Nothing says Australia like a trip to the outback – and while your Qantas Points can once again take you abroad, there’s still plenty worth exploring at home.
Whether it’s an iconic visit to Uluru, an aviation-themed trip to Longreach, historical exploring at Mount Isa or a journey to the centre of the continent at Alice Springs, here’s how your Qantas Points can take you there.
Using Qantas Points to fly to Uluru
Uluru needs no introduction – and it’s easy to get to the centre of the outback using your Qantas Points.
For Qantas Frequent Flyer members, Ayers Rock Airport is served by both Qantas and Jetstar. Depending on where you live, this may bring several options. If you’re short on points, booking low-cost Jetstar requires fewer of them. But if you want to splurge, Qantas Business ready and waiting.
| Airline | Economy Class | Qantas Business | |
| Sydney to Ayers Rock (Uluru) | Qantas | 18,000 Qantas Points | 41,500 Qantas Points |
| Sydney and Brisbane to Ayers Rock (Uluru) | Jetstar | 14,400 Qantas Points | – |
| Melbourne to Ayers Rock (Uluru) | Jetstar | 9,600 Qantas Points | – |
| Cairns to Ayers Rock (Uluru) | Qantas | 12,000 Qantas Points | 27,600 Qantas Points |
Uluru is trickier to reach for those in Perth, who’d need to travel to the east coast before boarding a connecting flight. Previous non-stop services from Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin remain suspended for now.
On the ground, most hotels in Yulara are attached to the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) program. This provides an opportunity not just to earn points with ALL, but to double-dip by collecting rewards with Qantas as well.
Read more: Qantas and Accor unlock reciprocal points partnership
Flying to Alice Springs using Qantas Points
Another of the Northern Territory’s gems, Alice Springs is well worth your time. It’s a little more bustling than Uluru, but still with a true outback feel – and of course, your Qantas Points can take you there.
Whether you stay local and explore sights like the Alice Springs Desert Park, or drive further to King’s Canyon, is entirely up to you. Here’s how to book.
| Airline | Qantas Economy | Qantas Business | |
| Sydney, Brisbane to Alice Springs | Qantas | 18,000 Qantas Points | 41,500 Qantas Points |
| Melbourne to Alice Springs | Qantas | 12,000 Qantas Points | 27,600 Qantas Points |
| Adelaide and Darwin to Alice Springs | QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) | 12,000 Qantas Points | 27,600 Qantas Points |
One thing’s for sure: travellers with an interest in aviation should select a window seat. That’s because Alice Springs is home to Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage. Many international airlines are keeping planes here while they’re not needed during COVID. The only place you’re likely to see more Cathay Pacific tails is in Hong Kong!
When it’s time to depart, a delightful Qantas Club is also tucked away at Alice Springs Airport. Completely refurbished just before COVID, it’s certainly one of the nicer lounges in the airline’s domestic network.
Reaching Longreach using Qantas Points
If you like the view over Alice Springs, you’ll love Longreach.
Head for the Qantas Founders Museum, and explore the history of Australia’s oldest airline. Walk through the Boeing 747, Boeing 707 and Super Constellation, and marvel at the DC-3. Depending on when you visit, you could also sneak in a light show, walk on the Boeing 747’s wings, or enjoy a meal at sunset.
Need more convincing? There’s also the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, complete with a museum, live shows and an immersive cinema. Here’s how many Qantas Points you’ll need to reach the heart of outback Queensland.
| Airline | Qantas Economy | Qantas Business | |
| Brisbane, Barcaldine and Blackall to Longreach | QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) | 8,000 Qantas Points | – |
| Sydney to Longreach (via Brisbane) | Qantas / QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) | 12,000 Qantas Points | 27,600 Qantas Points* |
| Melbourne to Longreach (via Brisbane) | Qantas / QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) | 18,000 Qantas Points | 41,500 Qantas Points* |
Just to note, some Brisbane-Longreach flights run non-stop, while others make a quick stopover. This takes place at either Barcaldine or Blackall, depending on the day of the week. If your journey includes this detour, you’ll see the details on the Qantas website when you book.
There’s no difference in the Qantas Points required – it just adds a little more time to the journey.
Meandering to Mount Isa with Qantas
Northwest of Longreach, Mount Isa also has a lot to offer. From underground tours of Hard Times Mine to exploring the evolution of Australia’s wildlife at the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre, there’s plenty to explore.
Given its location, Mount Isa is easiest to reach for Queenslanders, but transits via Brisbane are possible from elsewhere. Here’s how to fly there on Qantas Points.
| Airline | Qantas Economy | Qantas Business | |
| Brisbane to Mount Isa | Qantas | 12,000 Qantas Points | 27,600 Qantas Points |
| Cloncurry and Townsville to Mount Isa | QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) | 8,000 Qantas Points | – |
| Sydney and Melbourne to Mount Isa (via Brisbane) | Qantas | 18,000 Qantas Points | 41,500 Qantas Points |
Here’s a fun fact: flying from Brisbane to Mount Isa is a longer journey than jetting from Brisbane to Melbourne. In fact, the jaunt is more comparable with a Brisbane-Adelaide flight, yet you’re still within the bounds of Queensland.
Summing up
These highlights of outback Australia only just scratch the surface for those spending Qantas Points. If the journeys above pique your interest, you may also enjoy remote destinations such as Broome.
Another thing to keep in mind is that public transport in places like these can be limited. Hiring a car is often the way to go – and if you book with Avis or Budget, you’ll help boost your balance of Qantas Points for your next adventure.
Read more: How to earn Qantas Points on car hire bookings
Feature image courtesy Photoholgic/Unsplash.
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