CBR - ZQN via SYD or MEL (or even WLG)?

[Happy Dude]

I've got a project in ZQN in July. I'm VA Gold. I could go VA via SYD or MEL, or even SG via WLG (but the flight times outbound stink). Work will stump up for whatever fare is cheapest but I'll pay the difference to fly freedom if it's not too great.

Which route would be more convenient regarding transfers, immigration etc. I would guess SG? Any compelling plane or lounge reasoning to factor in?

Not overly concerned about SC and points - other than the more the merrier. I think via SYD or MEL will yield 50 SCs each way (CBR-MEL = 20 & MEL-ZQN = 30, is that right?). Flying SQ and crediting VA will yield half that according to my calcs.

 

[Mattg]

SQ/NZ via WLG is the obvious one. 777s from CBR-WLG with excellent SQ service and a super easy transit in WLG for the short A320 hop to ZQN. You'll get VA lounge access in CBR and NZ lounge access before the NZ flights as VA Gold - but NO lounge access in WLG prior to the WLG-CBR flight.

Regarding the outbound flight times, I think you'll find they're not much better via SYD/MEL - you'll need to leave CBR even earlier in the morning and arrive in ZQN around 3pm.

FWIW, I've seen some outstanding prices on semi-flex fares (under $250 and earning 30 SCs) from WLG to CBR - but it seems more expensive if you book ex CBR.

 

[Happy Dude]

Great information, Mattg. Thank you.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Personally, I would go via MEL if the direct SQ flight timings are not suitable.
With MEL airport, you can easily walk from T3 to T2, about 5/10 mins amble.
SYD you have to rely on the bus, and that bus also picks up the public outside T2, then off to T1.
QF transfer bus is exlcusive, ie, does not stop outside T3 to pick up pax, but the T2 bus does, and this takes up precious time.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you have a few days of down time, then fly SQ (or SG as you typed), but more so, its SQ.
WLG airport is small, and easy to transit, from int to dom, just clear immi and customs and walk out, turn right and you are in the dom terminal (!) and there is a hotel you can overnight, if you have to.
But as you say, the timings of the flight are not the best for you, so go via MEL.
Trust me, CBR - MEL - ZQN is best!
Also, ZQN airport sometimes gets closed, due to fog or snow. I was in CHC a while back, and was shocked, first time I heard it, (this was the announcement: (that the (Air)NZ flight from Queenstown has been cancelled due to bad weather)).
So best to leave a few hours or day if you could on the way back to Australia, in case the flight you are on is delayed or cancelled.
Maybe take a bit of time off and/or road it to CHC and fly out from there to MEL.