Weekend Escapes to Norfolk Island
Now Possible with Friday Flights

Australia's closest international destination, Norfolk Island, will add refreshing weekend escapes to its holiday options when the island's new Ozjet 737 jet service is reborn as Norfolk Air and starts offering Friday departures out of Sydney next month.

From August 18, Norfolk Air will begin flying to the island from Sydney's international terminal each Friday, leaving at 11.25am and arriving at 3.20pm to allow stressed mainlanders to slow to the island's relaxed South Pacific pace before enjoying two nights in one of the 60 resorts, cottages, apartments and guesthouses.

Return flights to Sydney for weekend visitors on the 2.5-hour route will be available at 11.45am on Sundays.

The new Friday service will supplement existing Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday services to the island from Sydney and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday flights from Brisbane, with domestic connections available from other centres.

The Qantas ticketed and maintained service is being upgraded to meet a resurgence in demand since Ozjet took over the run in May. Apart from the new name, the aircraft will receive a distinctive pine-clad livery and be based on the island and use locally employed cabin crew.

"This is an exciting move for us, because it will mean we will have an aircraft that relates much more closely with the island and Friday flights that will enable us to tap into the important weekend holiday traffic in our key market," said Norfolk Island Tourism General Manager Steve McInnes.

To mark the upgrade, Fastbook Holidays is offering luxury two-night weekend escapes to Norfolk Island from Sydney for $1159 per person twin-share.* Included are return flights, island transfers, two nights accommodation in the secluded five-star seaside cottage, Christians at Bucks Point, and champagne and fruit on arrival. From Brisbane, Fastbook is offering a three-night package at Christians at Bucks Point with the same inclusions from $1225 per person twin-share.* Call Fastbook Holidays on 1300 361 153.

Located 1500km north-east of Sydney and an external territory of Australia, Norfolk is home to the descendants of the Bounty mutineers and boasts its own language, a colourful convict history, dramatic coastal scenery, pristine beaches, coral lagoons, 35 great restaurants and cafes, one of the world's most scenic golf courses and exciting adventure activities such as kayaking, mountain biking and scuba diving. For general information on Norfolk Island visit www.norfolkisland.nf or call toll-free 1800 214 603 for a free information pack.

*Conditions apply and subject to availability. Visitors to Norfolk require a passport or document of identity from Australia Post

Media contacts
Bill Gray/Andrew Mevissen MG Media Communications 02 9904 0011

Issued: July 25, 2006