin Airport Chief Executive Officer Daniel De Bono said “We look forward to welcoming with open arms our Australian friends and family, to our wonderful part of the world. We know they will enjoy the many attractions of the Lower South Island, including The Catlins, Southland, Waitaki and Queenstown. And we cannot wait to visit your stunning beaches and cities!”

Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL) Chief Executive Mark Morgan said his team was looking forward to seeing Australian visitors flying back to the Hamilton and “landing directly into real New Zealand.”

“We have a fantastic location to fly into – very easy and convenient – and we’re really looking forward to welcoming Australians back after a long time away.  And of course, we can’t wait to fly directly to the Gold Coast too. It will always be a favourite holiday spot for Kiwis and we’re expecting huge demand.”