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Massive domestic flight sale unlocks cheaper school holiday travel

Sale fares include checked baggage and onboard food.

Kids playing on a beach. Picture by Annie Spratt/Unsplash
Kids playing on a beach. Picture by Annie Spratt/Unsplash
Anna Houlahan
June 12, 2026

If you've been waiting for a sign to book your next domestic adventure, this is it.

Qantas has launched a major domestic sale, with prices slashed on 1.4 million economy seats to 60 destinations across 190 routes.

Fares start from as low as $105, and discounted flights are available during the busiest travel times of the year, meaning an interstate trip could be on the cards for the school holidays.

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These fares are inclusive, so unlike the budget carriers, your checked baggage, seat selection and onboard food and drinks won't cost any extra.

Top deals and exciting routes

Whether you're planning a quick weekend escape or a longer holiday, there are 33 routes under $150 and nearly 60 routes under $200.

One-way flights between Ballina (Byron Bay) and Sydney start from $105, meaning easy city-to-surf escapes during winter.

Or if you love the cold, Qantas is offering flights between Melbourne and Launceston for just $119.

Among the standout deals is a Melbourne to Hamilton Island route from just $209, ideal for the Victorians craving a break from the bitter winter.

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. Picture by Unsplash
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. Picture by Unsplash

"Right now, when every dollar counts, that kind of saving means travellers can actually do the trip they dreamed of," a Tourism Whitsundays spokesperson said.

With savings of $100 to $200, it can be the financial difference that means a traveller may be able to add a reef tour, a sunset sail or a long lunch to their trip, they said.

The fine print

The discounted seats are available for select dates between July 22, 2026, and May 23, 2027.

But you'll need to move quickly to lock in the best dates, as the sale ends on June 16, or when the seats sell out.

"We're making it easier to plan ahead, whether it's a trip away for school holidays, Christmas or Easter, booking early means one less thing to worry about," Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said.

"With 190 routes across almost 60 destinations on sale, there's something for everyone, from coastal escapes to outback adventures, there's no shortage of reasons to book."

Qantas economy sale routes

Sydney – Ballina (Byron Bay) $105

Adelaide – Kangaroo Island (Kingscote) $119

Brisbane – Newcastle $119

Melbourne – Launceston $119

Melbourne – Adelaide/Hobart $129

Sydney – Gold Coast/Merimbula/Orange/Toowoomba (Wellcamp) $129

Sydney – Bendigo $135

Brisbane – Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast)/Sydney $139

Melbourne – Newcastle/Sydney $139

Sydney – Albury/Armidale/Coffs Harbour/Dubbo/Launceston/Port Macquarie/Tamworth/Wagga Wagga $149

Brisbane – Bundaberg/Mackay $149

Canberra – Melbourne $149

Canberra – Sydney $159

Sydney – Griffith/Hobart/Moree $159

Sydney – Adelaide/Mildura $169

Townsville – Mt Isa $169

Brisbane – Cairns/Launceston/Melbourne/Miles $179

Gold Coast (Coolangatta) – Albury/Burnie/Bendigo/Devonport/Merimbula $189

Brisbane – Bendigo $195

Brisbane – Canberra/Hobart/Moranbah $199

Melbourne – Orange $199

Brisbane – Merimbula $205

Adelaide – Alice Springs $209

Gold Coast (Coolangatta) – Adelaide/Mildura/Orange $209

Melbourne – Hamilton Island $209

Perth – Kalgoorlie $209

Canberra – Ballina (Byron Bay)/Launceston $229

Melbourne – Armidale/Dubbo/Port Macquarie/Tamworth $229

Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) – Devonport $259

Canberra – Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) $269

Darwin – Alice Springs/Melbourne $289

Darwin – Perth/Sydney $299

Perth – Newcastle/Sydney $319

Perth – Melbourne $329

Perth – Brisbane/Canberra/Karratha/Newman/Port Hedland $349

Darwin – Bendigo $369

Perth – Albury/Coffs Harbour/Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) $409

Sydney – Geraldton $469

Anna Houlahan

Anna Houlahan is a journalist for Explore and the Senior. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au