air travel to nz from australia

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Good to know

Faqs - booking new zealand flights, i’m travelling to new zealand to visit the bay of islands. where should i fly to.

The Bay of Islands is a popular attraction in New Zealand. You can fly into Auckland Airport, one of the largest airports in New Zealand and the primary air hub for Air New Zealand. You can easily connect from Auckland to Bay of Islands-Wiroa-Kerikeri Airport (KKE) to visit the Bay of Islands.

Which airport is close to Poor Knights Islands?

If you want to visit the Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand, Auckland International Airport will be a good option. You can take a domestic flight to Whangārei Airport (WRE) and then take a taxi or bus to the islands. Alternatively, you can fly to Wiroa-Kerikeri Airport and then connect to Poor Knights Islands.

Can I bring a pet to New Zealand?

You can bring your pet to New Zealand, but you should check in with your airline to understand their policies. Qantas, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand allow you to fly with your pet, provided they are in a suitable and liquid-proof carrier.

What is a recommended way to get from Auckland Airport?

If you arrive at Auckland Airport, the SkyBus will be an ideal means to get to the centre. It operates 24/7 and stops near major hotels. Using Uber or a taxi takes approximately 30min to Auckland Central on light traffic. Alternatively, the public bus takes around 1h 35min but is the cheaper option to the city centre.

What airlines offer direct flights to New Zealand?

If you are interested in direct flights to New Zealand from Australia, there are several companies that you can book your travels with, including Air New Zealand, Jetstar, LATAM, and Virgin Australia, all of which offer trips to the country’s largest hubs.

I would like to visit Milford Sound. What airport should I arrive at?

When travelling to Milford Sound, you can first fly into Queenstown Airport (ZQN), where you can then grab a small jumper plane that will bring you directly to the fjord. Otherwise, you can fly into Te Anau Airport Manapouri (TEU), which is approximately a 2h 30min drive from Milford Sound. Additionally, there are buses that will take you from both of these airports to the fjord, and you will find that there are several departure times each morning.

What is the easiest airport to fly into if I am visiting Abel Tasman National Park?

To go to Abel Tasman National Park, you will first have to fly into Wellington International Airport (WLG), as it is the closest destination that services flights from Australia. From there, you can take a short 35min flight that arrives directly next to the park at Nelson Airport (NSN). It is also possible to take a ferry from Wellington, which takes about 3h total. If you end up flying into a different airport, such as Christchurch International Airport (CHC) or Auckland Airport (AKL), you will also be able to grab a short flight to Nelson Airport (NSN).

If I plan on visiting the interior of the North Island, where should I fly?

For those that would like to visit the interior of the North Island, it is easiest to fly into Rotorua Airport (ROT), as it is within easy driving distance of many central cities in the region, including Tauranga and Gisborne.

How long is the flight to New Zealand?

An average direct flight from Australia to New Zealand takes 7h 47m, covering a distance of 4486 km. The most popular route is Melbourne - Auckland with an average flight time of 3h 30m.

What is the cheapest flight to New Zealand?

The cheapest ticket to New Zealand from Australia found in the last 72 hours was $152 one-way, and $256 round-trip. The most popular route is Melbourne to Auckland Intl and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $268.

Which airlines fly to New Zealand?

Qantas Airways, Emirates & Air New Zealand fly the most frequently from Australia to New Zealand.

What are the most popular destinations in New Zealand?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Auckland (39% of total searches to New Zealand). The next most popular destinations are Queenstown (27%) and Christchurch (16%). Searches for flights to Wellington (11%), to Dunedin (1%) and to Blenheim (0.8%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to New Zealand

Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest New Zealand flight deals.
Auckland Airport (AKL) is a hub for Air New Zealand and Jetstar. Flights arriving from Australia at Auckland Airport will typically arrive at the international terminal. Other airlines that operate flights from Australia to Auckland Airport include Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Anzac Day (April), Waitangi Day (February), Empire Day (March) and Christmas Day (December) are no ordinary holidays in New Zealand. During such seasons, fares might hike due to an influx of travellers and airlines working to meet the demand. Therefore, booking your flight months or weeks in advance is recommended.
Dunedin Airport (DUD) is one of the most practical locations to fly into for those that would like to explore the southeastern part of the country, and they accept many daily flights departing from Brisbane.
If you plan on visiting the South Island—a popular destination that is known for having scenic mountains, kayaking opportunities, and sports like skiing and bungee jumping—you will find that it is convenient to fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC).
While travellers that are either permanent residents or citizens of Australia do not need to have a visa when going to New Zealand, they must have a valid passport that will not expire in between their arrival and departure dates.
Known for being the busiest airport in New Zealand and for servicing many daily flights to and from Australia, Auckland Airport (AKL) is a common destination for those that are travelling to areas throughout the North Island, such as North Shore.
To visit the southern part of the North Island, such as the cities of New Plymouth and Hastings, it is best to fly into Wellington International Airport (WLG), particularly as this airport offers many flights to and from cities in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Top 5 airlines flying to New Zealand

Short flight so no entertainment, turbulence so no food service - overall flight as expected

Great meal. Best seats ever! They need to teach other airlines how to do that.

Overall excellent but the Captain kept the seat belt sign on for far too long, especially at the beginning and end of the flight. It was 2 hours after take-off before the crew were able to start the service (on an 11 hour night flight, reducing our sleeping time) and the seat belt sign on went on during breakfast (90 mins before landing) and was not turned off again until we landed. This made for an uncomfortable journey of trying to limit fluid intake because it was unclear when the toilets would be available for use.

Food was not good. We asked for Muslim food and it was weird tasteless type of boiled veges.

Crew were pleasant, happy to be there and were a joy to be around. Entire operation was professional, well thought out and ran like a Swiss clock.

United flight from SFO to PDX was cancelled. I will ask for a refund. Had to book on Alaska

They announced food service but then never came around. We also couldn’t land so kept trying to get to runway and then had to come up and go around happened like 3 times and cause the child next to me to start throwing up

There was a snafu with confirming seats at check which left us in limbo for the second leg of our trip. I believe the ANZ app is not well integrated with the systems at the terminal resulting in this disconcerting error.

Flight attendants are always pleasant and helpful. Pilot kept us updated.

Just a hiccup being added to the NZ Traveller Declaration a bit late.

This time is good . Don’t cancel flight with out early notice .

Very good experience, considering the short flight the meals were served promptly after takeoff.

X class seats in row 3 with the new configuration are very poor in fact I feel 3B and 3E should no longer be considered as X class seat as there is no forward seat pocket available to these seats and greatly reduced leg room due the intrusion of the business class armrests/table module

It was pretty good. Everyone friendly. Like all airlines, the draconian limitations on baggage and weight and not giving even a free soda kind of drags down the experience a bit.

Last 10 minutes boarding they canceled the flight and didn’t organise anything

Estheticly the plane looks great, although the seats are way too upright. If the seats were just slightly more reclined then the comfort level would increase tenfold. I had the stiffest neck after just a short flight due to this. A nap was almost out of the question.

Cabin crew were very professional and welcoming. They certainly appeared to have lifted their game. Congratulations

I know not directly a Virgin "thing" but I hold Virgin responsible for their subcontractors. Had to wait 45 minutes waiting for baggage at PER before the belt conveyor even started. This is unacceptable and hopefully Virgin engages with whoever to pull their fingers out. I realise PER staff are generally slow at the best of times but this was ridiculous. Maybe more seating for those waiting, a cafe in the baggage area for a light meal while we wait or at the very least a troop of dancing girls to entertain the punters while they stare at the conveyor belt start light almost willing it to fire up.

Very poor. Flight was cancelled due to captain exceeding hours. Told to fend for ourselves for 12 hours until a new flight could be done. This meant overnight accommodation in Hobart. Next plane was delayed and no food onboard. No apologies from Virgin. Extremely disappointing.

Flight was cancelled due to a mechanical fault - Virgin rebooked me on a flight 6 hours later so I cancelled and flew with another carrier

Initial flight was cancelled so moved to an alternative flight. As a result, stuck in a middle seat. Flight then place in holding pattern prior to landing resulting in a very late trip home.

There was nothing I didn’t like, prices a little lower would help

BA Airbus A380 BC upstairs had 2 3 2 layout. The seat was comfy but access for those in middle or window seats had to climb over others fest to get to ailse when seats in bed mode. The layout was not nearly as private as other layouts. The staff was amazing as well as the food. Most airline food is average but this was restaurant quality.

Following a marathon flight riddled by delays and changes from Santiago, Chile, my flight to Melbourne from Sydney was on schedule but I was transferred to the next flight. The reason by ticketing and the floor manager was I missed the entry to flight by one minute! That's right, the emphasised that if I was 1 minute earlier I would be on the flight. I asked what was the point them emphasising 1minute overdue and how that helped me or the situation. They didn't care at all. Replying that if it was one minute earlier they would've done something and smirking delivering the information. Australian's do call Australia home, Qantas calls Australian's suckers.

1) crackly headphone jack 2) one of the emergency seats recline. Usually second row does. But in this case neither did 3) food was scrambled eggs or fruit. 4) fruit should not be the option to eggs 5)miserable unpleasant crew not a smile. Thought that was a virgin thing

Qantas are unable to service and unfit for purpose, they cannot transport Australians on time to overseas destinations. On top of the inflated ticketing, the Sydney flight to Santiago was impacted because the plane was delayed arriving and then further bungling by Qantas admitting the ground new ground crew in charge of cleaning were not trained. The impact on passengers with connecting flights was tremendous and long ques of frustrated passengers waiting for rescheduling. **Qantas has become the Australian Spirit of disappointment**

The staff we fantastic and seemed to work very well with each other

Business lounge in Melbourne mediocre. Look at Emirates or Qatar, Qantas! Great friendly crew. Food was good but Emirates is a level above. Business seat good. But can’t compare to Qatar. Main reason for booking Qantas is loyalty and terrific connection via Perth to LHR.

I was pleasantly surprised with my flight to LA with Qantas. Although seats were not the roomies, service was excellent.

The service and smooth landing. Food was delicious and the staff was friendly. We arrived earlier than scheduled.

Note that food has to be purchased in flight. No free food. And no entertainment in flight. So I’ve treated these two items as okay which, in this case, means neutral/not applicable.

My Dad needed assistance to board the plane. The Jetstar staff were excellent with him and made the experience a lot easier😁

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

Would be better if can provide small free snacks on a long flight

Boarding was easy and unstressful, though the early "final call" was a bit off-putting. The crew were pleasant, and the seats were comfortable. The prices for food and drink were reasonable, apart from tea and coffee, where simple percolated coffee was charged at espresso prices. Deboarding was OK, though some Jetstar passengers appear to have a bad habit of pushing forward from their assigned rows, making it more difficult to get out for passengers that have paid a premium to sit up-front. Jetstar might want to look to address this to stop it from spreading.

I was allocated an exit row seat and was told to move so it could be given away to someone who had purchased two extra legroom seats and one regular seat but wanted the three to sit together. I was also charged for entertainment after booking but before checking in, and the ground crew couldn't do anything about refunding it. When the whole plane was given access to the entertainment as an apology for the flight being four hours late, I was told they couldn't do anything about that either, so I was charged for something I didn't want even though it would have been free anyway

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

Worst flying experience of my life. FIVE HOURS delayed! Rude and unhelpful staff and poor communication from the grounds team. Never flying Jetstar again

Worst experience ever flying Melbourne to Phuket. 5 hours delayed! Didn’t land till 1am in the morning. Staff were rude and unhelpful

The best part was Tony Fernandes actually reinstated the Buttercake menu. It has gone missing after Covid & i made a complaint in one of my Tweets back in October 2022. Both flight D170 & D171 landed very smoothly- kudos to both pilots!

The worst experience in any flight I have ever had, delayed for more than 10 hours, lost my other flight so I lost one day during my trip. Didn’t gave me facilities with my luggage either. Never again

I was next to a quite large person. Soni essentially had 2/3 of my seat for myself and couldn't sit properly. Even though there were some other seat available, the staff refuse that I occupy another seat.

Pros: The staff was very friendly. Cons: Long delay. The food is terrible.

I’m a frequent Traveler on all types of airlines, including budget. This was the worst flight experience I’ve ever had. Something was wrong with AirAsia’s systems and we were the whole flight was rescheduled to the following day, the third flight it happened to. Apart from an email which gave the new date the web and app said the original flight date which meant that there were hundreds of people queueing at the airport to try and find out what was going on. People waited six hours to talk to customer service who gave advice that didn’t match the web or app. Nightmare. just advertising for spending the extra hundred dollars I’ve ever seen.

Book Cheap New Zealand Plane Tickets

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Explore popular destinations and direct flight routes from Australia

Flights from australia to new zealand, flights from australia to the pacific islands, flights from australia to north america, flights from australia to asia, air nz cheapest flights departing over the next 11 months, popular flight routes with air new zealand.

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*Fares displayed to New Zealand and Pacific Island destinations are one way while fares displayed to USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan destinations are return.

International travel requirements

Visa and border entry requirements for international travel.

Each destination may have different requirements and it is your responsibility to understand what you need to do for your entire trip, including connecting flights, transit points and your return journey . Failure to meet these requirements may result in denied boarding at the airport.

Check if you need to apply for any entry visas or border declaration forms and what timeframe applications need to be completed in.
Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended travel.
Protect yourself from unexpected medical costs by purchasing travel insurance with COVID-19 cover.

Entry requirements for Air NZ's direct destinations

We've put together these guides to help you understand the travel requirements for Air New Zealand's direct destinations. If your destination isn't listed below, you can visit the IATA Travel Centre to search visa and passport requirements.

Mainland China

Most travellers who are not citizens of Mainland China will require a tourist or business visa.
Passengers are no longer required to complete an Electronic Health Declaration Form.
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Mainland China have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Hong Kong .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Hong Kong have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Japan .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Japan have been removed.
See official requirements for entering, transiting, or departing Singapore.
All passengers must submit a digital Singapore Arrival Card with a Health Declaration via the SG Arrival Card e-Service .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Singapore have been removed.

South Korea

Passengers travelling on passports from visa-waiver countries may require a K-ETA.

If eligible, please apply for a K-ETA at least 24 hours prior to boarding.

All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to South Korea have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Taiwan .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Taiwan have been removed.
Ensure you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for travel to and transit through Australia.
Check if you need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter or transit Australia. Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home.
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Australia have been removed.

Bali, Indonesia

Travel eligibility .

Check you meet entry and immigration requirements for Indonesia .

Before departure:

For customs clearance, all passengers must complete the Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) which will generate a unique code which must be presented upon arrival.
To minimise delays during immigration clearance, we recommend all eligible passengers apply for a Electronic Visitor Visa (E-VOA) prior to arrival.
All eligible passengers are required to pay a Bali Tourist Levy. You can pay this in advance or on entry to Bali but this may delay your arrival process.

COVID-19 health & entry requirements

You no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Indonesia or travel domestically.

Reminder: If you're returning to New Zealand, please check the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries enhanced procedures in response to the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Bali.

New Zealand

Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for New Zealand .
If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) at least 72 hours before travelling to or transiting New Zealand.
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to New Zealand have been removed.
All passengers entering New Zealand need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration . It's free and can be completed before you travel. Passengers transiting internationally do not need to complete a declaration.
If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder, you still need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

North America

Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Canada .
Find out if you need a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for entry or transit.
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Canada have been removed.
Travellers transiting or entering the USA on the non-immigrant Visa Waiver Program must obtain an ESTA at least 72 hours before travel .
If you already hold a valid United States visa, then you do not need an ESTA.
An ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
For check-in, all travellers need to provide their intended accommodation address in the USA, a primary and secondary phone number, and personal email address.
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to the USA have been removed.

Pacific Islands

Cook islands.

Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for the Cook Islands .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to the Cook Islands have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Fiji .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Fiji have been removed.

New Caledonia

Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for New Caledonia .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to New Caledonia have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Niue .
Flights to Niue are only available through New Zealand. Travellers wanting to visit Niue from outside of New Zealand must meet the border entry requirements for both New Zealand and Niue.
It is strongly advised that all visitors to Niue are covered by travel insurance.
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Niue have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Samoa .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Samoa have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Tahiti .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Tahiti have been removed.
Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Tonga .
All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Tonga have been removed.

International travel requirements FAQs

Can my children travel as unaccompanied minors.

Yes, children may travel as unaccompanied minors to all Air New Zealand's direct destinations

It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to manage any entry requirements for the child's destination and transit.

For further information, please see Children travelling alone .

What if I want to postpone my travel to a later date?

You can change your booking before the day of your flight.

All our NZ domestic and international fares come with the flexibility to make changes to your travel plans prior to departure. Refer to the fare rules of your ticket to check eligibility and note that change fees and fare difference may apply.

Air New Zealand does not require passengers to provide proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test. We do ask that if you're feeling unwell and test positive for COVID-19, please consider changing your travel plans.

How do I supply proof of a negative pre-departure test?

Most international destinations have removed the need for a pre-departure test.

For the destinations that do require a negative pre-departure test:

if you're departing from New Zealand, you can call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor to find out where you can get tested.
If you are departing from other international locations, please check your local COVID-19 government website for information on where to get a pre-departure test.

Before you travel I mua i tō haerenga

Get organised before you travel to make your arrival into New Zealand as easy as possible.

New Zealand entry requirements

Check that you have the right documentation to enter New Zealand, including a valid passport and visa or NZeTA, if required.

Valid passport

You must have a valid passport to enter New Zealand. Check its expiry date to make sure it meets the rules for acceptable travel documents. If you are a New Zealand citizen and you need to renew your passport, make sure you allow plenty of time before you travel.

Renew or replace your adult passport – Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government

Before you travel to New Zealand – Immigration New Zealand

Visa or NZeTA, if required

If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) to enter New Zealand.

Check if you need a visitor visa or an NZeTA – Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government

Information about NZeTA – Immigration New Zealand

Travel insurance

When coming to New Zealand to visit, study or work, you are strongly encouraged to get travel insurance. Some visa categories require you to hold insurance as a condition of your visa.

Before you buy travel insurance, check what cover it provides. New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Reciprocal health agreements – Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

What you can't bring into New Zealand

There are strict rules for what you can and cannot bring into New Zealand. If you do not declare prohibited or restricted items, you could be fined or prosecuted. This includes items in your checked in luggage and carry-on bags.

Check if you can bring or send an item to NZ – Mānatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries

Prohibited and restricted items – Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa New Zealand Customs Service

Check to see if items or products you are bringing into NZ need a CITES permit (CITES protects many plants and animals globally) – Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation

Travel restrictions for New Zealand

There are no longer any COVID-19 related travel restrictions for New Zealand. You do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand.

Unite against COVID-19

New Zealand Traveller Declaration: Before you travel

Kia ora, Travellers arriving into Aotearoa New Zealand by air need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Children and infants need their own declaration too. It’s free, takes about 10 minutes, and you can do it on your mobile device or computer. You can complete your digital declaration within 24 hours of starting your trip to New Zealand.

Go to TravellerDeclaration.govt.nz or download the NZTD app.

Remember, check if you need a visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand.

Support and resources in other languages .

Last updated: 10th July 2023

Simple Flying

Which airline is best for travelling from australia to new zealand.

Flying between Australia and New Zealand is a competitive business for airlines. Millions of passengers cross the Tasman Sea each year. The big players on the Tasman routes, Air New Zealand and Qantas, handle the bulk of the traffic. But there are options, including some very interesting fifth freedom flights. They open up some great aircraft options and a chance to travel in the premium seats for a great price.

In this story, we are going to focus on flights between the three large east coast Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and the New Zealand cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. That’s where the bulk of the services fly to and from and it’s also where the fifth freedom flights operate.

Flying out of Sydney

The busiest routes across the Tasman either originate or go to Sydney. Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar all frequently criss-cross the 2000+ kilometers to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights tend to be once or twice daily. Jetstar uses A320s and Virgin Australia uses 737-800s. Qantas and Air New Zealand step up the frequencies, particularly to Auckland.

Qantas flies out of Sydney , Melbourne, and Brisbane to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Most days out of Sydney, it offers four flights a day to Auckland. Qantas operates the workhorse of its fleet, the 737-800, on the route, although there are some exceptions. Every Monday, QF143 flies to Auckland using the far nicer A330-300.

Air New Zealand offers a similar number of flights and uses a more eclectic range of aircraft. On flights to Auckland they mostly use Boeing 777-200s but on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the 787-9 makes an appearance. You’ll also see the A320 and A321neo crop up during quieter times.

There are two interesting fifth freedom flights between Sydney and New Zealand. LATAM flies between Sydney and Auckland daily (and vice versa) using their rather nice 787-9 Dreamliners. The flight originates out of Santiago.

Emirates operates a daily A380 fifth freedom flight between Sydney and Christchurch. EK412 pushes back from Sydney at breakfast time and reaches Christchurch in time for lunch. The return flight leaves Christchurch in the early evening and arrives in Sydney an hour or so later.

As to the best flights between Sydney and New Zealand, if I was flying to Auckland I’d be looking at the LATAM flight or one of the wide-bodied Air New Zealand flights. If I was flying to Wellington, I’d veer towards Virgin Australia because I think they offer the best business class product on that route. For Christchurch, it’s a no brainer. I’d be relaxing on the Emirates A380.

You can check out our review of the LATAM fifth freedom flight here.

Flying out of Melbourne

The Melbourne to New Zealand routes are also busy ones and serviced by Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia , and Jetstar. Frequencies drop somewhat compared to the Sydney routes.

Qantas almost exclusively uses 737-800s from Melbourne to New Zealand, although on Tuesdays, QF153 is operated by an A330-300. Air New Zealand operates a combination of 777-200s and A321neos to Auckland, with the majority being operated by the 777s. Air New Zealand’s flights to other cities use their smaller Airbuses.

Virgin and Jetstar use 737-800s and A320s respectively.

The fifth freedom flight out of Melbourne is Singapore Airlines’ four times weekly 777-200 service between Melbourne and Wellington . It departs Melbourne at breakfast time on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, arriving in Wellington at lunchtime and heading back the same afternoon.

Best flights between Melbourne and New Zealand? If I was flying to Auckland I’d be choosing one of Air New Zealand’s 777-200 services. If I was flying to Wellington, I’d be making myself comfortable on Singapore Airlines. And if I was flying to Christchurch, I’d probably lean towards Virgin Australia’s business class onboard their 737-800s.

Flying out of Brisbane

Finally, let's look at the Queensland capital of Brisbane. Jetstar doesn’t fly to New Zealand out of Brisbane, preferring to use Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast, ninety minutes drive south. But Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Virgin Australia all send planes across the Tasman from Brisbane.

Qantas uses 737-800s to New Zealand out of Brisbane, except for their weekly A330-300 oddity. QF119 to Auckland every Tuesday morning is an A330-300.

Air New Zealand also uses single-aisle Airbus planes out of Brisbane. The exception is one of their daily Auckland-Brisbane-Auckland services which utilizes a 777-200.

Virgin Australia, as you’d expect, flies 737-800s on their Brisbane-New Zealand routes.

The fifth freedom flight out of Brisbane is offered by China Airlines which flies between Brisbane and Auckland daily using an A350-900. Their fares are super competitive.

Flying between Brisbane and New Zealand? The tough choice is the Auckland route. That Air New Zealand 777-200 is a nice plane, but I would be mightly tempted to try the China Airlines A350-900.

Having concentrated on the larger cities, it’s worth noting that flights across the Tasman Sea are also available from Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Adelaide, and Perth. Air New Zealand has a really tidy coverage of Australian cities. Plus there are some real bargains to be found when flying the thinner routes across the Tasman, such as on Virgin Australia’s seasonal Newcastle-Auckland flights .

But I keep getting drawn back to those fifth freedom flights. Wide bodied planes, premium cabins, and some super competitive fares. In my mind, they are the best way to cross the Tasman.

What have I missed? What’s your opinion? Post a comment.

Find cheap flights from Australia to New Zealand from £88

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from australia to new zealand departing on 19/8. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to new zealand.

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Good to know - Cheap tickets from Australia to New Zealand

Faqs for booking flights from australia to new zealand, i’m travelling to new zealand to visit the bay of islands. where should i fly to.

Which airport is close to Poor Knights Islands?

Can I bring a pet to New Zealand?

What is a recommended way to get from Auckland Airport?

What airlines offer direct flights to New Zealand?

I would like to visit Milford Sound. What airport should I arrive at?

What is the easiest airport to fly into if I am visiting Abel Tasman National Park?

If I plan on visiting the interior of the North Island, where should I fly?

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Australia to New Zealand?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Australia to New Zealand.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Australia to New Zealand?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to New Zealand from Australia is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Australia to New Zealand?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to New Zealand with an airline and back to Australia with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Australia to New Zealand?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to New Zealand from Australia up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding a cheap flight out of Australia

Auckland Airport (AKL) is a hub for Air New Zealand and Jetstar. Flights arriving from Australia at Auckland Airport will typically arrive at the international terminal. Other airlines that operate flights from Australia to Auckland Airport include Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Anzac Day (April), Waitangi Day (February), Empire Day (March) and Christmas Day (December) are no ordinary holidays in New Zealand. During such seasons, fares might hike due to an influx of travellers and airlines working to meet the demand. Therefore, booking your flight months or weeks in advance is recommended.
Dunedin Airport (DUD) is one of the most practical locations to fly into for those that would like to explore the southeastern part of the country, and they accept many daily flights departing from Brisbane.
If you plan on visiting the South Island—a popular destination that is known for having scenic mountains, kayaking opportunities, and sports like skiing and bungee jumping—you will find that it is convenient to fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC).
While travellers that are either permanent residents or citizens of Australia do not need to have a visa when going to New Zealand, they must have a valid passport that will not expire in between their arrival and departure dates.
Known for being the busiest airport in New Zealand and for servicing many daily flights to and from Australia, Auckland Airport (AKL) is a common destination for those that are travelling to areas throughout the North Island, such as North Shore.
To visit the southern part of the North Island, such as the cities of New Plymouth and Hastings, it is best to fly into Wellington International Airport (WLG), particularly as this airport offers many flights to and from cities in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Top 5 airlines serving from Australia to New Zealand

Short flight so no entertainment, turbulence so no food service - overall flight as expected

Great meal. Best seats ever! They need to teach other airlines how to do that.

Food was not good. We asked for Muslim food and it was weird tasteless type of boiled veges.

Crew were pleasant, happy to be there and were a joy to be around. Entire operation was professional, well thought out and ran like a Swiss clock.

United flight from SFO to PDX was cancelled. I will ask for a refund. Had to book on Alaska

Flight attendants are always pleasant and helpful. Pilot kept us updated.

Just a hiccup being added to the NZ Traveller Declaration a bit late.

Flight was delayed and no information was provided what was new time Change gate 3 times at Madina airport First gate was 113 Second gate was 204 And last gate was 113 again

I liked everything accept the delay try to improve in that area

Flight from Dubai to Zagreb very bad cabin crew. Bad food

Checkin and boarding staff at Delhi Airport is not cooperative with passengers Their behavior very humiliating . They don’t allow Lap top bag and Ladies’ purse/vanity bag which most of the airlines allow besides cabin baggage and check in baggages. They try to charge extra payment on the pretext of small variations which normally other Airlines staff don’t do. Airline staff should be courteous & cooperative but check in staff of Emirates Airline at Delhi was not so at all.

I was traveling business purposes and I only had one carry on and a personal computer back pack . My carry on was 8.5 kg little more than allowable. At jfk airport check in they did not let me carry it . I was little disappointed.

Probably the best flight I’ve ever been on. Emirates first class is leagues beyond British airways and Lufthansa’s.

The individual attention the crew gives to passengers is commendable and I find them positively helpful.

The amenities offered in the Business class is far away less compared with other Air Companies. Emirates is going down in the competition pricing the same value as Qatar airways for example.

Crew in Hyderabad could have been more helpful they were only focused on ripping customers.

On both legs of my trips (Jhb - Dxb and Dxb - Jhb) the entertainment system did not work.