Hunter’s shot at upmarket fame

New seaplane services between Sydney and Hunter Valley is expected to propel the NSW wine region as a viable ‘premium’ destination for tourism, conferences and events.

Blue Sky Airlines, launched by Jerry Schwartz who owns three hotels in the Hunter with another proposed for development, is expected to draw time-poor visitors to the region, as well as lifting its viability as a conference, events and incentive destination.

The new service will fly from Rose Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs to Cessnock Airport and Newcastle Harbour, and will be operated by a six-seat Lake Sea Fury LA250 aircraft from October.

The regular charter flights will run twice daily from Friday to Monday and charge guests $250 per leg.

Blue Sky Airlines in water

“It will help establish the Hunter Valley as a ‘premium’ tourist destination, ideal for weddings, honeymoons and high-level incentive groups,” Schwartz said.

“At the moment, the Hunter Valley is missing out because it doesn’t have the services to meet the demands of discerning travellers.”

According to Schwartz, additional flights can be added to service conventions at the new Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre or major concerts, which are held regularly in the Hunter Valley.

“There is potentially great demand from time poor travellers who want to spend a day or two in the Hunter without having to drive 2½ hours between Sydney and the Hunter Valley,” Schwartz said.

Coincidentally, the flights will land next door to Schwartz’s Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley (and the Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre) and Newcastle Harbour, to service Dr Schwartz’s Crowne Plaza Newcastle and Novotel Newcastle.

“They could be a guest speaker at the Hunter Valley Conference Centre, a small incentive group wanting to combine wine with golf, or flying entertainers to perform at a Hunter Valley concert.

“The Hunter Valley may be one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wine regions, but in recent years it has been left behind as a tourist destination, and direct flights are one way to elevate its profile and status.

“The flights will not only offer convenient access to the Hunter Valley, they will provide a memorable scenic flight along the way.”

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Crowne Convention Centre crowne plaza hunter valley