It’s been nearly 1000 days since the C-word grounded Virgin Australia’s Trans-Tasman flights, but today the first flights from Sydney and Brisbane take off bound for Queenstown, with Melbourne joining tomorrow.

The South Island resort town is the first NZ destination the Australian carrier is returning to, with daily flights from Brisbane and Sydney, and four weekly flights from Melbourne.

To celebrate, Virgin has just dropped a reduced return fare sale to Queenstown, saving you up to $120. The first travel window falls in February and March, for those into hiking and biking, or sitting in the sun with a cold brew and a Fergburger (if you know, you know). Or plan next year’s snow trip and lock in August and September, when the four ski resorts within schussing distance of Queenstown are pumping.

But get in fast – you’ve only got until midnight, November 6 to score the special deal.

To find out more, or to book your flights, visit virginaustralia.com.

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