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First flights from Western Sydney’s new airport go on sale

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
Western Sydney International Airport will open on 25 October 2026, with Jetstar the first airline off the blocks – and tickets are on sale today.

Sydney finally has a second airport. Tickets went on sale on 10 June for the first commercial passenger flights out of the new 24-hour Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), with Jetstar and Qantas connecting the city’s rapidly growing western suburbs to Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

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 carrying up to 188 passengers.

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.

Qantas will follow in March, 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.

WSI CEO Simon Hickey called it a landmark moment for travellers across Greater Sydney. “Mark your calendars, as the countdown is officially on," he said.

“These Qantas and Jetstar services will give Western Sydney’s frequent business and leisure travellers more choice and flexibility to fly from Sydney’s new 24-hour gateway to some of our nation’s most popular east coast hubs."

Jetstar Airbus A320 plane
Jetstar will make history as the first commercial passenger airline to operate from the new airport.

The airport, officially named after pioneering Australian aviator Nancy-Bird Walton, has been 15 years in the making. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the moment was fast approaching.

“This is a big moment for Sydney, with passenger flights at Western Sydney Airport commencing in just 137 days," she said.

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."

“Jetstar has an incredible history of growing new markets and being the first airline to launch will give one of the country’s fastest-growing regions better access to low fares to some of our most popular destinations," she said.

Jetstar plane taking off
Jetstar will operate up to 14 flights a week from WSI.

WSI will also handle cargo well before its passenger terminal opens, with the airport’s integrated 24-hour Cargo Precinct set to open on 26 July 2026. Qantas Freight will be among the first operators, with an inaugural freighter taking off on the evening of Monday, 27 July. The airline expects more than 850 tonnes of freight to move through WSI each week.

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 Airbus A320 plane landing
Western Sydney International Airport will open on 25 October 2026, with Jetstar the first airline off the blocks.

WSI is the centrepiece of the Albanese Government’s near $18 billion investment in Western Sydney, including the future Sydney Metro Airport rail connection and significant road upgrades nearby.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that in 2011, when he commissioned a joint study with the NSW Government into a second airport, it wasn’t a matter of if Sydney needed a new airport, but when.

“15 years later, this new airport is almost ready to open. I want to thank the tens of thousands of people who, over the years, planned, built and are now testing Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding infrastructure right here in Western Sydney," he said.

Passengers can access the terminal via the new toll-free M12 motorway, with over 6000 car parking spaces on site, and public bus services connecting from Penrith, Liverpool, Campbelltown and other surrounding suburbs from 5 July 2026.

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Qantas launches sale ahead of opening

Jetstar Airbus A320 plane
The airport is designed to handle up to 10 million passengers a year from opening.

To mark the occasion, Qantas has launched a domestic sale with 1.4 million discounted economy seats starting from $105 one-way across more than 190 routes. The sale covers travel between 22 July 2026 and 23 May 2027 – taking in spring and summer school holidays, Christmas and Easter – and closes at 11.59pm AEST on Tuesday 16 June. All fares include checked baggage and complimentary food and beverages.

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

    Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

    Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

    1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

    Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

    2. There’s a booming arts scene

    Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
    Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

    Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

    3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

    three people swimming in lake macquarie
    In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

    4. The dining scene is unbeatable

    8 at Trinity lake macquarie
    Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

    Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

    5. There are hidden coves and waterways

    kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
    Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

    6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

    ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
    Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

    Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

    7. The lake has islands

    sail lake macquarie
    Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

    Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

    Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.