Norfolk Island Reopens to NSW & VIC Tourists

Norfolk Island has today reopened to vaccinated travellers from New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, marking a huge boost for the island’s tourism industry and welcome news for tourists.

From today, fully vaccinated travellers from these states & territories will be allowed to travel to the island with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

The Norfolk Island Regional Council has confirmed that travellers do not have to pay for their COVID-19 test to travel to the island. The council has instructed Qantas to accept the SMS test results from free tests conducted by state-run community testing clinics.

Travellers coming from other Australian states & territories do not require a COVID-19 test to travel to Norfolk Island at this time. The local authorities will review this when Queensland opens up to quarantine-free travel from other Australian states where COVID-19 is circulating in the community.

From today, however, all travellers arriving on Norfolk Island will need to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival if they are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new vaccination requirement applies to all people aged 12 and over, regardless of where they are coming from.

All travellers also need to apply for a Norfolk Island Travel Pass in advance.

By opening up to vaccinated travellers with a negative COVID-19 test, Norfolk Island Regional Council believes it is reducing the risk of bringing COVID-19 to the small island located between New Zealand and New Caledonia. But it accepts that it is inevitable coronavirus will eventually reach the island, and has a response plan that will be activated if this happens.

So far, there have been no reported COVID-19 cases in the Norfolk Island community and almost the entire island’s population has been fully vaccinated.

Qantas will fly from Sydney & Brisbane to Norfolk Island until at least 30 June 2022

While Air New Zealand normally holds the contract to fly from Sydney and Brisbane to Norfolk Island, Qantas has stepped in while Air New Zealand has been unable to provide regular service. The Qantas contract was due to expire at the end of August, but has been extended until 30 June 2022.

Qantas will operate Boeing 737-800 flights to Norfolk Island until 30 June 2022. Photo: Qantas.

Qantas flies three times per week from both Sydney and Brisbane to Norfolk Island.

Air Chathams’ weekly Auckland-Norfolk Island flights are currently suspended due to the closure of the New Zealand international border.

Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Qantas to Norfolk Island

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.