In addition to the Gold Coast becoming Australia’s most connected city to New Zealand, with the launch of flights between the Gold Coast and both Hamilton and Dunedin from mid-next year, Jetstar will fly four flights a week between Sydney and Hamilton from mid-2025.
The Sydney and Gold Coast flights represent the first trans-Tasman connections for Hamilton in 13 years.
“With direct flights back on the map, it’s now easier than ever for our Australian cousins to tap into the awe-inspiring attractions and world-class venues available in our unique region,” said Hamilton & Waikato Tourism events manager, Aimee Tyson, noting that it was good timing for planners considering events in 2025.
“The red carpet was already laid out, now the doors are open.”
Hamilton is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities and is currently the nation’s fourth largest. Hamilton Airport is also the closest to the iconic Hobbiton experience, the Lord of the Rings movie set.
Adding to its business events appeal, the city will get a 191-room Pullman in 2026. Event spaces in Hamilton include SkyCity Hamilton, Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre and Hamilton Gardens.
“Imagine networking drinks set against the backdrop of our iconic Hamilton Gardens or team-building activities in the magical world of Middle-Earth’s Hobbiton Movie Set,” said Tyson.
“These one-of-a-kind attractions offer event organisers unique settings that will remain etched in the memories of their guests forever.”
For Dunedin, the direct connection to the Gold Coast is the first international flight for the destination since the pandemic.
“We’ve all been eager to see a regularly scheduled international service reinstated, ever since direct flights to Brisbane stopped in March 2020,” said Dunedin mayor Jules Radich.
Dunedin is famous for its wildlife and Scottish and Māori heritage and is the second largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, after Christchurch.
