Best ways to use Qantas Points for Australian art and cultural experience

Your Qantas Points can take you on all kinds of trips – but there’s no shortage of domestic adventures shaped around arts and culture.

Explore Australia’s history in Canberra or the vibrant arts scene in Melbourne. Then there are the wonders of Hobart and the flavours and sights of Bundaberg. But why limit yourself to just one destination? It’s time to start planning your next holiday – and the next one after that!

Art and culture in Canberra, reached using your Qantas Points

Canberra has a lot to offer and being the national capital, it’s easy to get to using Qantas Points. Peruse over 155,000 works of art at the National Gallery of Australia, or commemorate those in our armed forces with a visit to the Australian War Memorial.

There’s plenty more to see and do. Make time for the National Portrait Gallery, which is running a Shakespeare to Winehouse exhibition between 12 March and 17 July 2022. Usually, these treasures are on display in the UK’s own National Portrait Gallery in London, so don’t miss out.

No trip to Canberra is complete without a visit to Parliament House. For now, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is temporarily closed, but the National Museum of Australia awaits.

Here’s how your Qantas Points can take you to Canberra, to begin your arts and culture adventure.

	Airline	Economy Class	Qantas Business*
Brisbane to Canberra	Jetstar	6,400 Qantas Points	–
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Hobart to Canberra	Qantas / QantasLink	8,000 Qantas Points	18,400 Qantas Points
Adelaide and Sunshine Coast to Canberra	Qantas / QantasLink	12,000 Qantas Points	27,600 Qantas Points
Perth, Darwin and Cairns to Canberra	Qantas / QantasLink	18,000 Qantas Points	41,500 Qantas Points

Once your busy days of sightseeing are complete, I can highly recommend the cocktails at White Rabbit. Just a block off London Circuit, the venue is conveniently within walking distance of many hotels, too.

Explore art and culture in Melbourne with Qantas Points

A city filled with culture, there’s always something to see and do in Melbourne – so get your Qantas Points ready! Start with the Van Gogh experience at The Lume, or make your way to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) for the Gabrielle Chanel Fashion Manifesto exhibit (runs until 25 April 2022).

For something a little different, consider booking a ticket to ‘NGV Friday Nights‘. Currently, that gets you into the Chanel exhibition, but with an atmosphere much better-suited to the end of the working week. Enjoy music from live DJs as you explore the exhibition and sip a drink from one of the many on-site bars. With a Four Pillars gin bar, Champagne bar, Yering Station wine bar and more, there’s something for everyone.

Your many options for travelling to Melbourne using Qantas Points

	Airline	Economy Class	Qantas Business*
Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston and Newcastle to Melbourne	Jetstar	6,400 Qantas Points	–
Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Albury, Burnie, Devonport, Launceston, Merimbula, Mildura, Mount Gambier, Newcastle and Wagga Wagga to Melbourne	Qantas / QantasLink	8,000 Qantas Points	18,400 Qantas Points
Brisbane, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Ballina/Byron, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to Melbourne	Jetstar	9,600 Qantas Points	–
Brisbane, Alice Springs, Ballina/Byron, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to Melbourne	Qantas / QantasLink	12,000 Qantas Points	27,600 Qantas Points
Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Hamilton Island, Proserpine and Townsville to Melbourne	Jetstar	14,400 Qantas Points	–
Darwin, Perth, Broome, Cairns, Hamilton Island and Townsville to Melbourne	Qantas / QantasLink	18,000 Qantas Points	41,500 Qantas Points

There’s even more to enjoy for art lovers, with Moulin Rouge! The Musical playing until 29 April. Hamilton is also moving down from Sydney, running from 16 March to 14 August 2022.

Visit between 30 March and 24 April and you’ll also be in town for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. With so many ways to get to Melbourne using Qantas Points, your next arts and cultural experience await!

Your Qantas Points can also fly you to Hobart

On your quest for arts and culture, why stick to the mainland when your Qantas Points can take you to Hobart?

The Tasmanian capital is filled with public art to get you started. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is also a short drive or ferry ride away. For woodwork, art and crafts that you can take home, swing by the Salamanca Market on Saturdays.

There’s also the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery where admission is free. To explore a little of Australia’s history, day trips from Hobart to Port Arthur are also possible.

Whether your visit is more arts, culture, or a little of both, let your Qantas Points carry you there.

	Airline	Economy Class	Qantas Business*
Melbourne to Hobart	Jetstar	6,400 Qantas Points	–
Canberra and Melbourne to Hobart	Qantas / QantasLink	8,000 Qantas Points	18,400 Qantas Points
Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Gold Coast to Hobart	Jetstar	9,600 Qantas Points	–
Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane to Hobart	Qantas / QantasLink	12,000 Qantas Points	27,600 Qantas Points
Perth to Hobart	Qantas	18,000 Qantas Points	41,500 Qantas Points

With so much on offer, you’ll want to make your visit longer than just a weekender!

Bundaberg beckons

For somewhere a more off the beaten track, Bundaberg is one of Queensland’s hidden gems. Yes, the rum comes from here – and you can certainly visit the Bundaberg Rum distillery, and even create your own blend. But that’s just the start.

Consider timing your visit with the Taste Bundaberg Festival (5-14 August 2022). As well as the usual farmers’ markets and picnics, this year’s Festival allows guests to enjoy a First Nations dining and cultural experience. For something more casual, enjoy a game of polo – or for next-level formal, partake in the banquet on the bridge.

Bundaberg Airport is also your gateway to Childers – about 35 minutes by car. Stop by between 28-31 July 2022 and you’ll catch the Childers Festival. The cane fire tours and opera by the lake are sure to get your attention!

When using Qantas Points towards an arts and culture visit to Bundaberg, here’s how you’ll fly.

	Airline	Qantas Economy	Qantas Business
Brisbane to Bundaberg	QantasLink	8,000 Qantas Points	–
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra to Bundaberg (via Brisbane)	Qantas / QantasLink	12,000 Qantas Points	27,600 Qantas Points*
Darwin and Hobart to Bundaberg (via Brisbane)	Qantas / QantasLink	18,000 Qantas Points	41,500 Qantas Points*
Perth to Bundaberg (via Brisbane)	Qantas / QantasLink	20,300 Qantas Points	49,500 Qantas Points*^

Also, keep in mind that Bundaberg is only about a four-hour drive north of Brisbane. If road trips are more your style, you might instead prefer to use Qantas Points towards your accommodation costs via Qantas Hotels.

Summing up

Australia truly has so much to explore, and our examples above are just the start.

As we’ve previously covered, using Qantas Points to visit Uluru certainly makes for a magical and cultural trip. You’re also spoiled for choice in using points for family adventures and romantic getaways – or, to explore other parts of the outback.

The hardest part is choosing which fantastic destination you’ll visit first!

Feature image of Australian War Memorial courtesy Tony Liao/Unsplash.

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