Fun fact: 21 years ago, Jetstar launched its first-ever commercial flight out of Newcastle. Yep, it's a pretty cool claim to fame for this stunning NSW coastal city, which we think is one of the world’s most underrated. Now the city is coming full circle, with Newcastle Airport set to launch its first year-round international route outside Australia and New Zealand in October.
This is a historic moment for the Hunter region – encompassing Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens – also marking the city’s first international flight launch in half a decade, and hopefully the beginning of many more to come.
Later this year, Newcastle is on track to unveil a brand-new international terminal which, once complete, will open the door for many more global visitors. Kicking off on October 21, the first year-round international route will connect locals to one of Australia’s all-time favourite destinations: Bali. Jetstar will operate three weekly flights between Newcastle and Denpasar using its A321neo LR fleet – meaning locals can skip the two-hour drive to Sydney.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper says, “The first ongoing international flight for Newcastle Airport is a significant moment for the region’s visitor economy – and we’re only just getting started.
“Not only will this strategic investment boost the capacity of Newcastle Airport, it will open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to a major Southeast Asian transport hub and a wealth of opportunity.”
Flights from Newcastle to Denpasar are already on sale via the Jetstar website. So we say, bring on the nasi goreng, rendang and satay – and maybe a cheeky Bintang too!