From the Mayor’s desk: The first international flight to Bali

I HAD the very exciting opportunity to be on the first international flight from Newcastle Airport to Bali on 21 October.

I funded myself and my kids, Mackenzie and Hunter, for a holiday as a special gift for Hunter’s 18th birthday.

MacKenzie and Hunter had never been to Bali before, and getting to take them and show them around was an incredibly special experience for me as a mum.

We were sent off from the new Newcastle Airport International Terminal with a huge, warm, and celebratory farewell.

There were Balinese dancers, delicious food, cake, and loads of media attention.

And the welcome we got when we landed at Denpasar Airport was just as wonderful.

We had a fantastic holiday, exploring the local area, relaxing on the beaches, and enjoying some downtime sipping cocktails by the pool.

Bali is a perfect family destination offering something for everyone, whether that’s waterparks for kids, markets, temples, beach clubs and monkey forests – every day is an adventure.

The timing of the flight allowed me to hit snooze, pack my bags, and arrive in Bali by lunchtime.

Returning overnight meant the kids could sleep on the plane and wake up in Newcastle.

This route also presents amazing opportunities beyond leisure.

It’s the first year-round international route from Newcastle Airport, opening up even more connections.

Last year, over 130,000 people travelled from the Hunter to Bali but had to do so via Sydney. Now, locals can skip the M1, tolls, airport parking, and long travel days with direct flights.

Bali connects to 48 destinations across Asia and the Middle East, strengthening regional ties in tourism, trade, education, defence, and business.

During my trip, I managed to squeeze in some important work.

I discussed key business opportunities between our beautiful Hunter region and Indonesia, in particular promoting our famous Hunter Valley wines and Port Stephens as a vibrant tourism destination.

This airport expansion is a game-changer for us.

It’s already started to open up incredible opportunities for tourism and local businesses, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for our airport and where we will be connected next.

By Leah ANDERSON, Port Stephens Mayor