Last year, flights commenced between Melbourne and Busselton Margaret River making it easier for Victorians to visit Australia’s South West and immerse themselves in the food, wine, experiences, and beaches that make the region one of the best tourism regions in the world. Jetstar has now launched a new route to the region, flying direct from Sydney to Busselton.
The flights commence on 26 March 2024 with flights operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. After 1 April 2024, the Tuesday flight will change to a Monday flight. The flights, operated by an Airbus A320, will be the only direct service connecting Sydney with Busselton Margaret River, making the journey from the harbour city just about five hours.
Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully highlighted the service’s affordability, with promotional one-way fares starting at $109.00. The Sydney flights build on the success of Jetstar’s Melbourne-Busselton route, inaugurated in April 2022, doubling the annual visitor count to this region.
| Flight | Origin/Destination | Departure | Arrival |
| JQ898 | Sydney-Busselton | 11:10 | 13:10 |
| JQ899 | Busselton-Sydney | 13:55 | 21:00 |
Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods expressed optimism about the potential influx of visitors to the South West region, foreseeing the creation of thousands of jobs and a substantial economic boost. “This historic aviation connection will prove to be a very valuable one for hotels and hospitality venues in the South West, who will benefit from new visitors that will soon be flying directly into Busselton,” he said.
Starting from March next year, these flights will bring tens of thousands of additional visitors, benefitting not just Busselton but the entire southern WA region. Sydneysiders will now find the famed Margaret River wine region just a short flight away, making it an attractive travel option. Businesses in Busselton and surrounding areas, including hotels, restaurants, wineries, and tourism venues, are expected to see a significant upswing in patronage.
Woods also highlighted the importance of direct flights to regional hubs in overcoming WA’s vastness and commended the combined efforts of Australia’s aviation industry and the WA Government in establishing these new flight paths, bringing tangible benefits to the state’s hotel and hospitality industry.
Image credit: Jetstar
