Discover a new tropical island destination direct from Sydney

Done Bali? Visited Thailand? Love Fiji?

How about adding the Cook Islands to your list of tropical holiday destinations?

Jetstar announced today that it is launching non-stop flights between Sydney and Rarotonga from June 29 next year. Count me in.

It will be the first time the carrier has operated flights between Australia and the Cook Islands, and to celebrate the new route Jetstar is offering a special sale price of $229^ one-way in a 48-hour sale that has just started.

The new service will provide two weekly return flights on Jetstar’s newest aircraft, the new-generation, longer-range Airbus A321neo LR.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the news was very important for the small island nation.

He said tourism was the backbone of its economy, contributing 75% of GDP.

“The new services from Jetstar will provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation is significant,” he said.

“We are delighted that Jetstar is making this commitment to the Cook Islands.”

The Cook Islands are known for stunning lagoons, beautiful white sand beaches and warm temperatures.

It already welcomes more than 29,000 visitors from Australia annually, and the additional Jetstar capacity from June, 2023 will allow the market to grow further.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said: “Rarotonga is a stunning tropical island and we’re excited to introduce our great low fares on this new route ahead of next year’s winter school holidays, offering Australians the opportunity to escape the cold and explore one of the most beautiful destinations in the South Pacific.

“The direct Sydney to Rarotonga will be our second route to the popular island, but the first from Australia and we thank the Cook Islands Government for their ongoing support.”

Jetstar already flies to Rarotonga from Auckland, New Zealand.

See www.cookislands.travel for more info. Or book at www.jetstar.com/au/en/

What about us? Cook Islands issue appeal to tourists

New Zealand and Fiji are very much on the radar of Australian travellers. Samoa and Tonga less so. And the Cook Islands are sometimes completely overlooked.

With New Zealand allowing quarantine- and isolation-free travel for Australian citizens and permanent residents from April 13, the Cook Islands have also opened up as a potential Pacific Island destination.

“Cook Islanders are waiting with open arms and big smiles to greet their first Australian visitors in just over two years,” said Graeme West, general manager of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation for Australasia.

“Because tourism is the mainstay of our economy, the last two years has caused significant financial hardship for many people. We are looking forward with much anticipation to welcoming Aussies back to our beautiful islands.”

West describes the Cook Islands as the ultimate South Pacific experience.

"Our tourism infrastructure is well established and offers a wide range of fantastic choices for accommodation, restaurants, and outdoor activities.," he says, pinpointing the spectacular beauty of the lagoons surrounding both Rarotonga and renowned Aitutaki (above).

The Cook Islands has a vaccination rate of 97% of the eligible population but there are some requirements that travellers must comply with.

All visitors over 5 years and 3 months of age (changing to over 16 years of age from May 2) must be fully vaccinated and provide an official International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) issued by the Australian Government.

A supervised RAT within 24 hours of departure from Auckland to Rarotonga is required and currently must be taken in New Zealand. From May 2, Australian visitors can take a supervised RAT or PCR test in Australia 48 hours prior to their scheduled flight time from Auckland to Rarotonga.

Visitors must complete a Cook Islands contact form no more than 96 hours prior to the scheduled departure time from Auckland to the Cook Islands.

From April13, Australian travellers can travel to the Cook Islands via Auckland on Air New Zealand and on Jetstar from June 2.

Air New Zealand’s direct service from Sydney to Rarotonga is expected to recommence later this year.

More information and details on entry requirements at www.cookislands.travel