From the CEO
For many of our passengers, February means going back to work after the summer break. But it’s also when a lot of people start dreaming of their next holiday. We’re not expecting our international network to return before mid-year so we’re all going to be holidaying closer to home for a while longer. Fortunately, we’re spoilt for choice. This issue of Qantas has ideas for the one thing you must do when visiting some of Australia’s best destinations. I’m often asked what my must-see parts of the country are so here are a few of my favourites. For sheer wonder it’s hard to surpass the Great Barrier Reef. And Queensland’s Lizard Island is a once-ina-lifetime experience – the reef is so close, you can swim to it.
I’m also a big fan of Tasmania. Port Arthur is a window into our convict history and should be a part of every itinerary. I’ve stayed at Pumphouse Point in the middle of Lake St Clair and it’d be difficult to find another location as tranquil. And I’d love to get back to Uluru, a very special place in Australia’s spiritual heart.
Living in Sydney, I always encourage visiting friends and family to walk along the harbour foreshore. It’s an easy stroll from the harbourside park at Barangaroo, under the Harbour Bridge, through the Rocks and past the Opera House to the Royal Botanic Garden. The CBD is home to two of the world’s 50 best bars – Maybe Sammy and Cantina OK! – so we don’t have to go far to find a top-class drink.
There are a couple of places high on my wish list for 2021. Lord Howe Island in NSW looks like it could be a Jurassic Park set but is only a short flight from Sydney or Brisbane. I’ve also never been to the stunning Kimberley region in Western Australia.
Since the middle of last year we’ve announced more than 20 new domestic routes and increased by about 50 per cent the number of Frequent Flyer seats you can secure using your points – two ways we’ve made it easier to explore this spectacular country.
As we move into 2021, here’s hoping we all get the chance to tick off some of our bucket-list experiences this year.
We look forward to having you on board again soon.