Bye, Sydney detour: Jetstar unveils new international route from Aussie east coast 

Travellers from NSW’s Hunter Region will soon have a new way to reach Singapore, with Jetstar set to link Newcastle to the city-state with a direct (but not non-stop) service via Bali from late March 2026.

The move builds on the airline’s new Newcastle-Bali service, which launched only weeks ago.

Jetstar will also increase the route from three to four flights a week, adding 24,000 extra seats per year and boosting annual capacity to more than 96,000 seats. 

Each service will include a 90-minute stop in Denpasar before continuing to Singapore, giving Novacastrians and others in the Hunter an easier path to one of Asia’s key gateways.

Short-haul shining

The move aligns with an increase in demand for Southeast Asian getaways, as longer-haul trips lose favour with many Australian travellers. Last week, the low-cost carrier also unveiled the first-ever direct flights from the Sunshine Coast to Singapore via Bali.

“We’ve seen incredible demand for our Newcastle-Bali flights since the launch, so it’s great to be adding a fourth weekly service,” Jetstar Head of Network, Fleet Strategy and Planning Ted Knight said.

“This extra flight gives Hunter locals even more flexibility and 24,000 more low fare seats a year to one of Australia’s favourite holiday spots and now, with a smooth connection through Denpasar, they can explore Singapore and beyond, too. 

“With less than two hours between flights, customers can leave Newcastle in the morning and be dining in Singapore by the evening.”  

Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the quick growth of the Bali service shows rising confidence in the region’s international market.

“This is now the quickest way to get to Singapore from Newcastle and we’re proud to see our international network grow so quickly off the back of strong regional demand,” he remarked.

“The addition of a fourth weekly Bali flight gives travellers more flexibility to reach Bali and introduces a one-stop, same-plane connection to Singapore, opening the door to destinations across the globe. 

“It means more low fares, more flexibility and faster access to Asia, saving passengers time without the need to travel to Sydney.” 

Two-way tourism

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the extra service would boost inbound tourism.

“The extra service will bring more visitors into Newcastle and the Hunter, boosting the local visitor economy,” he stated.

“The Minns Labor Government, through Destination NSW, is proud to have worked with Jetstar and Newcastle Airport to achieve this extra capacity as we work towards our goal of 8.5 million new airline seats to achieve $91 billion in visitor expenditure for NSW by 2035.” 

Meanwhile, Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the new service would “drive visitors, support local jobs and keep our region growing strong”. 

“This new link to Singapore is a real leap forward for locals in the Hunter and along our coast,” she noted. 

“It gives people easier access to Asia, more flexibility and the kind of global connectivity a region of our scale genuinely deserves.” 

The announcement lands alongside Jetstar Holidays’ new sale, offering four-night Bali packages from $598 per person, including flights, bags, accommodation and extras.

Flight schedule – From 29 March 2026: 

*Daylight savings time 

KARRYON UNPACKS: Newcastle-Singapore via Bali opens the door for NSW regional travellers. An extra weekly service adds capacity on the route and also gives travel advisors fresh ways to sell low-fare travel into Asia. Keep an eye on both seat supply and onward connections, as the NSW Hunter market has just become more dynamic.