There’s a whiff of coconut oil and sunscreen in the air — and no, it’s not coming from a Gold Coast beach. Jetstar’s latest revelation has Queenslanders rustling for their passports: direct flights from Brisbane to Rarotonga are set to take off in May 2026, and one-way fares are kicking off at a gobsmacking $249.
That’s not a typo, dear reader. That’s a tropical escape to the pristine Cook Islands for less than the cost of a Friday night dinner and drinks. And it’s more than just another seat sale — it’s a strategic and sunny step in Jetstar’s South Pacific expansion plan.
Jetstar’s thrice-weekly service will be the airline’s second direct route from Australia to the Cook Islands, joining its already-popular Sydney to Rarotonga link, which has been quietly converting mainlanders into coconut enthusiasts since June 2023.
Now Brisbane, the self-styled “River City” (with a weather forecast that often reads like an island brochure), will finally get its own non-stop, low-cost connection to the capital of the Cook Islands — the postcard-perfect Rarotonga.
Welcome Aboard the Jetstar Express to Paradise
From 18 May 2026, flight JQ105 will whisk holidaymakers out of Brisbane Airport on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:20 pm, touching down in Rarotonga at a breezy 8:30 am the same morning (thanks to that handy time zone hop). The return leg, JQ104, departs Rarotonga at 10:00 am and lands in Brisbane just after noon.
Rarotonga – Aerial
These flights will be operated by Jetstar’s shiny A321neo LR aircraft — a newer, greener, and far more fuel-efficient jet. It’s part of a growing fleet that whispers (not roars) across the skies, offering lower operating costs and a lighter carbon footprint — a nod to sustainability, without skimping on the sunshine.
Stephanie Tully, Jetstar Group CEO, radiated confidence in her announcement:
“We’re thrilled to be launching direct flights from Brisbane to the breathtaking island of Rarotonga, a true South Pacific gem. When these flights start in May 2026, Jetstar will be providing more than 110,000 seats each year to and from the Cook Islands.”
It’s a bold move that opens new horizons for Queensland’s sun-seekers and boosts the Cook Islands’ visitor economy, which has seen a welcome resurgence since Australia’s travel tap was turned back on.
A Booming Aussie Love Affair with the Cooks
Graeme West, the Cook Islands’ General Manager for Australasia, was chuffed.
“Australians are discovering that the Cook Islands is unique — there are no crowds, plenty of activities to keep even the most energetic visitor entertained, and visitors go around the island(s) visiting cafes, restaurants, beaches and more. We look forward to welcoming many more Aussies.”
And with over 50,000 seats annually now available on the Brisbane route alone, the Cook Islands is no longer a hidden gem — it’s a glittering emerald set squarely in the sights of Aussie travellers.
Throw in direct access from Sydney and Brisbane, and Jetstar has effectively cornered the market on convenient Cook Islands travel for eastern Australia. And the timing couldn’t be better for the average Aussie family looking to swap suburbia for snorkelling.
Sale Now On — But Don’t Snooze on This Island Muse
Jetstar is running a limited-time sale to celebrate the launch, with fares starting at just $249 one-way from Brisbane. The deal is available for 48 hours only — or until the fare-frenzied masses click the site into oblivion.
Flights can be booked via jetstar.com, and while checked bags, flexibility, and in-flight frills cost extra (as tradition dictates), the base fare is astonishingly accessible.
Remember that these flights are still subject to Government and Regulatory approval, though it’s fair to assume that the warm Pacific welcome will be hard to resist from both sides.
So, pack the boardshorts, bribe the neighbour to water the plants, and prepare for the sound of ukuleles and the smell of frangipanis — because Brisbane’s next great island adventure is about to take flight.
By Christine Nguyen
