A quintessential Australian bucket list typically consists of wineries in Adelaide, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. Throw in a cycle around Uluru, a selfie with a quokka on Rottnest Island and a meander through Hobart’s famous Salamanca Markets, and you’ve ticked off some of the most well-known sights in almost every corner of the country.
So, where do you go once you’ve ‘seen it all’? Or, are you simply looking for a more relaxed destination that isn’t teeming with tourists?
If you’ve amassed a stash of Qantas Points or Velocity Points, there are plenty of unique destinations you can visit in Australia in 2025 – and you don’t even need to leave the country. So, consider using your points to discover these off-the-beaten-path gems right in your own backyard.
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1. Broome, Western Australia
Located in the top end of Western Australia, Broome is a unique and increasingly popular Australian destination – and it’s easy to see why.
Nature lovers will be right in their element with the Horizontal Falls, Bungle Bungle Ranges and Cable Beach within access of the laid-back town. Or, use Broome as your entry point to northern adventures along the Dampier Penisula or the Kimberley Coast.
The best time to visit Broome is during the dry season from May to October, with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 31°C and humidity levels low.
Flying to Broome using points
Qantas and Virgin Australia operate daily return flights between Perth and Broome, with connections from other Australian cities available.
Additionally, Qantas operates seasonal direct flights to Broome from Melbourne and Sydney.
Here’s how many points you’ll need for a Classic Flight Reward to Broome.
Using Qantas Points
Qantas’ flights between Perth and Broome are on its Airbus A319 or Airbus A320 with Economy seating (no Business cabin.) Flights from Australia’s east coast are on a Boeing 737, with Economy and Business cabins available. Here’s what you can expect when flying coast-to-coast with Qantas.
| Economy | Business | |
| Perth-Broome | 12,000 | N/A |
| Melbourne/Sydney-Broome (seasonal) | 18,000 | 41,500 |
Note that Qantas codeshares with Airnorth on weekly flights from Darwin to Broome via Kununurra. This flight can be booked on the Qantas website using cash, but not as a Classic Flight Reward.
Using Velocity Points
Virgin Australia operates up to two daily flights from Perth to Broome using a Boeing 737, with Economy and Business available.
| Economy | Business | |
| Perth-Broome | From 8,900 to 18,900 | 23,500 |
Virgin Australia’s Domestic Economy rewards operate on a three-tiered system, with the lowest Tier 1 reward seats from Perth-Broome priced at 8,900 Velocity Points + fees and taxes. If you’re hoping to snag this pricing, it pays to plan ahead. Otherwise, Business reward seats are a fixed total, and only around 5,000 points more than the highest Economy tier. Here’s what it’s like flying Virgin Australia’s domestic Business.
Also read: Our 8 favourite uses of Qantas Points from Perth
2. Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
Technically part of New South Wales, the World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island is about a two-hour flight from Sydney.
Lord Howe Island is truly one of the most unique destinations in Australia. There are no high-rise buildings and no flashy resorts, and push bikes are the primary mode of transport. The island is home to around 380 people, and only 400 tourists are allowed on the island at a time to preserve its natural beauty.
But for those lucky enough to visit, amazing beaches, mountain hikes and rare wildlife await in this quiet paradise. Temperatures are mild year-round, making Lord Howe Island a destination that can be experienced at any time.
Flying to Lord Howe Island using points
QantasLink operates daily flights from Sydney to Lord Howe Island, with connecting services from other ports in Australia. The flight takes just two hours and is operated by a Dash 8 with Economy seating only. From February 2026 this route will be taken over by Skytrans, codesharing with QantasLink.
Here’s how many Qantas Points you’ll need to soar to Lord Howe Island.
| Economy | |
| Sydney-Lord Howe Island | 8,000 |
Also read: Why regional flights are a great way to spend points
3. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Just a 30-minute flight from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island in South Australia is a destination brimming with spectacular scenery and unique wildlife.
Foodies will delight in the island’s exceptional gastronomy, with fresh seafood, boutique wineries and local produce. Those seeking adventure can take on a hiking trail, sandboard down the dunes of Little Sahara or snorkel around Vivonne Bay. Or, for a relaxing getaway, take a walk along the beach at Seal Bay Conservation Park to see scores of endangered Australian sea lions.
The warmer months are generally the most popular time to visit Kangaroo Island, but the cooler months are still great and can be relatively cheaper.
Flying to Kangaroo Island using points
Qantas operates flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island multiple times a week, with connections available from other Australian cities. The flight from Adelaide to Kingscote in the island’s north-east takes just 40 minutes and is operated by a Dash 8 with Economy seating.
Here’s how you can leverage your Qantas Points to explore Kangaroo Island.
| Economy | |
| Adelaide-Kingscote | 8,000 |
| Melbourne-Kingscote via Adelaide | 8,000 |
| Sydney/Brisbane-Kingscote via Adelaide | 12,000 |
| Perth-Kingscote via Adelaide | 18,000 |
Notably, it costs no extra points to tack on a flight to Kingscote when flying from Melbourne to Adelaide, as the total distance falls within the same zone on Qantas’ Classic Flight Reward table. The same applies when flying from Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, where the respective points required are the same as flying to Adelaide. Essentially, you’re getting the Adelaide-Kingscote leg for ‘free’!
Also read: 48 hours on Kangaroo Island – plus how to score a bonus flight from Adelaide
4. Mount Isa, Queensland
Home to a little over 18,000 people, the Queensland outback town of Mount Isa is affectionately known as the ‘oasis of the outback’.
Rugged landscapes, rocky hills and tranquil lakes lend themselves to activities like fishing, camping and rock climbing. The Riversleigh Fossil site within the southern section of Boodjamulla National Park is World Heritage-listed, while Lawn Hill Gorge is also a key attraction.
Mount Isa houses one of the most productive mines in world history, with the iconic Urquhart Shaft and Headframe dominating the town’s skyline. Cementing itself as a unique destination, Mount Isa is also known for being the ‘rodeo capital of Australia’, hosting the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere each year.
Mount Isa enjoys warm weather year-round and only a few days of rain, making it ideal for a visit at any time. But if you’re hoping to see (or participate in) the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, aim to visit during the second weekend of August.
Flying to Mount Isa using points
Qantas operates flights from Brisbane, Townsville and Cloncurry to Mount Isa most days, with connections available from other Australian cities.
Similarly, Virgin Australia also flies from Brisbane to Mount Isa, and you can connect from other cities in Australia.
Here’s how you can fly there using points.
Using Qantas Points
Qantas flies an Embraer E190 between Brisbane and Mount Isa, with Economy and Business seating available. On QantasLink flights from Cloncurry and Townsville to Mount Isa, an Economy-only Dash 8 is used for the short journey.
| Economy | Business | |
| Cloncurry/Townsville-Mount Isa | 8,000 | N/A |
| Brisbane-Mount Isa | 12,000 | 27,600 |
Using Velocity Points
Virgin Australia currently uses a Fokker 100 on some of its regional routes, including between Brisbane and Mount Isa. The aircraft only offers Economy seating, though you can upgrade to Economy X for extra legroom.
| Economy | |
| Brisbane-Mount Isa | From 8,900 to 18,900 |
Also read: Best ways to use Qantas Points for an outback adventure in Australia
5. Orange, New South Wales
The country town of Orange lies around 250km west of Sydney. Famed for its gourmet food and wine, rich history and vibrant festivals, Orange is a popular destination for Sydneysiders looking for a refreshing getaway from the big-city bustle.
Venture to the picturesque Mount Canobalas, an extinct volcano surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife. Nearby Lake Canobalas is the perfect spot for a picnic, and activities like canoeing, fishing and swimming are common in the area.
Families can visit the Orange Regional Museum to learn about local history, or head to Ophir Reserve where kids can try their luck at fossicking. There’s even a family-friendly winery, Heifer Station, with a cellar door and an adjacent farm for kids.
Autumn and spring are generally the best times of year to visit Orange to see the foliage and blooming trees across the region.
Flying to Orange using points
Sunstate, a Qantas subsidiary airline, operates flights from Sydney to Orange on a Dash 8, which takes under an hour. Connections are also available from other Australian cities.
| | Economy |
| Sydney-Orange | 8,000 |
| Melbourne/Brisbane/Gold Coast-Orange via Sydney | 8,000 |
Much like flying between Adelaide and Kingscote, the Sydney-Orange flight is so short that you can tack it onto an interstate leg to effectively get a ‘free’ flight, as it falls within the same distance-based zone. That means you’ll pay the same amount of points for a journey from Melbourne to Orange via Sydney as you would for just a Melbourne-Sydney flight.
Also read: Five ways to redeem 20,000 Qantas Points
6. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Off the east coast, the Great Barrier Reef is Australia’s best-known scuba diving and snorkelling destination, with unique marine life and . But, on the other side of the country, a two-hour flight from Perth is the gateway to a hidden gem that’s equally as spectacular – Ningaloo Reef.
Considered one of the best places in the world to swim with marine life, Ningaloo Reef is brimming with whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, turtles and over 500 fish species.
On land, there are plenty of stunning beaches to soak up the sunset, and sand dunes for a thrilling quad bike adventure.
The best time of year to visit Ningaloo Reef is between April and July, during the whale shark migration. But, depending on what you want to see, turtles are best spotted in February and March, and humpback whales between June and October.
Flying to Ningaloo Reef using points
The nearest airport to Ningaloo is Learmonth Airport, which is around 38km from Exmouth – your launch pad to Ningaloo Reef.
QantasLink is the sole airline servicing Learmonth, with up to two daily flights from Perth. Flights on this route are operated by an Airbus A319 or Fokker 100, both of which only offer Economy.
| Economy | |
| Perth-Exmouth (Learmonth) | 12,000 |
Also read: Experience WA’s breathtaking Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park
Summing up
There are plenty of exciting and unique destinations in Australia to explore if you don’t want to whip out your passport. Many of these spots are easily accessible from major cities and serviced by Qantas or Virgin Australia. So, if you’re still mapping out your travels for the year, consider a domestic getaway – you may be surprised at what’s out there!
Also read: How to travel for cheap in 2025
Featured image: Where did she go this time?!, Unsplash
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