{"id":434925,"date":"2026-05-19T11:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/434925\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T11:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:34:13","slug":"jetstar-launches-flight-sale-to-celebrate-new-route-to-rarotonga-from-255","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/434925\/","title":{"rendered":"Jetstar launches flight sale to celebrate new route to Rarotonga from $255"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jetstar<\/a> has launched a sale to celebrate a brand new international route opening up to a destination being dubbed the \u201cnew Bali\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The inaugural flight from Brisbane to Rarotonga<\/a>, which is the largest island in the Cook Islands, took off on Monday night.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a six-hour flight, and once passengers arrive, they\u2019ll be greeted with a \u201ctropical paradise\u201d that\u2019s filled with white sandy beaches<\/a>, turquoise lagoons, and a relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Jetstar<\/a> is the only Aussie airline offering direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Rarotonga.<\/p>\n

Executive manager for customer and digital, Prue McKenzie, was excited to see the new service officially take flight.<\/p>\n

\u201cRarotonga is a stunning destination, and Queenslanders have jumped at the chance to reach this island paradise on this new direct service,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we continue to grow our international network, we\u2019re focused on delivering even more low fares and more great experiences, giving customers more chances to take off, for less.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

Where are the Cook Islands?<\/p>\n

The Cook Islands can be found north-east of mainland Australia and are nestled between Samoa, Tonga, and French Polynesia.<\/p>\n

There are only a handful of streets on Rarotonga, and it takes around 20 minutes to drive from one side of the main island to the other.<\/p>\n

Jetstar claimed the collection of 15 islands has become \u201cone of the most talked about destinations\u201d for Aussies.<\/p>\n

Explore journalist Natascha Mirosch even claimed<\/a> it was the new Bali, as there were fewer tourists and it resembled what the Indonesian hotspot was like decades ago.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n

\u201cThis unspoiled tropical island takes less time to fly to from Australia’s east coast and could well be the perfect alternative [to Bali],\u201d she said in 2024.<\/p>\n

This couldn\u2019t come at a better time, with a poll of nearly 1,300 Yahoo Lifestyle readers found 41 per cent felt tourists had \u201cruined\u201d Bali, while 44 per cent thought the popular destination was \u201cdirty and overrun\u201d.<\/p>\n

Aussies now make up a quarter of all arrivals to the Cook Islands and that\u2019s set to grow to 28 per cent this year.<\/p>\n

How can I get to the Cook Islands from Australia?<\/p>\n

Jetstar has launched a 48-hour sale to the Cook Islands to mark the new Brisbane route.<\/p>\n

Fares start from just $255 and the sale will end at midday on Wednesday, May 20, unless sold out prior.<\/p>\n

The airline will fly from Brisbane to Rarotonga on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.<\/p>\n

\"Tourists<\/p>\n

These stunning beaches are just six hours away from Australia.<\/p>\n

(WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Flights from the Queensland capital leave at 10:20pm and land in the Cook Islands at 7:45am local time.<\/p>\n

For flights back to Brisbane, planes will leave Rarotonga on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9:10am and land just after midday.<\/p>\n

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has thanked Jetstar for increasing the number of flights from Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cTourism is the backbone of the Cook Island\u2019s economy, contributing approximately 75 per cent of the country\u2019s GDP,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will provide a major boost to our tourism sector, and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation will be very positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are delighted that Jetstar is making this commitment to the Cook Islands, and Cook Islanders are always ready to welcome Australian visitors with open arms and warm smiles.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

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