Qantas releases over 170,000 discounted regional fares from $99

Hey Australia, your next regional escape just got a whole lot cheaper.

If you weren’t already aware, regional Australia is having a moment. From charming country towns to laid-back coastal escapes, Aussies are increasingly heading further afield in search of slower holiday spots.

Now, Qantas is making those getaways even more enticing – and a lot more affordable. As rising fuel prices and cost-of-living pressures continue to shape the way we travel, our national carrier has launched a major sale across more than 50 regional routes.

Here’s what you need to know

QantasLink plane — QantasLink celebrates 25 years of service in 2026. (Credit: Getty/Thurtell)

Originally established in May 2001, QantasLink was launched as the official regional carrier for Australia’s flagship airline. Today, it services more than 100 routes across the country, marking 25 years of regional connectivity. To celebrate this milestone, Qantas has slashed rates for roughly 170,000 QantasLink seats, with prices starting as low as $99.

“As an airline founded in regional Australia, we know how important aviation is in keeping this country connected. We’re incredibly proud of the role we’ve played over the past quarter of a century and to celebrate the milestone we’re putting every destination on sale," says QantasLink CEO, Mark Dal Pra.

Kicking off earlier this week, the celebratory sale covers more than 50 destinations, from coast to country, outback to island. It’s the perfect excuse to finally book that romantic getaway, head back to your hometown and visit loved ones or simply explore one of the many amazing towns that call Australia home.

“From Weipa in the far north to Launceston in Tasmania and Exmouth in the west, there are great value fares available, giving customers the chance to see friends and family or explore more of our amazing backyard," says Dal Pra.

A destination for every traveller

QantasLink’s birthday sale includes flights to 56 regional destinations across every Aussie state. Whether you’re craving a few sun-drenched days by the beach or a cosy autumn weekend away, there’s a pocket of Australia to suit every kind of traveller.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

For a winter weekend

Swinging Bridge Wines in Orange, NSW — Spend an evening at Swinging Bridge Wines in Orange. (Credit: Destinations NSW)

If you’re keen to embrace the cool change, there are plenty of places that do winter just right. Fly from Sydney to Orange for just $125 to visit the region’s award-winning wineries and sample a variety of cool-climate drops. Or head out to Armidale for the same price and delve into one of Australia’s top country towns of 2026.

For an outback experience

Uluru in the Northern Territory — Nothing quite compares to seeing Uluru in person.

While there are myriad ways to experience the outback, some destinations capture its quiet magic especially well. For just $339, fly from Sydney to Uluru and bear witness to Australia’s beating heart up close. Or head to Broken Hill this August for the epic Mundi Mundi Bash music festival, with flights for $195.

For a coastal reset

Beachside yoga in Byron Bay, NSW — Start your day with beachside yoga in Byron. (Credit: Destination NSW)

With temperatures dropping, the urge to escape overseas may be kicking in. But instead of spending thousands on a long-haul flight, why not fly from Sydney to Byron instead? For just $105 and an hour in the air, you’ll be by the sea in no time. Or head to Broome to experience year-round sunshine for $465, departing Sydney.

For a foodie fiesta

Freyja restaurant in Melbourne, Vic — Freyja is just one of Melbourne’s countless top-notch restaurants.

Those who prefer to follow their tastebuds can fly from Sydney to Melbourne for just $185. Eat your way through the Victorian capital’s top restaurants, sampling everything from local ingredients to global flavours. Or head to South Australia (Sydney to Adelaide) for $226 and see which restaurants receive Australia’s first Michelin stars.

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For an art-driven adventure

The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, ACT — Browse local and international exhibitions at the NGA. (Credit: VisitCanberra)

Home to the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra is the ultimate destination for art lovers. With flights for just $155 departing Sydney, you’ll be exhibition-hopping in no time. Looking for something a little more eccentric? Fly from Sydney to Hobart for the same price to make the most of quirky museums and ultra-cool events like Beaker Street Festival (6–17 August).

For an off-grid escape

Sal Salis on Ningaloo Reef, WA — Settle into your private glamping tent at Sal Salis on Ningaloo Reef. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

Sometimes, we just need to switch off – and where better to do so than Exmouth? As the gateway to WA’s Ningaloo Reef, fly from Sydney to Learmonth for just $480; it’s all coastal walks, marine encounters and glamping stays from there. Or for a little extra, fly from Sydney to Gove (Nhulunbuy) for $998 to experience Arnhem Land’s raw natural beauty – it’s worth every cent.

The fine print

Before you start planning your regional escape, there are a few key details worth noting. To secure discounted fares through QantasLink’s birthday sale, flights must be booked and paid for between Wednesday 20 May and Tuesday 26 May at 11:59pm – unless sold out prior.

While your window for travel spans from July 2026 to April 2027, discounted flights are only available on select travel dates. Airfares quoted apply to one-way flights in economy class and include checked baggage, as well as complimentary in-flight food and beverages.

While the sale offers travellers the chance to explore more of regional Australia for less, QantasLink CEO Mark Dal Pra says the airline is keen to give back more.

“We’re continuing to invest heavily in QantasLink, including through dozens of new aircraft, as well as cabin and regional lounge upgrades, so we can continue to serve regional Australia for the next 25 years."

All prices and availabilities listed are accurate at the time of publication.

The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

1. Check in

aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter — Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

2. Hunt for treasure

couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral — Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum — Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

4. A taste of France

table spread at Lucette bowral — Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

5. Indulge in a tipple

Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter — Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

6. Blend your own gin

Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

7. Go for a walk at dawn

Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

8. Cosy up by the fireplace

A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.

Qantas releases over 170,000 discounted regional fares from $99

Hey Australia, your next regional escape just got a whole lot cheaper.

Here’s what you need to know