Australia Creates New Aviation Tourism Wonder as QantasLink Fokker 100 Begins Historic Museum Journey

Written By: Jaya Mazumder Das

Jaya Mazumder Das

I am at the beginning of my career in journalism, with a strong focus on the dynamic travel and tourism sector. As a journalist at Travel And Tour World, I cover stories that explore changing travel trends, destination developments, aviation news, hospitality, and the forces reshaping the global tourism landscape. By combining in-depth research with clear and engaging storytelling, I strive to deliver accurate, informative content that helps readers understand the latest industry developments while showcasing the people, places, and innovations driving the future of travel.

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August 17, 2026 18:38 GMT+5:30

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The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, or HARS Museum for short, has something new to add to its collection: a retired QantasLink Fokker 100 VH-NPU aircraft. Over the years, this aircraft served as a regional passenger aircraft. It will now take on a role as a tourism and heritage attraction.The QantasLink Fokker 100 has completed its final flight of service and will reside at a museum as an ex-aircraft.As the name suggests, the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society has added the Fokker 100 to its collection for preservation to ensure that the history of aviation is documented and maintained. VH-NPU, formerly a regional passenger aircraft, has now made its final flights totaling more than 7,500 with QantasLink, covering nearly 9 million kilometers, and will provide a unique history of regional aviation in Australia.

After completing its final operational journey, the aircraft arrived ready to be preserved for aviation enthusiasts, travellers and future generations. Once responsible for connecting communities across regional Australia, the aircraft will now allow visitors to experience a piece of the nation’s aviation story from the ground.

The arrival represents more than the retirement of an aircraft. It reflects the growing importance of aviation museums as tourism attractions where visitors can explore historic aircraft, understand airline development and discover the stories behind the machines that shaped travel.

QantasLink Fokker 100 Completes Its Final Journey Before Beginning a New Life as a Museum Attraction

The Fokker 100 VH-NPU completed its final flight across Australia before reaching its new home at HARS. The aircraft travelled from Perth with a stopover in Kalgoorlie before arriving in the Illawarra region, marking the end of its commercial flying career.

During its years with QantasLink, the aircraft played an important role in regional connectivity. It supported passenger movement between Western Australian communities and larger cities, helping travellers reach destinations that depended on reliable regional air services.

The aircraft completed more than 7,500 flights for QantasLink and travelled over nine million kilometres during its operational service. These figures represent thousands of journeys made by passengers, business travellers and regional communities that relied on air connections.

Now, instead of measuring its history through flight hours and routes, VH-NPU will preserve those memories through public display and education.

Aviation tourism receives a new attraction at HARS Museum

The addition of VH-NPU strengthens HARS Museum’s position as one of Australia’s leading aviation heritage destinations. The museum has become a popular attraction for aviation enthusiasts, families and travellers interested in exploring historic aircraft up close.

Unlike traditional museum displays, preserved aircraft offer visitors a unique opportunity to physically connect with transportation history. Large commercial aircraft provide a sense of scale and help explain how aviation has transformed over generations.

The arrival of the Fokker 100 creates another reason for tourists to visit the Illawarra region. Visitors can now explore an aircraft that once carried passengers across regional Australia and understand its role in connecting communities.

The aircraft’s transformation from a working passenger jet into a tourism attraction highlights how aviation heritage can support regional visitor experiences.

Historic aircraft joins Qantas Boeing 747 at Wollongong collection

VH-NPU will take its place alongside another famous Qantas aircraft at HARS — the first Boeing 747-400 operated by Qantas, registered VH-OJA and named “City of Canberra.” The iconic aircraft arrived at HARS in 2015 after completing 26 years of service and has become one of the museum’s most recognised attractions.

The two aircraft represent different eras of Australian aviation.

The Boeing 747 symbolises the growth of long-distance international travel and the expansion of global aviation networks. The Fokker 100 represents the importance of regional aviation and the role smaller aircraft played in connecting communities across vast distances.

Together, the aircraft collection tells a broader story about how Australian aviation has evolved from regional services to worldwide connectivity.

For visitors, the combination provides a rare opportunity to see two important aircraft types that shaped different chapters of commercial air travel.

QantasLink fleet transition brings the Fokker 100 era to an end

The museum arrival comes as QantasLink continues its transition towards a newer regional aircraft fleet. The airline is gradually replacing its Fokker 100 aircraft with embrace E190 aircraft designed to improve reliability, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

The fleet change reflects a wider aviation industry movement towards modern aircraft with improved operating performance and updated passenger facilities.

For many travellers, the Fokker 100 became a familiar aircraft during regional journeys. Its retirement marks the end of an important period in Australian regional aviation.

However, preservation ensures that the aircraft’s contribution does not disappear. Instead of leaving service permanently, VH-NPU will continue educating visitors about the aircraft’s operational history and the people who maintained and flew it.

The move demonstrates how retired aircraft can continue creating value through tourism, education and heritage preservation.

“Meekatharra” keeps the memory of regional connections alive

The aircraft name “Meekatharra” reflects its connection with Western Australia and the communities served during its operational years. Regional aircraft have long played an essential role in supporting tourism, business travel and local economic activity.

For many passengers, regional flights are more than simple journeys. They provide essential links between smaller communities and major transport networks.

The Fokker 100 helped support these connections by operating routes across Western Australia, carrying passengers between regional locations and larger hubs.

At HARS, visitors will now be able to see the aircraft that supported these journeys. The exhibit will preserve memories of passengers, pilots, engineers and aviation professionals who contributed to its story.

The aircraft becomes a symbol of regional mobility and the importance of accessible air travel.

Second QantasLink Fokker 100 donation expands Australian aviation preservation

VH-NPU becomes the second QantasLink Fokker 100 donated to HARS. Another aircraft, VH-NHO, was previously donated to the organisations Parkes Museum, expanding preservation efforts for the aircraft type.

These donations highlight the important relationship between airlines and aviation preservation organisations. By transferring retired aircraft to museums, airlines help ensure that future generations can experience aircraft that once played a vital role in everyday travel.

Preserved aircraft also provide educational opportunities, allowing visitors to understand aviation technology, aircraft design and the development of airline operations.

The Fokker 100 exhibits will help maintain public awareness of an aircraft that supported regional communities for many years.

Wollongong strengthens its position as an aviation tourism destination

The arrival of the QantasLink Fokker 100 adds another highlight to Wollongong’s growing aviation tourism appeal. HARS Museum has developed into a major destination for visitors interested in aircraft history, restoration projects and aviation experiences.

The new exhibit complements the museum’s existing collection while creating another attraction for domestic and international visitors exploring the Illawarra region.

Aviation tourism continues to grow because travellers increasingly seek unique experiences beyond traditional sightseeing. Historic aircraft provide a combination of education, nostalgia and entertainment that appeals to a wide range of visitors.

With VH-NPU joining the collection, HARS continues preserving Australia’s aviation heritage while contributing to regional tourism growth.

Final flight completed, but the Fokker 100 story continues

The arrival of QantasLink Fokker 100 VH-NPU marks the beginning of a new era for an aircraft that spent years connecting Australian communities.

Although “Meekatharra” has completed its final passenger flight, its journey continues through aviation tourism. At HARS Museum, the aircraft will introduce new generations to the history of regional aviation and the role aircraft played in bringing people together.

Alongside the famous Boeing 747, the Fokker 100 will stand as a reminder of Australia’s changing aviation landscape.

Even though it can no longer fly, the aircraft will continue to motivate guests and recollect memories. QantasLink’s Fokker 100 made its last flight as it prepares to switch its career to regional service to become a historic aviation attraction at the HARS Museum in Wollongong.

This aircraft will give an opportunity for people to see a passenger jet that was used in the past. It will be preserving regional aviation in Australia.