Australia new domestic flight routes in 2021: New Qantas, Rex flights taking off in time for Easter holidays

Flying time 3 hours 15 mins with Rex

Driving time 13 hours

What it's known for Australia's most famous mining town, Broken Hill has reinvented itself as a tourist destination. With a lively arts scene and spectacular surroundings, including the nearby ghost town of Silverton. "Broken Hill always surprises visitors," says Tara Callaghan, gallery and museum manager with Broken Hill Council.

What's new Accessing the area's Indigenous culture has never been easier. "Mutawintji Heritage Tours runs these guided heritage tours where you can see rock art and learn more about the culture," Callaghan says. "For the last four years we have also been prioritising Indigenous artists at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, both in our permanent collection and in our exhibitions. You can also buy works from local Indigenous artists in our shop."

Local secret "The quality of light out here is simply stunning – that's why so many films are shot here," Callaghan says. She says that savouring a desert sunset is a must-do experience. "Whether you're on the Mundi Mundi Plains past Silverton, out at The Living Desert on top of the Line of Lode where the Miners' Memorial is, watching the sun fall down over the horizon is absolutely stunning."

Where to get a good cuppa "There are so many places to choose from," says Callaghan. "My favourites are The Deli, The Gourmet Cribtin and The Silly Goat, which also does great vegetarian and vegan food."

SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE TO WAGGA WAGGA

Flying time 1 hour with Qantas

Driving time 4.5 hours from Sydney, 5 hours from Melbourne

What it's known for Perched on a curve in the Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga is the biggest city in the Riverina and home to the National Art Glass Collection.

What's new "The city has really gained momentum in recent years," says Jenni Riethmuller of Belisi Wellbeing & Equestrian Centre. "The Riverina Outdoor Trail is a really cool collection of sculptures and murals on silos, and the backstreets of Wagga now also have plenty of street art too."

Local secret Riethmuller nominates the walk to The Rock, at 364 metres and half an hour out of town. "You can see parrots and rock wallabies along the way; on a clear day, you can see the Victorian alps from the top." She also enjoys floating down the river where it curves around the heart of town. "Just grab any flotation device, and a life jacket, of course. We hop in up near Bunnings; it takes about an hour to reach Wagga Beach, which was picked as the ninth most beautiful beach in Australia."

Where to get a good cuppa "My pick is The Deck at The Oak Room, which has a good vibe, great cocktails, and they do food really well."

If you are hankering for a long weekend away, your options are about to get a lot more interesting. Among the new Qantas itineraries coming in March are flights from Melbourne to Newcastle, Wagga Wagga and Merimbula. To help inspire your holiday planning, we asked locals in each of these cities for tips on how to make the most of a flying visit.

MELBOURNE TO NEWCASTLE

Flying time 1 hour 30 mins with Qantas

Driving time 10 hours 30 minutes

What it's known for Once known as Steel City, the industrial port of Newcastle has reinvented itself as a creative hub. "It's starting to develop its own identity," says Ben Ogden of bike tour company, Newy Rides. "It is surrounded by great beaches, national parks and wine regions. We also have a great street art scene with murals everywhere."

What's new "One of the things that always surprises people on my tours is how hip the old working-class neighbourhoods have become," Ogden says. "Step away from the harbour and you find these neighbourhoods filled with terraces that are emerging as artist havens, with lots of coffee dens, small bars and distilleries. You will find plenty of small bars and restaurants, as well as the great old pubs that have been here forever. The music scene is really cool, and you can always get parking!"

Local secret "There's a 15-kilometre cycleway that stretches from Adamstown to Belmont along the old rail line – you can go the whole way into the national park and pop out onto a stunning cliff face with this expansive view of the coast. I can do that within 25 minutes of my house."

Where to get a good cuppa "I really like Good Friends in The Junction: it has really good coffee."