Western Sydney Airport: All your questions answered

Western Sydney International Airport opens on 25 October 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.

Sydney finally has a second airport. Officially opening to passengers on 25 October 2026, the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) has been 15 years in the making.

Named after pioneering Australian aviator Nancy-Bird Walton, the airport is designed to handle up to 10 million passengers a year from opening, with long-term capacity to grow to 82 million, comparable to London’s Heathrow today.

Jetstar will kick off the official launch, operating the airport’s first domestic service on Sunday 25 October. International carriers will follow hot on its heels, beginning with Air New Zealand on Monday, 26 October, and Singapore Airlines services in November 2026.

Australia's first new major airport in 50+ years is almost here. Western Sydney International Airport opens for cargo in July and passenger flights in October – with Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand already signed on.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the new Western Sydney International Airport, from how to get there, what flight routes you can take and how it compares to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

Where is the new Western Sydney Airport?

Western Sydney International Airport is located in Luddenham, 60 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD (about 50-60 minutes by car). Its official address is 40 Nancy Drive, Luddenham NSW 2745.

Which airlines will fly into Western Sydney Airport?

jetstar — Jetstar will operate up to 14 flights a week from WSI.

Domestic

Jetstar (Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane – from October 2026)
Qantas (Melbourne, Brisbane – from March 2027)

International

Air New Zealand (Auckland – from October 2026)
Singapore Airlines (Singapore – from November 2026)
VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok – from January 2027)
Fiji Airways (Nadi – from March 2027)
Qatar Airways (Doha – from December 2027)

Jetstar will make history as the first commercial passenger airline to operate from the new airport when flight JQ362 lifts off at 11am on Sunday, 25 October 2026, bound for the Gold Coast. From that date, the low-cost carrier will operate up to 14 flights a week to Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast, and three weekly flights to Brisbane – all aboard Airbus A320 aircraft.

Qantas will follow next year, with four weekly services to both Melbourne and Brisbane beginning 28 March 2027 on QantasLink Embraer E190 aircraft, featuring up to 10 business class seats.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the airline was proud to be part of the milestone. “We’re excited by the potential of Western Sydney International Airport to spur local tourism and make aviation more accessible for millions of people in Western Sydney, who currently have to travel to Kingsford Smith to catch a flight."

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How to get to Western Sydney Airport

wsi link shuttle — The Super Shuttle offers express services to WSI.

There are several ways to get to Western Sydney International Airport. Car, rideshare and taxi options take around an hour from Sydney’s CBD or 25 minutes from Liverpool, with fares varying depending on traffic and distance.

Airport shuttle buses

WSI Link: a free interim express bus connecting St Marys Station and WSI in 30 minutes (runs every 30 minutes, 4.30am–12am Sunday to Thursday and until 1am Friday to Saturday)
Super Shuttle WSI: paid direct electric bus transfers (one-way adult tickets from WSI to Parramatta CBD for $25, to Sydney City for $55, or to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport for $65)

Public transport options

Train + WSI Link: catch the train from Sydney Central Station to St Marys Station, then transfer to the fare-free WSI Link shuttle (1h 20 minutes total travel time)
Local bus routes connecting to WSI: 790 Penrith, Liverpool 825 & 860, 845 Campbelltown and 772 Mount Druitt
Future Sydney Metro: a new metro line will connect WSI and St Marys Station in 15 minutes (scheduled to open in 2027)

Will Western Sydney Airport be cheaper?

Compared to Sydney Kingsford Smith, Western Sydney Airport offers cheaper onsite parking options, starting from $14 a day (as opposed to $50-$70+, though travellers can save by pre-booking). Multiple news sites suggest airfares from Western Sydney also tend to be considerably cheaper, with some low-cost carrier routes showing savings of up to 25 to 50 per cent.

What are the benefits of using Western Sydney Airport?

Beyond cheaper parking and airfares, there are several advantages of flying from Western Sydney Airport as opposed to Mascot’s Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. The new airport has 24/7 curfew-free operations, offering more schedule flexibility and flight choices including more red-eye and early morning services.

The airport will especially benefit Western Sydney residents by making air travel more accessible and reducing the travel time between home and the airport. However, for those who live in the CBD or the city’s eastern and northern suburbs, it will increase initial transfer time and may be less convenient than Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

The larger, modern terminal will also offer contemporary facilities and architecture, accessible infrastructure and streamlined security technology.

Is Western Sydney Airport bigger than Sydney Airport?

Western Sydney International Airport is set on 1780 hectares of land, making it physically larger than Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Mascot (907 hectares). There are also plans to scale Western Sydney Airport’s annual capacity up to 82 million passengers over the coming decades, eventually surpassing Sydney Airport.

How many terminals does Western Sydney Airport have?

Western Sydney Airport terminal — Western Sydney Airport has a single integrated terminal.

Western Sydney International Airport has one integrated terminal building – the Nancy-Bird Walton Terminal – housing both international and domestic operations.

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Will Western Sydney Airport be 24 hours?

Unlike Sydney Airport, which has a strict nightly curfew from 11pm to 6am, the Western Sydney Airport will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no curfew.

Will Western Sydney Airport have lounges?

rayleigh lounge WSI — The Rayleigh Lounge is WSI’s first lounge, accessible to eligible passengers flying with Singapore Airlines.

Western Sydney Airport recently revealed its first lounge: the Rayleigh Lounge. Opening in November 2026 to coincide with the peak summer holiday period, the space will welcome eligible passengers flying with Singapore Airlines.

Located on the terminal’s mezzanine level, the lounge has expansive views across the airfield to the Blue Mountains. Fast Wi-Fi, integrated charging, working areas and three private shower suites will allow guests to recharge and refresh before boarding their flight.

First-look images of the space showcase a luxe, light-filled space with a large veined marble bar, curved lounges and open kitchen. The design features a warm, earth-toned palette, timber accents and textural touches.

Is Western Sydney Airport finished?

Western Sydney International Airport is finished for its initial opening stage, with the 3.7-kilometre runway and main terminal building complete. Major transport, airline and structural expansions are scheduled to roll out over the coming months and years, including connectivity via a dedicated metro line scheduled to open in 2027, expanded lounges and more dining and retail facilities.

Hotels near Western Sydney Airport

Pullman Sydney Penrith offers five-star comfort within a short drive from WSI.

While there aren’t currently any hotels located directly onsite at Western Sydney International Airport, there are plenty of options just a 10 to 20-minute drive away in regional hubs such as Penrith, Liverpool and Blacktown. Here’s where to stay.

Atura Oran Park is a fresh, new contemporary lifestyle hotel around a 20-minute drive by car from the new airport. Guests can dine at Tavola Restaurant & Bar, the hotel’s signature Italian dining destination, and unwind by the resort-style pool.

Just over 20 minutes from Western Sydney International Airport, Pullman Sydney Penrith is the closest five-star hotel to the new airport. The hotel features 152 rooms, the European-inspired Marcel Bar and Bistro with a striking Bauhaus style and the contemporary lobby bar Tori. To celebrate the opening, Pullman Sydney Penrith will offer guests arriving via WSI a Flight Recovery Kit. Simply present your boarding pass at check-in to receive chamomile tea, caramel fudge and a bamboo sleep mask. All guests will also be offered a themed welcome drink upon arrival.

Mercure Sydney Liverpool is a great four-star option for business travellers and families, located 20 to 30 minutes from the airport by car. There is also a dedicated daily bus service between Liverpool and Western Sydney Airport. The hotel boasts 192 rooms, a resort-style pool, gym, ice rink and indoor playground.

While there’s no confirmed opening date yet, the 200-room Courtyard by Marriott Western Sydney Airport will be located onsite and is in the works.

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

Flying from Western Sydney Airport? All your questions answered

Western Sydney International Airport opens on 25 October 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is the new Western Sydney Airport?