Although a popular destination for travellers of all kinds, New Zealand is a long way from anywhere - tucked away at the bottom of the South Pacific. What’s more, its most amazing scenery is to be found right down south, far from the busy Auckland International Airport which welcomes most visitors to the country.
Qantas flies direct to the South Island
Qantas is making it easier than ever to get to the South Island, with direct flights from Brisbane to Christchurch planned for the summer season in 2015 and 2016. This is great news for Queensland dwellers who want to head across the ditch for a scenic holiday, and also for Northern Hemisphere visitors escaping the cold who would like to see the best of both Australia and New Zealand.
Travellers to Christchurch, the primary air gateway to the South Island, will benefit from 48 return services between Brisbane and Christchurch during December and January, a route that the airline hasn’t flown for ten years. There will also be extra services between Christchurch and Sydney offered for the season, and flights between Brisbane and Wellington added to the roster.
Justin Watson, the Christchurch Airport Chief Commercial Officer, said of the new flight schedule, “Qantas hasn’t flown between Christchurch and Brisbane for ten years, so the return of the service offers travellers competition and choice. Importantly, it also offers a very strong one-stop international connection between Japan and the South Island through Brisbane.”
The Executive Manager of International Sales for Qantas, Stephen Thompson, said that the company is glad to be able to meet the strong demand for New Zealand flights from the Queensland area over the high season. “A key part of our strategy is listening to and and responding to our customers’ needs and developing an agile and flexible network which offers more options during peak periods.”
Where to from Christchurch Airport?
New Zealand’s South Island is a stunner. It’s the ultimate road trip destination, best viewed at your own pace and with plenty time to pull over wherever you like to admire or investigate whatever catches your eye. Summer is a particularly good time to visit, with warm temperatures, lots of sunshine and long days for driving and exploring.
Hit the ground running and make your South Island road trip a holiday to remember. Pre-book a car rental from Christchurch Airport and get on the road with no worries. It’s an easy start for foreign drivers on the flat plains and straight roads of Canterbury, but take a look at our New Zealand driving guide as it can get a little trickier on the mountain roads.
Christchurch is a very central entry point for visitors to the South Island: seven hours from Golden Bay in the north, eight from Bluff in the far south. Driving your car hire from Queenstown to Christchurch takes just six hours, and two hours will put you in the heart of the spectacular Southern Alps range at Arthur’s Pass. Milford Sound is a full day’s drive - but why do it in one go when there are so many amazing places to stop along the way?
With so many flight options now available and simple online car rental bookings at AirportRentals.com, a self-drive holiday in the South Island has never been easier!
