Australia Travel Surges as Jetstar Unleashes Free Return Flights to Japan and South Korea in Major Sale
Australian tourists heading for Japan, South Korea, Europe, and various other popular destinations in their own country have new October holiday specials to look forward to. This time around, the Jetstar airline has taken the lead and offered thousands of special return flights while Qantas and Virgin Australia airlines have come up with individual specials. Australia tour packages become economical this October thanks to Jetstar’s new deal on free return flights to Japan and South Korea.
Holiday packages and guided tours are also part of the October sales push. Travellers can find offers covering Bali, China, Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia and several other European destinations.
Jetstar Launches Major Japan and South Korea Sale
Jetstar has placed Japan and South Korea at the centre of one of its major international sales, giving Australian travellers another opportunity to reduce the cost of an East Asian holiday.
The Japan & South Korea Return for FREE Sale includes 14,000 promotional return fares, with eligible return Starter fares available from $0.
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The promotion runs for a limited 72-hour period and applies only to selected routes and travel dates.
Travellers purchasing an eligible outbound Starter fare can receive the corresponding return Starter fare free under the promotion.
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The offer covers flights to three important Asian gateways: Seoul Incheon, Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Narita.
The promotion does not mean the entire round trip is free. Travellers must purchase an eligible outbound Starter fare before receiving the promotional return Starter fare.
Cairns Osaka Route Starts From $449
One of the standout deals connects Cairns with Osaka Kansai from $449.
Osaka provides travellers with direct access to one of Japan’s largest cities while also acting as an important gateway for exploring the wider Kansai region.
The city is particularly well positioned for travellers planning to combine several Japanese destinations within one holiday.
With the free-return promotion attached to eligible bookings, travellers considering Japan may find the offer particularly attractive when comparing the overall cost of their journey.
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Brisbane to Seoul Fares Start From $469
South Korea also plays a major role in the promotion.
Eligible Brisbane to Seoul Incheon fares start from $469, creating another international travel option for Australians considering South Korea.
Seoul has become an increasingly prominent Asian leisure destination, combining food, entertainment, shopping, culture and historic attractions within a major metropolitan tourism market.
The promotion could also encourage travellers who previously considered South Korea too expensive to reconsider the destination if suitable sale dates match their holiday plans.
Cairns to Tokyo Starts From $479
Tokyo is another major destination included in the promotion.
Travellers can find Cairns to Tokyo Narita fares starting from $479 on eligible travel dates.
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Tokyo remains one of Japan’s primary international tourism gateways and provides connections to destinations across the country.
The sale could therefore appeal not only to travellers planning a Tokyo city break but also to visitors intending to continue their journey to other parts of Japan.
However, the lowest advertised fares remain subject to availability and applicable booking conditions.
Sydney Travellers Can Reach Osaka From $569
Travellers departing from Sydney are also included in the Japan promotion.
Eligible Sydney to Osaka Kansai fares start from $569.
This gives travellers from Australia’s largest city another opportunity to reach western Japan while taking advantage of the limited promotional return-fare arrangement.
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Travellers should carefully check the available travel periods before booking because promotional prices may only apply to selected dates.
Optional services such as checked baggage, seat selection and onboard extras can also affect the final booking price.
Club Jetstar Members Receive Early Access
Club Jetstar members receive an additional advantage during the sale.
Members are being offered 12 hours of exclusive early access beginning from midday AEDT before wider access to the promotion.
This early booking window may be particularly useful for travellers targeting specific dates or routes.
Only 14,000 promotional return fares are available across the campaign, meaning availability could become more limited as bookings increase.
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Travellers with flexible departure dates may therefore have more opportunities to locate eligible promotional fares.
Qantas Releases More Than 42,000 Discounted Northern Territory Seats
Domestic travellers also have new opportunities through a separate Qantas Northern Territory promotion.
The airline has launched a three-day sale with more than 42,000 discounted seats available on flights travelling to and from the Northern Territory.
The promotion covers 26 routes and connects Darwin, Alice Springs and Uluru with 10 destinations across Australia.
Among the headline offers are one-way Economy fares starting from $199 between Adelaide and Alice Springs.
The promotion creates additional options for Australians considering holidays in the Top End and Red Centre.
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Darwin provides access to Australia’s tropical north, while Alice Springs serves as an important gateway for Central Australia. Uluru remains one of the country’s most internationally recognised visitor destinations.
Virgin Australia Launches Early Europe Sale
Travellers considering a European holiday also have another sale to examine.
Virgin Australia has introduced an early-bird Europe promotion, with return Economy Choice fares beginning from $1,641 between Perth and Barcelona via Doha.
The offer includes several of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Travellers can consider flights serving Barcelona, Rome, London Heathrow and Paris, among other destinations included in the promotion.
Sale fares are scheduled to remain available until midnight AEST on Friday 30 October 2026, unless the allocated promotional inventory sells out beforehand.
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Eligible Velocity Frequent Flyer members can also earn up to 24,000 bonus Velocity Points on qualifying return bookings.
The promotion provides another option for Australians already planning longer-haul holidays during upcoming travel periods.
Bali China and Hawaii Holiday Packages Join the Deals
The latest travel bargains extend beyond airfares.
Holiday packages covering several international destinations are also available, giving travellers options that combine more elements of their trip.
A family-friendly luxury Bali holiday starts from $1,899 per person.
Travellers interested in a longer Asian journey can consider a 10-day five-star rail tour through China from $1,499 per person.
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A six-day Hawaii holiday starts from $2,599 per person.
These packages target travellers seeking a more organised holiday experience rather than booking every component of the journey separately.
Japan and South Korea Packages Expand the Choices
Japan and South Korea also feature among the package deals.
Travellers can consider a seven-day Japan holiday from $2,999 per person.
An eight-day South Korea holiday is also available from $2,999 per person.
These options provide an alternative to purchasing flights independently.
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Package travellers should compare the complete inclusions before booking. Accommodation, meals, transfers, excursions and other services can vary considerably between offers and can influence the true overall value of a holiday.
Europe and UK Tours Receive New Discounts
Travellers looking towards organised European holidays in 2027 also have new opportunities.
A flash sale is offering 10 per cent off 2027 Europe and UK tours until 13 October.
The promotion covers guided journeys across several popular destinations.
Available travel options include holidays through Sicily and Croatia, while itineraries involving Scotland and Ireland provide alternatives for travellers interested in northern and western Europe.
Booking well ahead can help travellers establish their holiday plans earlier, although customers should always review cancellation and amendment conditions before committing to a future trip.
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Another 2027 Europe Sale Offers 20 Per Cent Savings
A separate tour promotion is offering an even larger headline reduction.
Travellers can access 20 per cent off 2027 Europe and UK tours until 13 October under the limited-time sale.
Available journeys include trips exploring the historic cities and cultural attractions of Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Other itineraries focus on the dramatic landscapes and fjords of Scandinavia, while travellers can also choose journeys following Ireland’s famous coastline.
The variety means travellers can select between Mediterranean cities, northern landscapes and traditional guided touring experiences.
October Opens New Opportunities for Australian Travellers
October is shaping up as an important booking period for Australians considering domestic and international holidays.
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Japan and South Korea are receiving some of the greatest attention through the availability of 14,000 promotional return fares, while discounted domestic seats are making the Northern Territory another potentially attractive option.
European travellers also have early-booking fares and tour discounts to consider, while holiday packages extend the choices to Bali, China, Hawaii, Japan and South Korea.
The strongest deal will ultimately depend on the traveller’s destination, dates and preferred style of holiday.
Headline prices should also be considered alongside the total trip cost. Baggage, seat selection, accommodation standards, transfers, meals, cancellation rules and optional activities can significantly change what travellers eventually pay.
With promotional inventory limited and several offers running for only a few days, travellers who already know where they want to go may have an opportunity to secure their next trip at a lower price.
Long-Lead Booking Advantage: Tour discounts for 2027 Europe itineraries
(10% to 20% off) offer strong hedge value against inflation for travellers willing to lock in travel dates early under favorable amendment terms.
From Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul to Uluru, Barcelona, Bali and beyond, Australia’s October travel sales are opening a wide range of possibilities for travellers planning their next domestic or international escape.Australian travellers can save more on Japan and South Korea trips this October as 14,000 promotional return fares from $0 open new opportunities for affordable Asian holidays.
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