From house to boma on new Qantas direct flight to South Africa | USAEMALL.com

In the round of a boma on the grounds of an exceedingly quaint safari lodge in Mpumalanga, as the heady smoke from the braai drenched our clothes and birds chattered, we toasted new friends with a shot of springbokkie.

I’m travelling with a group of travel industry representatives, including South African locals, and Australian media to celebrate the recommencement of direct Qantas flights between Perth and Johannesburg. All of us, in one way or another, want to leave the country with a clutch of captivating stories that might demystify this magical destination without detracting from its allure.

The springbokkie, for the uninitiated (as I was) is a plus-size shot of local cream liqueur Amarula layered with peppermint liqueur. It’s garish and seems potentially unlikeable until you take a shot. Or two. Then it’s intoxicating and a hell of a lot of fun. A bit like Australians, perhaps. Or South Africans. Two nations full of enormous personalities with an appetite for adventure who love sport, socialising, culture, family — and a good toast.

This reconnection of the two countries, via QF65 three times a week, is not only a huge coup for curious travellers but also the enormous South African diaspora in Western Australia. One could not help but be deeply moved by the emotional reunions at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Grandparents with grandchildren, friends; lovers.

The same goes for the intense, full-body performance by local performers who welcomed us after the dreamily smooth 11-odd hour flight (almost full and pretty much right on time) on the airline’s still fresh A330.

We left Perth amid great fanfare, with a ceremony that also included stirring performances by local dancers including Corroboree For Life.

Adding to the enormity of the occasion was the arrival of QF112 from Auckland — the first Qantas service connecting New Zealand and WA.

Federal Tourism and Trade Minister Don Farrell said the routes were vital for connecting Australians with loved ones overseas, and for maintaining economic ties.

“This is an outstanding outcome for our tourism industry, delivering more tourists to Perth and cementing the city as a world-class tourist hub,” he said.

“More international flights in and out of Perth means more choice for Australian travellers, more customers for our local world-class tourism operators and more opportunities for Aussie exporters. These new flights will bring tourists to Perth, create jobs and help grow our economy.

“Aviation is the gateway to the rest of the world when you are this far away from the rest of the world.”

WA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said the new services marked a strong vote of confidence in Perth as the western gateway to Australia.

“Expanding WA’s non-stop international connections is central to our tourism strategy to make WA more accessible to the world, so that we can attract more visitors and encourage longer stays,” he said.

Qantas CEO Cam Wallace said the occasion marked “a significant milestone for Perth” as the airline worked to further establish its “western hub”.

FLYING HIGH

Perth-Johannesburg Three weekly flights operating on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday on Qantas A330 with 27 business class seats in 1-2-1 configuration (each featuring direct aisle access and converting into lie-flat beds) and 224 economy seats. Flight time approximately 11 hours and 15 minutes.

Perth-Auckland Three weekly flights operating Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Same A330 configuration. Flight time approximately six hours and 45 minutes.

+ Amanda Keenan is a guest of Qantas. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.