Got a handful of Qantas Points or Velocity Points and an inkling for a sensational Sauvignon Blanc or glorious Grenache? With some of Australia’s best wine regions just a short hop from major cities, it’s easy to fly there with points for a weekend celebration or week-long escape.

This article is a good starting point if you’ve got around 20,000 Qantas Points or 20,000 Velocity Points and want a short domestic getaway. If you’ve got a higher points balance, say 100,000 Qantas Points or 150,000 Velocity Points, you’ll find better value in redeeming them for international Business or First Class flights instead.

When using points for domestic flights, consider whether it may be worth paying cash instead. But, depending on your destination and where you’re flying from, it can be worth using your points to travel to some lesser-known regions.

So, if discovering new drops is on your to-do list for 2025, here’s how you can fly to some of Australia’s best wine regions for less with points.


Need to boost your points balance? Check out the sign-up offer below!

All Qantas Points totals in this guide apply until 5 August 2025, after which changes to Qantas Frequent Flyer will come into effect.

1. Margaret River, Western Australia

Despite being one of Australia’s youngest wine regions, Western Australia’s Margaret River is home to more than 200 wineries. The region has a unique climate mirroring the Mediterranean, making it ideal for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Margaret River’s local gastronomy is as well-known as its wines, with the region specialising in cheese, truffles, chocolate and olive oil. Sample the best food and wine on a self-drive tour across Margaret River, or discover hidden gems on a guided tour.

Getting to Margaret River

The nearest airport to Margaret River is Busselton, located just 50 km away. From Busselton Airport, you’re a swift 40-minute drive away from one of Western Australia’s best wine regions.

Using Qantas Points to fly to Busselton Margaret River

Jetstar is the only airline currently operating commercial flights to Busselton, with regular flights from Australia’s east coast. These routes are operated using narrowbody Airbus A320 with Economy-only seating.

AirlineEconomy
Melbourne, Sydney to BusseltonJetstar14,400
Qantas Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are subject to change from August 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route.

If travelling from elsewhere in Australia, or if you prefer another airline, you could fly into Perth instead. Margaret River is located around 270 km (a three-hour drive) south of Perth.

Margaret River wine region, Western Australia
Margaret River is one of Western Australia’s best-known wine regions. [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Also read: Our 8 favourite uses of Qantas Points from Perth

2. Hunter Valley, New South Wales

On the opposite end of the country, Hunter Valley in New South Wales is Australia’s oldest wine region. It’s also one of the biggest, boasting more than 150 cellar doors from top producers like Tyrrell’s Wines, Ivanhoe Wines and McGuigan Wines. Of the Hunter Valley’s notable drops are Semillon, Shiraz and Tempranillo, attributed to the region’s warm and humid climate.

But the Hunter Valley isn’t just about wine. Surrounding NSW’s best wine region is the picturesque Brokenback Range, a mecca for hikers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. Distilleries are dotted throughout the valley, alongside regional produce like artisanal cheese and chocolate. And if Cappadocia is too far of a journey, you can experience an equally breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the rolling hills of Hunter Valley.

Getting to Hunter Valley

The closest airport to Hunter Valley is Newcastle, located around 60 km east. From Newcastle Airport, it’s an easy 50-minute drive to Hunter Valley.

Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar are among the airlines that fly to Newcastle, making it easy to use points towards your Hunter Valley escape.

Alternatively, the Hunter Valley is around a two-hour drive from Sydney, with flights from most major cities in Australia.

Using Qantas Points to fly to Newcastle

Qantas Points open up redemptions with both QantasLink and Jetstar on flights to Newcastle. QantasLink flights to Newcastle (operated by Alliance Airlines) use an Embraer E190 with Economy and Business seating, while Jetstar’s flights to Newcastle are on its fleet of narrowbody aircraft.

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne to NewcastleJetstar6,400
Cairns to Newcastle (seasonal)Jetstar9,600
Brisbane, Melbourne to NewcastleQantasLink8,00018,400
Adelaide to NewcastleQantasLink12,00027,600
Qantas Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are subject to change from August 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route.

Using Velocity Points to fly to Newcastle

Virgin Australia operates two direct flights to Newcastle from Brisbane and Melbourne. The Brisbane route is operated by Alliance Airlines and uses an Economy-only Fokker 100, while the Melbourne route is on Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737 with two cabin classes.

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Brisbane*, Melbourne to NewcastleVirgin Australia5,900 – 12,90018,400
Velocity Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are accurate as of January 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route. *Business cabin is not available on BNE-NTL flights.
Sunrise over Hunter Valley wine region, NSW
Wake up to sunrise over Hunter Valley. [Photo: Halans Photography, Adobe Stock]
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3. Tamar Valley, Tasmania

Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the city of Launceston, Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s premier wine region. The valley, which follows the winding Tamar River, is home to over 30 vineyards. The cool climate lends to exceptional drops of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines.

Among Tamar Valley’s best-known wine producers are Josef Chromy, Bay of Fires and Clover Hill, each boasting a cellar door, dining experiences and spectacular views of the valley.

Hire a car in Launceston to enjoy the Tamar Valley wine trail at your own pace, or book a wine tour to learn about the region in-depth.

Getting to Tamar Valley

Launceston Airport is just 30 km from the southern tip of Tamar Valley. The drive takes less than 30 minutes, making Tamar Valley an ideal destination for a quick weekend escape.

And with Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia flying to Launceston Airport, using points to fly to Tasmania’s best wine region is easy.

Using Qantas Points to fly to Launceston

Qantas Points can be redeemed for flights to Launceston with Jetstar and QantasLink. Jetstar’s flights are on its Airbus A320 with Economy-only seating. Select Qantas flights to Launceston are operated by its new Airbus A220, which features a Business cabin.

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Melbourne, Sydney to LauncestonJetstar6,400
Brisbane to LauncestonJetstar9,600
Melbourne, Sydney to LauncestonQantasLink8,00018,400*
Brisbane to Launceston (seasonal, direct)
Brisbane to Launceston via Melbourne/Sydney
Qantas/QantasLink12,00027,600*
Qantas Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are subject to change from August 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route. *Business cabin may not be available on all routes.

Using Velocity Points to fly to Launceston

Virgin Australia operates three regular routes to Launceston from the east coast, plus two seasonal routes from Adelaide and Perth.

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Melbourne, Sydney to LauncestonVirgin Australia5,900 – 12,90015,500
Adelaide to Launceston (seasonal)
Brisbane to Launceston
Virgin Australia8,900 – 18,90023,500
Perth to Launceston (seasonal, direct)
Perth to Launceston via Adelaide/Melbourne
Virgin Australia13,500 – 26,90035,500
Velocity Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are accurate as of January 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route. *Business cabin may not be available on all routes.
Tamar Valley wine region, Launceston, Tasmania
The picturesque Tamar Valley is one of Tasmania’s most popular wine regions. [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Also read: Experience a couple’s weekend getaway in vibrant Hobart for $164 on points

4. Yarra Valley, Victoria

Victoria’s oldest wine region, the Yarra Valley, is known for its cool-climate wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The Yarra Valley is home to over 90 wineries, including De Bortoli, Yering Station and Domaine Chandon. Complement your wine tasting with sweet treats from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, or sharpen your gin knowledge at Four Pillars Gin Distillery.

Flying into Melbourne to visit the Yarra Valley? While you’re there, consider visiting other famed wine regions in Victoria, like the Mornington Peninsula, Heathcote and Rutherglen.

Getting to Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley is located around 50 km east of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, with the drive taking around one hour, depending on traffic conditions.

As a major domestic and international hub, Melbourne Airport welcomes flights across Australia, allowing you to use Qantas Points and Velocity Points for your Yarra Valley escape.

Using Qantas Points to fly to Melbourne

Melbourne is conveniently nestled near major cities like Adelaide, Sydney and Hobart. For these short hops, you may save your Qantas Points and pay cash instead, given the often low cash fares on these popular routes.

But if you’re located elsewhere in Australia – particularly if you’re coming from an opposite coast like Perth or Darwin – it could make sense to use your points for a comfortable Business flight.

Still, we’ve outlined some options below: flying with Jetstar and Qantas. Always compare the cash fare to the cash co-payment on reward seats to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to!

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Sydney to MelbourneJetstar6,400
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast to MelbourneJetstar9,600
Cairns, Darwin, Perth to MelbourneJetstar14,400
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Sydney to MelbourneQantas8,00018,400
Brisbane, Gold Coast to MelbourneQantas12,00027,600
Cairns, Darwin, Perth to MelbourneQantas18,00041,500
Qantas Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are subject to change from August 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route. The Business cabin may not be available on all routes.

Using Velocity Points to fly to Melbourne

Similarly, you can use Velocity Points to fly to Melbourne and launch your Victorian winery escape. Always check the cash fare for your route first, as it may not always make sense to redeem points for short Economy flights.

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Sydney to MelbourneVirgin Australia5,900 – 12,90015,500
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast to MelbourneVirgin Australia8,900 – 18,90023,500
Cairns, Darwin, Perth to MelbourneVirgin Australia13,500 – 26,90035,500
Velocity Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are accurate as of January 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route. Business cabin may not be available on all routes.
Yarra Valley wine region, Victoria
Use Melbourne as your launchpad to popular Victorian wine regions like the Yarra Valley. [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Also read: Beyond a transit hotel: a weekend staycation at Novotel Melbourne Airport

5. Barossa Valley, South Australia

Among South Australia’s world-renowned wine regions is Barossa Valley, around 70 kilometres north-east of Adelaide. The region has been a top producer of shiraz, riesling and cabernet sauvignon since the 1840s, and today boasts over 80 cellar doors. Spend an afternoon exploring the grounds of Jacob’s Creek or Seppeltsfield before popping into the Penfolds cellar door for a bottle of Grange.

From Adelaide, you can also access other well-known South Australian wine regions like McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley.

Getting to Adelaide

Adelaide Airport is the gateway to South Australia’s most famous wine regions. From the city centre, you’re no more than an hours’ drive in either direction to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale or the Adelaide Hills.

Using Qantas Points to fly to Adelaide

Melbourne is conveniently nestled near major cities like Adelaide, Sydney and Hobart. For these short hops, you may choose to save your Qantas Points and pay cash instead, given the often low cash fares on these popular routes.

But if you’re located elsewhere in Australia – particularly if you’re coming from an opposite coast like Perth or Darwin – it could make sense to use your points for a comfortable Business flight.

Still, we’ve outlined some options below: flying with Jetstar and Qantas. Always compare the cash fare to the cash co-payment on reward seats to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to!

AirlineEconomyBusiness
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Sydney to MelbourneJetstar6,400
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast to MelbourneJetstar9,600
Cairns, Darwin, Perth to MelbourneJetstar14,400
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Sydney to MelbourneQantas8,00018,400
Brisbane, Gold Coast to MelbourneQantas12,00027,600
Cairns, Darwin, Perth to MelbourneQantas18,00041,500
Qantas Points required are per person, one-way. Points totals are subject to change from August 2025. Fees and taxes are payable by route. Business cabin may not be available on all routes.
Jacob's Creek winery, Barossa Valley region, South Australia
Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre in the Barossa Valley boasts a cellar door and restaurant. [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Also read: 48 hours on Kangaroo Island – plus how to score a bonus flight from Adelaide

Summing up

If you’ve got a stash of Qantas Points or Velocity Points and no upcoming overseas travel plans, there are plenty of domestic options to consider, including visiting some of Australia’s best wine regions. You’ll still find better value in using your points for domestic flights than redeeming them for a toaster!

But if your goals are loftier, or you’ve got more points to spare, consider saving your points to sample the finest Slovenian wine, the gastronomy of the Amalfi Coast, or the sights and sounds of Los Angeles.

Also read: Six unique destinations to visit in Australia in 2025 using points

Featured image: Adobe Stock.


FAQs

What is the best wine region in Australia?

Australia is home to some of the world’s most well-known wine regions, including Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia, the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, Hunter Valley in New South Wales and Tamar Valley in Launceston. Other famous Australian wine regions include Coonawarra, Clare Valley, Rutherglen, Swan Valley and the Mornington Peninsula.

Can you bring wine on a plane in Australia?

Yes, wine can be carried on most flights within Australia as checked or carry-on baggage. However, you should check your airline’s requirements, which may include retaining retail packaging, alcohol content limits and weight limits.

Alternatively, many cellar doors in Australia offer shipping on wine purchases.

Can I take wine on domestic flights in Australia?

Yes, you can carry wine on domestic flights in Australia, provided you don’t exceed your airline’s carry-on weight limit. Other restrictions may apply.

5 of Australia’s best wine regions you can fly to with points in 2025 was last modified: February 3rd, 2025 by Victoria Kyriakopoulos