Home » News » Swap trendy cafes for cattle stations: Bonza launches Melbourne-Rockhampton route

11 April, 2023

Swap trendy cafes for cattle stations: Bonza launches Melbourne-Rockhampton route

Launch Bonza Melbourne Airport. Thursday, March 30, 2023. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ FIONA HAMILTON

By James Harrison

A bumper Easter season continues as Bonza gets wheels up today connecting Melbourne (Tullamarine) with Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia, for the first time.

Today’s new route is the second to launch from Bonza’s Melbourne base and comes after the Easter long weekend for the tourism industry in both states. The airline operated multiple sold out flights during the Easter period as they continue to introduce new routes on the initial route map – of which 93 per cent weren’t previously an option for Aussie travellers.

The new Melbourne to Rockhampton route will operate twice weekly on Tuesday and Saturday with flights starting from $89 per person one way.

“The school holiday fun continues as we welcome families onboard our first ever flights between Melbourne and Rocky today. It’s so rewarding for our team of legends to welcome first time flyers onboard as well as people travelling to reunite with loved ones,” said Carly Povey, chief commercial officer at Bonza who flew with customers today.

“As someone who calls Melbourne home, I can’t encourage the people of Rocky enough to come and explore Victoria’s capital city.

“I also know first hand that Melbournians would love to jump on a low cost flight to catch some winter sun and explore the Great Barrier Reef – why wouldn’t you!”

Rockhampton Airport is also welcoming visitors from the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns.

“These routes to and from Rockhampton are opening up Central Queensland to a whole new market of leisure travellers looking to explore one of Australia’s best kept tourism secrets,” added Povey.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said this route has been highly anticipated and is welcome news for residents of the Rockhampton Region, who are already enjoying Bonza’s direct services between Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Townsville.

“The residents of Central Queensland have been calling out for affordable travel and we are thrilled to be able to welcome a direct flight connecting Regional Queensland to the Victorian Capital”, Williams said.

“If Melbournians are in need of an escape from the southern winter chill – Central Queensland is the place to be! We have so much to offer, and we look forward to welcoming new visitors to our beautiful region”.

The airline launched its Melbourne (Tullamarine) base at the end of March with the inaugural flight to the Sunshine Coast and is ramping up a total of nine Bonza routes direct from the Victorian capital city – seven of which are not being offered by any other airlines.

“Bonza is giving travellers more choice by launching low cost services on routes that other airlines aren’t flying, and we’re thrilled to be adding Rockhampton to Melbourne’s network,” said Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport.

“Melbourne has a well deserved reputation as Australia’s capital of food, sport and culture so there’s plenty of reasons to visit, but we know Central Queensland has so much to offer Victorians too,” Argus added.

Travellers are encouraged to download the Fly Bonza app, which is the only place to book direct.

Featured Image: Launch Bonza Melbourne Airport (Tennis Australia/FIONA HAMILTON)

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Bonza Carly Povey melbourne airport Rockhampton Airport