Practical
Flights from Australia to New Zealand: every direct route and flight time
Flights from Australia’s east coast to New Zealand take about 3 to 3.5 hours, and the trip home 20 to 35 minutes longer against the prevailing winds. From Perth it is about 6 to 6.5 hours there and 7 back. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane all have nonstops to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown, and the Gold Coast flies to five New Zealand airports.
This page sets out every direct route for the 2026/27 summer, the flight times, which airport suits which trip, the quirks of flying into Queenstown, and the routes that are new or gone this season.
Every direct route this summer
Nonstop flights from November 2026 to March 2027. Air NZ is Air New Zealand. Virgin Australia flies its own aircraft only to Queenstown; its flight numbers to the other airports are Air New Zealand flights.
| From | Auckland | Queenstown | Christchurch | Wellington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar, Emirates | Air NZ, Qantas |
| Melbourne | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar, Qatar (from December) | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar | Air NZ, Qantas |
| Brisbane | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar | Qantas, Virgin | Air NZ, Qantas | Air NZ, Qantas |
| Gold Coast | Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar | Jetstar | Jetstar | Jetstar |
| Adelaide | Air NZ, Qantas | None | Air NZ, seasonal | None |
| Perth | Air NZ, Qantas | None | Jetstar, Air NZ (both new) | None |
| Hobart | Air NZ, seasonal | None | None | None |
| Western Sydney | Air NZ (new) | None | None | None |
Two more worth knowing: Jetstar flies the Gold Coast to Dunedin, and Canberra has no direct flight to New Zealand at all. Cairns and the Sunshine Coast routes are winter only, so there are none this summer.
Flight times
Scheduled times for January 2027. Where we could not check the return flight, the usual rule applies: back to Australia takes 20 to 35 minutes longer.
| Route | To New Zealand | Back to Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney to Auckland | 3 h 10 min | 3 h 35 min to 3 h 45 min |
| Sydney to Queenstown | 2 h 55 min to 3 h 05 min | 3 h 20 min |
| Sydney to Christchurch | About 3 h 05 min | 20 to 35 min longer |
| Melbourne to Auckland | 3 h 35 min to 3 h 40 min | 20 to 35 min longer |
| Melbourne to Queenstown | 3 h 05 min to 3 h 15 min | 3 h 25 min to 3 h 35 min |
| Brisbane to Auckland | 3 h 10 min to 3 h 20 min | 20 to 35 min longer |
| Brisbane to Queenstown | 3 h 30 min | 3 h 45 min |
| Gold Coast to Queenstown | 3 h 20 min | 20 to 35 min longer |
| Adelaide to Auckland | 4 h 15 min to 4 h 20 min | 20 to 35 min longer |
| Perth to Auckland | 6 h 15 min to 6 h 25 min | 7 h 20 min |
| Perth to Christchurch | 6 h 00 min to 6 h 10 min | 7 h 00 min |
New Zealand time against Australia
New Zealand is 2 hours ahead of Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart today. From 26 September the gap becomes 3 hours, when one side changes its clocks.
New Zealand is 2 hours ahead of Sydney and Melbourne almost all year, 3 hours ahead of Queensland in the New Zealand summer, and 5 ahead of Perth. The one odd week is late September, when New Zealand starts summer time a week before the eastern states.
Which New Zealand airport to fly into
For a South Island trip, fly into Queenstown or Christchurch and, if you can, out of the other. That open-jaw ticket turns the classic loop into a one-way journey with no backtracking. For the North Island, Auckland is the gateway, with Wellington handy if your trip ends in the south of the island or crosses to the South Island by ferry.
Where our tours start, with this week’s lowest price in Australian dollars:
| Start city | Tours | From, per person | By travel style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 197 | A$691 | Self drive 97, Independent coach travel (self guided) 60, Guided tour, coach group 26, Guided tour, small group 14 |
| Christchurch | 188 | A$799 | Independent coach travel (self guided) 63, Self drive 84, Guided tour, coach group 23, Guided tour, small group 18 |
| Queenstown | 67 | A$973 | Independent coach travel (self guided) 17, Self drive 48, Guided tour, coach group 2 |
| Wellington | 23 | A$2,229 | Self drive 10, Independent coach travel (self guided) 1, Guided tour, small group 5, Guided tour, coach group 7 |
Browse tours starting in Queenstown or Christchurch, or see the trips Australians book most on our Australia page.
Flying into Queenstown
Queenstown is one of the most scenic approaches anywhere, and it has rules of its own. The airport operates from 7am to 10pm, and only Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia are certified to land after dark. The last arrival from Australia is usually Qantas from Sydney a little after 9pm.
The 10pm close is enforced: in November 2024 a late-running Qantas flight from Sydney turned back over the Tasman rather than land after it. Crosswinds and fog also cause occasional diversions to Christchurch or Invercargill. If a tour, a Milford Sound trip or a ski lesson starts the next morning, fly in the day before.
New and changed routes for 2026/27
- New: Air New Zealand from Auckland to Western Sydney, three times a week from late October 2026.
- New: Jetstar from Perth to Christchurch, from 27 October 2026 to 27 March 2027, and Air New Zealand from Christchurch to Perth from 30 November 2026.
- Back: Jetstar from Sydney to Christchurch, four times a week from 26 October 2026.
- Added in June 2026: Qantas from the Gold Coast to Auckland, three times a week.
- More seats: Qantas has added flights to Queenstown from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for the summer.
- Gone: Jetstar’s Auckland to Sunshine Coast and Christchurch to Cairns routes ended on 25 October 2026.
- Winter only: Air New Zealand and Jetstar fly Brisbane to Queenstown in winter; this summer it is Qantas and Virgin.
Before you fly, remember the paperwork is light but not nothing: Australian citizens need a valid passport and a traveller declaration. Our guide to New Zealand for Australians covers the rest.
Quick answers
Trips that fit
Short & Sweet South Island
5 days across the South Island, from Christchurch through to Queenstown, no driving and no guide, with every connection booked for you. Strong on scenic cruises.
Southern Lakes and TranzAlpine Circuit
6 days across the South Island, round trip out of Christchurch, driving yourself, with the route planned for you. Strong on adventure.
New Zealand West Coast Adventure
7 days across the South Island, from Christchurch through to Queenstown, in a smaller group, with a driver guide throughout. Strong on adventure.
