Limestone Coast Tourism disappointment as Qantas leaves Mount Gambier
The Limestone Coast’s Regional Tourism Organisation, the Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA), says Qantas’ decision to withdraw from the Mount Gambier route is a disappointing setback for the local tourism sector, businesses and regional connectivity to vital services for the Limestone Coast community.
When Qantas entered the Limestone Coast market in 2021, it was widely celebrated as a positive development for regional tourism. The introduction of five weekly return flights to Melbourne and Adelaide provided a boost to the regional visitor economy. For the first time in 14 years, the Limestone Coast had more than one airline servicing the region, offering travellers greater choice and supporting business confidence, particularly during recovery periods following pandemic restrictions.
In early 2025, Qantas’ shift to the larger QantasLink Q400 turboprop aircraft also marked an exciting development for regional connectivity and the Limestone Coast tourism sector. The faster and larger aircraft improved travel times and increased capacity, giving visitors more flexibility when planning travel and making it easier to connect to onward destinations.
Over the past five years, the inclusion of a Qantas air service has promised to strengthen visitation from target markets, particularly with the growth and expansion of direct international flights into Adelaide.
While international visitors currently represent less than four per cent of total visitation to the Limestone Coast, flight options are essential to realise the potential growth of this high-value market and position the Limestone Coast as more than a drive-through destination.
LCLGA Executive Officer Charlotte Edmunds said the decision announced by Qantas was “incredibly disappointing for regional tourism and the Limestone Coast generally”.
“This is a huge blow—not only for tourism but for the Limestone Coast economy more broadly—and comes as tourism is still recovering from border closures, drought and, more recently, global oil shocks, high inflation and interest rates,” Ms Edmunds said.
“The LCLGA acknowledges tourism in the Limestone Coast is key to building a resilient and diverse regional economy—creating sustainable business growth, supporting local entrepreneurship, and generating year-round business and employment opportunities.”
In the five years since 2019, tourism has been one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Limestone Coast economy, providing sustainable and highly compatible economic contribution to complement the region’s strong performance in primary production.
“Regional aviation is essential public service for local communities, in addition to significant economic benefits,” Ms Edmunds said.
“REX will continue to service Mount Gambier, delivering the vital links our community needs and keep bringing valued visitors to this beautiful part of the world.”
“While we acknowledge this was a commercial decision for Qantas based on a number of factors, the LCLGA will continue to advocate for sustainable and reliable air services for the benefit of the community and Limestone Coast economy.”
“State and Federal Government policy settings must ensure regional aviation is sustainable, recognising its importance to community and the economic development of our regions,” Ms Edmunds said.
The state of Australia’s aviation sector and its ability to deliver reliable and affordable services to rural, regional and remote communities is the subject of a Senate Committee inquiry. LCLGA provided a submission to the inquiry earlier this year.