Qantas to Norfolk Island

[Zanzara]

Travel permit info and new restrictions on entry from some areas of Sydney NSW below… Transit travel through SYD ok though.

COVID-19 Advice for Norfolk Island | Norfolk Island Regional Council

Please note that the advice on this page will be reviewed and updated regularly by the Emergency Management Team (EMT). Last Update Monday 22 August 2022 To stay up to date with COVID-19 information for Norfolk Island, visit this page regularly and/or follow the Emergency Management Norfolk...

www.norfolkisland.gov.nf

 

[Mattg]

40% off Qantas Classic Flight Rewards to Norfolk Island, book by 11 July.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/member-offers/classic-flight-rewards-norfolk-island-june21.html

 

[samh004]

We must be on same flight out of BNE on 26th QF 183, both of us in J.
We are on flight from SYD first, arriving domestic at around 8am

I will be flying with another P1-based member, all of us in J. So maybe if we're lucky they'll be kind to us in the Int J lounge in BNE

I need to book hotels, we've been slack.

 

[cmon0005]

I am heading to NLK soon via BNE, I noticed the BNE-NLK leg is from the International terminal, I have never done an Domestic flight from Intl terminal before. Is it pretty smooth in terms of border control.etc for a dom passener?

 

[henrus]

I am heading to NLK soon via BNE, I noticed the BNE-NLK leg is from the International terminal, I have never done an Domestic flight from Intl terminal before. Is it pretty smooth in terms of border control.etc for a dom passener?

Very easy.

Once you arrive into Brisbane (assuming you're flying in via the domestic terminal) you can catch the free and very regular (5-10 minutes) transfer bus from the outside of the domestic terminal. This will drop you off at the international terminal.

At Brisbane, you clear security, and then there is a special queue at passport control that says "Norfolk Island passengers", here they'll just check your ID and boarding pass. Obviously as mentioned above in other posts you can travel to Norfolk Island with just a drivers license (and it's technically even possible without any ID but I haven't seen anyone try that) however a passport is preferred because once you've cleared outbound border controls you can shop at duty free but only if you have used your passport.

Do not use Smartgate... it won't work and you'll just be wasting your time. Even if there is a small queue for the "Norfolk Island passengers" you'll still need to join it.

 

[cmon0005]

Very easy.

Once you arrive into Brisbane (assuming you're flying in via the domestic terminal) you can catch the free and very regular (5-10 minutes) transfer bus from the outside of the domestic terminal. This will drop you off at the international terminal.

At Brisbane, you clear security, and then there is a special queue at passport control that says "Norfolk Island passengers", here they'll just check your ID and boarding pass. Obviously as mentioned above in other posts you can travel to Norfolk Island with just a drivers license (and it's technically even possible without any ID but I haven't seen anyone try that) however a passport is preferred because once you've cleared outbound border controls you can shop at duty free but only if you have used your passport.

Thanks for tips! that makes me feel better as we only have about 1.5 hours from landing in BNE dom to departure to NLK.
Also do you know if 'checking' of the QLD border declaration once landing in BNE takes very long?

 

[henrus]

Also do you know if 'checking' of the QLD border declaration once landing in BNE takes very long?

It depends on where you're coming from and other flights that have landed. Areas that aren't a hotspot (ie most people have green passes) are very quick however if you're coming from somewhere which is a hotspot it'll take a bit longer.

I've flown in/out of QLD a fair amount during the passes and never waited that long so I wouldn't be too concerned but just make sure you're not sitting in the back row!

 

[cmon0005]

It depends on where you're coming from and other flights that have landed.

I've flown in/out of QLD a fair amount during the passes and never waited that long so I wouldn't be too concerned but just make sure you're not sitting in the back row!

Lucky we are in J this time so should be first off.
I won't bother taking our passports will just use our drivers licence don't even think the duty free will be open in the airport.

 

[SYD]

Lucky we are in J this time so should be first off.
I won't bother taking our passports will just use our drivers licence don't even think the duty free will be open in the airport.

Processing with a passport can be quicker (by some reports).

DF should be open. Technically, you need a PP to get DF on NLK.

 

[cmon0005]

Processing with a passport can be quicker (by some reports).

DF should be open. Technically, you need a PP to get DF on NLK.

Noted, thanks maybe I'll take them after all.

 

[SYD]

Noted, thanks maybe I'll take them after all.

Think of it as amortising the cost of an otherwise somewhat redundant blue book (for the time being)…

 

[cmon0005]

Think of it as amortising the cost of an otherwise somewhat redundant blue book (for the time being)…

Good point! I'll get the phycological hit of an international trip without it being a real international trip.

Any must do's on the island that you could recommend?

 

[nancypants]

Ok, I’m due to travel DRW-BNE-NLK soon (my first holiday since the cancelled Sydney-Wuhan-Milan trip I had organised for the start of the pandemic). Darwin is now a hotspot, as is Brisbane. Seems I could still transit both for Norfolk purposes however unclear if that is ok for the Queenslanders. Trying to reshuffle to travel via Alice Springs instead (I’m currently outside Darwin and while I wouldn’t say it was easy, it is physically possible for me to drive to Alice springs to get on a plane instead of driving to Darwin)

however when I search, every day comes up with “no flights available”- are Qantas zeroing out the Norfolk flights or are they just super popular?

 

[henrus]

Seems I could still transit both for Norfolk purposes however unclear if that is ok for the Queenslanders

That is ok for Queensland.

Be prepared to show proof that you haven't been in Darwin (especially if your ID shows you as being a Darwin resident) but otherwise, you can easily fill out a border deceleration pass and you won't be required to quarantine upon arrival.

Going out, travel, recreation and gathering in Queensland

Although there are no longer any Public Health Directions in effect, some businesses may have their own requirements in place.

www.qld.gov.au

Select the following option:

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

• Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits (Status Credits, Qantas Points and the option to upgrade with points) will not apply.

Slightly OT, from the QF website, if I were chasing SC, the above would have put me off from going to the island.

 

[henrus]

Slightly OT, from the QF website, if I were chasing SC, the above would have put me off from going to the island.

I wouldn't be too concerned. Someone has copied and pasted from the repatriation flights that QF has been running.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hmm, from the (dummy) pricing I did, it seems that QFF SC is earnt at discJ rate of 60 QFF SC.
Some days in Jul its $659 one way in discJ from BNE.
Edit: heh, chasing and running, as most dogs love to do.

 

[SYD]

• Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits (Status Credits, Qantas Points and the option to upgrade with points) will not apply.

Slightly OT, from the QF website, if I were chasing SC, the above would have put me off from going to the island.

Apart from the “upgrade” bit (that isn’t mentioned at the link below?), that’s pretty standard for classic awards - except for PC/PC+ SC earn.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/member-offers/classic-flight-rewards-norfolk-island-june21.html

I wouldn't be too concerned. Someone has copied and pasted from the repatriation flights that QF has been running.

Yeah, we got similar wording in the pre-departure emails….

 

[SYD]

Hmm, from the (dummy) pricing I did, it seems that QFF SC is earnt at discJ rate of 60 QFF SC.
Some days in Jul its $659 one way in discJ from BNE.
Edit: heh, chasing and running, as most dogs love to do.

Ah, sorry. You’re looking at paid seats. Do you have PC? With current 40% discount on awards, it could be of interest - assuming there are still seats - and you don’t get lockdown along the way….

 

[Mrsfefe]

Good point! I'll get the phycological hit of an international trip without it being a real international trip.

Any must do's on the island that you could recommend?

Definitely try Hilli Restaurant, but you will have to book. Also Aunt Mary’s kitchen for lunch, overlooking the golf course. The four museums in the Kingston convict area are definitely worth getting a museum pass for. Allow at least half an hour each. On a clear day the view from Mt Pitt gives a great overview of the island. And ask a local if a supply boat will be delivering during your stay. Head down to the pier in the convict area to see how bulk supplies come onto the island. Amazing how they do it.