Airfares from $29! Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin drop week-long sale

Three of the country’s major airlines have just announced jaw-dropping deals.

Knowing the best time to book flights is like playing the stock market: prices are constantly fluctuating and timing is everything. Add in dealing with unexpected flight cancellations and it can be a process fraught with stress. If only airlines could drop their deals at the same time…

In a rare twist of fate, it seems three of Australia’s biggest airlines have listened. This week, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin have all announced massive sales within days of each other, saving you hundreds of dollars on flights. We’re here to break down the best deals, so all you have to do is book.

Virgin: domestic flights from $49

Virgin plane taking off from airport — Virgin announced Aussie-wide flights for just $49. (Image: Ryan Fletcher)

Virgin Australia’s seven-day sale (from 24 February to 2 March) is encouraging Aussies to explore their own backyard, with one-way trips starting from just $49. You’ve got plenty of options too, as the deal spans flights departing between 30 April 2025 and 11 February 2026. That’s right, for less than $50, you can fly from Sydney to Byron Bay, one of the country’s most popular airline routes. Byron is best in summer, when you can take full advantage of its beautiful beaches. But even in the off-season, a year-round temperate climate means this coastal town always has unforgettable experiences on offer.

Byron Bay Lighthouse on the NSW North Coast — Book a flight from Sydney to Byron for less than $50. (Image: Lord Baileys)

Add an extra $10 and you can visit destinations like Brisbane, Proserpine, Launceston and Melbourne. Or fly into Sydney for just $65 and you’ll find plenty of ways to splash that cash you saved on flights. Not only is the NSW capital home to the best coffee shop in the world, but a diverse dining scene and a fabulous annual events calendar make it the perfect urban escape.

Fancy something different? Luckily for you, there are almost too many routes to choose from. If you’re willing to spend just a little more, you can fly from Melbourne to Canberra for $89, Adelaide to Launceston for $99, Cairns to Sydney for $105 or even Brisbane to Uluṟu for only $129.

Jetstar: over 100 national and international routes at half-price

Jetstar plane taking off from airport — Over 100 Jetstar routes are selling for more than half price. (Image: Ryan Fletcher)

Jumping onto the bargain bandwagon, Jetstar has slashed its prices for both national and international flights for one week only (ending 3 March). Over 450,000 fares are on sale now, connecting travellers to more than 100 routes around Australia and the world.

Domestic flights start at just $29 – yes, you read that right – and touch down in some of the country’s most sought-after holiday destinations. Think Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Launceston, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and more. With prices this low, you might as well throw a dart at a map and book a flight wherever it lands.

Devils Corner winery in Tasmania — Tassie is known for its award-winning cellar doors. (Image: Andrey Chernev)

Why not pop down to Tassie for the weekend? Fly from Sydney to Hobart for $29 per person to explore the city’s historic neighbourhoods, meet laid-back locals and sample the island state’s best wineries nearby.

But Jetstar’s flight frenzy is not limited to our land girt by sea – a variety of one-way international flights are on sale too. Fly from Perth to Singapore from $145, Melbourne to Bali for $199, Sunshine Coast to Auckland for $175 or Sydney to Vanuatu for $185. And there’s more where that came from, too.

Qantas: fly business class for less than $400

Qantas plane taking off from airport — Qantas has launched a week-long sale. (Image: SCM Jeans)

Ever wanted to fly business class on a budget? For seven days only (24 February – 2 March), Qantas is giving away one million business-class seats from just $369 one way. Frequent flyers with the airline can also exchange just 23,500 points for a business-class seat (plus taxes, fees and carrier charges).

The extraordinary deals cater to all kinds of travellers, with 60 destinations across the country to choose from. Keen to explore Tropical North Queensland? Fly from Brisbane to Proserpine, known as the gateway to the magical Whitsundays, for just $369 one way.

The Whitsundays in Tropical North Queensland — Fly into Proserpine to explore The Whitsundays. (Image: Jesse Shaw Photography)

Or jet to Victoria’s cultural capital of Melbourne from Canberra for just $399. Other routes include Hobart to Sydney, Adelaide to Perth and Alice Springs to Darwin – just to name a few.

The only catch isn’t really a catch at all; flights just need to be booked between 29 April – 26 June, 22 July – 18 September and 14 October – 10 December. Economy class seats are also up for grabs from just $109 one way during the same sale period.

Note: all prices are accurate and deals are available at the time of writing, until sold out.

Qantas and Virgin planes on an airport runway — Book a flight with Qantas, Virgin or Jetstar before it’s too late! (Image: SCM Jeans)

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

Airfares from $29! Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin drop week-long sales