Qantas unveils new seasonal flights to Las Vegas

 

Qantas today announced it will be the first airline to operate a non-stop route between Australia and Las Vegas.

The new seasonal Sydney–Las Vegas service will run from December through to March 2027 and will save customers up to five hours in travel time by eliminating the need for connections through another US city.

Las Vegas becomes the 101st destination on the Qantas network and the airline’s eighth city across North and South America, joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Dallas, New York, Vancouver and Santiago.

Available for booking from today, the service will operate during some of the city’s biggest global events and expos including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest and most influential tech show, and as Vegas plays host to the National Rugby League’s (NRL) annual season kick off: Las Vegas Festival. 

For the past two years the airline has operated charter flights in partnership with NRL from Australia’s East Coast to Las Vegas to get Aussie fans to games. Flights took off this week and, for the third year, in a row are fully booked.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said strong customer demand for international travel is driving the airline's expansion of seasonal services to destinations like Las Vegas.

“Australians' appetite for international travel continues to be incredibly strong." Wallace asaid. 

"Rome and Sapporo have shown us there's real demand for seasonal services to destinations people want to visit at certain times of year, and we're continuing to expand those direct connections around the world.

"Our historic fleet renewal is giving us the flexibility to deploy aircraft where we see demand, opening up route possibilities that simply weren't there before."

Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said Qantas’ new non-stop service was a testament to the strength of the Australian market for Las Vegas.

“Australia has consistently ranked as our second-largest overseas market and our top international market without a nonstop flight," Hill said. "More than 250,000 Australians visit each year, drawn by the breadth and depth of experiences Las Vegas offers. We are grateful to Qantas for their partnership and confidence in our city.” 

* Sydney (SYD) to Las Vegas (LAS) will operate as QF55, with the inaugural flight taking off on December 29, 2026 and initially operating until March 12, 2027.The new route will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft three times per week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Economy return fares start from $1,099.

Calling golfers who love their wine and food

 

Calling all lovers of luxury, Tasmanian food and wine, and golf. 

How about three nights at delightful Country House, dinner, Pooley wine experiences and the chance to play two of the best golf courses in Tasmania? 

The the inaugural Prospect Epicurean Open from April 19-22 might be of interest. 

The experience includes a three-night stay at Prospect Country House - just across the road from owners the Pooley family's cellar door - and rounds of golf at 7 Mile Beach and Royal Hobart Golf Club.

From seasoned low handicappers pros to weekend enthusiasts, the event is designed for golfers of all skill levels. 

After the golf, participants can retreat to the heritage comfort of Buscombe's Restaurant and Prospect Country House in the Coal River Valley for a five-course degustation dinner, Pooley wines, and the quiet of the very pretty 1830s estate.

Mathew Goggin's 7 Mile Beach (above) is one of Australia's newest top-rated courses and participants will be led by pro golfer Scott Laycock and John Davis from Tasmanian Golf Experiences. 

Davis will also host the 18 holes at Royal Hobart Golf Club. 

The experience includes all transfers, accommodation, curated meals, Pooley wines, green fees and pull buggies included. All you need is a toothbrush and your golf clubs. The price is $3,150 person.

For full details email Lisa Pooley at lisa@prospectcountryhouse.com.au or check out https://prospectcountryhouse.com.au/

Launceston gets a direct air link with Canberra

Tasmania has gained another air link with the announcement of the first direct flights between Launceston and Canberra to be operated by Link Airways.

With flights scheduled for times a week throughout the year, the new service means travellers from the ACT and regional NSW can now fly direct to Northern Tasmania and UNESCO City of Gastronomy Launceston.

It makes it much easier to visit attractions including Cataract Gorge and the Tamar Valley wine region, as well as the iconic Cradle Mountain and Derby Mountain bike trails further afield, Tourism Tasmania announced.

The new service - which takes off from May 6 - will add 14,000 seats annually to Tasmania's air capacity and lands in time for Tasmania's Off Season tourism campaign.

Flights are on sale now from $339. Link already offers flights between Hobart and Canberra. 

Book via Link Airways at https://www.linkairways.com/ or a travel agent.

Link Airways has partnered with Velocity Frequent Flyer, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia.

Skytrans is mining an unlikely new destination

Fancy a taste of the Outback and one of rural Australia's biggest mining communities?

Regional airline and air charter company Skytrans Australia, a part of Avia Solutions Group, has just announced it is expanding its regional aviation network with a new air route between Sydney and Cobar.

Cairns-based Skytrans is a leading operator in the Australian regional aviation market and says its is "committed to long-term sustainable growth, continually expanding its turboprop fleet and adding new regional routes".

Weekly flights from Sydney to Cobar will initially continue until mid-May 2026. 

The route will be serviced by 36-seat Dash 8-200 aircraft based in Sydney, which also operate the recently launched Skytrans services between Sydney and Lord Howe Island.

“This new charter service to the Copper City, renowned for its rich mining history and heritage, reinforces our ongoing commitment to strengthening the delivery of reliable and affordable air services to rural, regional and remote communities,” said Skytrans Chief Commercial Officer Richard George.

“It is an exciting opportunity and a genuine privilege to continue to extend our flight network into the regions, strengthening partnerships and supporting the ongoing development of regional communities and their economic wellbeing.”

Skytrans operates a fleet of 13 Dash 8 turboprops and Airbus A319 jets across Australia.

Cobar is a town in Outback New South Wales, whose economy is based mainly upon base metals and gold mining. The town is 712km north-west of Sydney.

See www.skytrans.au  

A Margarita with the Matildas? Sydney pubs go large

A decade ago a regional women's soccer tournament would have attracted a proverbial man and a dog to watch in Australia. 

Now the Matildas are a box office drawcard and pubs across Sydney are planning watch parties for the  
AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which runs from March 1-21. 

Solotel pubs are turning up the volume with venues including Sackville Hotel, The Golden Sheaf and The Woodstock offering live, big-screen action. 

In celebration of the tournament, Margs for the Matildas will be flowing with $12 margaritas during every Matildas match.

 Plus, fans at The Clock in Surry Hills can enjoy a free margarita in partnership with Patrón Tequila for the first Matildas' goal in each game they play (subject to conditions). 

Here are some of the venues getting in on the fun:

The Clock, Surry Hills; Sackville Hotel, Rozelle; Golden Sheaf, Double Bay; Public House, Petersham; The Woodstock, Rooty Hill; Kings Cross Hotel, Potts Point; The Albion, Parramatta; The Erko, Erskineville. 

Bookings are recommended. 

So you really, really like to eat steak?

Are you one of those people for whom too much steak is not enough?

Melbourne bistro 98 Lygon St Bar & Bistro, in Brunswick East, has just launched a weekly bottomless steak deal starting from Wednesday.

So think unlimited premium, dry-aged grass-fed porterhouse, sliced thick, served rare and your plate refilled until you surrender.

Diners will enjoy their steak feast with frites and peppercorn sauce for $69 per person. 

Selected cellar pours, and large-format bottles offered by the glass on the night offer a wine and food matching experience.

Co-founder Ben Clark says the concept was designed to feel like a proper night out.

“Wednesday is a night people already enjoy dining out," he said. "This was about generosity, quality and creating a midweek ritual people look forward to.”

The format also reflects the venue’s broader approach to hospitality, says co-founder Simon Aukett.

“It’s indulgent without cutting corners,” he says. “The full experience, done properly, week after week.”

Bottomless Steak launches Wednesday, February 25, and will run weekly. Seats are limited, bookings are essential.

See www.98lygonst.au